The storm that never was

Today I went for a drive up to the end of the Gunflint Trail. As the end of the road got closer and closer, I started seeing a really ominous cloud bank up in the sky. I thought that it for sure was not only going to rain, but thunder and lightning something fierce by the looks of it. Nothing ever came of it. The cloud bank loomed, but moved on without so much as a whisper or a single drop of rain (at least, not that I noticed!).

Christmas Around Our House

Xtreme Winterfest Ride

It was a sunny, cool (OK cold) day, Over 40 riders assembled at the Western Historic Trails Center for the annual ride. Most riders arrived by motor vehicle, a few hardy souls rode from their residences in town.
We rode the 2 1/2 miles up the Iowa Riverfront trail to Riverside Grill. The Grill had a special for riders - Chili, foot-long dog, and soda for $6. (Think I got that right - I substituted a Winter Lager for the soda).
After food and refreshments, some rode on to and over the Bob Bridge. I headed back to the Trails Center and drove home.
Today's photo is a group shot of the riders.

Thoughts on Creativity

Beginning in January, I started the Creative Every Day Challenge.  Since then, I've been creative about six out of seven days; except for this week.
Why is this week different?  Because I've been helping out lots more with the three grandchildren.  I have a few thoughts that might help some of you younger mothers to get a long term perspective on mothering and childrearing.
Sometimes doesn't it feel like your children are sucking the life out of you?  Crudely put but true.  They take all you have to give and then need and want more.  They are our greatest creative projects.  Let me say that again...our children are the greatest and best creations we'll ever make.  
Not that we are totally responsible for their outcome.  God, environment, siblings, relatives, strangers, etc. all come together to make our children what they are.  But the mother, by far, has the biggest influence on her children.  In my case, it was especially true because I had them with me all the time by homeschooling, and their father was traveling a lot with his job. 
The thing I like about making something like a dress, pillow, framed photograph, knitted hat, etc. is that after it's made I can look at it for a long time.  The clothes I made for my children are now being worn by my grandchildren.  I get a good feeling every time I see them.
With children, you sometimes don't see the fruits of your labor for twenty or more years; sometimes never.  That's so discouraging to me, and that's why rearing children is an act of faith.  Faith that God will take your feeble efforts and make out of that child a better person than you are. Faith that God is making them into the person He wants them to be.
Parenting isn't about instant gratification.  There are times though, by the grace of God, that you get glimmerings of the person you're helping them to become.  Your heart fills with hope and love and you have an 'ah ha!' moment.  Everything looks rosier, and then they scream at their brother, push them down...you fill in the blank, and your hopes are dashed. 
Mothers should spend a great portion of their time in prayer.  I believe that if I had prayed more when mine were small, I would have had more self-control and less anger.
You also have to become somewhat emotionally detached--in a good way.  I remember being surprised and shocked when my children did something wrong.  Was I expecting them to be perfect or something?  I must have.  It was a personal affront to me.  I knew they were sinners, but I didn't act like it, or I wouldn't have been so surprised.  
So I had to emotionally back away from them and myself and try and view them like any other children and then rationally deal with the situation.  I'm still having to do that with my adult children when they don't do what I think they should.  I turn them over to God and pray that He'll enlighten them and help them see things as they really are.
My main point, which I haven't even gotten to yet, is that when you're busy helping to create a new person, you don't have enough time or energy to do much else.  And that's as it should be.  This is your season for that.  They'll be plenty of time to be creative in other ways later.  And if you find time to do both, then praise God for his blessings!  But don't neglect your little ones to pursue your own selfish pleasures.  Your time with them is short compared to the time you'll have without them.

Christmas at the Golden Gate

Well, I wasn't sure where I would be for Christmas... as luck would have it, I found myself in San Francisco on Christmas Eve. I spent the evening at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. I love the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was one of the things I was wanting to photograph again on this trip. Much to my surprise, when I arrived at the area overlooking the bridge I could see a few stars in the sky! I was certain that the city lights would be too bright to be able to see any stars, but thankfully I was wrong. I managed to make an image of the bridge with the constellation Orion visible in the sky above. It was the perfect Christmas gift.

Even though I was "alone" on Christmas, I felt like you were all with me. I received many emails from my friends, followers and supporters wishing me a Merry Christmas. Thanks to you all who took the time to send me a message. Your wishes were much appreciated and made me feel like I was home. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well!

Kitten Therapy

I've always had a cat in my life.  Many hours have been spent cuddling them and crying into their fur when life wasn't as good as I'd like for it to be.  
Darcie loves them as much as I do.  We currently have three four-week-old kittens.  I'm letting her keep Spot, the white one with large orange spots. That'll make eight cats we have.  I'm going to give away the other two kittens and two other adult cats, then we'll only have four!  Two are orange tabbys, one is solid white, and Spot is a mixture.
I've even let mama and babies stay in the house since they've been born.  When my children came along, the cat went outside.  Now that I only have two children living at home, I'm ready to have an inside cat again.  
I love seeing a cat curled up on the couch or in front of the fireplace.  So homey and cozy!

Loretto Chapel

My plans for today was to head to Santa Fe, visit with a friend there, and tour by bicycle. First stop the CGHiggins Candy Shoppe. Plan was to park the car and bike from there.
Weather was being a bit "iffy" this morning. While mt visit at the candy shop, it was sunny/cloudy and calm/breezy. Walking to the car for a calendar, I was breating pretty hard (guess the added altitude was getting to me).
After a cup of coffee and candy purchases, I drove into the plaza area of Santa Fe. Abandoned the plans pf cycling around town. Temp was 37 - a little chilly. The one thing I wanted to see was the spiral staircase at the Loretto Chapel.
I found the chapel and spent the $3 to see the staircase. I will not be able to post a photo for sale as they only allow photos for personal use. Today's photo is the staircase and the read of the chapel.
When I got back to Albuquerque, it was 52 and sunny. A little tired today, so stayed in the room(clouded off again in the afternoon) and rested.

What sets cycling apart

I have a confession to make. I've dabbled in running recently. It's only a run of 4-5km once a week, and usually interrupted with a workout on some free gym equipment by the beach at North Burleigh, but it's generally been the workout of choice on Tuesday morning's over the last two months. Some years ago I was quite a proficient runner -- doing anything from 10-18km each day, half of which was on sand. In 1997 I'd even been offered sponsorship to run in the half-marathon in July's Gold Coast marathon. A knee injury put paid to that, the cycling part of my life expanded to fill the gap, and the rest is history.
The thing is, that while I'm enjoying the brief return to running each Tuesday morning, I don't look forward to it with the same enthusiasm with which I look forward to my bike rides. Barring some totally unforeseen catastrophe, there is really no chance of it making a major impact on my life. The reason why was really rammed home on Thursday's ride -- through the remains of the previous evening's storm. Cycling is not like any other exercise.
What sets cycling apart is the places it can take me. Sure, I can go for a run along the beach tomorrow morning, and it will be pleasant (assuming I can evade the drunks), but I can ride to the same beach, then double back and ride up a mountain to a world-heritage listed rainforest, all before lunchtime. Then when time permits I can throw my bike on a plane and spend a month exploring another country, yet still travelling at a pace that allows me to see and experience everything that place has to offer. And still, if a place doesn't meet my expectations, I can cover the ground with sufficient haste to find another that does.
This, is what sets cycling apart from other forms of exercise, and yet another reason why it's a major part of my life.

Georgia History Begins in Savannah

Darcie and I spent Thursday night of last week at a B&B called The Azalea Inn in Savannah; wonderful place if you ever get the chance.
Originally booked as a 35th anniversary get-away for dear husband and myself, he said that if he's only going to be an hour away from home, he'd rather stay in his own bed. "Fine," says I. "I'll just take Darcie." And I did. I showed him.
We're learning Georgia History this year, so I thought this would be a great time and place to start.
Unfortunately, newly-turned-thirteen-year-old daughter doesn't like history. The travesty. I think she's adopted. I love history. Adore it even. Sigh....
So, my plan of attack was to walk through the historic district holding the shopping carrot over her; history first...shopping second. It pretty much worked.
This was the first time I've walked from one end of the historic district to the other. It's only about a mile one way. I do that all the time. But walking on uneven bricks and cobblestones, dodging traffic, taking endless photos, reading the map, etc. is pretty physically draining.
We just scratched the surface. Wait till she goes to Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, Fort Sumter, Fort Sunbury, etc. I may have to promise her unlimited use of my Visa!

Adjusting to colder water and weather

Lake Michigan's surface water near Chicago dropped about 10 degrees over the past week. This morning's 19-knot winds beckoned, but the water temperatures whispered, "Bring your neoprene caps and poagies."

We suppose some people don't hear things like that.

After weeks of warm water, we were somewhat sad to find the lake back in the mid-50s. But hey, this is Chicago. And besides, our west coast friends consider temperatures like these normal.

We surfed and played a bit, then tried to convince one of the denizens of the doggie beach that we weren't deep sea aliens come to steal his tennis balls.

It's important, we figure, to get out on the water as the temperatures drop to soften the shock of winter's arrival. Poagies and all.