Countdown to Triathlon - 260 Days, 37..14 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 20 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY -

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.  ~Dr Seuss


I spent the afternoon helping my Mom decorate her tree and other parts of her house.  It always feels so good when the tree gets up and decorataed.  Today I'll do my own decorating so check back on Tuesday morning for more of New York, New York with photos.





The Journey - Installment Twenty

Going to New York for the running of the New York Marathon

(Side note – I have asked Cindy, Patti and Lynda to help me remember these three days so I will put their comments into the story. Patti is another sister and you'll learn who Lynda is soon.)

            Saturday, November 3, 2001, Cindy and her husband Sandy, her three sons, Kanyon, Ryan and Corey and I took the train from Union Station, Washington D.C.   I had never been on a train before and the trip to New York City was viewed from an interesting perspective because the tracks run through different parts of cities than you don’t see when you’re in a car on the freeway.  It was an exciting experience and I had never been through Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Trenton or Newark, NJ.  From Newark it was a short ride to Penn Station in New York City.  We arrived at Penn Station and I remember that when we walked out the door onto the street, Madison Square Garden was next to the station.  I had never been to New York City before but I’d heard of Madison Square Garden so often because my Dad always watched the Saturday Night Fights sponsored by Gillette Blue Blades.

 Every Saturday night when my sisters and I were in the middle of watching Rawhide, with Clint Eastwood, our Dad would come into the room and switch channels and we’d hear, “The Saturday Night Fights are on the air” followed by “To look sharp every time you shave, to feel sharp and be on the ball, to be sharp use Gillette Blue Blades, for the quickest, slickest shaves of all.”  How about that piece of trivia?  I can still hear them singing the song in my mind.  I just remember that my sisters and I pouted as we left the room because we only got to see half of Rawhide. There was no TiVo in those days and only one television in the house.   Many times I remember hearing that the fight was taking place in Madison Square Garden so when I was actually standing in front of the Garden that day, the Gillette song started playing in my brain.  All this trivia is not just for you dear readers, but also as  additional information for my children to know about some of the things we experienced when we were young (Oh, so many years ago!  I’m going to turn 67 in two weeks – how did that happen?)

Countdown to Triathlon - 261 Days, 37.255 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 19 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

This reminds me of our little town of Hughson where we lived for 35 years.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.  ~Bob Hope

I'm off today to help my Mom decorate her house. 

          

















The Journey -

Installment Nineteen







           Leaving Sweet Old Bob at home, I arrived in Virginia on Halloween, which was a Wednesday that year.  That day I ran errands with Cindy and we got ready for the children who would be coming to “Trick or Treat”.  Cindy also had to prepare for her trip to New York, including getting her husband and three boys ready for the excursion. Cindy’s son Kanyon was preparing for his Eagle Scout Court of Honor which was to take place soon after we returned from New York.  As an aside, all three of her boys earned their Eagle Scout rank which is a monumental accomplishment.

On Friday I accompanied Cindy to West Springfield High School where a very giving and generous mother made a spaghetti lunch every Friday for the Varsity football team.  I watched as the other kids in the cafeteria purchased their lunches and was totally amazed at the choices the kids made for their meal – candy, cookies, junk, and more junk.  I guess I’ve been away from school too long and didn’t remember.  Suddenly, my memory came back.  I do now remember that my mother would give me lunch money and I would buy custard (in a little green pottery custard cup), a Pay Day candy bar and a package of peanut butter cookies which were wrapped in wax paper.  They were so greasy that the grease soaked through the wax paper.  Boy, they were sure good!  But, I am digressing here. 

            In the evening we attended Kanyon’s football game at the high school.  I remember that the first weekend in November was very cold in Virginia at night.  We were able to sit with our backs to the announcer’s booth which helped cut some of the wind.  Much colder weather than we were experiencing in California. We got to bed late that night and had to get up early for our trip to New York City.

Yikes, I said I post this afternoon, but got carried away writing the next section. I promise it will be there in the morning.

Countdown to Triathlon - 262 Days, 37.5 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 19 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie


It's not so cold this morning, but I'm off to Bible Study Fellowship; we're studying the Book of Isaiah.  Roxi and I will go walking after I get back, about noon.  I have an entire weight room set-up in the backyard glasshouse, but can't get to it because of the "stuff" in the way.  I was successful when training for the bike ride in a program of weights by Bill Phillips called Body for Life.  The program is three times a week, about one hour each time and is really helpful.  So my next goal is to get that area of the glasshouse cleaned out so I can get to the weights.  A lofty goal but certainly possible. 

The Journey - Installment Nineteen


Whoops!  I ran out of time and this will be a new part of the story which I haven't written up.  I called my sister Cindy to collaborate with her on this part of the excursion.  I'll post this afternoon.  Come back late afternoon.  Sorry.

Countdown to Triathlon - 263 Days, 37.5 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 18 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

         Goodbye fall leaves - Hello Pine Swags!


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis



The training continues - it's cold and hard to get the old bones moving in the morning.  But move, I must.  Even the fountain is having it's difficulties.

 

 





NOTICE THE ICE!  BRRRR



The Journey - Installment Eighteen

 

 

 

         NEW YORK, NEW YORK    

            The 31^st of October, 2001, Halloween, I flew to Virginia to accompany my sister and her family to New York for the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 5^th.  We had talked to each other earlier in the summer and discovered that she was in training for the marathon and I informed her that I was training for a 200 mile bike ride. Neither of us had ever attempted such feats in our lives.  I was a little nervous before flying back to the east coast because of the terrorist alerts following September 11^th.   I am not usually worried or frightened about flying, but this time I had fear.   On the way to the airport, I called Pastor Don on my cell phone and asked him to pray for my safety.  I received such comfort and peace because of his prayers and God’s grace.  It was impressed upon me by a feeling that came over me that I was not to worry because God intended that I complete the ride the following June; therefore nothing harmful would happen to me.  I was able to let go of the fear even though the news was full of predictions of possible terrorist attacks on Halloween on airplanes and shopping malls.

Countdown to Triathlon - 264 Days, 37.75 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 17 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson




I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.  My mother, daughter Laurel and her husband Danny spent the day with Bob and I.  A quiet Thanksgiving, but very nice.  Quite different  from the days when we had four little children running around the house.  As we all took time to reflect on our blessings, I remembered the above poem that I heard as a child which has always reminded me of even the small things of life which we sometimes forget to be thankful for.

I was especially touched by the journal post from a dear friend named Melanie who, with her entire family, is battling brain tumors in her thirteen year old daughter.  She included in the journal for Thanksgiving, a long list of things for which she is thankful.  That really touched my heart.  In the midst of all the hard things that they are dealing with, she was able to see beyond the negative and bring the positive to the forefront.  I am thankful for her and blessed to know her.  

When times are tough, we must remember to HANG ON!

The training has been very sparse this last week, but am getting back in the swing of it.  I have been researching how to put together a total program for all parts of the training: walking/jogging; cycling; swimming; lifting weights; stretching, etc.  I will post it so that I will be held accountable.  It is so important that I share it and my progress; otherwise it is so easy to say, I'll do it tomorrow.  And tomorrow, and tomorrow. 

The Journey - Installment Seventeen

One day I decided to go to the gun store to purchase spray to keep the dogs away. I remember the conversation with the gun store owner.  I asked for two packages of spray and then as an afterthought asked what it would take to buy a small gun to carry in my fanny pack.  I thought that I would feel safer and could ride on the canal alone if I had a gun.  The man said that I would be in possession of a concealed weapon and that it was against the law.  So I said, “What if I wore it on the outside?”  He replied, “That would be brandishing a firearm.”  I then asked him what I needed to do to get a license and he listed a long list of requirements.  I got the distinct impression that he didn’t think I was a good candidate for a gun.  I paid for my spray and went home.  

 There was one spot on the canal bank where we would cross a bridge and were confronted with a vicious, snarling dog. There was a house an outbuilding at that intersection.   Chained to the outbuilding was the scariest dog.  He lunged and snarled  every time we rode past and I cringed just to think of what he would do to us if the chain ever broke.  The spray that I had purchased came with a cover and Velcro that would wrap around our wrist for easy accessibility. Just before arriving at the "bad dog place" Don and I always unsnapped the cover of the spray to have it at the ready.   If that vicious dog weren’t enough, one day Don and I were riding home by way of a different route.  We were still in the countryside and all of a sudden three huge Rottweiler’s came charging out of a gate.  Two of the dogs came toward me and one circled behind me to attack Don.  Don got out his spray and it occurred to me that I might get it in my face if the wind was blowing just right, or just wrong, from my perspective.  I spayed at the two dogs on my left side and they just backed away.  I know I didn’t hit them in the face, but I think they got enough of a whiff that they knew they had better quit.  The spray, I was told, contained tear gas and green dye so that whoever or whatever I sprayed would have the dye on them for three days.  That same day, when we were within three miles of home, we looked to our right in the field and there was another dog.  This one was crouched, ready to spring.  As he headed toward us, Don got out his trusty spray and the last we saw, the poor thing was rolling around in the dirt trying to get the spray out of his eyes.  I think that we never had to use this method again which is a good thing because I always thought I’d probably get the spray in my face one day because of the wind.    We still hated the part of the route we took where the snarling, vicious dog was chained up.  Thank you Lord that his chain held.  I wonder if that dog is still there tormenting those who pass by.

Countdown to Triathlon - 271 Days, 38.75 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 16 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful, thankful day with your families.

Due to guests coming to stay  and then going to our daughter's and son-in-law's house to finish the painting, I won't update this blog until next Monday.

The Journey - Installment Sixteen

     When we arrived back at the dirt piles again, we had to walk down the slope to the orchard.  We were trying to follow our tracks from before.   Don commented that it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.  I mentioned that I could see my tracks where I had walked my bike down the embankment earlier.   Just then Don said, “Stop! Look!”  I had been scanning the ground with my eyes, still looking for the speedometer but my eyes and my front tires had already passed it.   I had not seen it.  Just seconds before, as Don told me later, he had prayed silently, “Lord, open our eyes that we may see it.”  Instantly, he spotted it.  Thank you Don but most of all, thank you JESUS!  I told Don that if I hadn’t already been a believer, I sure would be now! We weren’t able to record our mileage that day, of course, but just the day before had recorded another milestone, 600 miles of  riding since July.  The Lord was doing such great things in my life and showing me constantly that I was indeed following his plan.