My sister-in-law visited here for about 10 days, an annual event for the last several years. We were four, now we’re two. New traditions have been formed and we carry on some of the old ones. Life. A few photos from this last trip.
Hibiscus in my front yard .
A visit from the fam, an adventure to the new Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, new landscaping and a Florida sunset . In no particular order.
I haven’t posted here for a while, my heart just hadn’t been in it. Reasons. Today my favorite granddaughter suggested that I should put today’s Major Life Event for her brother on my blog. After all, she noted, I had recorded a similar event for her on my blog. A bloggable event is a bloggable event. (Hers occurred on April 29, 2018 if you want to check.)
Today my favorite grandson received his MBA from Grand Valley State University, the same place I got mine many, many years ago. 1985 or so?? He got his undergraduate degree during the Covid shutdown, so there was no official ceremony, though we did have a party. (In my garage, outside, limited numbers.). Today was a beautiful Spring day, sunny and windy, a bit cool. Flowering pear trees lined the streets near the Van Andel Arena where the commencement activities took place after a coffee gathering at the Seidman School of Business, a block and a bridge away from the graduation site. Photos…
We had a celebratory lunch at a local pizza place afterwards. A bloggable event, indeed.
The title of this post is a quote. It’s my brother’s response to my message to him that I had ridden my bike for 50 miles just 5 days before what I am calling a milestone birthday. 50 miles. Of some significance is that if you convert that to kilometers, it’s my age. A bit over, in fact. I will let you do your own math, it’s good for your brain. It’s been an interesting journey. Hatched around a kitchen island and refined over bike rides and conversations with good friends in Florida in January. It seemed within my abilities at the time. I knew how to do that, certainly I had done it numerous times on back to back rides on TRAM. 20 years ago. Looking back, my brain still knows how to do that. Every other cell in my body had forgotten. Starting from a base where 12 miles is a normal length ride for me, 50 is a long way away. It’s a long way anyway. Saturday, July 20, 2024 I set out to do my last training ride, what I called a taper ride, planning on 30 something miles. My longest training ride had been 40.7 miles, and I had ridden that distance twice. (Doctor’s orders. I checked with her before I got too deep into this.). I wasn’t even on my lightest bike, but I knew that if I felt good at the end of this ride, I just might go for it. Weather forecasts for my actual birthday were for humid and maybe rain. Humidity is my kryptonite, as I am fond of saying.
An early start from Quincy Park, north and west past the PSPS, along the north side of the Pigeon River then north and west again. The old school house on Pierce, more north and west until barriers signaled construction. South to Kirk Park for a longer rest stop. Return to Quincy Park with a total of 33 miles, still feeling okay. The Bike With No Name is a solid steed. I meet my friend LH at Winstrom Park, she brings cherries and a peanut butter sandwich. I take a long break and head out to finish off the remaining 17 miles. It’s a bit of a blur, familiar roads, close to home. A lot of head math. I return to my car in Winstrom Park and have to ride a few circles around the parking lot to push my bike computer over the 50 miles. Just barely.
That’s very stubborn of me.
Sitting on the deck with the granddaughter at sunset after an evening watching episodes of Dr. Who with a neighbor. It’s been about a week since the solstice.
Photos by LH.
I’m still working on this birthday bike ride thing. Progress has been slow, both endurance and speed have been diminished by the passing of time. Or more honestly, by the lack of activity required to maintain those skills. I’ve cursed the wind, my legs and my age quite frequently this month, but my geriatric body has also taken me and my bikes to some amazing places that I haven’t seen from the seat of a bicycle for years. The old one room schoolhouse is north of Kirk Park by a couple of miles.
I haven’t ridden more than about 20 miles at a stretch for years. Because I’m planning a longer ride around my birthday this year, I’ve been stretching out the length of a few of my rides. This guy has moved since he was last featured here. Which is mildly disturbing.
It’s that weekend again — the roar of the engines in the old brickyard, flags flying in yards, the unofficial start to summer. Remembrance. This post is a mix of photos from this month, moments I choose to find memorable.
Did I mention the new donut shop? They also have cupcakes. I haven’t tried them yet.
Theoretically, I am done traveling for a while. Since I am still waking up in the morning uncertain of where I am, that’s probably a good thing. The Florida sun (I know, it’s the same one) has gotten too hot for my Nordic blood. I do miss some things, however. And some people.
