It was a late night, so I slept in this morning....unfortunately I missed the coolest part of the day for the ride. So I enjoyed an easy 5 miles in 95 degrees this afternoon. You know it's hot when the ice in your water bottle melts in less than 15 minutes.... I will ride first thing tomorrow. Apparently we're having a heatwave. Just a few more days in the 90s, then it may cool down. I bought a new pump for the tires today...the brand is Joe Blow. (You can't make this stuff up.) Needless to say it was a smooth ride as the tires were perfectly full.
I always enjoy a good lunch followed by text study with my colleagues. One of our topics of discussion was about the upcoming Hilly Hundred Ride. There is a costume contest as part of the ride. So, I'm accepting suggestions for a bike friendly costume for the ride.
Things to keep in mind:
I'm riding a road bike for 2 days.
I will be wearing a helmet.
Beware the chain and gears.
Here are some suggestions from lunch:
Mrs. Gulch (from the Wizard of Oz)
Any Harry Potter character on a broom playing Quidditch.
Elliot - from ET - all I need is a red hoodie, and an ET to put in a basket on the front of my bike. (I think there is one at my parent's house, ET that is...I've already got the red hoodie)
A Skunk....so I could have dry ice giving off spray :)
Wearing a sympathy belly and a shirt that says 'Have you seen my daddy?'
I have not decided on an outfit yet...all suggestions are welcome.
In other news, this season of Glee is already rockin. and Sons of Anarchy...kicked butt with a cameo by Stephen King...who 'took care of the body'. :)
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
them's fightin words!
Today's verse in my Sojourner's Verse & Voice was this one:
[Jesus] called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:2-5
I visited Kenley and her family today and Kenley had this to say, "I am a cancer fighter!"
Seeing kids that are sick just tears at my heart and my sister's too. She's running her first marathon next Saturday with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Team in Training. She'll be running in honor of Kenley. (Thanks, LK!)
To support her team and more research click here: Laura's Team in Training Page
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
bears and prayers
It was a last minute ride this evening...around the church parking lot. My only company was the feral cats. They were cute, and I'm glad none of the black ones crossed my path.
I always get worried when the phone rings on a Sunday morning...rarely is it someone who cannot come to church ;) This morning's call was from a woman whose 3 year-old granddaughter was just diagnosed with leukemia this morning. Ugh. The little girl was admitted to Riley Children's Hospital early this morning, has already had a blood transfusion and awaits bone marrow work tomorrow. Our congregation makes teddy bears to give to children at Riley...and once a year we get the completed bears and bless them before sending them up. This morning, as part of the children's message, I invited the kids to the middle of the sanctuary and they held the bear and the rest of the congregation laid hands on us as we all blessed the bear sending our prayers for Kenley, her family, and all who love her. So many times in worship we speak, pray, or sing in unison...and the voices are all together. But as we blessed the bear (in true children's message fashion) I said a line, and everyone repeated after me. The voices were so in sync and so strong. There was some sense of urgency and concern coming from the congregation that at this moment, today...all that we could do for Kenley was pray for her. I'm sure there will be times in the future that will allow more hands on ways to show our love and support for the family, but today it was prayer. An amazingly, powerful experience.
We are not at a point where we celebrate communion weekly, but today was a communion service...which was the physical reminder of all that God has done for us, with all that we've been through.
After a wonderfully busy weekend with very little sleep, in combination with an emotional morning, I took a solid 2 hour nap this afternoon. I remember dreaming, that's how out I was.
Here's hoping I'm ready for the rest of the week. While I would love to see who is the better 'Manning'...I may just have an early night.
Until tomorrow...
I always get worried when the phone rings on a Sunday morning...rarely is it someone who cannot come to church ;) This morning's call was from a woman whose 3 year-old granddaughter was just diagnosed with leukemia this morning. Ugh. The little girl was admitted to Riley Children's Hospital early this morning, has already had a blood transfusion and awaits bone marrow work tomorrow. Our congregation makes teddy bears to give to children at Riley...and once a year we get the completed bears and bless them before sending them up. This morning, as part of the children's message, I invited the kids to the middle of the sanctuary and they held the bear and the rest of the congregation laid hands on us as we all blessed the bear sending our prayers for Kenley, her family, and all who love her. So many times in worship we speak, pray, or sing in unison...and the voices are all together. But as we blessed the bear (in true children's message fashion) I said a line, and everyone repeated after me. The voices were so in sync and so strong. There was some sense of urgency and concern coming from the congregation that at this moment, today...all that we could do for Kenley was pray for her. I'm sure there will be times in the future that will allow more hands on ways to show our love and support for the family, but today it was prayer. An amazingly, powerful experience.
We are not at a point where we celebrate communion weekly, but today was a communion service...which was the physical reminder of all that God has done for us, with all that we've been through.
After a wonderfully busy weekend with very little sleep, in combination with an emotional morning, I took a solid 2 hour nap this afternoon. I remember dreaming, that's how out I was.
Here's hoping I'm ready for the rest of the week. While I would love to see who is the better 'Manning'...I may just have an early night.
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
2000 words...or so...
On 4 1/2 hours sleep....I have managed to make it through a pretty amazing day.
It began with a fun wake up call/morning conversation.
Followed by a quick morning ride:
It did not cure the hangover...but it did make me forget about it momentarily :)
Then there was lots and lots of time in the car. From Indianapolis....through Loogootee and Stendal with the final destination being Bowling Green, Kentucky. Where a good time was had by all watching IU beat Western Kentucky! Go IU!
We had great seats, in the shade for the whole game! (bonus) Good times!
And a blog post just before midnight.
Until tomorrow...
It began with a fun wake up call/morning conversation.
Followed by a quick morning ride:
It did not cure the hangover...but it did make me forget about it momentarily :)
Then there was lots and lots of time in the car. From Indianapolis....through Loogootee and Stendal with the final destination being Bowling Green, Kentucky. Where a good time was had by all watching IU beat Western Kentucky! Go IU!
We had great seats, in the shade for the whole game! (bonus) Good times!
And a blog post just before midnight.
Until tomorrow...
Friday, September 17, 2010
old friends...
Just finished a beautiful 13 mile ride with my friend Connie. She introduced me to sprints on a bike...yup, I've done them running before, but not on wheels. Interesting....still debating how much I *love* them.
Other adventures from today include a wonderful visit with my friend Heather and her beautiful daughter Jillian. Jillian is currently at Riley Children's Hospital and we eagerly await for her to be home with mom and dad. But it was ever so wonderful to sit and reconnect with Heather. It's been over a year since we've sat and talked, but it was like no time had passed at all. She is a dear friend and wonderful mother. Hopefully our next visit will be sooner than next year! (ps...It was great to see her hubby Wade on Saturday, which was the reminder that I needed to come up and see her & Jillian.)
So my deep insight for today...to embrace and continue to kindle relationships of all sorts. For the case of me, today it's friends....it is worth it to drive and see them, or call them to talk...but take the time to do so. I didn't want the time in the hospital room to end...just as I didn't want the ride to end...but luckily time with Connie will continue as we go out on the town. :)
Until tomorrow...
Other adventures from today include a wonderful visit with my friend Heather and her beautiful daughter Jillian. Jillian is currently at Riley Children's Hospital and we eagerly await for her to be home with mom and dad. But it was ever so wonderful to sit and reconnect with Heather. It's been over a year since we've sat and talked, but it was like no time had passed at all. She is a dear friend and wonderful mother. Hopefully our next visit will be sooner than next year! (ps...It was great to see her hubby Wade on Saturday, which was the reminder that I needed to come up and see her & Jillian.)
So my deep insight for today...to embrace and continue to kindle relationships of all sorts. For the case of me, today it's friends....it is worth it to drive and see them, or call them to talk...but take the time to do so. I didn't want the time in the hospital room to end...just as I didn't want the ride to end...but luckily time with Connie will continue as we go out on the town. :)
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, September 16, 2010
feeling yesterday's ride
I woke up and the weight of my legs said, hey, remember riding 20 miles, yesterday? We do!
It was a good feeling...even though I was pretty tired. So my morning outside was a brisk walk around town. Not a bad way to start the day, especially with the wind gusts.
The fun part of the day was choosing my new hair length and color. :) A shorter cut, with sass, and red color. I love it!
The ride today was to show of the new do. It was well received by the folks who saw it. I did stop in and see some folks and the combination of the walk, the short ride and then a set of stairs and *that's* when my legs really had something to say. Looking forward to a ride with a friend tomorrow.
I had an excellent dinner with a dear friend this evening. It is always a blessing to connect with friends, share worries, anxieties, joys and celebrations...and with tasty pizza at Bobe's no less.
And the day ended with the season premiere of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It was definitely obvious that Coors Light is the official beer of Sunny, but that has not tamed the show one bit. :)
Until tomorrow...
It was a good feeling...even though I was pretty tired. So my morning outside was a brisk walk around town. Not a bad way to start the day, especially with the wind gusts.
The fun part of the day was choosing my new hair length and color. :) A shorter cut, with sass, and red color. I love it!
The ride today was to show of the new do. It was well received by the folks who saw it. I did stop in and see some folks and the combination of the walk, the short ride and then a set of stairs and *that's* when my legs really had something to say. Looking forward to a ride with a friend tomorrow.
I had an excellent dinner with a dear friend this evening. It is always a blessing to connect with friends, share worries, anxieties, joys and celebrations...and with tasty pizza at Bobe's no less.
And the day ended with the season premiere of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It was definitely obvious that Coors Light is the official beer of Sunny, but that has not tamed the show one bit. :)
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
a new friend
"Guess what?" Is something I always ask one of my parishioners...to which she replies...you met someone!!!! (She is always eager for me to be dating someone. I think deep down there is a hope that I will get married and stay in Loogootee forever...)
But seriously, I should have asked that parishioner that question today, because, yes I did meet someone. Not a dating prospect, but someone who likes to ride. On part of my 20 mile ride this morning, a motorcycle passed and the rider gave a wave. I thought, oh, that's nice. Later in my ride, I hear a vehicle slowing up behind me, which when I do not see any oncoming traffic, I get nervous...I turn and it's the guy on the motorcycle.
We chat for a while about riding and the Hilly Hundred (he and his girlfriend are riding this year). I tell him I know I'll be ready for it, but I'm not going to race it. He shares his experience from the first year, that he took off racing through the first day and most of the second. He got to the final SAG stop and had some chicken and started listening to the live music and he realized, man, I've done this all wrong...Since then, he's done the course at a more relaxed pace. Nice guy...he passed me one more time...asked how far I was going and seemed impressed at my distance. Now I'm thinking, small town...I've definitely been on rides where I've seen the same vehicle several times...but woah, I wish I had the job (retirement?) where I could just ride my motorcycle in and around town for a few hours on a beautiful Wednesday morning.
So yesterday I was thinking about patience....and today I visited a woman in the hospital who fell off a ladder last week. She shattered one heel, broke the other and has one broken wrist. She won't be walking until at least one heel heals. She said, maybe this is to teach me patience...huh, I said, something I need to learn too. I can't imagine
Thanks God, for examples today of where you are in the presence of people's lives. Thanks, too, for the reminder that life is a long journey....with ups and downs, just like today's ride, where some days I'll be the one wearing or eating the bugs...and other days I'll be the bug. Where sometimes I just completely feel and share God's grace with others...and days I think I know who should and shouldn't get it. Well, that's me - simultaneously sinner & saint.
Oh...I finished a crazy psychological thriller today, The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage. Gripping...in fact, I didn't ride this morning until after I finished it. I forgot how much I loved to read....I guess I'll be hitting the stacks of books I've owned but just haven't read. Next up, a read and pass on copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. If you want it next, let me know.
Until tomorrow...
But seriously, I should have asked that parishioner that question today, because, yes I did meet someone. Not a dating prospect, but someone who likes to ride. On part of my 20 mile ride this morning, a motorcycle passed and the rider gave a wave. I thought, oh, that's nice. Later in my ride, I hear a vehicle slowing up behind me, which when I do not see any oncoming traffic, I get nervous...I turn and it's the guy on the motorcycle.
We chat for a while about riding and the Hilly Hundred (he and his girlfriend are riding this year). I tell him I know I'll be ready for it, but I'm not going to race it. He shares his experience from the first year, that he took off racing through the first day and most of the second. He got to the final SAG stop and had some chicken and started listening to the live music and he realized, man, I've done this all wrong...Since then, he's done the course at a more relaxed pace. Nice guy...he passed me one more time...asked how far I was going and seemed impressed at my distance. Now I'm thinking, small town...I've definitely been on rides where I've seen the same vehicle several times...but woah, I wish I had the job (retirement?) where I could just ride my motorcycle in and around town for a few hours on a beautiful Wednesday morning.
So yesterday I was thinking about patience....and today I visited a woman in the hospital who fell off a ladder last week. She shattered one heel, broke the other and has one broken wrist. She won't be walking until at least one heel heals. She said, maybe this is to teach me patience...huh, I said, something I need to learn too. I can't imagine
Thanks God, for examples today of where you are in the presence of people's lives. Thanks, too, for the reminder that life is a long journey....with ups and downs, just like today's ride, where some days I'll be the one wearing or eating the bugs...and other days I'll be the bug. Where sometimes I just completely feel and share God's grace with others...and days I think I know who should and shouldn't get it. Well, that's me - simultaneously sinner & saint.
Oh...I finished a crazy psychological thriller today, The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage. Gripping...in fact, I didn't ride this morning until after I finished it. I forgot how much I loved to read....I guess I'll be hitting the stacks of books I've owned but just haven't read. Next up, a read and pass on copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. If you want it next, let me know.
Until tomorrow...
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