Don'tcha just love it?

The sound of crackling, crunching autumn colored leaves under your bike tires, that is?
I know I love it, so I guess everyone should. How's that for individuality?

Fall is splendid. Today was glorious!!! God's handiwork sure is amazing!!!!
It was in the upper 70's and bright and sunny. I suppose I won't mention the 30-40 mph winds (oops, I just did). But I'll take the wind if we can keep it as nice and warm as it is today. Sleeveless in Seattle? Oh wait- I'm sleeveless in the City. There, that sounds about right.

Today was an exhausting day from from the minute I walked into school at 6:45 am. We had local author Darleen Bailey Beard come talk to the students and do writing workshops with them. It was totally fun and completely and utterly tiring. I think I need a stiff drink and a warm meal to make it all better. Really- this is what makes my job the BEST job around. Trust me, I spent 11 years in the classroom and I know what it's like. Now that I'm a librarian I certainly love what I do. It's just about the BEST there is!!!!
Here is a picture from Darleen's visit. The kids adored her and loved every single minute!!!! It's what makes it all worthwhile. Here she is doing her thang...



My ride home from work was dreamy. A strong S wind and a N route home make for a great combination! I hardly had to pedal at all on the northbound streets. What fun!! Of course with the wind blowing all the leaves in the trees have been blown all out. Makes me a little sad because I love to see the colors on those enormous branches just dangling down above my head as I ride. Here's the pretty contrast of the red bush and my evergreen tree.
Then just inside my hidden courtyard, I was greeted by my hammock suffocating under the crushing weight of all those leaves. "Help me!" it cried in anguish. I guess hammock season is officially over... today.

Then as I'm stepping through the leaves I spy Mr. Land/Water Turtle peeking his head out among the sea of leaves that have almost buried him... well, he's already dead so I suppose he can't be buried alive- but you get the idea. He was buried. If that isn't a look that could kill... creeeeepy evil turtle eye...



I couldn't help but play a little myself, so I laid down in the leaves and snapped a picture of myself amongst the beautiful array of leaves. I just L-O-V-E fall leaves and their bold colors. Makes me all giddy inside and makes my heart smile with the warmth of a thousand suns.




So today fall is here. Winter will be here before we know it. Until then- I shall soak up every minute of this wonderfully blessed season. Vive le fall!


Oh yeah- I almost forgot to tell you the best part about my ride today. I was riding through the richy-rich neighborhood that I work in. Keep in mind that I could NEVER afford an empty lot in this neighborhood, let alone the lot plus the half million dollar home that sits on it. But I digress...
anyway- I'm riding past these two old women who are walking a little dog. They stop walking to watch me approach (I have my bike with both side panniers full of stuff, wearing a helmet with a mirror and am all geeked out). They watch me get closer, and as I pedal by I look in my rearview mirror and I see them turned around and still watching me. Really? I think they wondered whether or not I was homeless or whether they should call the police to get me out of their neighborhood. I got a huge belly laugh out of that one. Poor old bittys were frightened of the woman riding a bicycle contraption looking like a little homeless person. Call the Keystone Cops (what we joking call the Nichols Hills PD). ;) Made my afternoon!
I wish I'd gotten a picture of THAT!

Ahhh... fall

HUH???
So the months got together and decided that they would switch places? Why? To screw with us is the obvious reason, but it doesn't matter. October can be November and November can be October for all I care. I only care that it's SO incredibly nice and pleasant outside.
We've had some incredible weather the last two weeks. I can't even believe how nice it's been. October was sucky with really cold, wet weather. So far November is treating us well. No complaints on this end. Who doesn't love short sleeved weather in November? Nobody I tell you. Nobody doesn't like short sleeved weather in November. And if you know someone who hates short sleeved weather in November- you just punch 'em in the gut for me.


Riding my bike to work is one of my greatest joys. It took a little while to make it a habit, but I love it more than anything in the world. I ride 3-5 days a week- depending on what I have going on (or if I wake up late and have to drive to make it on time). Sure, I have to get up and leave about 40 minutes earlier than if I drive, and I have to plan ahead a little to make sure I have clothes at work- but it's soooo worth it!!! Breathing that crisp morning air is like breathing in a little bit of heaven. And I get to see and hear things I would miss in the car. Yup- bike commuting is possible for many people, is a great way to sneak in extra exercise, and is the best mood boosting drug I've ever heard of!

That being said: on my way to work the other day I had to take a picture of the lovely trees all "falled" out. Click. This street is on my commute to work. It's through a very nice and quiet neighborhood where hardly anyone tries to run me over and kill me.

Then when I got home I spied the prettiest rose growing on my rose bush, and my mum growing next to it, and my succulent with the pretty flowers. Click. Click. Click.
Then just today I decided to take a picture of me in my library at school. Click.
Lots of pretty messy books. I mean: lots of pretty messy books. Ok- I guess I meant what I typed the first time.

Life is good on the ranch (if one acre in the city can be considered a ranch- which I think it can).

Until next time, friends...

Happy Halloween!

Today we spent spooooky Halloween doing something very scary: indoor rock climbing! ooooooooo....
It was A LOT of fun. Well, it was a lot of fun after I kinda got over the fear of falling to my death. I'm a little afraid of heights, so the first few climbs were kinda hairy, but then I got more comfortable with it. It was a great workout, but a bit tough. I definitely want to go back and do it again!!!
Here's what the gym looks like from one of the climbing towers inside and from the outside:
It's an old grain silo, and all the rooms inside are circular and really tall (they are silos, after all). It's about the same temp. inside the building as it is outside. It was pretty cold yesterday. We didn't take any pictures inside (oops- forgot), but I don't really know that I want a picture of my butt in a harness climbing up a wall anyway. Not exactly a great rear shot if you know what I'm saying...

No falls, no broken bones, no ER visits. Overall I'd say it was a very successful day!

It's almost Halloween?!?!

I can't believe that Halloween is only a few days away. October went by so quickly, it just doesn't seem fair. November will be here this weekend, taking us further into that dreaded winter season. Oh well- the further we go into winter- the closer we get to spring. ;)

So I did this little 6 hour run last Saturday at Bluff Creek trails. It was called the Double Dirty Dozen. I managed to get in 16.5 miles- which is the longest I've run since March of '07. Not too bad I guess. Here is Jane and I:
I didn't even know Jane would be running, but when I saw her out there, I was pleasantly surprised. I knew I'd have company for the next 6 hours. We walked a lot, ran a lot, and talked a lot. It was good. Went back at midnight to work at the aid station for the 24 hour runners.
The best part? I didn't even want to die when I was done. I felt pretty good. Sunday my quads were a little sore and the blister on the ball of my foot was hurty- but that's nothing. Woo hoo!!! Next time I should train a little, I guess...

The next morning I got up early and went back out to the race site to watch my friend, Katharine, finish her 24 hour run. It was chilly and I was all bundled up. Here is Jane and I again. Rian says I look like I rode in a motorcycle side car to get there (the funky hat and the sunglasses on my head that look like goggles). You know- he's kinda right. hee hee

Then while I'm just standing there posing for yet another picture- Bret comes up and plants one on my cheek. I'm a little surprised... and maybe a little horrified. ;0

The event was a ton of fun! Next year I'm definitely going to do it again. I think I'll train a little, tho. Might make it a little more enjoyable. And I'm doing the pavement instead of the trail. Those roots sure do take a toll after a while- but it sure is a lot prettier out there. Viva le trails!

It begins...

Today the training begins (the Grand Canyon training). I went to the gym with my loaded backpack and "hiked" on the treadmill at 15% incline for about 30 minutes. Got some strange looks... but then again that's not too unusual for me when I enter the gym. The card reader almost exploded when I signed in. It hadn't seen me for some time and thought I had died. You can imagine the computer's surprise when I show up to work out. Return from the dead...

So, OK- the "hike" wasn't too bad. Then I walked on the stairclimber for only 4 minutes (and that about killed me) and then ran for about 15 minutes. I forgot how easy running on the treadmill was compared to outside- man that was awesome!!! All in all about a 50 minute cardio session. It was pretty great. I think I did too much for my first time out, but what else is new (I always overdo it). Knees are are little sore already- but that's to be expected.

No cool pictures today. I have commuted twice this week (didn't today because of the deluge of rain all day). Hopefully I'll get a commute in tomorrow. Only a 30% chance of thunderstorms (and in reality land that means almost no rain).
Oh, and in case I haven't mentioned it- I just LOVE commuting to work. I look forward to it every night before I go to bed. I wake up like a little kid ready to get on my bike.

Peace out... until the next boring post.
(this is the bagpiper who played at the Redman triathlon a few weeks ago)

Just call me Johnny Switchblade

Found a box cutter on the way home from work by bike. Turned around to pick it up. Gonna keep it on my bike and pull it out to cut anyone who messes with me on my commute.

I'm only partially kidding...

Saw another bike commuter on my way home. He was riding home with a messenger bag- and helmet. Bonus! We exchanged cool guy waves (very similar to the motorcycle wave). Yup- we're pretty awesome.

I'm SO glad it's Friday. It's been a long week.
Tomorrow I'm riding with a couple friends for a couple hours. Should be pretty fun (but not pretty if you know what I mean).

Later-

Hellllloooooo October!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! I LOVE FALL!!!! When October arrives, I always know that the worst of summer is over and that it will be cool for a couple months (hopefully it'll be a couple months). October is also my birthday month, and although I'm in my late thirties- I still enjoy a good birthday. Sadly- when my boss sent out her weekly newsletter and neglected to mention my birthday, I was just a teensy bit sad. Got over it in about a nano-second.


In other good news:
Whoop whoop. I didn't get in an accident today. Which is actually really good since I drove the car instead of riding my bike... I'm hilarious and quite a delight, aren't I?



I'm planning on riding tomorrow. Should be a good day, and since I can use my hand again to hang onto the handlebars, I might as well get in a second commute this week. I love these cool mornings and the onset of Fall! I wish we could freeze these days and have them year-round.

Oh, and by the way- I just downloaded a WHOLE crapload of smiley face clip art. Be prepared for tons o'smileys in future posts. Ha!