STOP! Hammock time

The storms were rolling in, the cloud cover was approaching, the temperatures were cooling off and I knew what had to be done.
It's something that hasn't been done most all summer, and desperately needing doing.

What you ask?

HAMMOCK TIME!!
That's right- today was the day for swinging in the hammock, reading my Adventure Cycling magazine, taking a little tiger snooze and enjoying my evening.  It was blissful.  The sound of the thunder rolling in the distance and the graying skies were just perfect.  Any sign of Fall approaching is a good sign. 

My dog has a BFF???

Today we had a (another) roof put on our house.  It was just done 5 years ago, but since the hailstorm damaged it in May- it's needed replacing.  Because the roofers had to have access to the backyard all day, the pups needed a place to go.  Can't leave them in the house (heaven knows what they would do to it).  Can't lock them in their little tiny mud room (much too hot and crowded).  Can't let them roam the neighborhood.  Don't want to pay $150 for boarding.  What's a girl to do?
I asked the neighbor if they could come hang out in his yard for the day.  And because he's the nicest man in the world, he said they could come and hang out with his dogs.  Turns out they had the best playdate EVER! 

The golden retriever (Jimbo) made best friends with one of his dogs.  They apparently spent the whole day together.  Side by side.  Running, barking, peeing, chasing birds, having races- the whole nine yards.  They were the best of buddies.  And to think I was worried about him the most.  He's kind of a jerk around other dogs.  I thought he'd hide or bite one his dogs.  I'm surprised at and proud of his great behavior. 

My Jimbo dog

The other two... well, they were classic bitches (in both meanings of the word).  They hid under a picnic table and didn't come out.  I'm not surprised.  At 15 and 12, they were probably upset that they had to go next door at all.  Too bad for them.

So... to sum it up for you.  My dog has a new best friend, my neighbor is the nicest man alive, I have a new roof (whop dee doo) and no dogs ran away.  I'll consider that one good day!

Week one in the books

The first week back at school is in the books.  DONE! 
I enjoyed seeing the kids again.  In May I'm sooooo ready for them to be gone for a while, but by the time August gets here I'm ready to see their little faces again.  I received lots of hugs, saw lots of smiles, and had lots of happy kids ready to read books and get back to the task of learning (and a few who were not). 
After two months off, it sure is hard to go back to work, but enjoying what you do makes the transition back a bit easier.  I was thoroughly exhausted by Friday afternoon, and even wound up skipping my Friday evening trail run/hike to opt for a nap instead.  I'm not sure if I was more mentally or physically tired.  A little of both, I suppose.

Now I'm ready to tackle week two... 4 days  down, only 171 to go. ;)

I guess it's that time again

Time to go back to work.
I LOVE my job.  Don't get me wrong.

I really love being slothful, tho.

Going back to work after a couple weeks off is hard, but going back after 2 months off is REALLY hard... and getting harder with each passing year. 
I am happy to be able to go back to a job I love.  I went in today for a couple hours (have to ease myself back in slowly), and got a few things accomplished.

I'll go back for real next week.
The kids come back on the 17th.

I'm excited.
But I'm really not ready...

A little century at Lake Hefner

Today I did a little century at Lake Hefner.  Since it's only 9.5 miles around, that meant I had to do 10 loops around the lake (just shoot me, will you??). 
10 little loops.  10 agonizingly long loops.  10 boring loops.  10 not-so-bad  loops. 
I'll go with the last.  It wasn't too bad.  I did some out and backs, some normal loops, rode all the extra little roads that I could to add as much mileage as possible (4/10ths here, 7/10ths there- it all adds up).

I saw A LOT of people enjoying their morning workouts.  Some people were out there for a very long time.  Saw a group of soldiers in full packs hiking around the lake.  I saw them lots of times as I passed them on 3 loops.  I was going to see them again, but at mile 32 I heard the sound you don't want to hear:  kkssssssssssssss.... 
Rear tire went flat (why is it always the rear I ask you?).  Sounded like it was the valve, so no fixing that tube.  Flipped the bike over, changed the flat, had trouble with the CO2 inflater so I couldn't get the tire fully pumped back up.  Luckily I was close to home, so I rode home, took a rest stop and pumped the tire back up.

My ride was broken down into three segments:
30 miles- then rest stop at the house
40 miles- then rest stop at the house
30 miles- then finish!
I figured this would give me opportunity to refill the camelbak, the water bottle, and sit in the cool for a few minutes.  It worked out well- better than I thought.  I was thankful to be able to use my  own bathroom, change my shorts after 70 miles, and re-apply chamois butt'r without prying eyes.

Here is my progression of pictures from the day:

Sunrise over the lake

Lap 1

Lap 2

sun getting brighter

Lap 3- still smiling

Lap 4

I wish I could go as fast as the cars on the highway

woo hoo- halfway done

number 6

Lucky #7

8- don't let the smile fool you- I'm hurting here- and two pedal strokes from tossing my bike over  the dam

90 miles- almost done!!!

YES!!!!  Done!!

It took me 7:03 to do it.  Not great.  I averaged over 15 on the first 50, but the last 50 was not good.  My overall average was 14.1.  It was hot and I was getting very tired.

Well, and the longest training ride I've done in the last 5 weeks has been 32 miles... so there you go.

Tragedy hits our community

This weekend OKC suffered a great loss.   We lost two cyclists who were out for a weekend ride.  Both were at the hands of car drivers. 

Saturday, July 17th
Alan Spencer, 56, of Edmond, OK lost his life to a hit and run driver early Saturday morning.  He was traveling southbound on Midwest Blvd. when he was struck from behind and killed by a coward who left the scene and didn't bother to check on him or call 911 to have someone check on him.  He was discovered by another passing cyclist who called 911.  There were no witnesses, and nobody was with him to provide comfort during his final moments.



Sunday, July 18th

Clyde Armstrong Riggs, 75, of Edmond, OK lost his life after being struck from behind while traveling eastbound on Britton Rd. just east of I-35.  The driver of the vehicle stopped, called 911 and has fully cooperated with police.  Charges have not been filed as of yet.



I'm incredibly saddened, devastated, angry, emotional  that two of my fellow cyclists were murdered while out for a weekend ride- something I do on a regular basis.  It could have been anyone I know.  While I didn't know these two fine men, they are brothers on the road.  Their families are left to grieve and the unanswered questions will always remain unanswered.  I pray for them, for their families, and for the community.  Godspeed Alan and Clyde.

Gimme some cucumbers

I picked my first cucumber from my garden today.  It is short and fat, and it looks delicious.  I can't wait to cut into it at lunch!  There are other cucumbers growing on the vine, getting bigger and closer to picking each day.  While my garden has been an overall disappointment, I'm looking forward to trying again next year and making it bigger and better.  I'm thrilled when I go outside and get to eat something from the garden and wish that my crops were more plentiful so that each evening I could pick fresh veggies from my own backyard.   Next year it'll be better.