tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85408146379171551592024-03-19T01:48:07.289-07:00The Well-Dressed CyclistS&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-53736216245632384022023-08-22T02:38:00.005-07:002023-08-22T07:48:22.162-07:00Pilates<p>Today was another 90-minute ride on my wonderful bike path. The weather was warm and sunny. The backhoe which almost crushed me about five days ago was nowhere to be seen. So that was good. I was going around him and he started moving with his big tank like "wheels" and I pulled my bike and body out of the way just in time. It was really close. I don't even understand why he is tilling up all the natural weeds and grasses on the canal bank, anyway. It's a project that has been going on for about a month and I'm ready for it to be over. </p><p>My husband is just finishing up his master's degree here in Leuven. And then he is going to hopefully find a good job. We don't know where that will be, but hopefully it will be somewhere where we both can thrive and be happy. </p><p>I have a very strong desire to get a home Pilates/personal training studio going again. It's something I'm really good at and it helps me feel like I'm doing something purposeful with my days. It's such a wonderful feeling to help someone get out of chronic pain or to help them become stronger, leaner, healthier, and happier. </p><p>It's also one of the things I'm really qualified to do. I have a degree in Sport Studies. Then I did series of four trainings on the Pilates reformer which gave me a solid foundation in the most important Pilates apparatus. I also did a 1-year Pilates apprenticeship with a woman who apprenticed under one of the original apprentices of Joseph Pilates. So that makes me something like a great-granddaughter of Joseph Pilates. I have several certifications I've earned over the years including Hatha yoga teacher, personal trainer, Pilates teacher, master trainer, Resist-a-ball trainer, and stretching expert. I volunteered for 200 hours as a Physical Therapy Aide in which the physical therapist who was my mentor let me sit in with every patient so I could learn as much as possible. I also have a Sports Nutritionist Certification, an Senior Fitness Certification and a Healthy Eating for Weight Loss Certification. </p><p>I've also collected over two thousand different exercises that I use to make it so that no two workouts are ever the same when you come to see me. There's always something different. I believe this kind of variety keeps the brain active and challenges the body to get much better results than if you do the exact same thing every workout. I miss teaching and really hope that wherever we end up I'll get to do it again. </p><p>So that's what I've been thinking about lately. I'm getting ready for a new life. Who knows where we'll end up? </p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-45605870294643604302023-08-17T08:30:00.010-07:002023-08-19T08:49:12.180-07:00Sunflower Ride<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc33QBmNE_jZIGjQYhIbJSPeu_kvimvdz-0fHPDM87GrPW66V5I0l9eOHJcE88sXLKQcNxqhYT90V7L7Ny92Zv_elRvYjk6BJyQzENEnFHeuDmw0-gCufrInhhNmT7sWQkXMiBk6rUi9C6eVl390f4GXzCm8Doa4X4dQsGSbEnfx3_4_V0HBWNNFXjDzA/s4096/Sunflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="4096" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc33QBmNE_jZIGjQYhIbJSPeu_kvimvdz-0fHPDM87GrPW66V5I0l9eOHJcE88sXLKQcNxqhYT90V7L7Ny92Zv_elRvYjk6BJyQzENEnFHeuDmw0-gCufrInhhNmT7sWQkXMiBk6rUi9C6eVl390f4GXzCm8Doa4X4dQsGSbEnfx3_4_V0HBWNNFXjDzA/s320/Sunflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p>I rode off today with the goal of riding for two hours. I had two nut bars with me and a bottle of water. The weather was misty, but not rainy, and pleasantly cool. </p><p>The path wasn't too busy. The town I live in has about 100,000 people when the students are in school, but only 30,000 people during school breaks. It's dramatically different to walk around town or to ride your bike during school breaks. </p><p>I noticed a few caterpillars wandering across the path today and did my best to miss them. Then I passed a dead rat in the middle of the path. It has obviously been scavenged by some magpies or crows and looked like a nightmare. I made a mental note to find a big stick so I could flick the rat off the path. Yuck.</p><p>Further down the path I saw some beautiful sunflowers. They were so lovely and I managed to get a good shot of them on my way back. I stopped somewhere in there to eat a bar. </p><p>At about one hour and six minutes I stopped just before a road and turned around. I felt good, a little tired but fine. </p><p>When I was at about the 45-minutes remaining picnic benches I stopped to eat another bar. At this point I was really feeling it. I haven't pushed myself physically this hard for a long time and I wished I had packed a banana. </p><p>When I passed a downed tree, I stopped and broke off about three feet of a big stick. I clamped it onto my bike rack and road forward, searching for the dead rat. Then I found it and parked my bike to the side. It looked absolutely awful. Just super nasty. With one good flick of my hearty stick, it went flying into the grasses to the side of the path. A road biker smiled at me when he saw what I was doing. I felt totally grossed out and immediately like I needed to take a shower. I felt proud of myself, too, for taking care of my beloved bike path. </p><p>When I got back on my bike, I was tired. Dreams of a rest day started to float through my head. A rest day is probably a good idea since I've been riding a lot. </p><p>Soon I was past the 17-minutes remaining spot and I got my second wind. I pedaled hard and made it home with a total time of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It was a good ride. </p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-27911750199701315142023-08-03T02:01:00.001-07:002023-08-03T02:01:19.961-07:00Perfect WindsThe winds were perfect for today's ride. They were out of the west the whole time which means that the bike path was protected from them by the small line of forest that lines the trail. I only noticed them a little when I turned to ride past the horses. There is a little section of the bike path that loops around a factory. That takes you past a field with cows and a couple of fields with horses. My husband tells a joke that goes: "Those cows are really outstanding in their field." It cracks me up and I think of it sometimes when I ride past the cows. <div><br /></div><div>I've decided that I'm done with riding my bike over about a 50-foot stretch of cobbles. I rode over it the other day and it rattled my water bottle cage right off my bike. The cage broke into two pieces when it did that so it was unusable. So now I just stop, get off my bike, and walk over the cobbles. It's so much better.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a downed tree that blocked almost the whole path. One my way north I rode around it, but it felt too tight. So on the way back I walked around it. I saw a rock in the trail and kicked it out of the way. I also kicked a branch out of the way. I hope someone comes quickly to remove the downed tree. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great ride today. The temperature was cool enough to need a long-sleeved shirt, but no coat. And there were hardly any other cyclists on the trail. </div>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-26419838978264622362023-08-01T08:17:00.005-07:002023-08-01T08:17:47.333-07:00Classical Music<p>I like to keep lists of things. I have a list of all the birds I've seen in my lifetime, a list of mammals, a list of dragonflies and damselflies that I've seen. I have a list of every city I've ever been in and every country I've been in. (Cities: 246, countries: 28) I also have a "Favorites" list which has my favorite books, movies, foods, and music. I've recently been working on my list of favorite classical pieces. That's what I was thinking about as I set out on my ride today. </p><p>Some of my favorite pieces are the ones everybody knows like Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" or Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." Some are a little less well known like Bach's "Little Prelude No. 1." It's a perfect searching task which is something I find to be very soothing. And the music itself is also soothing. Sometimes it's stirring, too and evokes a deep feeling in my heart. It taps into a reservoir of feeling that doesn't usually rise to the surface in my everyday life. And it is very pleasant. </p><p>One of the things I discovered with all my searching is that I love Mendelssohn. So I set out to make a list of all my favorite Mendelssohn pieces. I looked on Amazon Music and also went to the library and checked out a Works for Cello and Piano cd which has 12 of Mendelssohn's pieces in it. So far, I love it. It looked like they had about fifteen different Mendelssohn cds available to check out. That could be fun.</p><p>It was a cool, cloudy day for riding and the canal rippled under the variable breezes. I'm fascinated by slow, moving water. And I spent some time just looking out at the water as I rode. I passed some ducks and geese. The goslings are getting so big! They almost look like adults. </p><p>I stopped at one point and kicked a rock off the path. I did this yesterday twice. It just takes a second but might help my fellow riders. I noticed that someone had cleaned up all the glass that had broken on the part of the path where the goslings are. We've got to take care of each other.</p><p>Bicycling and the way it soothes the mind is one of the joys of my life. It's a way to refresh me in body and spirit. I used to listen to music while I rode on trails or on Mt. Tabor, but now I don't. I think that's not very smart and that you need your ears to help you be aware of other riders. So instead I just spend time with my thoughts as I ride and then come home, open up some music to enjoy afterward. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-81938811034656381992023-07-29T01:45:00.003-07:002023-07-29T02:36:45.953-07:00Precision, Symmetry, and Synchrony<p>I rode off for a 90-minute ride today thinking about precision, symmetry, and synchrony. I remembered the movie The Last Samurai and a very inspiring scene where samurai culture is described as being dedicated to pursuing every daily task they perform with perfection. Even simple tasks, like pouring boiling water with a ladle were completed flawlessly: lifting the ladle carefully, gently pouring the water into a cup, and then slowly placing the ladle down, so that it rested perfectly above the pot of hot water. There is a precision to their movements from the moment they wake until the moment they lie down to sleep. </p><p>Their kimonos are also very precise, with the sashes being tied with symmetry that is very pleasing to the eye. Humans love symmetry, whether the bilateral symmetry of a human face or the radial symmetry of a bike tire. </p><p>It was at about this point in my ride that I saw a Grey heron, a bilaterally symmetrical exquisitely lovely example of beauty in the bird world. And Grey herons are perfect for what I was thinking about today because they move very slowly and precisely, while standing at the edge of the water or flying.</p><p>Another thing that I thought about from The Last Samurai is how pleasing it is when people, animals, and plants move in synchrony. In The Last Samurai, they show them practicing their fighting techniques. But you see it all the time in the world. When the wind sweeps across a field of corn, the stalks move synchronously in the wind. And even the sound of that is pleasing. And when the ballet performs The Nutcracker Suite, the synchrony of the movements is so practiced, so precise, so elegant that it leaves the audience astounded.</p><p>Elegance is something that requires precision of movement. It is beautiful and peaceful to behold. I have a friend named Amy from high school. One day our choir director asked her to direct the choir. I don't think she wanted to do it because she is very shy, but she went up to the front anyway. She is a very naturally elegant person, fluid and precise in her movements, and she is an extremely attractive woman. (She also was our valedictorian so you can imagine what an impressive person she is.) Anyway, she got up to direct the choir and was so perfect, so elegant, so lovely as she conducted us that the boy sitting next to me sighed heavily and said to himself, "She is <i>so</i> beautiful."</p><p>At this part of my ride I saw an airplane on its approach to Brussels. Airplanes are perfect examples of precision, symmetry, and synchrony. Thousands of parts come together to precisely create this bilaterally symmetrical machine that is capable of flying through the air in a feat of engineering so astounding that I get a little thrill every time I see one. </p><p>I've wondered how I could try to become more precise and elegant in my life. I have to think about it throughout my day. My husband and I built a cabin on some land in Wyoming. We built the whole thing ourselves and the entire thing required precise effort. It required focus. I had the look carefully at each task I was completing, holding my concentration and using my physical strength as well. Because I had to, I learned to be more precise. But I could work on it more in my everyday life. It's like with eating. You have to do it anyway, so you might as well put some effort into it and enjoy it. I have to do all my tasks of daily living anyway. I might as well put some effort into them and become more elegant if I can. </p><p>So that's what I thought about today. It was a very good ride and a very nice way to spend time with my thoughts. </p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-37582077081682702492023-07-25T07:42:00.003-07:002023-07-25T07:44:13.299-07:00Likes and Dislikes<p><i>I wonder why I like grasses so much in nature. I like the way the wind rustles through their leaves and how they sway against the breeze. But I just don't like grasses in people's yards.</i> This is one of the things I thought about today on my afternoon ride. This got me thinking about likes and dislikes and how quirky I am about certain things.</p><p>I love sundresses. I love summer, in part, because it is the season for sundresses. I have eleven sundresses. Four are not good for riding on my bike, seven are. I love to go for a short ride in a sundress. And I love to see other women wearing sundresses. They are just so beautiful! Plus, the shops show lots of dresses in their windows. </p><p>I dislike a lot of songs that have names as a big part of the chorus. Even the two songs with my name I don't like. There's Starship's song, "Sara" and Fleetwood Mac's "Sara." Both are spelled like I spell my name, which is interesting. I wonder how that happened. But I also don't like the song "Roxanne" by the Police. There are others, but I can't think of them right now. Songs I love with names in the choruses are "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel. </p><p>I don't really like dogs in general, but I absolutely adore Corgis, Cocker Spaniels, and Greyhounds. They are three very different looking dogs, but I just light up when I see all three of them. I can't stand Chihuahas. My favorite dog in Leuven is a very old St. Bernard who goes for walks with his person a couple times a day. He gets so tired that he lies down on the sidewalk and sleeps sometimes. I've often come upon them and the dog is completely sacked out. His person just squats down beside him and looks at his phone until he's ready to get up and walk a little bit more. I've seen them out doing this for about a year. I don't know how old the St. Bernard is, but they are the sweetest pair ever. </p><p>I love almost all smooth foods. I adore pudding and chocolate mousse. I love hummus, yogurt and skyr, and guacamole. I love mashed potatoes especially when they have sour cream or yogurt or cream cheese in them that makes them really creamy. I also love refried beans especially if they are served with plain yogurt and guacamole. I also really like soft foods like scrambled eggs and cottage cheese. </p><p>With the exception of Swedish meatballs, I can't stand dishes where they mix meats. I once had to eat a pie that had pork, beef, and chicken in it and it is the second worst dish I have ever eaten. (The worst meal I ever ate was the kosher, vegan, low-cholesterol, gluten-free, low-sodium meal on an airplane. Blech.) But I also don't like cassoulet. That kind of thing, where the meats are really stewed together. </p><p>I love seeing well-dressed cyclists. I see them all the time here in Belgium. They could be out on their city bikes or e-bikes, or sometimes they have a couple of kids in tow with their cargo bikes. (Cargo bikes are very popular here and people use them like station wagons.) I noticed once a woman who took her skirt, folded it over and sat on it. She didn't have a skirt guard, but she was able to ride with no problems with her skirt folded over like that. I haven't seen many people riding in high heels. Sneakers are all the rage nowadays which I'm grateful because I also hate uncomfortable shoes. :)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-24450665796249041262023-07-22T07:19:00.003-07:002023-07-31T00:41:33.031-07:00Living AbroadPeter and I went for another 90-minute ride today. It was cool and grey and I felt just a little bit off. But it was still so great to be out. Just seeing the trees and the birds and the horses was great. I forgot to mention yesterday that I saw a horse rolling back and forth and back and forth in the grass. He looked so happy. It made me happy to see him looking like he was having so much fun. I loved it. <div><br /></div><div>Today I was thinking about how living abroad was the fulfillment of over a decade of dreaming by me and my husband. We went to Finland and had such a wonderful time there that we wondered if somehow - by some incredible miracle - we would ever be able to live there or in any other country in Europe. We thought that maybe Peter could apply to a company that had a semi-conductor fab in Grenoble, France. But somehow we were always stopped by the logistics of things. We had a big house and in it was my Pilates studio where I worked five or six hours a day training clients. My studio was filled with expensive equipment I would scarcely be able to take to Europe and I would have to shutter my business for sure. And we had such a great schedule in Portland. Peter worked a compressed workweek: Sunday through Tuesday and every other Wednesday. I worked Sunday through Wednesday and so we always had three days off together. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then the mold illness hit. We all got sick. Our three-year-old cat died from mold illness - she went into systemic organ failure because of it. Our fourteen-year-old dog probably died from it, too. Peter was moderately sick because he has better genes and worked in a clean room. I got insanely sick. I had a migraine that lasted for two months and had mold growing in my sinuses and in my stomach. My neurological and immune systems went haywire and I started having food allergies and sensitivities to chemicals that are only mildly harmful to others. It was a nightmare. </div><div><br /></div><div>My doctor said we needed to leave our house behind. She also said that all our belongings were likely infected with mold toxins at a level that was too high for my immune and neurological systems. I wouldn't be able to heal unless we moved and left everything behind. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we did that and moved to the desert. Fast forward a few years and we ended up living in Wyoming where my husband went back to school and got a degree in Computer Science. He totally kicked butt and ended up graduating Magna Cum Laude. I am so proud of him. And here was our in. His grades were good enough to get into graduate school and if we wanted to, he could go to graduate school in Europe. He ended up applying to ten schools and he got into five of them. He picked the top-rated school, which was in Leuven, Belgium, and since we were pros at letting go of things at that point, we gave away almost everything we owned. We bought a one-way ticket to Brussels and showed up at our new home with just two suitcases each. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now here we are, riding our bikes together on what is one of the lovelier bike paths I have ever ridden on. You can go for about fifty minutes riding out and back on it without crossing a single road. The canal which you ride along is beautiful. And if you time your rides right, there is not too much bike traffic. </div><div><br /></div><div>We live in an apartment that is modern and furnished. We can walk to seven different grocery stores including a Polish grocery store that has incredibly good pickles and a Middle Eastern grocery store which makes homemade flatbread. We don't have a car at all which is a dream come true for us both. I always felt happier in Portland when my transportation was powered by me and now that we are in a small European town I can walk to everything. Besides grocery stores there are clothing and shoe stores, ice cream shops, tons of restaurants, furniture stores, frite stands and - one of the most important - the train station. We've taken the train on eight different trips around Belgium and the neighboring countries of France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It's been so much fun just like we thought it would be. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that's what I thought about today as I rode. It's such a wonderful thing when the things you dreamed about come true. It was a long, circuitous path to Europe for us. It involved a lot of loss and pain and hope and love. But we got here. And that is so much fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-33416758663875010272023-07-21T02:40:00.003-07:002023-07-21T23:44:41.611-07:00PetsToday Peter joined me for a 90-minute ride along the canal. I like to let him ride a fair distance ahead of me because I don't want to draft at all. I'm out - in part - to burn a good amount of calories and don't want to make it easier for myself. <div><br /></div><div>As I rode I thought about pets. A couple of days ago my husband found a letter from 2010 we'd written to ourselves about adopting pets in the future. At the time we had a very hard dog. He peed in the house daily, barked constantly, was pushy and bossy, and rarely showed us any affection. He broke my heart into thousands pieces in the fourteen years he was alive. Having him for my dog was a major source of pain for me. I loved him, but it was clear to the people who really knew me that having him as my pet made my life worse. </div><div><br /></div><div>We also had a sweet, mouthy calico at that time. She was fun. She absolutely hated the dog, though, and was barely ever around because of that. She'd show up at mealtimes and then b-line it for an upstairs bedroom or chair. If she could have she would have probably written us a letter begging us to never get another dog, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>The problem with our cat was that she missed the litter box every day. I think this is because she was declawed. I totally messed that up. When I took her in to get spayed the vet asked me if I wanted her declawed as if it were the most reasonable thing to do in the world. Only later did I learn that many cats who are declawed end up having trouble with their litter boxes. So it was totally my fault that she had trouble with that. But, still, it was a nightmare. Between her and the dog, we spent a fair amount of time every day cleaning up urine. Plus, the cat puked a lot. And, truly, litter boxes are so ridiculously disgusting when you think about how cats track their litter all throughout the house including the bed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, we found this letter and thought before we read it that it was probably written comically. We figured we were trying to crack ourselves up with all the absurdities of pet ownership. And it was amusing. We talked about rivers of urine and hairballs and the aloofness of the cat. But, truly, it was not meant to be funny. It was a plea for sanity. We talked about all the gross parts of pet ownership, sure, but we also wrote about the immense financial commitment. It's not just vet bills and the cost of food. Every time you want to travel you have to pay for care for them. And if you want to take them with you - like on an airplane which we did several times - there is the added cost of that. And it is not just rugs that the dog ruins. It's couches and chairs, too. It really adds up.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I read the letter I felt a little sad for us back then. We were stuck. When you have a dog that doesn't show you love and destroys so much of what you own, it's no fun to be a dog owner. And I think because so many people have such wonderful experiences with their dogs, it's difficult to explain why your relationship with your dog absolutely breaks your heart on a daily basis. </div><div><br /></div><div>So this was what I thought about as I rode. The letter, the plea for sanity, the costs of pet ownership - financial and emotional - and I was and am filled with compassion for my former self. I know how hard I worked every day to be a good dog owner. Three walks a day every day. Reading of training books and websites. Time spent training all the time. It was just a terrible situation. If I could go back in time and give myself a big hug, I would say, "You're doing great. I'm so proud of you. I know this dog breaks your heart every day." </div><div><br /></div><div>It's such a lovely thing that we can know our own stories so well that we can be our own best friends. Reminiscing kindly of past struggles is a way of practicing self-love. And in our self-love rests healing. I believe that loving others is, hands down, the best thing we do, but it's true for ourselves, too. It's good to love ourselves, past, present, and future. It's good to be self-compassionate. I think self-love radiates right back out to the people we love in our lives, too. And that is such a wonderful thing.</div>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-13241735648533833782023-07-20T02:31:00.002-07:002023-07-20T05:33:36.510-07:00Blue Wildflowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABNfsrYI_YJ66qHsmRHuOzh81MXS229FVa0JBq1zjhxPeocxO4rCdSbc6ks9Epp5a2XZlneTdr8J6Zkac5OaX1rFZfkX8HYgexo-l3rahgdBSZGqd_DyGI7h8Bdqc3UnnDImIYJaXtF5MHBFaDZrl0rSmuFO86T2X6ab0lZGVFKfcK0pzWEcdowoR44/s4096/1689844537583.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="4096" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABNfsrYI_YJ66qHsmRHuOzh81MXS229FVa0JBq1zjhxPeocxO4rCdSbc6ks9Epp5a2XZlneTdr8J6Zkac5OaX1rFZfkX8HYgexo-l3rahgdBSZGqd_DyGI7h8Bdqc3UnnDImIYJaXtF5MHBFaDZrl0rSmuFO86T2X6ab0lZGVFKfcK0pzWEcdowoR44/s320/1689844537583.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />As I rode off today the weather was calm and still, with barely a breeze, and my mind was calm and still, too. I noticed the wildflowers all along the banks of the canal: yellow and purple and white. There is real Queen Anne's Lace here (with the little red flower in the center where she pricked her finger.) I didn't see any red or blue flowers though. <p></p><p>The water was almost like glass, with a hint of a ripple and it reminded me of leaded glass - like really old houses have - imperfect, but gorgeous, the imperfection making it more attractive. I wondered to myself as I looked at the reflection of the trees on the canal why it is that reflections are so beautiful. </p><p>When I got to Tildonk I decided to ride on. I knew I had a bar with me so I could push a little bit farther. And as soon as I rode through the tunnel under the street I saw dark orange - nearly red - and blue wildflowers. The picture above is of the blue wildflowers. </p><p>At about the 45 minute point I stopped at some picnic benches and ate my bar. I felt happy to be out on such a beautiful day, enjoying my bike, Sabrina, and using my legs to burn calories and create memories.</p><p>As I rode home the water was even more still and it dawned on me why reflections are so beautiful. I think it's because humans love symmetry. To a human, symmetry is inherently beautiful. People who have very symmetrical features are more attractive (think Denzel Washington). And when you look at a reflection of a tree on the water it makes a near perfect symmetrical image. It felt good to ponder that. </p><p>It was a very nice ride and I pulled into my apartment happy and peaceful, glad for the extra bit of riding and ready to start the rest of my day. </p><p>Here is a pic of me a little later in the day running to the grocery store in my pink and white dress:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBWYq83W4nZJO-P40zCNSYrYWinR_Sup7kPMlvYKmalP4ltp2Q19P_hfcmI79kr1fc6te9RTLlc1v6CBq3BQoTCsbSplTBhHikyGMKLmuUHygugz2sInTACM9TkKfLKvBGHDafDd_r3KxbgdP-Rr11zoId8e-FHwbpDGa8SWGyrSt0OacudG83-u8CL0/s2294/SaraPinkWhiteDress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2294" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBWYq83W4nZJO-P40zCNSYrYWinR_Sup7kPMlvYKmalP4ltp2Q19P_hfcmI79kr1fc6te9RTLlc1v6CBq3BQoTCsbSplTBhHikyGMKLmuUHygugz2sInTACM9TkKfLKvBGHDafDd_r3KxbgdP-Rr11zoId8e-FHwbpDGa8SWGyrSt0OacudG83-u8CL0/s320/SaraPinkWhiteDress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-50089074226577989572023-07-19T02:09:00.001-07:002023-07-19T02:09:46.844-07:00Til Tildonk<p>The ride I've been doing lately is along the canal down to the town of Tildonk and back. Along the way today I had to come almost to a complete stop to wait for some ducklings to cross the path. They were so cute it was ridiculous. I saw horses out grazing in their pasture, coots, moorhens, geese, and mallards. </p><p>I just got my bike tuned up and it rode really nicely today. I think I might have been riding with a rubbing back brake pad for more time than I realized. Plus, I took a few days off of riding so my legs felt very fresh. </p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-45809510821976786982023-06-27T08:09:00.011-07:002023-06-30T08:27:17.422-07:00Blue Floral Dress<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvTtLpn9d7xb-Zcuu5v3oEucPz-WNIg-0mmz9teG6YLYG-RFjoWk7uYbhqFlp0uXRBaYmzPv0VaoHzQLY3xCyLPC9gIT3nJfPZNjtgB9v1m7AYvB64mguB0iNk2h_hX5-r9Yl_ZecWNEL_LFxzby1jR5x9_bhkTZxoSavt7jtrq7dE8MC8lnPgB59JLI/s2578/BlueFloralDressSideCrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2578" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvTtLpn9d7xb-Zcuu5v3oEucPz-WNIg-0mmz9teG6YLYG-RFjoWk7uYbhqFlp0uXRBaYmzPv0VaoHzQLY3xCyLPC9gIT3nJfPZNjtgB9v1m7AYvB64mguB0iNk2h_hX5-r9Yl_ZecWNEL_LFxzby1jR5x9_bhkTZxoSavt7jtrq7dE8MC8lnPgB59JLI/s320/BlueFloralDressSideCrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWluugp4aZTbJmBZbjFOeobnvDZ_CWqMR3AOxCOaY8WIPu5-4u9oQHlZeAGyz9DVG1YQq2K8y0ORngCcM1pybmTkAhKV9f_Yw8PdSl4VAb3MjoiQmM4g9TDddcd9b7QMdbT1uaSRQzaXUWK4sBIUAO2yNDwtj7Ol3q71VN29d7D29x9G1JTSnNWk-lfPk/s2245/BlueFloralDressFrontCrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2104" data-original-width="2245" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWluugp4aZTbJmBZbjFOeobnvDZ_CWqMR3AOxCOaY8WIPu5-4u9oQHlZeAGyz9DVG1YQq2K8y0ORngCcM1pybmTkAhKV9f_Yw8PdSl4VAb3MjoiQmM4g9TDddcd9b7QMdbT1uaSRQzaXUWK4sBIUAO2yNDwtj7Ol3q71VN29d7D29x9G1JTSnNWk-lfPk/s320/BlueFloralDressFrontCrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-43930693978224056142023-06-25T02:45:00.003-07:002023-07-21T23:51:40.855-07:00Being a Well-dressed Cyclist Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DCTh12dC7ZBnL_rHjJjAgG_O7vh0x3Y5Z3tQsK_NYrO0GqmlMnScplIcLxlWyz8vfoRNYh7s7FWMtm0BNnwwWQhJVGVhwLP4PBthKTzCAFc32jfotBOQRvNkYVat4Xp-jT0WkTfGRzsT40QC_-hpbLV3aJhZyoWAONjseE9Z5OnIYx5tzHWqvdJ6PRA/s1376/SaraBikeBlueWhiteDressCrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DCTh12dC7ZBnL_rHjJjAgG_O7vh0x3Y5Z3tQsK_NYrO0GqmlMnScplIcLxlWyz8vfoRNYh7s7FWMtm0BNnwwWQhJVGVhwLP4PBthKTzCAFc32jfotBOQRvNkYVat4Xp-jT0WkTfGRzsT40QC_-hpbLV3aJhZyoWAONjseE9Z5OnIYx5tzHWqvdJ6PRA/s320/SaraBikeBlueWhiteDressCrop.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>I've been getting back on my bike a lot again. Every morning I've been riding for an hour and I've been enjoying the rhythm of it and the way cycling seems to soothe my nervous system. Along the way I've spotted swans, herons, geese, ducks, moorhens, cormorants, and coots. I've also seen lots of fishermen with crazy long fishing poles and I even saw a very big fish today. </p><p>In the afternoons, I've been climbing back on my bike for a shorter ride wearing some of my favorite new sundresses. It's fun to ride a little bit again as a well-dressed cyclist. As I ride I often muse about my life. It's a time for reflection and contemplation. </p><p>Lately I've been thinking a lot about wholeness, about how healing can sometimes happen in the most beautiful ways leaving you feeling peaceful and content - completely whole. I've experienced this kind of wholeness more lately and getting back to riding over the last month is part of the reason. It feels like me. It feels like how I am supposed to be. Happiest on two wheels, taking time every day to sink into the left/right motion of my pedals, relaxing my mind and moving across the earth with joy. It's good to be back. </p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-43420222150050912382022-03-12T23:53:00.003-08:002022-03-14T00:15:10.960-07:00Overnight Trip to Herentals<p>About five days ago I bought a used nice bike from a travel shop that does bike tours. It's a sweet little bike - a 7-speeder - and I really like it. I named her Sabrina after my favorite horse from my childhood riding lessons. </p><p><span>Friday, Peter and I packed up one pannier each with pajamas, a change of clothes, toiletries, water and chocolate milk and rode 25 miles northeast to the town of Herental where we had booked a hotel room. </span></p><p><span> Along the way we saw many horses, sheep, chickens, and donkeys. We even saw some ostriches (or maybe they were emus.)<br /></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKuA3spbpRqn6QilKBnqJZN70MNcvbVwj9gJubWizPIxpSLCOtpl2zuX3iTN-tNvYk0Dbdr93e8K7qtGCR1o-wmm2sR3BYXG3iLir_PLW_W70jcEblONONobOxmm8yJkmEZ8v2wOdgkfIgfwk6Ufo3pCEvZu8uLF2Xm0QVzFzlYTBGzC1zIXkVLMmo=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKuA3spbpRqn6QilKBnqJZN70MNcvbVwj9gJubWizPIxpSLCOtpl2zuX3iTN-tNvYk0Dbdr93e8K7qtGCR1o-wmm2sR3BYXG3iLir_PLW_W70jcEblONONobOxmm8yJkmEZ8v2wOdgkfIgfwk6Ufo3pCEvZu8uLF2Xm0QVzFzlYTBGzC1zIXkVLMmo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span>About half way we stopped for lunch. We got chicken doner kebap sandwiches that were very good. </span></p><p><span><br /></span>We also stopped at a coffee shop that was right on the trail. You can't drive to it - it's bike and foot traffic only. Pretty cool. We got coffees and blueberry cake. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLkO8Rr74-rUXFfyPEBabzjydwXSJ08zhWcMQ9MALjtUag9sdW-m0W_8joEl-YWaCVEeRwH5lBa0rfvNbQwm6JqieAMgnWR_MXyVGPZH9P2MralzaN_jH-_xU4rk_1S5VtsdWH0zFpMKsNXZPGGuNYrqG31Qp-JOo_ZLqYmLkwEybBSZDbCU0wMBtk=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLkO8Rr74-rUXFfyPEBabzjydwXSJ08zhWcMQ9MALjtUag9sdW-m0W_8joEl-YWaCVEeRwH5lBa0rfvNbQwm6JqieAMgnWR_MXyVGPZH9P2MralzaN_jH-_xU4rk_1S5VtsdWH0zFpMKsNXZPGGuNYrqG31Qp-JOo_ZLqYmLkwEybBSZDbCU0wMBtk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC2d_jAK4XNYSKrs4ZqYfeF3Vxi68k3nuCbW_DD67SBPWKf9-jXJVSAi0phMOX58JoLbsv2GLD0p-q2tjCGQv-xM7hsp6PyECVx2FTYPHd7_qGu2KQcSGYbaELMRypVyQ78cIwG7ZZsctTClwTjSMd8jAJUP7IFv_7cWEkfHCkOI689OaLxafjqsIL=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC2d_jAK4XNYSKrs4ZqYfeF3Vxi68k3nuCbW_DD67SBPWKf9-jXJVSAi0phMOX58JoLbsv2GLD0p-q2tjCGQv-xM7hsp6PyECVx2FTYPHd7_qGu2KQcSGYbaELMRypVyQ78cIwG7ZZsctTClwTjSMd8jAJUP7IFv_7cWEkfHCkOI689OaLxafjqsIL=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>When we got to Herentals we checked in at our hotel. They let us bring our bikes inside to put in a room they weren't using. We got showered and then went out for drinks. I got a Coke Zero and Peter got a local beer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8frpkt9ebdCK9A7T9qfQdl1ouwT0BmxNco1qInsSTWJEQ6wiK4vjZLKuH5nkJ94-lG9qSip0FvjYeWbVM4PncLDrUZePbNtsxjZW9u3p34RaLhAz8XSXZXzXNXDW2-au20F19p33qFeVg2vGn5M54huELmFhh1PgVqyiVrv1YBcKDptjKxri-VzTI=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8frpkt9ebdCK9A7T9qfQdl1ouwT0BmxNco1qInsSTWJEQ6wiK4vjZLKuH5nkJ94-lG9qSip0FvjYeWbVM4PncLDrUZePbNtsxjZW9u3p34RaLhAz8XSXZXzXNXDW2-au20F19p33qFeVg2vGn5M54huELmFhh1PgVqyiVrv1YBcKDptjKxri-VzTI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha5aP2_YzupSIgdojkROis5UlLzk5m-rh8MCY_-_BNWzyFvIdFvZd208jw1-SVZ3RkPe0STVA0UaD4gHZ2zWp43LzifixhuMSzzuXhIzpBwGucEoOnbCWTchFfTFvcavdcpDoGijTtt6B016UOYnyHqj05zIl1MwOB0-_z3W4UJPEJMEu2OIjIKf-i=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha5aP2_YzupSIgdojkROis5UlLzk5m-rh8MCY_-_BNWzyFvIdFvZd208jw1-SVZ3RkPe0STVA0UaD4gHZ2zWp43LzifixhuMSzzuXhIzpBwGucEoOnbCWTchFfTFvcavdcpDoGijTtt6B016UOYnyHqj05zIl1MwOB0-_z3W4UJPEJMEu2OIjIKf-i=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Coming home was a lot harder because we were riding into the wind a lot. Plus, our legs were tired. We were also hungrier because we had the hunger from the day before in addition to the hunger from the ride. We stopped at a grocery store for sandwich meat chicken and guacamole and chips. It was a fun way to see Belgium.<br /></p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-5226208500354567552022-01-15T01:55:00.002-08:002022-01-15T01:55:14.995-08:00Riding Side by Side<p>Today we went for a ride down to Remy and it was quiet on the path. Due to it being Saturday, there was hardly any bike traffic. This meant that we could ride side by side as much as possible and that is always fun. I was riding Bruno and barely even noticed his squeaks. Maybe I'm getting used to him. It was cold this morning - right around freezing. There was a little bit of fog, but the coots and seagulls didn't seem to mind. We didn't seem to mind either and enjoyed the ride.<br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-40057646790716718162022-01-02T03:37:00.000-08:002022-01-02T03:37:36.769-08:00Riding Photos<p>Today we just did the 45-minute ride so it was nothing too interesting. But Peter got some great riding photos I thought I'd share. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJMM7Y833xIY5NrrhzUBbolWxvq-NBUHzXayCGp8MUDtNhpB-R5vD1yhID4PuchpUfZEToN8cVCXfBx9I1tT6H6yQPLlhquxIGdqHl1dLmEvU4G_d36xEjIHjGpM4QkE2X8ZX_FaPC3WnIC6sdJmQgNzeTRinU5cv7qx6xZGZJWt5s_GkNTQMYpzkm=s5152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJMM7Y833xIY5NrrhzUBbolWxvq-NBUHzXayCGp8MUDtNhpB-R5vD1yhID4PuchpUfZEToN8cVCXfBx9I1tT6H6yQPLlhquxIGdqHl1dLmEvU4G_d36xEjIHjGpM4QkE2X8ZX_FaPC3WnIC6sdJmQgNzeTRinU5cv7qx6xZGZJWt5s_GkNTQMYpzkm=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhorWn5lcsWi4uif5ngleebG9jCmadBbvnKJlLOooEbfWdYyr1XiN5EaiwTeBcVC1OKRnxsZWSLDPebd10smtV3iv68AH2egwoGxNlJ-xU25Hi0ojo7-gsnCn5O4ng1xg_XciP_FiO37AibzdOm_bDIhE2fWvzGpZlXn3E9UjEbdKZLU3uiBVVyqzqH=s5152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhorWn5lcsWi4uif5ngleebG9jCmadBbvnKJlLOooEbfWdYyr1XiN5EaiwTeBcVC1OKRnxsZWSLDPebd10smtV3iv68AH2egwoGxNlJ-xU25Hi0ojo7-gsnCn5O4ng1xg_XciP_FiO37AibzdOm_bDIhE2fWvzGpZlXn3E9UjEbdKZLU3uiBVVyqzqH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYnvM_dMi-rZfPoYmippljMqZBxuSGAk0LQwet6cA-ycxbu3Cp4fzlcWNilDtStAjr5xc-Yj3jfm-Djww7-OQhGZIblAb89oBSnPHnsI5kWFk9ty2m2peYrCZ7XhkqoMePm7YSCULHwtP-UUSHWNMnUpCrSAqSpPeDIF5NZ37S5hzbqghneXL1solH=s5152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYnvM_dMi-rZfPoYmippljMqZBxuSGAk0LQwet6cA-ycxbu3Cp4fzlcWNilDtStAjr5xc-Yj3jfm-Djww7-OQhGZIblAb89oBSnPHnsI5kWFk9ty2m2peYrCZ7XhkqoMePm7YSCULHwtP-UUSHWNMnUpCrSAqSpPeDIF5NZ37S5hzbqghneXL1solH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-15498135929253161682022-01-01T01:28:00.000-08:002022-01-01T01:28:25.608-08:00Thoughts on Airplanes<p>We went for a longer ride today. Not too long, but something like an hour and fifteen minutes total. We are getting faster. I had to gear up to keep my legs from spinning out of control. </p><p>For a lot of the way, the path was quiet enough that we could ride side by side. We talked about the little grebes in the water and how much fun it is to watch the coots dive under and bop up to the top like tiny surfacing submarines. </p><p>Because you can see the flight path of all the airplanes coming into Belgium, my thoughts turned to airplanes and flying again. I told Peter about this article I had read about a man who'd had an unlimited ticket for American Airlines. He also had an unlimited ticket for a guest. I just can't even imagine how much fun that would be. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-78539331915571529632021-12-29T07:47:00.003-08:002021-12-29T07:47:34.609-08:00Two Rides<p>I went for about an hour-long ride this morning for my cardio. It's incredible how much easier it is to spin your legs for an hour on a real bike than on an exercise bike. While I rode I thought about freedom and peace of mind</p><p>Later, Peter and I rode to the Asian grocery store that is just across the way from the bike trail I love to ride. We picked kim-chi, sriracha mayo, shrimp crackers, wasabi peas, and sushi rice. I can't wait to try all them out. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-28989370384592082992021-12-28T06:45:00.001-08:002021-12-28T06:45:07.118-08:0045-minute Ride<p>Today we just did a short 45-minute fitness ride. It was raining just a little bit so our glasses were all covered in rain drops. Peter led the way most of the time. I wore my sneakers and my right sock got covered in bike grease from the chain. I'm not sure if it will ever get clean. </p><p>It's so nice to ride so much of the way on a bike path without cars. I used to dream that I could have a bike path so close to home that I could just hop on with very little traffic in between and ride fitness rides on. This is really a dream come true. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-23449957099300495362021-12-27T07:10:00.001-08:002021-12-27T07:10:46.555-08:00Our Longest Ride So Far In Belgium<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnI3NP631rQzQoDnfMsk4u95ppL4NCNu66bfO4wxC-tbn4_F7Edk3GSLMppx5t4hHQdzlP_ZxxqaQw8_gPYHZL1y6uncNwYV0hRjvrIFQMsfYW93z4cc2Z0WeTws1-OmwKNiukMgC4lM9pJ2ucBcja15kHcltQTUPa4eK5K7z5RB5eUNFzXKS1YFcU=s5152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnI3NP631rQzQoDnfMsk4u95ppL4NCNu66bfO4wxC-tbn4_F7Edk3GSLMppx5t4hHQdzlP_ZxxqaQw8_gPYHZL1y6uncNwYV0hRjvrIFQMsfYW93z4cc2Z0WeTws1-OmwKNiukMgC4lM9pJ2ucBcja15kHcltQTUPa4eK5K7z5RB5eUNFzXKS1YFcU=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Today was our longest ride yet - that is, since reviving this blog here in Belgium. We rode along the path mostly single file, but Peter did come up and we chatted a bit. It was fun to see the horses and to ride along the calm waters of the river. <br /><p></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-81942842717921871512021-12-26T04:56:00.002-08:002021-12-26T04:56:35.619-08:00Rest Days<p>Sometimes you just need a rest day. This morning I went to the gym and did some upper body weights. Then I went for a long walk around the city. I figured I'd hop on Peter's bike afterwards and do 45 minutes of riding. But when I got out there, my legs just felt so tired. So I turned back after not too long and came home. I think the gym and walking is enough for today. </p><p>I've learned more about taking time to rest as I've gotten older. Peter used to say that I was always either moving and sleeping. But now I have time where I just relax and watch YouTube videos or write in my diaries. I also take the time to meditate twice a day. In Belgium, I've taken up the hobby of watching road cycling. There is a lot of it on the TV during cycling season (spring, summer, fall) and I find it to be very relaxing. I'm even getting to know a few of the top athletes like Wout Van Aert. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-67660564355486436582021-12-25T02:11:00.000-08:002021-12-25T02:11:41.643-08:00Riding Makes You Hungry<p>Yesterday we both really felt the effect that riding can have on your appetite. I went to the store and picked up some chocolate milk - which is a great recovery drink - and we downed a little bottle of that. Peter also had some muesli right away when we got home from our ride. I ended up having some yogurt and granola at night. The thing is that you have to balance it just right - you don't want to be overly hungry but you also don't want to eat too much. </p><p>Today we rode a smaller ride - just about 45 minutes - in the rain. By the time we got home my jeans were pretty wet and I had to re-dry my hair. It's Christmas so it's a good day to rest and recover. </p><p>We saw a cormorant come in for a nice landing on the river. There were also many seagulls and doves. No hawks today. </p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-66275817232282228992021-12-24T02:29:00.000-08:002021-12-24T02:29:02.051-08:00Riding with Peter<p>Today I took Bruno out because Peter wanted to ride too. We went down the same bike path but went much further. I think it might have been an hour and fifteen total. </p><p>Along the way we saw a hawk, lots of ducks and moorhens, two horses, some chickens and a rooster. The bike path wasn't too busy, though we did get passed several times. Cars mostly stopped to let us cross at the few crossings we had. </p><p><br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-73320537968354926562021-12-22T00:28:00.002-08:002021-12-22T04:22:57.060-08:00Sunrise<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUhE--iYKiIXsIc4jYrJJf1m4x5EDrWsk4TG3C4JupdxQNWGpFRnQQ8B7lmC0qseCgwiDbrkY6gfKkzJZ2BNimWLAs1vgRvuUlG0kK_YQB6hh3Tf7JAIIAzYy-JOq3uzaCiell7AiLczvGu0q78EcntivPHWAl_FsTzo4OVmcPMqFxS1UU_I_m2qUl=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUhE--iYKiIXsIc4jYrJJf1m4x5EDrWsk4TG3C4JupdxQNWGpFRnQQ8B7lmC0qseCgwiDbrkY6gfKkzJZ2BNimWLAs1vgRvuUlG0kK_YQB6hh3Tf7JAIIAzYy-JOq3uzaCiell7AiLczvGu0q78EcntivPHWAl_FsTzo4OVmcPMqFxS1UU_I_m2qUl=s320" width="320" /></a></div>This morning I got nice and bundled up for a ride along the river because it is below zero (Celsius) here today. The grasses were beautifully frosted as I glided along the trail and mist was hovering over the still waters. As I rode I could see airplanes coming in on their approach to Brussels airport and I thought about how much I love airplanes and air travel. The airplane segment of the journey always seems like part of the fun. <p></p><p>On my way back I got to see the gorgeous sunrise above and I remembered to snap a picture of it. In my old riding days, taking my camera along always helped me see more beauty in my rides. </p><p>This afternoon I went on a ride in the little bit warmer weather. I had to turn around because there was a logging truck on the trail. I think it was picking up the trees that I saw yesterday. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-52474312991559961012021-12-21T00:41:00.002-08:002021-12-21T08:02:30.422-08:00Moon<p>This morning I waited for the sun to almost rise - which wasn't until 8:38 because today is the winter solstice - and set out for a ride along the river again. It was cold and dry and there was frost on all the bridges. </p><p>As I rode along, the moon was almost 3/4 full and I thought about the path the moon travels along in the sky. I lived in a small cabin for the first year my husband and I were in Wyoming and there was no artificial light. Some nights the moon would be so bright that you could almost read by it. I love to remember that the moon looks the same to my parents in North Carolina as it does to me here in Belgium. (I think it's upside down in the southern hemisphere.)<br /></p><p>This afternoon I went to the rental place called Velo and picked out a bike for myself. It's a real beater: I think I'll call it Bruno. It's not as nice as Peter's bike because they save the really nice bikes for students. So I think I'll still ride Peter's bike when I'm alone. But if we want to ride together, I'll take out Bruno. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540814637917155159.post-83774314993671867072021-12-20T06:58:00.000-08:002021-12-20T06:58:14.977-08:00Back in the Saddle<p>I've been reading through this bicycling blog lately and realizing how much I missed the thoughts-soothing nature of riding. So much has happened since I last blogged. My husband and I lost all of our possessions, including our five bicycles, to mold. We moved to Laramie, Wyoming where my husband went back to school for four years to get a Computer Science degree. And now we are living in Belgium where my husband is pursing a master's degree in Statistics. </p><p><span></span>I actually don't own a bike right now because we sold or gave away almost everything we owned in order to move to Belgium. But my husband has a rental bike that I took out for a 45-minute ride along the river today. His bike is very comfortable and has fenders and a chain guard which I love. It's great to be able to cycle in jeans. </p><p><span></span>Right away when I started riding today I noticed that my mind became so much calmer. <i>This is why I loved this so much,</i> I thought. I rode over to the marina area which is quite close to our apartment. Then I hopped on a great little bike path that runs along the river. It was pretty quiet traffic-wise as it is most of the time in our small town of Leuven, Belgium. </p><p><span></span>As I rode I passed geese and ducks and got passed at least three times by bicyclists going much faster than me. I also passed a bunch of recently chopped-down trees which made me a little sad. But, boy did my mind feel good. Bicycling is really special in that way. You have to pay attention to what you are doing so it slows your mind down and focuses it. </p><p><span></span>After 22 minutes I turned around right about at the time that I had reached the next town over: Remy. I cycled to a new town on my first bike ride in Belgium! How fun! I rode back feeling a little sluggish for a bit, but I got a second wind. All-in-all it was a great ride for my first time riding in over a year. <br /></p>S&Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257946675488888262noreply@blogger.com0