Namaste

It's a yoga term that means: "The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you"

 

When I was a teen, my friend Mona Jones took me to the old rock quarry outside of Atlantic to swim. It was a deep clear pond that had a diving board. Yep a real board someone had rigged - way up high. And it didn't stick out far enough so you could just drop off it into the water. You had to run and leap.

 

I stood on that board a long time. And then I made my approach several times before I finally leaped. And I screamed. But I finally did it! Man that water was cold. And deep thank God. I took the plunge.

 

I approach many things in life like that diving board. I'm not a quick jumper and find many excuses not to jump. I might hit the dirt! The water will be cold. I think I hear my mom calling...

 

But when it comes down to it, life is meant to be lived. I don't want to spend my life sitting in the chair blogging about nothing. I want to regain my physical strength so I've been eyeing classes in various local publications to see what might help me do that besides the biking and walking I do on my own.

 

So I took a big leap and signed up for Gentle Flow Yoga. When I put my credit card number in and paid the fee I knew I was locked in. I'm too cheap to chicken out altogether. I was nervous all day yesterday - the first class was at 6:15 p.m. What if the new yoga mat I'd purchased wasn't cool? What should I wear? I knew where the school was but didn't know my way around it. Ugh. I asked Paul to reassure me and he said something like "suck it up buttercup".

 

I got there fairly early (thanks Dave B.) and staked out a spot. My outfit and mat were fine. I even broke out of my introverted self and introduced myself to Justine and Barb (so proud - I made a special effort to remember their names as I usually suck at that).

 

Gayle Vattese is the instructor for the class of about 20 women. We plunged right in and I just watched and imitated others to know what to do as Gayle coached and instructed. We concentrated on breathing - filling our lungs more fully than perhaps we'd done all day, and were thankful for it. It was quite spiritual - yet Gayle through in some smartass humor too. My kind of gal! She'd say something like, "press your ten fingers into the mat...eleven if you're lucky."

 

Man did we stretch! My stiff body didn't appreciate it, but it will learn. I tried not to let my mind race ahead to other topics, as it tends to. "What should I eat when I get home?" "Oh, I need to remember my laptop in the morning" Stuff like that. But I wasn't all that successful. I will work to do better.  OOOhhhmmm. Downward dog baby. I can't wait for next week.

 

Paul and I peddled into the High Trestle Bridge from Madrid last Sunday - a gorgeous Iowa fall day! My shoulder is feeling good and the beer was cold after our ride.

 

 



Boom! Didn't make it to fireworks

Another successful Independence Day is in the books. I'm exhausted!

Our friends Bobbie and Jeff arrived Friday evening in time to eat at Legends at an outdoor table, prior to the Iowa Cubs game. The weather gets an A+ for the whole holiday. Perfection - much deserved after floodlike rains and below normal temps.

We sat above first base with our gazillion ounce beers with a crowd of over 13,000 people. The Cubs disappointed, frankly - scoring early, then fading. But the experience didn't. Bobbie and I chatted and participated in the whole fan experience - hooting and hollering. Jeff and Paul talked farming, while watching the game. With the last out, the lights were turned off and a barrage of fireworks treated the eyes, with piped in music.

It was over very quickly, and I must pay homage to the Creston Fireworks folks - nothing compares to their show in our eyes. But it was a great way to end the day. Too tired to party on Court Avenue, we retired to the Goldsmith deck for "just one more" before beddie bye. Still it was after midnight before I hit the sack. Pretty late for this old, injured girl.

Farmer's Market fun

The next day we were up fairly early, hitting the Farmer's Market by 7:30 a.m. Jeff wanted to try a breakfast treat other than our fave burritos, and I was game. I got a Bosnian cheese and something quiche like parcel. It was delish and only $3. The Brazilian Twin entertainers were there - I could have listened to them longer, but we were on a mission to bike, so we headed on. Jeff ended up with an egg roll and some type of pastry.

We headed home and loaded up the bikes. Jeff discovered he had a flat - with some issue that precluded fixing it as each tube flattened as well. We drove to the launch spot at Woodward - near the Whistlin Donkey bar. That was where Jeff and I hung out while Paul and Bobbie peddled to the High Trestle Bridge.

Paul and Bobbie at the trestle

In the meantime, Jeff and I made friends with a fun couple from Urbandale. My shoulder makes for a great conversation starter! Bob, the guy, has had 3 shoulder injuries from cycling. I plan on making this my only one...as I eyed cyclists riding in on bikes with 3 wheels. We hung out there all day, trading stories with Bob and his wife. Beer, wings and lunch were all good as we sat on the deck of the outdoor bar, under an umbrella. Perfect!

Paul talked Jeff into putting Bobbie's tire on his bike and taking the ride to the bridge - so off they went. Bobbie and I took a nap in the car as we awaited the wayward travelers, who decided they needed one more beer in the Quonset hut bar in Madrid. It's a good thing nobody wanted to carjack 2 old ladies sprawled out in a Subaru. Guess they were too busy doing healthy things like biking!

That is what I love about the sport - that I hope I can do again soon. As I observed from the WD deck, families came and went. There were couples - young and old. Some people had expensive equipment and others had bikes from the local hardware store. Everyone wore helmets. Biking is something that keeps people active and brings them together. Iowa should invest more in the infrastructure that helps Iowa's small towns and makes living in the state attractive to people.

Jeff had haying to do back in Creston. So about 6 p.m. they started their return trip home. He's probably out there right now making hay. Paul and I were in bed by 10 p.m. as neighbors shot off fireworks in the park across the street. Odie burrowed under the covers. It was a fun day. Thanks to all who make our freedom possible!

To the moon Alice!

Leslie and Jane....

I was enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning at home when I received a Facebook message from my friends Ken and Jane. They were visiting DSM from their home in Dyersville and wanted to know if Paul and I felt like biking by moonlight that night. On a bridge.

I talked to Paul when he got back from checking his deer cameras and got back to them. We were IN! Just after 5 p.m. they arrived to pick us and our bikes (mine's name is Albie) up. They brought a bottle of wine. We drank it and chatted - catching up on each others' lives.

Jane and Ken also brought news. They're getting married October 25th! We're very happy for those two - they have a great time together and make a great couple. We enjoy hanging out with them. Cheers to Jane and Ken!

We drove to Woodward and ate burgers and drank a beer at the Braying Donkey before starting our couple mile ride to the High Trestle Bridge. The full moon helped light our way and it was a good thing as Paul and I hadn't checked our batteries for our bike lights. They were dead. Ugh!

The experience was worth the trip. And the fall (yes, I managed to tip over at one point and have some nice bruises to show for it).

We also got some cool photos. Not great as I didn't take time to set my camera for low light.

Paul and I are happy that Ken and Jane call when they come to town. #fullmoonfun!