Monday

Yesterday was Mother’s Day - joyful for many, but not all. For me, a day when I tried to honor mothers at church while remembering that a few people wanted to be mothers but are not and some had mothers who were less than stellar. Our bulletin said we were honoring all who mothered us - giving some men the chance to be honored as well. I gave flowers to everyone. We had cake and coffee after worship - I appreciate all that this congregation does to hold us in a Christian community. In the afternoon, I talked to kids who live in distant places.

After getting home from worship I planted a couple of plants and then changed my clothes for a bike ride, to be followed by dinner that my friend’s husband cooked for us. The roast was yummy and accompanied by lots of vegetables topped off with homemade strawberry shortcake and coffee. Thanks Bruce!

The bike ride is in preparation for our local triathlon on June 4th. In the sporting event - really a training for one in August in Lewisburg, we swim 300 yards, run a 5K and bike 15 miles. We started training in January, though yesterday was the first day to ride a bike because the weather through the early spring has been so wet and cold. We swim weekly, I go to a fitness center and do treadmill 3-4 times a week, but biking was not possible. Yesterday it was so we took to the trails with exuberance riding 9.0 miles - until I gave out.

For some reason, I want to behave as though I were in my twenties - ride the bike, run, swim distances. I know I don't feel older than I used to, perhaps this exercise helps me fool myself. I am fearful -- if I give up activity, will I need a rocking chair on my front porch? Will I start wearing old lady printed dresses? Will I give up progressive lenses for bifocals because they are less work? Maybe I will use my blender more. The thoughts are not at all appealing. I read that 60 is the new 40. I hope so. I hope I remain active until it is time for me to leave this glorious earth. I plan to keep riding and running and swimming long as I can - long as God gives me stamina and sunshine and some running paths.

Today, we again rode our bikes - it was more difficult today because the wind seemed to slow us down as we strained to go up hill. What our parents said may be true: they walked five miles to school UPHILL both ways. This afternoon, we rode 9.5 miles, uphill all the way. Or so it seemed.