i know i know i know....

ok, so it's been a while. not that anyone cares, but yeah, it's been too long -- and therefore boring. thank goodness there are so many people out there doing their amazing things to keep everyone busy and entertained (go read all the reports and trips and stories and inspirations in the 'curiosities' section -- plus all those on ed's site;-))!


the big news: i've moved to golden! i've moved out of the 1880's, 2-story , bamboo floor - granite counter top - priceless city views - and intriguing character of my 5 points 'apartment' (castle), and into a space that has walls with clean lines and defined spaces -- a space with a remarkably more grounded feel and sense -- space with tremendously gracious and delicate light -- a space that is clean and new and without ghosts -- a space in which i foresee the expansion and grounding of my life. there is good energy here, and i'm looking forward to spending some solid recovery time occupying this space.

the old house (i lived in the top 2 floors) -- yes there are ghosts here

the new house -- in the new space -- near all the t r a i l s!!!

the best part of this space is the proximity to TRAIL: out the back door, front door, side door: all i have to do is saddle the pony and go. given, i've not yet taken advantage of that opportunity and proximity, but i will. when the time is right.

Junkyard

Our pristine new home goes by the name of The Junkyard. Hillary and i stumbled onto the name at our first little house-warming/dinner party, and it seems to have stuck. Below are pictures just for pure entertainment:

the goods

dave, hil, cat, ed

practicing for the post-thanksgiving meal (or something like that)

So I've not been riding much (at all). I spent one remarkably warm, beautiful, almost powerful day out on the trail for Mateo's Great Hut Adventure, but other than that: I'm down -- down as in, wings clipped and I'm pending the recovery of energy. The day of Mateo's ride was remarkable tho! I found many moments of that magic energy that I have so missed this season. I also found many moments of complete exhaustion. It was strange, almost like the flow of energy was an ebb-and-flow, ON for one section of the trail and completely OFF the next. It was no matter tho -- because the light of the day was deep and warm and our crew rolled in bliss for hours. i've never seen buff creek in that light, actually. it was a remarkable day on the bike -- and a remarkable night celebrating with mateo, hanging out with his beautiful wife, and connecting with damn good people. (thank you, mateo!!!!!!). Goodness, that was HOW many weeks ago?

Despite the ride-less-ness of my time right now, Ed and I are headed to Fruita for a few days of delicious trail-meandering;-) I'm bringing a 29er just for fun, should I feel I can actually give up my Truth for more than a few miles. That ought to prove interesting. I'm looking forward to meeting up with Gary and Patti, my soul-people, and all will be well in our little universe.

Gratitude
Perhaps this is a predictable subject -- but no matter, it's important and worthwhile and worth the writing and exploration. I have to say that I know a list of all things I am grateful for would be extensive and quite the read. So I'll limit the written list: Right now, I have to say that I'm most grateful for the people in my life, all of whom affect me deeply, and to all of whom I wish to express my expansive love and appreciation:

edmund, darling

jo ann

j michael

sue bear

dr. douggie fresh

jessi bunny

johnE

dana, angel

xanthe, angel star

miss kitty, cat

hickory hil

morning-star dave

super cyn

tonka, shamoo

gary and patti -- bright spots in the universe

jen rockstar

aaron rockstar

jean-bean, power bunny

eb, the original sser

vroom-vroom-veronica

tony and chiapin

velveeta tom

steevie--man of his word

chaps and mar-mar

glennnnnnnnnn

frankiepoo

alotta-Todd-a and Jooles

Branalina

the LongBergs

gramps

grand-ma-ma

all of you have such a profound impact in my life -- so much so that i truly don't know how to express it. my heart is filled with love and appreciation for your presence and your magic. thank you for being and for being YOU!

a parting kiss -- for all the people here, there and everywhere (including bloggerland -- really!) -- you all rock!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jj

hehehehehe......

last spring i took an 80 mile road-bike tour around denver with steve (spike) and john. one not so small section inspired the following conversation and challenge: if i could get ed to shave his legs, steve would follow suit. john was witness to this little challenge.

i shaved ed's legs last night, stevie!!!!! let's see it!

(damn that was fun-fun-fun!)

jj

miXXedBliss

ski day One for the 2007-2008 season.

the pony is at rest, hiding amongst the stallions keeping warm against the wall in the living room. she is at rest. waiting.

meanwhile, the seasons cross. it's like cross dressing... the back 1/2 of my subaru: mtbShoes, teleboots, trail/running shoes, work shoes. ski helmet. camel back. ski skins and pack. and believe it or not, front MtbWheel in there as well. Note, also, the stack of mtbSocks, the chain brush and greasy rags. its a mixxed up chaotic mess. and it's freaking lovely.

day one at a-basin. crowded, white-ribbon-of-death, boys slamming beers in the lift line (terrifying). but it was a blissful day. the sun was high and hot. i was out at altitude today in a fleece jersey, spring gloves and sunglasses. who would have guessed after awaking to a foggy, wet mess in Evergreen.

tele skiing is my other ... bliss. TeleBliss. i've been on my skis since the age of 5, and on the tele boards since my 21st birthday (14 years ago, oh-my-gawd). today was like meditation in action... making turns habitual style; feeling the pulse and groove of solo-turns, soft early-season snow, breathing love and trust in every motion ... waiting calm in the lift line.

i must admit that tele skiing came before mtbAddiction for me. i know skiing in my bones and in my blood and in my spirit. it's always a safe haven of zen. i've always said that i was lucky that my two passions in life didn't share the same seasons! and likely for good reason....

the body is broken. my energy is spent and i'm on the hunt for solid healing. i'm hoping that by skiing, uphill and down, i can re-gain the expected and usual energy levels ... the power and pitch that usually accompanies my madness.... what better place than to re-find the innate mojo than the place i've been finding it since ... forever ago.

i am 32 flavors and then some

20 miles
2 hours
2000' v
2 ani cd's

all that fall-ridin' while (and i do mean every last second of those two hours), i had the "little boxes" song rolling and rolling, round and round, pointedly making it's way through my head. (little boxes, little boxes, little boxes made of ticky tacky.......) argh. you really do need to listen to the song to get the full insanity of 2 solid hours of it....

i've been reading everyones posts about their respective season finale -- the closing of a big year of big races, big rides, and big, satisfying exhaustion. what a year it's been for everyone!!!! i think i find adam's poetic, deep re-caps, and dave harris' well explored ruminations ... not to mention dave c's mind-blowingly succinct and wide stories to be ... just so damn enlightened... and lucky.

i definitely feel like this 'mountain biking season' is coming to a 'close.' but by 'close' i mean that it's about to start all over again. knowing ed, we'll be on the trail all winter long....... exploring the deeply wooded roads via snow pack and and warm gloves ;-)

but i have to say ... i'm tired. i'm wrong tired. i'm tired like i've never been tired before ... and while this sounds like the typical 'end of the season' tiredness...... it so completely isn't. i wish i was in the midst of that big, satisfying exhaustion of a mtb season well spent and hammered on (not that i didn't ride like a crazy-woman this spring-summer-fall). this tiredness has hung with me for months (like a year and a half -- since the middle of xc race season last summer) ... too many months. i have no tangible explanation (food? fatigue? me? head? body? whatwhatwhat??!!?), and everything i've tried seems to make it worse. i can't tell if it's rest time (like go grab the tele skis and running shoes and just hide the bike from myself for a good two/three months... or rest like do nothing), or if there is something else wrong. perhaps another visit to the dr. i just don't know.

so outside of feeling slower than i ever have in my entire life, todays ride was insanely gorgeous: AirBliss. LightBliss. ColorBliss. SunBliss. I even added a little PonyBliss by changing out the stem ... the new bike position: i love. ticky-tacky/little houses insanity song aside, it was truly a roll through the beauty of our world in this universe. the light was spectacular.

so, ed and i had started/stopped at the same point again... only this time i cut my ride a good 2 hours short. i'm that tired. and i hung out in the shade and breeze .... listening to music.

i worked my way through 2 ani difranco cd's, and burned that freaking little ticky-tacky song out of my head. now i have her 32 flavors lyrics finding their way through my everything. i wish there was a way to post the actual music....

tomorrow i get to venture to summit to see veronica and her darling little baby, wyatt!!! a year ago veronica and i were riding our bikes through cb (where she lives) laughing at ourselves and our lives, wondering if a.) either of us would ever get married, and b.) if we would ever have children. one year later: wyatt. GO VERONICA! she manifested her dreams. and i'm very excited for her.

i'm bringing the skis so i can make turns at the basin on the way home. it will be the silly white-ribbon-of-death sort of experience (early season conditions = one run), but it will be very worth while.... i can't wait to wear a hat!

perhaps i'll put on more ani for the trip up and down the mtn....

tired,
jj

feSSt

even though i no longer ride a singlespeed, i ventured out to join the beanfeSSt nutcases for a day of solidly dirty, wet fun.

these are the crazy people:

they were kind enough to let me ride with them ... with all my gears. and it's a good thing that i have all those gears, because today found me about as ridiculously tired and fatigued as i have been all summer... and fall. oh-well. it was fun to be outside and playing in the S N O W!!!!

i think we logged around 16 miles and about 2350' climbing. doesn't really matter: it was cold ... wet cold! my legs were so cold going up the last hill that they sincerely weren't working. like ... not at ALL. they were numb and un-responsive. i was wondering if they were even really there at all.

here is a picture snapped (thanks again, ed) just before i so elegantly ran into a tree:

the funny thing about this shot, is that i had no idea ed was hiding in the trees (again), and i had many, many things to say (out loud and vehemently) to myself about running into the very beautiful tree.

one thing is absolutely clear to me: our friends are hilarious, and i enjoy their wit and humor to no end.

thanks paul for the excellent get together!! let's do it again next year, and let's make sure it snows again... for the 5th year in a row.

Jj

unforseen

if you are unaware,
accidental bliss ...
can happen like this:

ran errands and made decisions all morning
lounged decadently with a cuppa chai
chatted, deeply, with a good friend
faint nap, and many hours of random chores, laundry.

all morning, the clouds looming low, saturating the air with promises; even the light: moist; chills tickling the skin; motivation to venture into the nip hiding behind the desire to cozy-up in fleece.......

until that moment, in an instant: the thunder!

in that moment, helpless against the rambunctious inspiration: the decision to don the knee warmers, the wool; intending only a brief spin through the crisp afternoon.

winding the long way around town
sitting for 7 minutes with the bull
finding 10 miles to be the sweet spot
finally contacting that first sweet dirt
heavy clouds, rolling deeply and cracking: sonorous
rain, spitting tiny hail, chill
the shadowy path illuminated:
golden treasures leading the way
through the forest
fast and furious
and absolutely On



Jj

friday night

friday afternoon! ohgoodness, so much for work ;-)


18 miles of a friday night date ride! only this time, we had company, and we latched onto ice's friday afternoon ride. four of us showed up in the early afternoon to delight in what remained of the warmer fall weather and sunlight. the parks were sweetly empty and we had our way with the single track! ed and ben chased and raced while dave and i enjoyed a solidly pleasant conversation up the hills (thanks dave).... dave has magic powers going down hill, so i never saw him after cresting any of the hills.

thank you, dave, for the quick post-ride recovery drink ;-)

(i'll do all that work... over the weekend)

in other news: i've decided to move. yes, i'm leaving the castle that is my current home down town and have chosen to land in Golden, with my dear friend Hillary.

i'm so excited i'm having a difficult time sitting still!

everyone: get out and enjoy the snow storm. we're hoping to have a frolicking-ly good time in the snow at the beanfeSSt on Sunday! see you there?!?!?!?

jeny jo

speeding

Sometimes...

I get so excited about life, my friends, the things we love to do, and the magical moments created there within...

that I start to move just a little fast. Speeding ticket on the way home from our Santa Fe excursion was the physical manifestation of my internal state: pedal to the floor, flying.

I wish I could say as much for my riding! But alas, I'm tired, beyond any experience of tired I've had before. But that didn't stop us from riding our brains out and having some of the best 3 days ever.

Friday I snuk out of work (completely), and went for a quickie solo ride out of Evergreen. A quick 11 mile, sub-one hour ride, and I felt satisfied at not being at my desk, and out in the larger world of experience.

We jumped in the car and left Evergreen by 1230pm, and casually made our way down to Santa Fe, by way of the Hub of Salida (Absolute Bikes), of course. Had to see Tom, pick up Ed's shoes, and soak in even a brief moment of our friends. I have to say that Ed was bouncing off the walls in a manner I had not yet known. I expected it to last maybe a few hours..... but no: it lasted all weekend, and together we generated more UP energy than I could have ever imagined. Thanks darling.

We arrived in Santa Fe, after chasing storms all the way down hwy 285. To the left of the highway it was black, to the right of the highway -- off towards Del Norte way over beyond the vast and golden prairie land, along the ridge of pine and aspen -- the sun was piercing through the thick, chaotic clouds, blasting down onto the honey colored grass, illuminating the patches of aspens amid the dark pine hills.

The road veered left, tho ... into the darkness and we made our way through the storm.

If you ever get the chance to drive down hwy 285 past Alamosa, past Antonito, past Tres Piedras, and down the caynon into the Espanola area... I highly recommend taking that opportunity. It's gorgeous down there -- especially in the setting sun, after a solid storm. There looks to be a ton of magnificent riding back in them hills!!!

Arriving at Jen and Aarons house found us wasted tired and still bouncing off the walls. I was so deeply excited for Ed to meet Jen and Aaron, and I was flying at a thousand miles an hour in giddiness.... Jen made an absolutely outstandingly delicious dinner and we drank wine and martinis and laughed our asses off late into the night!

Jen and Aaron had a plan for Saturday: back up to Taos, hit the Elliot Barker trail, hook up w/ the South Boundary trail and some other new variation................. it started off brilliantly, and we spent hours and hours and hours in the aspens and cool, fall air... mostly lost! But damn it was fun. We still managed a solid 30 miles and 4000K vert of saddle time. Well, saddle time and hiking time.

Saturday night, back in Santa Fe, I had the awesome opportunity to make another connection: introducing Glen and Jen and Aaron.... Glen has lived in SF for over 8 years now, and has recently become a father!! Jen and Aaron have been in SF for just around 2 years. Glen ended up riding with us on Sunday, showing Jen and Aaron new trails and generally orienting them to yet another degree to the outrageously awesome place they live.

We spent Sunday morning relaxing in grand style over the best omelets ever. It was The Breakfast of Unmeasured Delight. What a great way to start a day!!!

Breakfast was this good:

Jen and Aarons extremely beautiful home:

Sunday Glen took us on a tour from Jen and Aarons house .... all over the place!! We logged 30+/- miles, 5000K. I believe that Aaron snuk in more climbing. The first trails out of the house were playful and twisty, teasing us up the hill! I was chasing 3 men. That hurt. I was tired, and felt, of course, like keeping up. But alas......... I let them all go. We hit another trail head, climbed up some wickedly fun single track, and topped out on a beautiful ridge, littered with choices!

Glen and Jeny climbing:

We spent the entire day in a state of MtbBbliss. All of us. In my head, it was as if we'd all been the closest of friends since the beginning of time; all of us out there, chasing one another, chasing ourselves, laughing and riding and careening through a most magnificent explosion of Fall. THANK YOU, Ed - Jen - Aaron - Glen!!!!

And thank you, Jen and Aaron for being my best pals, and for hosting such a magical weekend.

And thank you, Glen, for being you, showing up, and telling us all exactly wassUP!

And Ed, thank you for everything, and then some;-)

The end of the ride led Ed and I straight into the car and blasting off back towards Denver and Evergreen.... The heightened state of bliss and exhaustion led us straight into the speeding ticket... well, I got the ticket.

I've spent the rest of the week recovering!!!

(I tried to keep it short and concise... I know....)

(Jen, your portfolio turned out so beautiful!)

(All beautiful pictures here are courtsey of Ed, of course!)

(Aaron, I need a link to the awesome work you do!)

(You can find Glen on mtbr.com... glenzx)

Jj

metamorphosis

Oh thank you, Universe for the permutation of fall.

Sundays Buff Creek Solo Ride:

27 miles

2500 vert

2.45 hrs

10.5 mph avg

empty trails

pure enchantment

Ed and I started and stopped in the same place today ... but had remarkably different rides. I should get a camera. However, not having a camera keeps me from stopping at all. Outside of bumping into two pals and having 10 minute conversations with both of them... there wasn't a moment that passed that I wasn't careening towards bliss in the magical state of Fall.

As everyone is reporting, the leaves are ramping up, the dirt is changing, the temperatures are changing, and we all seem to be in a reverent state of bliss.

Other things are changing, too; Fall is a time of change, and we all succumb to the cycles of the seasons.

My personal experience of fall ... is that fall bears lusciously fertile ground. For me, fall brings a remarkable amount of reflection. Fall feels earthy. And with that, a sense of groundedness always seems to envelop me. Riding in the dirt of fall, after the endless wear and tear of summer, always feels good. Like I can feel the cooler, wetter dirt on my hands reaching all the way through the tires, fork and grips.... It's like walking in silence, barefoot, along a soft, moist trail.

That fertile ground also seems open to a deep power of manifestation. Almost like planting seeds of dreams in rich soil; reflection refracting perspective, casting light on reality, past and present, desires, plans, goals, time unfolding into heart-felt dreams. The things I dream of in the fall, never fail to come true.

Fall is rich. And riding in fall, alone, ablaze thru the dark-dark green canopy of pine, illuminated with the glitter of the treasures of aspens, time widens, and experience seems so ... lucid.

One of my favorite things about todays ride thru the Fall, was the wordless whisper of the cool breeze, keeping me company along my passage through the woods.

I hope you're all out there, planting those seeds.

Jj

texas

Texas ate my mojo. And a whole week of work there has completely obliterated me.

Apparently I'm not so good with the 'travel and work' scenario. And, apparently, I'm not so good in humid climates. (You thought my hair was curly in CO!!! Waaaahahahahhahahha! Right).

My return home found me broken on the couch for hours. Until Ed appeared, and whisked me off to dinner: I was a pile of mush, napping and drooling on the couch. I also received a quick visit from Hil, who saved my kitty's life this weekend. THANK YOU HIL.... Tonka LOVES you, by the way. He says he wants to live with YOU.

I thought that recovery would be complete with one thorough night's sleep. So for today: off we went to ride N E W TRAIL (yeah, NEW... and 100% lacking in people, NO LESS). The first 1/2 hour was brilliant: twisty, slightly inclined, cruising thru the brush and scrub-oak, and wickedly fun.......... and then I hit a brick wall and I couldn't pedal to save my life. Legs felt good. Energy felt bad. I was T I R E D ... and deeply disappointed. Ah-well. I should have known better. I am required to take Dramamine when I travel, and I'm tired enough after a sub-40 hour week, let alone a 60 hour week. I just should have known that I would be a compromised chocolate mess.

But really, Ed and I had fun, despite the fact that I had to bail on the sincerely awesome crew we had intended to ride with. (I'm so sorry guys.......... I hope you had a brilliant ride in the fall light, ripping thru the scrub on the super scrumptious single track. Next time, I promise!!! You should ALL make it up for BeanFeSST with Paul)!

Good thing is: it was brilliant. I got to re-meet Paul (Loudpawls), and I am excited to see him again at the Bean FeSSt in a couple of weeks. Santa Fe is on the schedule for next weekend, and that means some seriously great riding, and some whole-heartedly deep time with a couple of my best friends (Jen and Arron.... and possibly my long lost pal, GLEN?!??!).

It's fall, finally. I've been waiting for fall since the beginning of June. Unfortunately, the light disappears earlier, but I need to practice being OK riding in the dark (alone) anyway. The neat thing about this fall, as I look at my calendar, is that it's WIDE OPEN. Makes things feel free.

Maybe I can focus on getting things (fitness things, yoga things, heart things) back on track. (Far, far away from Tx.)

Jj

the time it takes

focused not on passions

but on obligations

and without the satisfaction

of success

busy time

weightless mind

failing to rise

to the required occasion

the last week has been a quick-study in overcoming a seemingly growing inability to focus on any one thing for any substantial amount of time. scattered, frantic, and full of time lines and work obligations, i'm sort of at a loss for ... productivity!

and yet, my seemingly forever-ago weekend left a window of memory and experience of clarity and peace. of course ... riding on sunday was blissful. we left home on the ponies in the fresh, cool morning air, and returned hours later downright dirty and spent. ed was still in recovery mode, i'm in start-over mode, and we rode through the woods in pursuit of pleasure.

mantras on the bikes these days:

• what it is i love about being on my bike right now


• quiet mind. deep heart.

(yes, i do actually think these things while i am riding. it keeps me focused, quiet and centered)

our little jaunt logged us significant time away from the computers, and straight into a sense of satisfaction that lingers ... a sense of satisfaction that has followed me all the way to texas for the week ... and is awaiting my return friday afternoon.

jj

show and tell

for those of you who have to (are likely forced to) listen to me, you already know i took part in my cousins wedding this weekend.

the happy couple:
the event went off without a hitch! as far as i knew anyway ... but i was trying my hardest to mind my own business and not ...... um, pay attention.


it was a really interesting experience to watch my little baby cousin ... whom i had babysat, coached through countless crushes, and disciplined (yikes) since she was a wee little bunny... actually get married. i'm proud of her. i don't know what else to say.

lucky for me, i was adopted (for the weekend) by the maid of honor, kimberly, and her hilariously awesome husband, scott! the other happy couple:












also lucky for me, the whole weekend of rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner, and drinks, and pre-wedding dressing, and eating, and more drinks, took place high in the hills above durango, co. in fact, i was staying at a place just below silverton ... the wedding itself was about 25 miles west of durango.

scott and kimmy asked me (at a point well into the eating/drinking festivities) to do my best impression of how i see them as the happy new couple that they are as well. this is what they got:
i am not exactly where where that smile came from. i've actually never seen it before. not once, ever.










kimmy and jeny at the rehearsal (for good measure and because she was a rock-star of a best brides maid, and because i think she's a top notch woman):


so, the morning after (omg, i slept on the couch in an effort to quell the chaos of the 14 year old 1/2 sister ... not to mention the wine), it was up and OUT of the condo, heading straight for salida ... off to meet ed in his VT125 insanity adventure. well, it's not insane, in and of itself. but the riders might very well be.

well, not really. i know. i'm just so completely excited for all the people who lined up at the start ... and for those who knew the tricks in how to choose to finish. i hope to be as well centered in my endurance efforts at some point in the future. for now, i get to train and ride my brains out ... and some day perhaps i'll have the gumption to do it in such a venue as this. you guys blow my mind, and you inspire me to the greatest of depths. ed ... you've lit one crazy fire!!!

sadly, i do not have a picture of ed finishing the race ... or any of the other riders, or any of the scenery. go to ed's site. he has pictures. and they're damn good.

so. i have this other gem of a friend. her name is jean, and she is also someone i admire ... for countless reasons. this last particular weekend, i admire her for her tenacity ... her ability to commit, even when she flat-out broke, she was able to re-commit, and then to conquer. personal opinion, but conquering is what jean does best. she masters. jean lined up for the Wasatch 100 this last weekend. now, for those of you who are bike geeks (you all are, i know), this is not a 100 mile bike race. she lined up for this experiential portal in her running shoes.

this is jean at mile 39. she looks as in control, HOT, bright and chipper as usual:

















Ok, so a little (a LOT) further into the race, mile 75. all i can say (am allowed to say) is that jean had quite the cathartic experience here. i am happy to report that jean has guardian angles, and they know when to show up, and they know the precise magic words:












so, at some point into the race ...jeans feet looked (and felt ...because i know you all know how to feel through pictures) like this:
tell me this: how many mountain bikers would be ok with feel that looked and felt like this? huuuummmmmm??? i do seriously want to know.



and, this is a picture of jeans in the midst of her triumph ... over the internal battle, and external battle ... as usual having mastered a dream:
(jean, you think i'm a freak??? yeeeah.)











so, i DID actually get to ride this weekend, albeit about one-tenth of the time and distance that i wanted to. i got to ride with my father this weekend. we rode up the forest access road for cascade falls. the delightfully playful 4WD road turned into some wickedly delightful single track ... and we had a good time out in the national forest, adventuring through the river (mid-thigh ... ooooh-yeah, it was c o l d), over the absurd amount of rocks, roots, and mud. i am one hell of a lucky person to get to do this sort of activity with my father. i am grateful.

and that was my weekend ... and jeans ... and heathers ...and eds ... and kimmy's and scotts... and i'm sure, all of yours, too.

jj

off!!!

off to salida, to deliver Ed for the VT125....

then onto Durango for me.

sunday back to salida to ride and to catch the end of the race, i mean ride ........

good luck, ed! good luck every one else, too!!! seems it's the thing to do these days;-)


so full. so present. so excited. so happy.

jj

tick tock

not much to say this evening... not even about the long weekend.

another wall blue.

looking forward to durango this coming weekend (riding between wedding events for the cousin)

looking even more forward to GITA the following weekend!! (sept 14 thru 16)

looking forward to a couple weekends in santa fe w/ jen and aaron for october!

fall riding is upon us, and i'm greatly relieved.

phew.

landing

i have poison ivy on my legs ... on my arms ... and a little on my face. this is not fun. it was a riot of fun getting it there, riding thru the lush of an oddly wet summer. but the aftermath is a mess. so be it. i've lived here a total of 34 years and roughly 7 or 8 months, and I've never had poison anything before.

i spent the first part of the day indulging decadently in coffee, then meandering out to cherry creek to see dana off into her big 24 hour tri event. LOTS of people riding bikes in less than full shamoi'd shorts. ouch.

spent the second part of my day picking out paint, then applying it to a wall in my upstairs. i now have one wall of color, and it is a luscious shade of blue. i'm hoping it helps me sleep. i spent another part of my day re-organizing, moving furniture around, and generally re-landing in my space. it was well worth the sacrifice of a riding day. the first picture below is the wall/area before, and the second is after i got through with it today.


















i spent this evening/night with my sister, bro-in-law, mother and step-father in boulder, and enjoyed some home-made curry, a puppy i wish was mine, and a cat that used to be mine. i really like their charmed life in boulder. i should really visit more often. the picture below is of Llewis, my old cat, who now belongs to my sister.... he really likes her.



i'm not sure what else to say. probably a boring day by most standards ... more so that i didn't get out to enjoy the rush of air against my skin, or the rush of sweat and quickening of my heart beat. but you know ... i'm tired. i still managed to get a sunburn, and today was a very constructive day.




***********************************
this object
this space
in this light
attune

and in it, woven
base temperament
solidarity
and peace

blue peace
my peace
my space
my object
my light