Theme: "Messy", 29 December 2007

My family gets together on Christmas Eve for a pot-luck and to exchange gifts and good times. On the way there we visited Jeanne’s older sister Carolyn, which we also do every year. At Carolyn’s I was examining her tree and noticed an interesting ornament, an angel made from her wedding dress.

Kurt:: "I like it and even though you got it on sale for $10 you still get credit for a $20 gift."

She: "Why thank you. But …  how did you know?"

Laughter all around.

She: "I can’t believe I did that".
Hides head and face under jacket hood.

Theme: "Light", 22 December 2007

As soon as Jeanne saw me micro-adjusting the setting she said "I know what you are doing" and gave me a sweet little kiss as I ran off for the camera. She must like me celebrating her meals.

That was late in the day, now for a flash back

The day started and ended nicely but the middle was frustrating. In the morning the weather was beautiful. It was the kind of day that when you walked in the sun you could feel it penetrate, driving the tension from  your body, a perfect day for a bike ride. I was wanting it, Jeanne was wanting it, and Kurt was especially wanting it as he had not been on the last couple of rides. I went out and unlocked three bikes for some pre-ride care which at least includes checking the air in the tires. I decided to do a little more than that on such a nice day.

Here is the Rocket in position for a chain oiling. You have to put some special oil on each individual link, and  the chain is really long. The oil is extra thin in order to not easily collect lint and road ort. As you can see I used the bike-mobile’s rack as a bike stand. This was fun. I finished, positioned the bikes for easy access, and went in to collect the crew.

The day morphed

Kurt was asleep and could not wake enough to ride. I wanted him to go but I’d also enjoy riding with just Jeanne. (We all understand the value of one-on-one and often arrange for all combinations of the three of us, two at a time. ) Jeanne was ready to go but wondered if we could run two small errands first. I agreed that they needed to be done and I locked the bikes back up.

Hammer number 1

First some background: Jeanne bought this painting from a local artist that needs framing (the painting, not the artist), actually bought two but the other she already framed (She found a cheap, old painting which she bought just for the frame). Jeanne took the unframed one to a shop a couple months ago and picked out a frame style she liked but the materials would have to be ordered.  OK, she can wait. However, when she returned after the estimated delay she was told that the materials were backordered until February. This just isn’t fair. She wanted the painting in the frame for the season. OK, she can wait.

However, as she thought about it she realized she did not want to wait until February and wanted to select something in stock. The clear choice was not available so she wanted me to go also and help with the selection.

Enough of the background, back to yesterday, which was when we were both available with minimal inconvenience. I took the painting down form the wall and Jeanne and I head off to the frame shop. We got there well before they closed, well, before the sign on the door says they close. They must have had some small errands to run. Good for them but the look on Jeanne’s face! All the disappointments of waiting had instantaneously settled there. She looked like she wanted to choke a chicken. I patted her on the back, afraid to say the wrong thing, afraid to become a chicken.

Hammer number 2

We went on to a specialty shop to pick up/out a gift for Kurt. Jeanne had gone by before and the guy told her he had some better stock at home that he would bring in for her selection. Kurt is a good customer and he did not mind the extra trouble. As it turned out it was no trouble at all. He forgot. He went off to the stock room to see what he could find. I looked at Jeanne and she looked at me and we agreed that we didn’t want to select just from what he could find. We made arrangements to return Tuesday; they are closed Mondays. Just in case he forgets I think I’ll get Jeanne a rubber chicken for Christmas.

Hammer number 3

We returned home anticipating a well-deserved ride. I unlocked the bikes and we collected our gear. Kurt was still out like a light. I said that I had better check the weather (as I always do).

This is what I saw on the computer. It may have been clear and beautiful overhead but something evil was on the way. I was so dissapointed and Jeanne could tell. She said "Maybe we could ride just up to USM and back". That was no conlsolation to me and I declined. It would only be a 10 minute ride, one way, and would involve traffic, traffic lights, and hills. It would just be a tease, and not a good one at that. I locked the bikes back up. I really wanted this ride, not only for the good feeling of well-being it gives us but also because without it I may not make my 100 mile goal for the week. Actually it is not a goal, it is a test goal to see if I want to set it for 2008. (See my blog at bentrider.info.) Jeanne said she was sorry she delayed the ride but I reassured her it needed to be done. However, I think I should buy two rubber chickens, one for each of us.

Theme: “Small”, 15 December 2007

So, looking ahead to the weekend I came in to the office today to get started, but you know what it means. It means I’ll probably be posting a lot on my two blogs between now and Monday. I don’t know the name of this distraction phenomenon but I can feel it. I even found the above view of my building’s cooling tower irresistible and one that must be shared with you all. Enjoy.

• Orange juice with pulp
• Coffee made from beans just ground in the kitchen
• Grits, for that southern feeling
• Parkay with zero trans fat and zero cholesterol
• Toast from whole wheat bread
• Eggs with a little Velveeta and then cheddar on top
• Turkey sausage
• My plate helped by a loving mate

As soon as I post this I am going to give her a really big hug;
and help by doing the dishes.

Theme: “Long”, 8 December 2007