I have not run since the Triathlon. First I was just tired, then busy. The odd thing is that I am finding that I miss it. It has been a surprise to me, given how little I like running. Not sure when that started, though I do have memories of elementary school and the weekly '9-minute run' (why not 10?) in phys ed class. Every Friday morning, there were four pylons set up to make an oval in the gym, and for 9 minutes you ran laps. You had a partner sitting inside the oval, counting how many you did. That was it. Run in circles while music blared. To this day, the songs 'Heart of Glass' (Blondie) and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' (Queen) remind me of running in circles. I despised it.
So to find myself missing the training is a pleasant surprise. Maybe running and I can become friends. Send birthday cards as well as Christmas cards.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
romancing the stones
There is something I like about the crunch of gravel underfoot, or the sound of car tires going over gravel. It conjures up thoughts of simpler, slower times in my life. I associate it with the dusty, hot smell of a summer day, the sound of birds and crickets, and wind blowing over tall grass.
The car tires always bring up memories of going places with my family, and by the time there was gravel road, we were almost there. Wherever 'there' was. I think maybe my cousins' cottage by the river in New Brunswick, or perhaps the drive to the lake where we would watch fireworks. It also goes with thoughts of vacations in PEI where the roads were of softer, reddish dirt.
It's funny, isn't it? A simple crunching together of small bits of stone and I am back in my childhood. No wonder I love our long unpaved laneway (potholes aside) and am excited about the now-completed gravel paths in my garden.
The car tires always bring up memories of going places with my family, and by the time there was gravel road, we were almost there. Wherever 'there' was. I think maybe my cousins' cottage by the river in New Brunswick, or perhaps the drive to the lake where we would watch fireworks. It also goes with thoughts of vacations in PEI where the roads were of softer, reddish dirt.
It's funny, isn't it? A simple crunching together of small bits of stone and I am back in my childhood. No wonder I love our long unpaved laneway (potholes aside) and am excited about the now-completed gravel paths in my garden.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
strange awakening
Last night the girls at the sleepover had a fun time, the last finally drifting off to sleep around 11:30. I expected a nice sleeping in time, but heard voices again at 6:45. Ah well. And then I heard it.
rat-tat-tat-rat-tat
rat-tat-tat-rat-tat
Very rhythmic, very regular, sounding for all the world like a woodpecker, except for one problem: it wasn't wood, it was metal. Sure enough, on looking out the window, I saw a woodpecker sitting on the aluminum farm gate, looking around and then pecking it for all he was worth.
Maybe he was trying it for kicks because all the cool woodpeckers were being rebels like that. Maybe he just pecked something a wee bit too hard and shook something loose in his brain. I have no idea.
The other highlight of the morning: the arrival of this season's tenant cows and calves. The farmer brought them over in a trailer, and out they came and immediately set to the important task of eating grass. I can see them out the window as I type and I always like to see them in the fields. It makes it feel like an official farm.
Today while out I bought some annuals for planters, the girls each choosing one to be 'their' plant. M chose pink petunias (surprise, surprise), A chose a red & white dianthus, very pretty, and R opted to plant sunflower seeds. I also got another 1/2 cubic yard of gravel to complete the garden, and mailed a parcel to goaliemom. After I neatly wrapped and sealed it, I realized that in it I had left the sharpie marker I had planned to use to write her address on it. So, GM, consider it a wee extra gift.
And the lawn has been mowed. It's the time of year when I really have to make an attempt to keep the house tidy. Who wants to stay inside and do housework when there's so much to do out in the nice weather? (to that end, who wants to do housework, period).
rat-tat-tat-rat-tat
rat-tat-tat-rat-tat
Very rhythmic, very regular, sounding for all the world like a woodpecker, except for one problem: it wasn't wood, it was metal. Sure enough, on looking out the window, I saw a woodpecker sitting on the aluminum farm gate, looking around and then pecking it for all he was worth.
Maybe he was trying it for kicks because all the cool woodpeckers were being rebels like that. Maybe he just pecked something a wee bit too hard and shook something loose in his brain. I have no idea.
The other highlight of the morning: the arrival of this season's tenant cows and calves. The farmer brought them over in a trailer, and out they came and immediately set to the important task of eating grass. I can see them out the window as I type and I always like to see them in the fields. It makes it feel like an official farm.
Today while out I bought some annuals for planters, the girls each choosing one to be 'their' plant. M chose pink petunias (surprise, surprise), A chose a red & white dianthus, very pretty, and R opted to plant sunflower seeds. I also got another 1/2 cubic yard of gravel to complete the garden, and mailed a parcel to goaliemom. After I neatly wrapped and sealed it, I realized that in it I had left the sharpie marker I had planned to use to write her address on it. So, GM, consider it a wee extra gift.
And the lawn has been mowed. It's the time of year when I really have to make an attempt to keep the house tidy. Who wants to stay inside and do housework when there's so much to do out in the nice weather? (to that end, who wants to do housework, period).
Monday, 28 May 2007
what follows the rain
Yesterday was one of gloom and rain outside; we did need rain though as I couldn't recall that last good soaking we've had. This morning I was up at six to see the sun shining and the whole lawn aglitter with the drops on the grass. The veggies seem to be faring well and appreciated their drink too. With the gravel almost complete (so close! I used 1 cubic yard and probably 1.2 would have finished it perfectly), this week I turn my attention to the weed-choked flower gardens.
And while very mundane, it's rather amusing that I can wash clothes but not dry them on the line. D was mowing the lawn on Saturday with the tractor, the bucket up so as not to hit the buildings, carefully watching to make sure said buildings didn't' get hurt, and then - TWANG - snapped the clothesline with the bucket. I ran around at the sound to see a rather sheepish-looking D picking up the wire and pulley, and we both had a good laugh about it. It's good to know I'm not the only one who does things like that.
On to a day of study group, meetings, phone calls, sleepovers, and NO SCHOOL!!! I do like summer and I think I look forward to a break almost as much as the girls do.
Sunshine after a rainy day seems especially brilliant and fresh, even while traces of the rainy day remain. But that's getting philosophical.
And while very mundane, it's rather amusing that I can wash clothes but not dry them on the line. D was mowing the lawn on Saturday with the tractor, the bucket up so as not to hit the buildings, carefully watching to make sure said buildings didn't' get hurt, and then - TWANG - snapped the clothesline with the bucket. I ran around at the sound to see a rather sheepish-looking D picking up the wire and pulley, and we both had a good laugh about it. It's good to know I'm not the only one who does things like that.
On to a day of study group, meetings, phone calls, sleepovers, and NO SCHOOL!!! I do like summer and I think I look forward to a break almost as much as the girls do.
Sunshine after a rainy day seems especially brilliant and fresh, even while traces of the rainy day remain. But that's getting philosophical.
Sunday, 27 May 2007
milestone
M is now 7. She celebrated a decidedly pink girlie birthday, a blur of My Little Pony and Barbie and princesses that had her absolutely delighted. Her cake was pink with white daisies and the look on her face was worth the trouble of decorating it.
Tomorrow the festivities continue with a sleepover with a friend, and mini golfing the next day, so all in all her birthday celebrations stretch over three days. Not too bad, when you think of it. I think one of the highlights of her day was when D took her out for an ice cream date.
Tonight I am a bit sore from Saturday's exertions, but I now have tidy gravel paths running through my veggie garden, a great improvement over the planks I had down last year. Muscles aren't too bad but I'm feeling the effects of not enough sunscreen across the top of my back.
Tomorrow the festivities continue with a sleepover with a friend, and mini golfing the next day, so all in all her birthday celebrations stretch over three days. Not too bad, when you think of it. I think one of the highlights of her day was when D took her out for an ice cream date.
Tonight I am a bit sore from Saturday's exertions, but I now have tidy gravel paths running through my veggie garden, a great improvement over the planks I had down last year. Muscles aren't too bad but I'm feeling the effects of not enough sunscreen across the top of my back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)