Gearing Up

It is time. Time to start packing and gearing up for the canyon. I hear it is grand. Truth be told, I am getting nervous.

The thought of primitive camping makes me squirm because let’s face it; the last time I slept in a tent was in high school. It could be the idea of bathing in the cold Colorado River that makes me shiver. No cell phone service and no internet connection. A total disconnect from civilization for three days. I imagine twenty complete strangers; who are city slickers, trying to camp, hike, and white water raft. We would make a perfect reality show series.

Maybe I am nervous because it is required to purchase evacuation insurance. A helicopter ride in sounds exhilarating but an emergency helicopter ride out sounds life threatening. Did I mention the bathroom situation? Everything that is brought into the canyon must leave the canyon. I am not exactly sure the logistics on this but I will go with the flow.

The sunrises and sunsets are supposed to be spectacular. After admiring the view, sleeping under the starts, and listening to nature, all these worries maybe for not. Do not worry, pictures will follow as soon as my internet connection does.

Spectacular

Life has been good. Really, kind of amazing. I ride my bike, practice yoga, and hang out with my friends and family. Life has been quite wonderful. It sounds too perfect to be true, but I am in good place.

In the evenings, I sit on the back porch and watch Roxy chase birds; while I admire my growing garden. As a gift to myself, I bought bulbs and planted them knowing that in a few months; I would have a spectacular show of flowers. To my amazement, Roxy did not dig up the bulbs. Each day there is a slight change; the stalks are taller, and buds are starting to appear. Soon I will have full blossoms.

Life is what happens in the mean time. In the mean time, I have been soul searching, reading a few books, and reflecting on the past. In the mean time, I dream of doing more because I can do anything- I rode my bike across America.

Fiesta Finale

In true fiesta spirit, my birthday was a total whirlwind and one I will never forget. Of course there was Melvis (The Mexican Elvis) at the Market Square.

Missy and I worked the churros booth, in search of some chulos (cuties in Spanish). Note to self: It is a churros booth not a kissing booth.

Barbie’s boy band made an appearance to honor her birthday. You know those famous ex-boyfriends? Roger, Robert, Roy, and Ricky. I know?! This will be the subject of another blog at a later time.

Security was almost called to check on me because I did not answer my phone all Thursday morning. In case you haven’t figured it out, I had a hangover to sleep off.

Don’t think that all I did was indulge during Fiesta. I did manage to squeeze in a hundred mile bike ride week and a 2.6 mile run to lead off the Fiesta Fandango parade. Wendy and I were puttin' on the Ritz, running down Broadway.

Last but certainly not least, and the highlight to my birthday, is dinner with my family. It is tradition. We gather for BBQ and cake. That has to be the happiest time for me. Also, I unveiled the hat I will be wearing to Dad and Lydia's wedding.

Birthday Vow

It is hard to forget my birthday, ten years ago. I tried to wake him so we could go celebrate. He said to give him another hour of sleep. The next hour, he said the same thing. This went on three or four times. Then afternoon time came and he told me to go without him and he would meet me.

It was April 26th, ten years ago; I vowed to not spend another birthday by myself. I was tired of spending my life alone and told myself I did not want to spend another birthday wishing any longer.

First, I know what you are thinking. I look the same as I did ten years ago and I am still living it up at Fiesta. It is Fiesta AND my birthday! I am totally convinced that San Antonio gets together to celebrate my birthday.

As any husband in the dog house does, in grand gesture, he arrived with a peace offering. He walked up with a birthday cake and started singing, “Happy Birthday” in the middle of NIOSA. All of San Antonio, who gathered in La Villita, joined in.

He did make up for the all-day-hangover. Even though I was surrounded by a village full of friends, I knew in my heart that I was not going to do another birthday feeling alone.

Do not fret my dear readers, I blog this only to tell you that I feel good about my decision. It took this long to finally laugh about the crazyness of that relationship. Ten years later, I look back and realize, I have to make hard decision to make it easier for the future. The sooner I make the hard choices the sooner life will be better.

Another Fredericksburg Ride

This past weekend, a group of co-workers and I gathered in a bungalow located in Fredericksburg, Texas, for a 200 mile bike ride.

A ride, is a ride, is a ride. There is a bike and a road. So, I pedal.



I may be getting bored with the ideal of riding in a circle and riding to the same spot that I started. You would think that 200 miles over a weekend would mean something; but instead, I am a bit unsatisfied. I need to feel like I am making distance and going somewhere.

Emotionally, I am growing as I see the road from a new perspective. These days, I stop and smell the flowers on the side of the road.

Lydia

There are mixed feelings about what name to call Lydia; Dad’s wife, step-mom, Pinky, or Nina. She is Dad’s wife and she is my step-mother but neither of those fit. Her family calls her Pinky and Nina is what her grandchildren call her. It is natural to say I am going to my parent’s house. Sometimes I catch myself calling her Mom.

The past few weeks we have been spending more time together. All the girls went dress shopping and had a blast. Though it is an early unveiling, this is the dress I will be wearing to Dad and Lydia’s wedding. You can see Lydia standing to the left of the photo. She has a proud mama look on her face. She is more than I could have asked for to be my mother figure and to be my father’s wife.



If you ask me, I think Lydia loves her new family just as much as we love her. She now has two new daughters and three more grandchildren. Us girls crammed into a photo booth and captured all the fun we had that day.

We also spent Easter together. First thing is first, I love Lydia’s sister because she thought I was seventeen years old- love her!

I showed up in a frilly shirt with a bow, white linen shorts, and flip flops. It is tradition in their family to play flag foot ball. They only invited me to play to even out the teams. Little did they know that I played flag football in high school and two season of co-ed flag football.

Luckily, Lydia took the shoes off her feet so I could have tennis shoes to play in versus running bare foot. I was a totally ringer and even got a touch town. Yes, I may have over done it because I sprained my thumb and my legs were sore the next day, but it was so worth it.

Our families are blending smoothly and a natural name for Lydia seems to be Pinky. After all, that is what her family calls her.

Why do I love thee?

Why do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the height of the hill when I am deep out of breadth
My soul is renewed, when I wonder out of sight
For the end of the road through infinity
I love thee through the commutes and tours
Most quiet by the morning sun
I love thee freely, as I strive to find the right in my life
I love thee purely, as the pedals turn your praise
I love thee with passion until no end
In my hurt, and like a child full of innocence
I love thee when I lose myself on a ride
With miles I have lost, ---I love thee with my soul,
Joy and sorry, of all my rides!--- and, if God choose,
I shall love thee up until death.