Miscellaneous Missives

I spent a long weekend helping a friend who was recovering from surgery at her lake home on Big Spirit Lake in God's Country.  Although I did help her with a variety of tasks, etc., I also enjoyed time near the lake.  I miss spending time and will always refer to Okoboji as home.  First, I started thinking about the new school year and did some preparation.  Sitting on a deck overlooking the lake made it more pleasant.  Actually, it's about time to start thinking about the new year.  Next, I spent time on the dock reading.  I started reading the Tattoo Artist of Auschwitz . At first, I thought it had a bit of a cheesy ending, then I realized it was a biography.  Finally, I made my trips to the Taco House and Sugar Shack.  I purchased watermelon Zotz on impulse.  Afterwards, I wish I would have bought more.  It's no wonder I liked these as a kid. 

I have always loved Elton John, and I have always hated going to movies.  Last night I went to my first movie in at least three years to see Rocketman .  To be honest, I didn't know what to expect.  First, I didn't realize one can choose their own seats in a theater nor did I realize the size (and price) of popcorn and drinks has become ridiculous.  Anyway, the movie was excellent, and I left with many questions which were answered best in a Times article ( I read several upon arriving home).  The other looming question in my brain was if I still had the CD that had various artists performing the songs of Bernie Taupin and Elton John.  Although I don't know where it's at (glove box of previous car???), I found it on Spotify .  #lovingit

This year's RAGBRAI was a different experience on many levels.  Instead of riding all seven days,  I only rode three days.  The reasons were multiple, but the main reason is my closest friends on the team weren't riding or were only riding three days. Saturday we arrived in Council Bluffs.  We did a first by getting hotel rooms which was a brilliant decision since it was in the upper 90s, and it rained during the night (really raining).  When we arrived, we took the equipment bus to the expo. I twas too hot, so we spent the rest of the night in the casino.  My first real amount of time in a casino... talk about people watching. Sunday was our first day of riding, and it rained (colder rain) at least 75% of the day.  In true fashion rain days are always a good time because sometime throughout the day most of the fun people on the team end up with other fun teams inside someplace.  I don't have the video, but there's nothing better than...

I went with my friend to the zoo today.  We took her almost 2 and 3 year old.  I wanted to pet the llamas.  It seems one can't pet the llamas at the zoo.  We were told to stay on the trail and not feed or pet the llamas.   The pictures aren't flattering, but yes, I did pet the llama.  B (3 year old) went home and told his dad that I touched the llama.  Well, look at the llamas, I had to pet them to get through them.  I didn't feed them, and I stayed on the trail.  Two out of three ain't bad.   

Last night I joined a Slow Roll ride that focused on the work of Seitu Jones .  Our main stop was at the Walker Art Museum to see his work with shadow s.  Ta- Coumba Aiken, Seitu's wife, wrote poems for the installment, and we were able to hear some of her poems as we walked and viewed the installments. From the Ojibwe Cloud Man to Harriet Robinson Scott (Dred Scott's wife who was actually was as instrumental in the Dred Scott Case as her husband.  She did it to protect her daughters). There was also an installment that appears when it rains.  The shadows were wonderful.  I can't wait until I am able to learn more about each of these.   Learn more...

This last couple of days I traveled with seven riders on a trail from Winona, Minnesota to Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  It was a two day trip pedaling 60 miles each day.  On the first day we learned that road closed meant road closed.  We even walked our bikes through a stream that was moving fairly quickly after not learning our lesson at the first stop. The second day was the day of tunnels.  One was a mile long while the other was not quite as long.  They are completely dark inside and lights (front and back) are certainly needed.  The middle is ok, but on each side water runs through the tunnel.  It is recommended to walk, but we decided to ride.  It really was a surreal experience.  It was a great two days of riding through the rolling hills of Wisconsin.  I'd love to do it in the fall when the leaves are changing. 

As I've mentioned before, one of my morning routines is listening the the Slowdown Podcast while cooling down after working out.  This morning's Fourth of July poem was powerful.  From here i saw what happened is a nontraditional red, white, and blue poem.  Click the link and give it a read. After doing some research, I learned about Carrie Mae Weems and her photography series.  I've also been spending some time on the internet today due to the fact that I felt the air was too heavy to bike.  I also found this great video put to Langston Hughes' Democracy poem. Both are a unique and interesting way to look at the day that's meant to celebrate our country's independence. 

This summer has been a bit chilly in Minnesota, but today the weather was in the 80s.  I love the 80s, and I love summer (real summer).  In a way, I'm also like Goldilocks (too hot, too cold, just right).  The 80s are just right.  Today started with a round of golf and was followed up by biking and some reading on my deck.  Does it get better?  Plus, my new bike jersey came today.  A teammate designed if for our bike team.  She suffered through breast cancer last year and made this incredible "Fuck Cancer" jersey.  It's amazing.  I even had positive comments on it today as I rode.  I love it.  It's actually in the laundry as I'm posting, so I can pack it for my next out of town bike ride this weekend.