This always means summer to me!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
You Capture - Summer
I'm late with this post because today I was out IN the summer! There's more summer at Beth's.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Happy Trails
So, I ran a little 5K trail race Sunday morning. I've done the trail race thing before. Annually, actually. And I've grown to love hiking them. The tougher the better. I very much enjoy being in the woods and sunshine and all. But this was something else entirely.....
It's rained a little here lately. Okay, maybe more than a little. Kind of a lot. I knew this before I left the house Sunday morning. But, somehow, I didn't put two and two together. Like that if the grass was a bit spongy, the trails might be a bit damp, too. Especially the completely open, no tree cover kind of trails. No, that didn't occur to me until I was on the actual trail that I would soon be running, heading to the starting line. That's when I saw the "puddles." The first one I encountered had a crawfish swimming in it. Seriously. A crawfish. That's when I started to wonder what, exactly, I'd gotten myself in to. I'm not the biggest fan of aquatic type creatures. Or really water in general. Except, like, to drink. Or bathe in. (That might be the biggest understatement you'll see today, okay.) And I generally don't really like mud. Especially on me. I'm kind of a neat and tidy person. Sweaty is okay. Dirty is not.
People (me included) were trying to make their way around the puddles (okay, small lakes) to get to the start. And pretty much everyone seemed to be trying to make their way around the puddles (that took up the ENTIRE width of the trail) once we were running, too. That made for some pretty tight squeezes. Too tight for my liking. So after the second pack-moving-around-the-puddle maneuver, I decided that if I was going to do this, I was going to do this right. I moved out of the pack and charged right down the center of the trail toward the puddle.
I entered the puddle with all my might. And the splash was a thing of beauty! The wake was about knee high and seemed to pause briefly in this graceful arch around me before gravity regained control of the water. It looked a bit like I imagine it looked when Moses parted the Red Sea. The water was just a touch more than ankle deep. And it didn't smell very good. And it was a very odd color. And I don't even want to know what all was "in" there. My feet were submerged. My shoes lost all trace of newness. My socks made a kind of sucking noise as I left the puddle. I was wet kind of all over. But, damn, it was fun!
So I took the rest of the puddles the same way. I encountered (in addition to the crawfish) a few frogs, countless bugs, and one absolutely beautiful box turtle. (He also looked a bit frightened. But wouldn't you be, too, if suddenly hordes of very large and imposing creatures totally unlike yourself went storming though your yard? I had to stop to make sure he was okay before I could proceed to the finish.) By the time I was done I was covered in mud and muck and grime and things I don't even want to think about. It never occured to me to look at my time (I still don't know what it was.) And I had the biggest smile on my face.
Driving home I realized that for someone who tends to be a little cautious and likes to maintain control and stick to her routines, I took a nice, big leap outside the box. And it felt really good.
It's rained a little here lately. Okay, maybe more than a little. Kind of a lot. I knew this before I left the house Sunday morning. But, somehow, I didn't put two and two together. Like that if the grass was a bit spongy, the trails might be a bit damp, too. Especially the completely open, no tree cover kind of trails. No, that didn't occur to me until I was on the actual trail that I would soon be running, heading to the starting line. That's when I saw the "puddles." The first one I encountered had a crawfish swimming in it. Seriously. A crawfish. That's when I started to wonder what, exactly, I'd gotten myself in to. I'm not the biggest fan of aquatic type creatures. Or really water in general. Except, like, to drink. Or bathe in. (That might be the biggest understatement you'll see today, okay.) And I generally don't really like mud. Especially on me. I'm kind of a neat and tidy person. Sweaty is okay. Dirty is not.
People (me included) were trying to make their way around the puddles (okay, small lakes) to get to the start. And pretty much everyone seemed to be trying to make their way around the puddles (that took up the ENTIRE width of the trail) once we were running, too. That made for some pretty tight squeezes. Too tight for my liking. So after the second pack-moving-around-the-puddle maneuver, I decided that if I was going to do this, I was going to do this right. I moved out of the pack and charged right down the center of the trail toward the puddle.
I entered the puddle with all my might. And the splash was a thing of beauty! The wake was about knee high and seemed to pause briefly in this graceful arch around me before gravity regained control of the water. It looked a bit like I imagine it looked when Moses parted the Red Sea. The water was just a touch more than ankle deep. And it didn't smell very good. And it was a very odd color. And I don't even want to know what all was "in" there. My feet were submerged. My shoes lost all trace of newness. My socks made a kind of sucking noise as I left the puddle. I was wet kind of all over. But, damn, it was fun!
So I took the rest of the puddles the same way. I encountered (in addition to the crawfish) a few frogs, countless bugs, and one absolutely beautiful box turtle. (He also looked a bit frightened. But wouldn't you be, too, if suddenly hordes of very large and imposing creatures totally unlike yourself went storming though your yard? I had to stop to make sure he was okay before I could proceed to the finish.) By the time I was done I was covered in mud and muck and grime and things I don't even want to think about. It never occured to me to look at my time (I still don't know what it was.) And I had the biggest smile on my face.
Driving home I realized that for someone who tends to be a little cautious and likes to maintain control and stick to her routines, I took a nice, big leap outside the box. And it felt really good.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
You Capture - Emotion
So,Cat and me have a very, um, interesting relationship. Mostly due to the fact that I don't really like cats. But sometimes he's just so darn cute that I forget that and hug him anyway. At least, I find myself reaching for the camera a lot. He's one expressive little guy. But he doesn't offer a lot of set up time; more of a point and shoot kind of thing.....
People wonder why I'm so in love with farm animals. Well, doesn't this just say it all???? I wish I could reach such a level of contentment, too.
People wonder why I'm so in love with farm animals. Well, doesn't this just say it all???? I wish I could reach such a level of contentment, too.
There are plenty more takes on emotion at Beth's site. Enjoy them!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Best Laid Plans
So, the best laid plans don't always work out like you think they will. I was planning a totally selfish week. But Hubby decided to take the week off, too. So my plans became our plans. Still, much fun was had. In list form, here is what happened....
1. There were two days of sleeping until I woke up. NO ALARM AT ALL. I wasn't actually sure that was even possible. I thought the alarm would just go off anyway. But it didn't.
2. There were three days of going to Coldstone. They have a new flavor - Butterscotch Jello Pudding ice cream. I'm pretty sure it is the best ice cream ever made. I got it with chocolate chips mixed in. Three times.
3. Went hiking here (That's sand. Going up. Far up.):
1. There were two days of sleeping until I woke up. NO ALARM AT ALL. I wasn't actually sure that was even possible. I thought the alarm would just go off anyway. But it didn't.
2. There were three days of going to Coldstone. They have a new flavor - Butterscotch Jello Pudding ice cream. I'm pretty sure it is the best ice cream ever made. I got it with chocolate chips mixed in. Three times.
3. Went hiking here (That's sand. Going up. Far up.):
4. Went hiking here:
5. When hiking here:
6. Went hiking here:
7. Rented movies. And actually watched them. I'd forgotten that you could do that. I'm so used to renting them and just taking them for a little vacation to my house, where they generally sit on the counter until I take them back to the store. But this time, we watched them. Ghost Town, which was really funny (like, laughed till I cried a few times), and We Are Marshall, which required tissue. Because I was just actually crying.
8. Went to the actual movie theater. We saw Up. It was kind of an ambivalent choice. It was playing at the time we had available to go. But it was one of the best movies ever. As in, ever. I'm not even kidding. I cried three times. I was not prepared for that. I didn't have any tissue. I hadn't even grabbed any napkins in the lobby. But the tears were flowing anyway. Go see it. Take your significant other and go. There's plenty of cute and funny for the kids, and yes I laughed out loud, but it's really about love and commitment and promises and living life to the fullest. Just go see it.
9. I baked.
10. We made multiple trips to our favorite local place to eat. Their new garden veggie soup is amazing. And I can never resist these.
11. We ate at our other two favorite places, too. Ate things like California Ruben sandwiches. Veggie and cheese salads. Sweet potato fries. Churizio burritos. Cocoa mousse cake. Hot chocolate gelato. Sugar cookies. Chocolate chip cookies. Baked potato skins. Tri-color tortellini. It was a good eating week.
12. I ran. Three times. With minimal pain.
13. I took the new bike out for some riding.
14. I read one book (I was hoping for more, but....). It was The Sorceress by Michael Scott. It's the third book of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It was SO good. I highly recommend the whole series, especially if you're a history nerd like me. Although I truly believe that if you're a writer and you're going to write a series, you really shouldn't publish the first book until they're all written and ready to be published. Because I just don't have the patience to wait a year or two for you to write more, you know? Especially when there's going to be six books in the series. I'm just saying.
15. Spent some quality time with Hubby.
16. Paid too much money for a massage that was worth every single penny.
All in all, not a bad week, I suppose. Tomorrow Hubby goes back to work and I plan to do some serious sitting on my butt and reading this week. I can see the next round of commitments peeking around the corner, but I think I can hold them off for a few more days.....
6. Went hiking here:
7. Rented movies. And actually watched them. I'd forgotten that you could do that. I'm so used to renting them and just taking them for a little vacation to my house, where they generally sit on the counter until I take them back to the store. But this time, we watched them. Ghost Town, which was really funny (like, laughed till I cried a few times), and We Are Marshall, which required tissue. Because I was just actually crying.
8. Went to the actual movie theater. We saw Up. It was kind of an ambivalent choice. It was playing at the time we had available to go. But it was one of the best movies ever. As in, ever. I'm not even kidding. I cried three times. I was not prepared for that. I didn't have any tissue. I hadn't even grabbed any napkins in the lobby. But the tears were flowing anyway. Go see it. Take your significant other and go. There's plenty of cute and funny for the kids, and yes I laughed out loud, but it's really about love and commitment and promises and living life to the fullest. Just go see it.
9. I baked.
10. We made multiple trips to our favorite local place to eat. Their new garden veggie soup is amazing. And I can never resist these.
11. We ate at our other two favorite places, too. Ate things like California Ruben sandwiches. Veggie and cheese salads. Sweet potato fries. Churizio burritos. Cocoa mousse cake. Hot chocolate gelato. Sugar cookies. Chocolate chip cookies. Baked potato skins. Tri-color tortellini. It was a good eating week.
12. I ran. Three times. With minimal pain.
13. I took the new bike out for some riding.
14. I read one book (I was hoping for more, but....). It was The Sorceress by Michael Scott. It's the third book of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It was SO good. I highly recommend the whole series, especially if you're a history nerd like me. Although I truly believe that if you're a writer and you're going to write a series, you really shouldn't publish the first book until they're all written and ready to be published. Because I just don't have the patience to wait a year or two for you to write more, you know? Especially when there's going to be six books in the series. I'm just saying.
15. Spent some quality time with Hubby.
16. Paid too much money for a massage that was worth every single penny.
All in all, not a bad week, I suppose. Tomorrow Hubby goes back to work and I plan to do some serious sitting on my butt and reading this week. I can see the next round of commitments peeking around the corner, but I think I can hold them off for a few more days.....
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
You Capture - Nature
So, I'm taking a break from my week of doing nothing but what I want to make a return to You Capture because, um, my mom told me to. Okay, so I also had some good nature type pictures from my doings so far this week, but still.....
And some urban nature:
Have fun looking at everyone else's pictures! I'm going back to doing whatever I want now. More on that later......
Here's some rural nature (from a place that totally made me feel like I was in the novel Tuck Everlasting):
And some urban nature:
Have fun looking at everyone else's pictures! I'm going back to doing whatever I want now. More on that later......
Saturday, June 6, 2009
New Reality
So, today (the first day of summer break), I got up at 3:00 in the morning to go run a race. My first since the Big Race at the start of May. Exactly one month ago.
I was nervous for a lot of reasons. My activity level has been lower than normal for a lot of the past month. I've only actually run twice since Big Race. This was my first real test of the "new race philosophy." (You know, that whole "I'm running because it's fun" thing.) I wasn't sure what would happen with my knee (this was it's first real test, too). And, hell, I get nervous before every race, every time, anyway.
Standing in the dark after the alarm went off, I couldn't help but think it was stupid and pointless to even go. I was getting up this early (on the first day in months that I technically didn't have to get up) and driving for an hour to run a 5K. Three miles. That I wasn't even sure I could get though. But I knew I needed to do it. I knew I needed the "test." I knew I would hate myself if I didn't try. I knew I would hate myself if I missed this race for the first time in a decade. Plus, I'd run every other distance offered there, so why not complete the set?
And then the sadness set in as I realized that my original plan for this day, the one I made in secret back in January, was to run the marathon. It was supposed to be my "fun" marathon; just to run it with no pressure or overriding goal. But..... Anyway.
The rest of the morning was rough, and I have very mixed feelings about it all.
I loved being there. That unmistakable feeling of being at a race; of getting ready to run - the anticipation and excitement of it. Getting my packet. Pinning my bib number to my shirt. Putting the chip on my shoe. Checking out the "competition." Even standing in line for the bathroom! But it was like starting over for me. I didn't know where to position myself on the starting line, because I didn't know what to expect of myself, or what I'd really be able to do. I knew I couldn't race like I have previously, but where did that leave me?
I knew as soon as the starter said "go" that I'd started too far back. I was instantly aggravated at the inability to move. Granted, I come from a cross country background and know how to use my elbows (and feel no compunction about using them), but still. There were a lot of people around me taking their sweet time. And I was not happy about that.
Once I got some space and was able to stretch my legs a little in the race itself, I got happier. I was keeping myself in check, not pushing too hard. But it felt so good to be pushing myself even a little bit. Even though the people traffic was irksome, it probably helped to keep me from overdoing it. When there are several thousand people all moving through a three mile stretch at the same time, unless you are up front, the crowd never really thins out. And maybe that was good for me today. I got to test myself a little, but didn't push as hard as I most likely would have if there hadn't been so many people. And this race has a finish line that just never gets old. It's always thrilling to "run through the tunnel" and on to the field. Gives me chills every time.
But then, as I crossed the finish line and saw my time, I got all mixed up again. There's the part of me that's just so pleased that I did it. And then there's the part of me that knows I'm capable of more. And those two parts are having a hard time co-existing right now. It didn't help walking backwards on the course after the race (to get back to the car) and seeing all the runners in the longer distance races making their way over the course. Especially those in the front packs. That used to be me. And it made me want to cry.
So, tonight I'm trying to focus on the reality of today. I ran a race. In a decent time (even if it's not the time I'm used to, it's still decent. And I know the important thing is that I even finished at all. But, I'm still me. And, apparently, time is still something that's important to me at this point.). And I felt pretty good. A little stiff in the knee afterward, a few twinges of pain, but nothing too big or unmanageable or hindering. And a month ago, I thought I would not be able to run at all, ever again. All in all, that's a pretty good reality.
And, I'll see where it goes from here. I have my "training plan" for the summer all set to go, and it's more diversified than ever before (and I am excited about that). As of right now, there are only two days of running per week. I feel like I'll be able to bring my mileage up a little bit. And maybe even add another running day. But I guess I'll just have to see. As of right now, my only goal race for the summer is a 10K in July. The goal being running that far with minimal knee issues. After today, I feel like I'll be able to do that. And I guess that's a pretty good reality, too.
I was nervous for a lot of reasons. My activity level has been lower than normal for a lot of the past month. I've only actually run twice since Big Race. This was my first real test of the "new race philosophy." (You know, that whole "I'm running because it's fun" thing.) I wasn't sure what would happen with my knee (this was it's first real test, too). And, hell, I get nervous before every race, every time, anyway.
Standing in the dark after the alarm went off, I couldn't help but think it was stupid and pointless to even go. I was getting up this early (on the first day in months that I technically didn't have to get up) and driving for an hour to run a 5K. Three miles. That I wasn't even sure I could get though. But I knew I needed to do it. I knew I needed the "test." I knew I would hate myself if I didn't try. I knew I would hate myself if I missed this race for the first time in a decade. Plus, I'd run every other distance offered there, so why not complete the set?
And then the sadness set in as I realized that my original plan for this day, the one I made in secret back in January, was to run the marathon. It was supposed to be my "fun" marathon; just to run it with no pressure or overriding goal. But..... Anyway.
The rest of the morning was rough, and I have very mixed feelings about it all.
I loved being there. That unmistakable feeling of being at a race; of getting ready to run - the anticipation and excitement of it. Getting my packet. Pinning my bib number to my shirt. Putting the chip on my shoe. Checking out the "competition." Even standing in line for the bathroom! But it was like starting over for me. I didn't know where to position myself on the starting line, because I didn't know what to expect of myself, or what I'd really be able to do. I knew I couldn't race like I have previously, but where did that leave me?
I knew as soon as the starter said "go" that I'd started too far back. I was instantly aggravated at the inability to move. Granted, I come from a cross country background and know how to use my elbows (and feel no compunction about using them), but still. There were a lot of people around me taking their sweet time. And I was not happy about that.
Once I got some space and was able to stretch my legs a little in the race itself, I got happier. I was keeping myself in check, not pushing too hard. But it felt so good to be pushing myself even a little bit. Even though the people traffic was irksome, it probably helped to keep me from overdoing it. When there are several thousand people all moving through a three mile stretch at the same time, unless you are up front, the crowd never really thins out. And maybe that was good for me today. I got to test myself a little, but didn't push as hard as I most likely would have if there hadn't been so many people. And this race has a finish line that just never gets old. It's always thrilling to "run through the tunnel" and on to the field. Gives me chills every time.
But then, as I crossed the finish line and saw my time, I got all mixed up again. There's the part of me that's just so pleased that I did it. And then there's the part of me that knows I'm capable of more. And those two parts are having a hard time co-existing right now. It didn't help walking backwards on the course after the race (to get back to the car) and seeing all the runners in the longer distance races making their way over the course. Especially those in the front packs. That used to be me. And it made me want to cry.
So, tonight I'm trying to focus on the reality of today. I ran a race. In a decent time (even if it's not the time I'm used to, it's still decent. And I know the important thing is that I even finished at all. But, I'm still me. And, apparently, time is still something that's important to me at this point.). And I felt pretty good. A little stiff in the knee afterward, a few twinges of pain, but nothing too big or unmanageable or hindering. And a month ago, I thought I would not be able to run at all, ever again. All in all, that's a pretty good reality.
And, I'll see where it goes from here. I have my "training plan" for the summer all set to go, and it's more diversified than ever before (and I am excited about that). As of right now, there are only two days of running per week. I feel like I'll be able to bring my mileage up a little bit. And maybe even add another running day. But I guess I'll just have to see. As of right now, my only goal race for the summer is a 10K in July. The goal being running that far with minimal knee issues. After today, I feel like I'll be able to do that. And I guess that's a pretty good reality, too.
School's Out
So, I'm giving thanks to God/Buddha/Krishna/Allah/Insert-your-higher-power-here because I survived another school year! Without hurting anyone! Including myself! Yea!
Somehow, this school year was rougher than most (for a lot of reasons), and I didn't have the usual end-of-the-year mixture of sadness and happiness. I was just relieved for it to be over. I was able to walk out with my room completely packed; everything but the big furniture moved into my new room. No going back to finish up little odds and ends. No going back until August. That's never happened before. I've felt like I've been on a treadmill, going at full speed, non-stop for months. Walking out the door yesterday felt like I was finally getting off.
Lately, it seems there's been a lot of "stuff" to do and a lot of "stuff" happening. Not all bad stuff, just lots of it. Some of it has been my choice and some of it has not. But it's all kept me up late and gotten me up early (or more accurately, just not let me get up without the aid of an alarm for the last two and a half months straight), made me much busier than usual, killed my good eating habits, and sent my already precarious digestive system into quite the tizzy. So, as of 3:00 this morning, I'm going to be completely selfish for the next week. That might sound horrible, and I know there are those around me who will judge me harshly for that, but I don't care right now. I am in desperate need of a little "me time," and by gum, I'm going to take it! I'm not sure yet what I'll be doing, but I know it's going to be what I want to do.
I can actually feel the icky-ness draining out of me as we speak. I'll breath a sigh of relief now.
Somehow, this school year was rougher than most (for a lot of reasons), and I didn't have the usual end-of-the-year mixture of sadness and happiness. I was just relieved for it to be over. I was able to walk out with my room completely packed; everything but the big furniture moved into my new room. No going back to finish up little odds and ends. No going back until August. That's never happened before. I've felt like I've been on a treadmill, going at full speed, non-stop for months. Walking out the door yesterday felt like I was finally getting off.
Lately, it seems there's been a lot of "stuff" to do and a lot of "stuff" happening. Not all bad stuff, just lots of it. Some of it has been my choice and some of it has not. But it's all kept me up late and gotten me up early (or more accurately, just not let me get up without the aid of an alarm for the last two and a half months straight), made me much busier than usual, killed my good eating habits, and sent my already precarious digestive system into quite the tizzy. So, as of 3:00 this morning, I'm going to be completely selfish for the next week. That might sound horrible, and I know there are those around me who will judge me harshly for that, but I don't care right now. I am in desperate need of a little "me time," and by gum, I'm going to take it! I'm not sure yet what I'll be doing, but I know it's going to be what I want to do.
I can actually feel the icky-ness draining out of me as we speak. I'll breath a sigh of relief now.
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