Category Archives: Thoughts
Garden Beginnings
If you are new to my blog you may not know about my garden. I love my garden and the best thing is that we eat from it all summer. I haven’t mastered the layout process and no matter how hard I try, I lose control of some part of it every year. I have so many tomato vines I can’t see the tomatoes. I will try again to prevent that from happening. Anyway, this year I am planting the peas early since they practically fry if they are planted to late in the season. I bought a blueberry bush and I am going to try to protect the berries from the squirrels and birds. That may be difficult but I will net the shrub to start and see how that works. We will be using the composte we made all winter this year and I am excited. I will keep you informed.
Bed 1
Bed 2
Bed 3
Nothing But Boston Tonight
There is nothing fitting to write about tonight. We are all devastated by the events in Boston this afternoon. As someone preparing for a triathlon, seeing the horror that took place truly saddens me. We assume that an event like this is going to be a joyous occasion for the athletes and those there to support them. While we have been made aware of the potential dangers since 9/11 if not since Oklahoma City, we are still terror neophytes. I can’t put into words the sorrow I feel for those killed (including an 8-year-old boy we are now told) and severely injured. I have spoken to my college roommate three times today. She lost her fiancée in the World Trade Center and I knew she would be freaked out when she heard about Boston. Not to mention that her brother and his family live in Boston (they are fine). The world that I grew up in is gone forever. I am so sorry for those coming behind my generation. There is nothing more to say.
Triwomen Talked Me Down
Tonight I attended a meeting of Triwomen to discuss a training schedule for our upcoming events. I am only concentrating on the Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon in September. I felt a little better after hearing what type of training I should be doing. I am still freaked out about the bike part of the whole thing and fear bike accidents. I will have to get over that but at least I have a plan. I have about two months until I have to start the serious training plans and I am going to use it to get to the baseline I need in each event. Stay tuned.
Weighty Issues
Samoan Airlines is going to be charging customers airfare based on weight. I have seen figures from 78% to 93% as the rate of obesity in Samoa and from 70% to 80% in the United States. Suffice it to say that obesity is a problem in the world. The idea that we may be charged for our obesity when we fly is a sobering situation.
I have spent most of my adulthood being and/or fighting obesity so I know that it’s a touchy subject. I am still fighting the battle as we speak. I can just picture getting to the airport in time to get on the scale before boarding my flight. What?
On the other hand I can see the dilemma that the airlines face and every pound matters. Particularly for airlines that fly small planes. I have been told that some airlines ask people their weight and speculate that the passengers probably lie. Scary when too much weight may affect the flight.
Do you think this is fair? I’m not sure how I feel.
Life Without Technology?
My computer is back! Thirteen days without it and I was nearly out of my mind. I had to share my old computer with my husband who has taken it over. Didn’t have my files, my pictures etc. In my defense I do teach on-line but I was as crazy without it as the young people are if any of their technology goes on the blink. Listen up people most of us are addicted. No electricity, we freak out. No TV, phone, radio etc., we don’t know what to do. I think it’s time to step back and think about our dependence on this stuff. We no longer talk face to face, play games with family or write notes and letters. We are becoming uncommunicative, anti-social loners. Could that account for some of the crime that is taking place all over the world? Hmn
I Go To Sleep Thinking About My Freestyle Stroke
I actually go to sleep thinking about my freestyle stroke. I still don’t have the best stroke but I have visions of a much faster and certainly better stroke. I am going to my first swim clinic with Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen next Saturday and I couldn’t be more excited. My coach is great and has taught me a lot and I figure that anything I learn from the clinic will enhance what he has taught me. Execution and thought are not always in sync and there is so much to remember. Well anyway when I think about swimming, I’m not thinking about anything else. My journey continues.
Isaiah 48:3
“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass” Isaiah 48:3 New International Bible
Someone sends me a daily inspirational email and I must admit that I don’t always get to read it. This one caught my eye because I have spoken a triathlon into my life. Wow! I was blown over this morning when I opened this email which actually is sent by Joel Osteen. So it is done.
More of a Reality Every Day
I’ve officially become a member of the TriWomen the group dedicated to getting you ready and through triathlons. While I’m still in some form of denial I am taking the steps that will lead me to the yellow brick road. Several of my swim buddies say that they are going to take part but today one told me she is still unsure that she can actually do it. I’m saying it daily and I am just that determined. I will not be deterred. Eight months to train and every day I say it out loud. I intend to be there.
TriWomen hear I come!
September is a ways off but to compete in my first sprint triathlon (The Danskin) I have to begin training now. So far people are either very supportive or they snicker when I tell them my plans. It’s okay the only thing that can stop me is my mind and I’m working on that now. The “quiet riot” in my head got the best of me at first today and I stopped short of swimming fifty yards. Then I thought, not long ago I couldn’t do 25 yards without gasping for air. I have adequate air but I can still talk myself out of success real fast. So every day I continue to work on it. Yesterday my friend Roz sent an email about the 2013 kickoff of the TriWomen group in Scotch Plains – Fanwood, NJ. Wow the commitment is real. I believe that I can do this step by step. Borrowed a bike. Scared to get on it though. Sure I can walk the run (knee issues you know) but the open water still freaks me out. But darn it, I’m gonna do it. Stay tuned!
First Steps the Hardest 