The Very Best Way To Spend A Morning

A sweet friend recently asked me what my three most prized (tangible/material) possessions were. We were stumped, both not really into that kind of stuff. At the time, I answered photos and my grandmother’s wedding ring. I couldn’t come up with the last but TODAY I remembered exactly what that third one would be…

My road bike! Riding it makes me smile and happy and feeling free!

I probably say this way too often. There are few things in my life that I love more than spending time with my close friends. I’m lucky and I know it. So when Cathy called this morning and said, “Come ride with me. It’s the perfect morning.” I simply answered, “Pick me up.”

Cathy and I have been dying to get on our bikes and really ride…actually since we put them up in our respective garage attics last November. And today proved to be all anyone could ask for in an ideal morning. It was truly gorgeous and I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend it…with her and on my bike.

Also, I’ll never hesitate to do anything that gives Cathy some peace and enjoyment (A Post About Hope).

Throwing our bikes on her rack, we drove to the I & M Canal (the old shipping and barge route) just 15 minutes away to do the 24.6 mile loop. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, it’s pretty challenging to find streets less traveled (scary for fear of vehicular/bike collisions).

There’s only one place better to bike in the Chicagoland area and that’s the lakefront.

What’s great about the bike trail here is that it’s meant for this purpose…strictly biking. You get serious racers, people looking to get in a good workout yet be able to converse, as well as leisurely afternoon pedalers. We all coexist in the most harmonious way. You just have to remember to say “On your left” loudly AND unclip when you stop!

It was beautiful and quiet. We probably saw only 10 people in close to 25 miles.

Did you know when butterflies hit you in the face as you're going 18 mph it actually hurts?

This awesome morning transported both of us to another place. Of course, my troubles don’t hold a candle to hers. 

For me, I enjoyed two hours away from my increasingly sad way of life. I’m entirely consumed with getting Eleanor to her favorite place in the world, the lake, so she can just "be" for as long as she has left to do so.

Soon, old gal! Soon!

Sometimes, escaping reality in a simple way, if only for moments, makes all the difference in your day. 

Have You Ever Seen The Rain

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

Someone told me long ago

There's a calm before the storm

I know it's been comin’ for some time

When it's over so they say

It'll rain a sunny day

I know shining down like water

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain

Comin’ down on a sunny day