Outside my window…
Very nice although it was hot and humid over the weekend!
I am thinking…
about Mr. Pete taking up bike riding again.
You see, the man my sister is marrying, I guess I can call him Bill because that’s a pretty common name (it’s also my cat’s name) is an avid bike rider. He used to do it competitively. All I know from my sister is that all is not right in Bill’s world unless he has spent some time on his bike that day – no matter what.
Mr. Pete used to be quite the bike rider too – although more out of necessity than competition. When you are the 8th of 9 kids and there is only one car designated the “teen car” you learn pretty fast that your time with said car is going to be very limited – and so it was. The first time Mr. Pete came out to court me he rode all the way from Flint, Michigan to visit me on the family farm – about 20 miles one way. We all were very impressed.
My sister has taken up bike riding too and she started after age 45. She is now quite competitive and really enjoys it. She has encouraged Mr. Pete to join her and Bill today for a ride.
I like riding bikes, but I have never had a great bike. Mr. Pete gets our bikes from Goodwill, or fixes them up from what he finds on the curb. He is great at fixing them. My bike is a 3 speed. It is what it is.
Mr. Pete was quite proud of his bike, although as it got closer to today’s first ride with my sister and Bill he was getting a little anxious about it since they both ride top-of-the line “modern” bikes. From what I hear he shouldn’t have been that anxious about it. He rode out 16 miles which is pretty good for a 54 year old guy who hasn’t ridden in years! He says Sis told him he was doing about 14 mph which wasn’t too bad either for the first time. Mr. Pete said they were a little fascinated by his bike – Bill for the nostalgia and “historical” aspects and Sis probably for the novelty – she probably hasn’t seen a bike like that since the early 80s – which is probably when Mr. Pete acquired it!
Will I be invited to join this threesome? Not likely on my 3 speed. But I’m going to wait and see how this all works out. First we have to get through the wedding!
I am thankful that…
my sister has found a good man to marry. Bill has been around for about four years now and they certainly have been tested, and it has just seemed to make them stronger. One of my favorite Bill stories is the first Christmas he shared with us (Us being all of my family and all of Sis’s family plus Mama) at my sister’s home. There was a lot of commotion and noise, as well as some good conversation. But sometime after the presents and the food, Bill got stuck in the living room alone with Mama and she started to tell him her life story. To his credit Bill sat there and listened to everything very politely – he may have even been interested because Mom had quite an interesting life!But the fact that he sat there respectfully listening to my mother’s monologue – the fresh ears that she delighted in with her story telling – that was my first clue that Bill was a quality kind of guy.
From the learning rooms…
We’re starting this week but we’re going in slow and easy! Izzy’s last cake for class 3 is due on Thursday and she has to make 30 cupcakes for my sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner. It’s going to be a busy bakery at our house! But I’m going to start the new trial spelling program for everyone this week and hopefully get the big boys started back with Instacert, Latin and language arts at least!
From the kitchen…a labor day cook out! BBQ Chicken yum!
I am wearing…
black sports skirt and a white T.
I am creating…
the final touches on my classroom today and coming up with a schedule.
I am going…
to get some great walks in with the cross country team this week.
I am reading…
The Writer’s Jungle by Julie Bogart.
I am hearing…
the hum of the air conditioner
Picture I am Sharing
This is a shot of me and Rosie at my goddaughter’s wedding. Her father wrote this and I thought it was very sweet:
LOVE, LOVE this picture from the photographer of YOU Elena, Alexandra’s special Godmother looking after her going off into the next phase of her life! For a second it makes me think of a moment right out of Cinderella when HER Godmother sings, “It’s Possible….!”
