fast fast slow...

During the last two months
my bicycles have been my salvation.

Without my fast rides,

and my slow rides,
I think life may have gotten the better of me.

Instead,
with their help,
I have gotten the better of life.

*a note on my 'fuzzy shots' of late,
I have a new camera phone from which I have been taking pictures lately.
The quality is not as good as my regular camera, but I find the dreamy light filled appearance somewhat whimsical.

Friday Hyggelig...

summer's beauty...

summer weekend bliss...

lots of this

some of this

and a little of this

sweet summer morn...

Friday Hyggelig...

bicycle♡...

The MIA has the bicycle♡ going ON next week!
Check out the fun here

Freewheel notified me of this bicycle♡ for the MIA
by linking me through this nice image to this

and in other bicycle♡ news...

Once again the Birchwood
is showing Le Tour
Check it out here

And if you want more local
Le Tour
Check it out here

Bike Fest♡ here

Interesting NY Times article here

Bike Sharing♡ here

I have been enjoying
the wit and humor here.

This is kind of cheeseball,
and advertising I do not promote,
but there is a bicycle,
and I am a sucker for that...

in my moments...

summer...

tart...

the thing to do...

riding "the bike" across the Stone Arch Bridge

What better way to celebrate
the 4th of July,
Independence Day,
the Nation's Birthday,
Than to get out and Volunteer?!!
I mentioned earlier this week
that my new volunteer gig is bicycle related...

the Nice Ride booth

Well, I spent my morning at a lovely farmer's market,
promoting a bike sharing program.
Yup, Minneapolis is getting a bicycle share program!
"Just like Vélib’!" many people gushed this morning.
I met someone who actually lives in Paris and uses the Vélib’ all of the time,
he said he loves it.
I also met a lot of well traveled folks who have used bicycle share programs
in other European cities. They all loved their experiences.
Everyone I talked to was excited to see a bicycle share program
coming to Minneapolis. Warm fuzzies...

'the bike' loaded up upon arrival

I had the privilege of housing one of the bicycles
being considered for the program for the last 2 weeks
and rode her down to the market this morning
with our banner,
a bag of materials,
and my raincoat in the 'basket',
wearing a skirt.
A no sweat,
peaceful,
silent 4th of July morning,
ride.

What a great way to spend my 4th.
The more I get to know the people of my city,
the more I like my city.

Happy 4th Everyone!

Friday Hyggelig...

conquer and ride...

introducing Pash to St. Paul

I have been wanting to take the Pash further afield for quite sometime now
But to be honest, I was nervous about it.
I love Pash, but she just isn't the kind of gal you take with you on long trips.
Excuses...excuses...
So, since I tend to have a lot of 'free' time on my hands lately,
and my new volunteer gig is bicycle-related,
I figured today was a good day to conquer my fears...
How often in life can you allow yourself a cushy 1 1/2 hours to get to a meeting,
and another 1 1/2 hours to get home if need be?
Quite possibly never.
Sooo...off we went.

taking a break St. Paul style

that's my gal...2 hours later still waiting for me...

the three of us were having an unspoken slow race

20 miles later we know a lot more about each other.
-Pash is one heck of a solid and stiff ride - good, but firm for a long haul.
-Love the seating position, even for the long jaunt - I FINALLY got that dern seat adjusted to my liking.
-The seat...well, my bones and those rivets were not the best of friends towards the end. I have pretty good tolerance built up from my fast lovin' lycra rides, but a pair of bike shorts would have felt good after about 15 miles. In time I am sure the seat will be like a great pair of shoes to me, but for now she's a bit stiff for the long haul.
-It was fun riding such a beauty around the city. Pash and I saw more than a few glances coming our way.
-Our city is blessed with some nice bicycle options - we were on designated bicycle streets, in designated bicycle lanes, or on a gorgeous designated bicycle path the entire trip. Pretty awesome I must say. On a bicycle like Pash, I just love riding the trails, taking our sweet old time, and soaking in the scenery.

me, Pash, and The Mighty Miss

Pash and I are still the best of friends,
but in the end I think we can agree that though we did it,
we had a heck of a lot of fun doing it,
and we certainly were capable of it,
we might have more fun hanging out a bit closer to home.
But we'll always have St. Paul...

how I spent my summer vacation...

get done being crafty...
your man swings by to ride home with you...
(more on the bike H is riding coming later this week)

swing by your friend's house on the way home...
admire the strawberry's they picked...

Talk bikes...
ride bikes...
drink a little too much wine while admiring bikes...

Admire the amazing sunset...
oops, it's starting to rain...
better have another glass of wine...

Ride home after the downpour...
Hyggelig Summer nights...

Friday Hyggelig...

the 2nd chapter...

On the move across country three years ago
we enjoyed a good 'read'.
I often think of Julia,
how she started over at the age of 36,
and the new and amazing journey she went on.
My initial journey began at 35,
and it continues on
into the 2nd chapter...

This is a GREAT summer read
Bring it to
the beach
the cabin
the boat
just bring it.

I should have read this ages ago
but that silly job got in the way.
Time to dig in...

These two books are my inspirations
of the moment.

Remember,
Knowledge is power.

read on...

assessment...

It's been about a month since 'opportunity' came my way.
I am not going to sugar coat it,
It hasn't always been easy to digest,
mourning certainly did occur,
I have a few off days here and there where the whole situation hits me,
but overall
I have not been this HAPPY in months!
Yes, happy.
I am busy doing the things I love
meeting people I want to be meeting
and for the last 48 hours 'vacationing' with my boys.

Don't worry, I've some bicycle posts to come...
there has been A LOT of bicycle love going on.
But sometimes,
you just want to hang with the boys,
talk about life
or not
and take it all in.

at last...

Happy Midsummer!

summer fun...

Live it
Breathe it
Love it...

Friday Hyggelig...

focus...

It is a rare luxury when you have time in life to really focus on the things you want to be doing.
I am thankful I currently have the time.
Picking up some yarn the other day lead to a 5 hour session of knitting and chatting,
meeting some new folks,
and getting some good laughs in.
Nice...

And learning something new is always challenging and rewarding.
Cables!

lemonade...

smiling all the way to the bank

When life hands you lemons
make some lemonade.
Or in my case...
When you get that severance check
don't just hop in the car and be done with it,
take that sweet ride of yours to the bank
and make an adventure out of it.

It's summer baby..wear those sandals!
I found out
that at the bank
1. Our car society does not like bicycles in the drive through
2. The bank will let you bring your bicycle inside
3. A nice man will hold the door for you and your bicycle on the way in - no questions asked
4. A nice woman will hold the door for you and your bicycle on the way out - no questions asked

have I mentioned I love my purse?
Thanks Pash!
You made a quick
and somewhat emotionally difficult
errand
a wonderful 30 minute interlude
in my day
where to next?...

back on top...

yet again
being at the top of the hill
was the best seat in the house

lotsa lotsa....

mmm...mmmm....lycra!

Friday Hyggelig...

crafty night rider...

Nothing like a good crafting session

to get one out of the house

and on their bicycle.

Pash enjoyed some flattering comments,

was offered indoor parking,

and showed me a great ride home

on a lovely summer evening.

We could have rode all night...

And it all begins today...
You KNOW where I'll be this week!
Here!
Come on out Minneapolitans!
Let's celebrate.

the rest of my life...

H and I used to go by here often
he on his rides with the team
or the three of us on the way to the beach.
I could pretty much spend the rest of my life
sitting right here
with a smile on my face...

the journey...

Though I am looking forward
to eventually finding the destination,
I am trying to focus on the journey,
being in the moment,
my mantra... I am here now.

One week ago I woke up a woman with a heavy heart
mourning for what had just been lost.
But then I opened the curtain
and the sun was out
and its warmth became a constant by my side
everyday
all day
for exactly one week.

Sun, you brought me outside to drink my morning coffee
reflect
and read a book.


Sun, you got me on my bicycle
to ride in solitude
in your warmth
making my surroundings beautiful



Sun, you urged me to garden
to water my flowers
tend to our beans
smell the scent of lavender on my hands

Sometimes it is nice to end a journey
reflect
remember
and then focus on the next one...

Friday Hyggelig...

Is My English Strange?

knitworking...

I've been thinking for awhile that I would like to find a knitting project.
Long before the whole job thing happened I was thinking of ways to branch out and meet some new people and I thought knitting nights might be a good option.
Now, I feel the importance of going through with this plan even more than before,
not only for the possible networking that could ensue,
but mainly because I need to do things that get me out of the house and out with like-minded people.
So, for a few days I have been trying to get inspired and find a knitting project, but without much success.
Then tonight, I was at another inspiring event that got me out of the house
and I found this great sweater.
I'm not quite at this level yet, but I thought it was brilliant.
Here's to inspiration and to our common interests bringing us together and away from our computers!

me look pretty...

I had the occasion to get all dolled up today...
put on my makeup,
my earrings,
and my shoes with heels,
and meet a friend for lunch.
An afternoon of using my mind to look at art was oh so refreshing.

Tip:
If you ever find your self involuntarily unemployed,
Make the most of it.
Plan out your days,
give your self structure,
think of things to look forward to.
If you are lucky enough to have an art museum in your town - visit.
Hopefully you bought yourself a membership back when you were a working citizen and now you can go for free...
Hey! Wasn't that a nice thing you did for yourself?!
And remember all those days sitting at your desk wishing you could go to an art museum in the middle of the day? Well, now you can...
And the best thing - you can have the place to yourself.
Nice...

parallel universe...

A friend of mine just sent me a picture of me...
no, WAIT....
my twin...
who happens to be on my friends bicycle team
I guess I AM still in California...

yes, this is what out-of-work people do all day...