...being a bicycle lady

About 5:00 this afternoon I was busy at my desk, making sure I had everything set for tomorrow's lessons. The building was quiet and I was totally focused on the task at hand. All of a sudden two young boys, about middle school age, burst through my door, making me jump. "Do you have a bike pump?!?" one loudly asked. After I peeled myself off the ceiling I thought for a second, then said, "No, I sure don't...but normally I would. I just forgot to put it back in the truck the last time I used it." "Oh," he said, disappointed, "My friend has a flat tire. Someone told us you were a bicycle lady and might have one."
Guess I'd better get the pump back in the truck. I'd hate to lose my reputation as "a bicycle lady."

...making a change

...a REALLY big change.

The resume is updated.


The cover letter is written.


All that's left is to hit "send."


Gulp.


I've lived and taught in Podunk for 21 years. The kids are grown and gone. The house is sold. The ol' dog is chasing cats in doggie heaven.


It's been time for a long time but it's hard to see over the edge of my rut.


Stay tuned...

...riding with Kathryn

My friend Kathryn is the one who convinced me, three years ago, to test ride a road bike. I am so glad she did! We had planned to sign up for the Tour de Frog in Milton Freewater this past Saturday, but we had both had such an exhausting week that we decided a local (and free) ride on Sunday would give us a much-needed day to rest. We left my place at 6:15 a.m. The sun was just coming up over the rise, and arm warmers felt good. We rode up Holdman Hill and took the back way to Pendleton, stopped to rest our buns and have a cup of something warm, then rode back home along the river. It was a beautiful day to be out on our bikes--barely any traffic, no wind until the last 5 miles, and sunshine, lots of sunshine! We caught up on each other's lives, commiserated about how busy the first of the year is (she's a teacher, too), and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks, Kat!

...the 14th annual

...Tumbleweed Music Festival

This was the first year that Arlene wasn't able to come for our annual weekend of being hippies in the grass, listening to folk music at Howard Amon Park in Richland. She was just too busy with her new house. But Katie was home for a friend's wedding, so on Sunday we headed over to the park, ate tacos and sopes from our favorite taco lady, and listened to some music. Not quite the same as having Arlene here, but still a good time!