Today was one of those days. I received several letters and gifts from home. As wonderful as the SeaToSea group is,I am missing my friends, family and church community. Their familiar habits and voices and laughs. And so being reminded that they are still with me was what I needed.
Especially with such tough routes the next 2 weeks as we traverse the Rockies.
Today I felt at home too as I biked to our celebration service in my skirt and heels. Most of the riders were surprised and kidded me about it. But strangely, it felt the most natural for me and I put in my best average speed- 25km/hr! Why did I buy all those biking shorts and gear!
I have also installed my next set of streamers as the original one have gone to dust-literally.
Today Jeanne Hammond, the SeaToSea Idaho Angel and I had lunch together and she joined me at "work" at the movies. She is an amazing woman and I hope that we stay in touch as I just want to know more and more about her.
Of course everyone was kidding me about all the stuff I had to rearrange to make room for her kind donations and gifts. Really of all the cyclists, am I the one who needed more stuff? I am thankful for the treats and chocolates as they only need temporary storage!
And sadly, I bade farewell to a new friend, Joel. Joel saw me through some pretty tough times, from finding me lost for our first safety group to walking and cycling with me home on some of the toughest days. With the challenges of the next stage-the Rockies- I will miss his patience, encouragement and conversations. He is headed home to start his PhD but his presence will be sorely missed. He is one of those people who genuinely cares for others and brings out the best in them. I wish for him many blessings.
And sadly, I bade farewell to a new friend, Joel. Joel saw me through some pretty tough times, from finding me lost for our first safety group to walking and cycling with me home on some of the toughest days. With the challenges of the next stage-the Rockies- I will miss his patience, encouragement and conversations. He is headed home to start his PhD but his presence will be sorely missed. He is one of those people who genuinely cares for others and brings out the best in them. I wish for him many blessings.You know they say if you want parents to like you, love their kids. Joel and Jeanne are the people that so enjoy loving God's children, take so much pleasure in serving those He loves that it must delight Him. I'm am truly thankful for all those who have chosen to love this child of God. May they all be acutely aware of the blessings that they are to me and others that they love and serve.
14 comments:
Gayle,
It warms my heart to know that God is putting such good, caring people along your path this summer.
Thank you for such a lovely reminder of the goodness of people.
Keep pedaling, friend.
So, here's my question. When your blog says that you posted at 1:42 am is that our time or your time?? If you posted that at 1:42 our time it would be 11:42 your time (right???) which would mean you are getting to bed on time. But, if you are posting at 1:42 your local time then I need to tell you - GO TO BED!!!! I'm in bed at 11:30 every night and I don't have to spend the next 7 weeks cycling across the country. Every princess needs her beauty sleep!
Glad to see that the streamers made it to you. (Thought I'd switch up the colour combo a bit.) I wondered how much would be left of the original pair.
Good to see you in your usual Sunday bike clothes. To answer your question about buying biking shorts, I think it would be hard to find the right place to put all that padding on a skirt. . .
Missed you at the Pinery yesterday. Lake Huron waves were at their best although the breeze was a bit nippy and kept me beached. I probably shouldn't tease you with tales of the Great Fresh Water Lakes as you head to the Great Salt Lake.
This morning Jonathan and i went fishing in Medway Creek down our road and came home with a duck whom we named "Zipper." He/she came zipping out of the bushes by the creek, asking (in Duck) "Are you my mother?", and followed us around. When we discovered a tipped-over box nearby, complete with a bag of "meal" in and a duck "signature" inside, we figured our creek was probably as good as any for this abandoned creature, so we took it home and introduced it to a new creekscape. It seemed quite happy, but cried (in Duck) when we ran off to the house. Well, a few visits later we discovered that it really, really likes the company of people and it can run quite fast (but not fly, due to as-of-yet unsprouted wings -- like the cats, unlike the mice.) Jonathan and i tried running through the paths in the back by our creek, trying to divert it (Pieter observed that our antics would have made a good chase movie) but it has figured out how to find the house, i.e. friends.
And now I can see you thinking, "Ah, yes, but what about all those kitties?" Ah, yes, indeed. We wondered that too and engaged in some creative cat spray-training initially, and then some basic observation. Let's just say that both species were curious about the other, but the felines had the advantage in sheer numbers. In the end, we decided to cage the newcomer for the night.
Zipper took an exuberant and elaborate bath in a roasting pan -- seemed to appreciate the clean, fresh water -- which the cats watched with a mixture of interest and puzzlement. We secured a "roof" to the cage with a heavy rock to try to keep the friendly neighbourhood raccoons from reaching in and twisting off its neck (remember our late chickens, Black and Dekker? . . ) And . . . we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Praying that the Lord will be your sufficiency each day as you enter this new and challenging week and that you may bless and be blessed in your unique mobile community. Blessings and love to all.
PS: Thanks for the photos of Jeanne and Joel. It's good to be able to put a face on the people we computer-chair riders "meet" on the C2C journey. Praise God for their servant hearts.
Wow! Biking in a skirt and heels!!! You go girl!!! We keep praying for you.
Gayle,
While we are yet on the subject of goatheads, here is a brief blog post that tells you about them from a more scientific viewpoint.
The Watcher: The Goathead (Tribulus_terrestris)
We continue to lift you, Arnie, the Lutkes, and all the tour in our prayers. Enjoy the ride to SLC this week.
Chuck Henager
Family of Faith CRC
Kennewick, WA
hi
Hey Kennewick Man: you had me right until the last paragraph of your blog. Audible laughter eminated from my office. I honestly didn't think that the US government had figured out our cycling subterfuge You're obviously more observant than we thought! Good on you!!!!
You are a great writer and I know all those speedy cyclists need someone like you to bring atouch of reality into their lives. I once met a couple at a road running race, (10km) who I asked how they did. I thought they looked in good shape. They told me they finished last on purpose so no one else would feel bad about themselves. Here I was about to tell them that I had finished in the top ten and set a new personal best. I was humbled. You remind me of those people. You keep up the good work. I send my encouragement. May God keep you on the right side of the bike. Know this you are inspiring many people.
Hey Kennewick Man: Love the apocalyptic overtones of the Latin name. You realize that if this gets out it could put our two countries at logger. . . make that goatheads. . . Actually, i just heard on the CBC today that we're already there: Winnipeg, Man. and Kennewick, WA are having their own little WWIII regarding who should be the rightful holder of the "Slurpee Capital of the World" title. Seems that Winnipeg's 10 year reign is threatened by the Kennewick 7/11 that recently increased from 6 to 12 flavour barrels, resulting in lineups around the block, with aspirations for 18 by year's end. Wonder if C2C riders helped that one out inadvertently? What about you, Gayle?
Just thought you should know that I ordered a basket for my bike, Gayle. Should be in on Thursday or Friday. I hope it makes it easier to bike to the kiddie pool with Anna in the front kid seat and Josh on the trail-a-long and all our towels and drinks too. :) Streamers next?
Streamers help kids like me bike in a straight line, just like wings on an airplane. Plus, the sparkly trails help to train my little ADD brain not to get distracted by shiny objects when we're bicycling along.
Also, once you have a basket, you can never go back. It will change the way you live your life. Just like the invention of the old lady drag behind grocery cart carrier.
By the way, Margaret.. My neighbour called this evening to ask if I had mice in the house. She had been standing at the back door to knock and a little mouse ran right across her feet. Last year, when I was here alone, it was the fledermaus. Now, it's the grondmaus... Gah!
Aahhhh! Holly, do I have the thing for you! Several actually: furry, hungry, good hunters, in many colours and sizes . . . Just let me know! Or let your neighbour know if she needs one. Oh, and did i mention cute? Don't you know it!
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