Day 92: party like it's 1999!

As an eight year old, I remember hearing a radio announcer talk about the change of the new decade: 1980. When the announcer started enthusiastically chattering about the change of the millenium, I was fascinated! Would that happen in my lifetime? How old would I be? Quick math determined that I would be 28, and in my eight year old mind that meant I would be too old to enjoy it.

The dawn of the new millenium found me newly married and up Hobble Creek in a cabin. It was just JE and I for new year's eve. We made potstickers by th dozen. We watched movies, played games and at one point listened to a crackling news broadcast on the radio. We were tuned in to a new year's celebration in Asia, talking about the dancing on the streets and about the unnecessary fright of Y2K.

The first day of the year 2000, we invited our good friends, Cori and Dave to the cabin. They brought their baby, Chloe, and we played games until the evening. When we were packing for the cabin, we packed food for two for 24 hours. The one thing we hadn't eaten that second night up there was a single tiny Cornish hen someone had given me as a white elephant gift at work, 3 small red potatoes and a few potstickers. We shared that tiny bird 5 ways. It was enough. It was the beginning of our family tradition of sharing one tiny single Cornish hen with whomever we share our new year's eve and new year's day with.

This year we are with our dear friends, the Hayes. We brouht over our wii and Mario. We just share potstickers and have a small hen to go in the oven soon.

It has been a year of remarkable events. Life changing. I have had some considerable accomplishments and as well as having a few of the greatest challenges of my life to deal with. But I get to choose where I live emotionally. I want to greet this new year with wide open eyes, arms and smile, running.

From Iris's iPhone

Day 91: Busy

At Christmas brunch, my aunt told a story about how she and her siblings always laughed when my Gram caught my Gramp ready to relax. Apparently, sitting down was not an option for my Gramp, Gram would always find something for him to do, or remind him of something that needed to be done. They were always busy. Even now, at 91, my Gram is producing watercolor paintings, and until recently was chairman of the welcome committee at her independent living facility. Nothing has held her back. She maintains her positive outlook.

We ran this morning--in the sun. Why are kilometers so much more doable than miles? Watching those kilometers roll by so quickly is just so darn heartening! Five K in 34 minutes--11 minute miles (still really really slow, but better).

This afternoon, we swam. I swam my 600 yards. JE said I was really fast today. Perhaps it was because of how cold I was. When it's cold in the pool, I tell myself it's just because I'm not working hard enough.

Started counting calories again today. At least until I learn to eat well again. The holidays have killed that knowledge! Ho Ho Ho!

Day 90: Retrospect

We woke early and took Lisa, my sister, to the airport. It was raining really hard for most of the morning. Somehow, shopping took precedence over most other activities today--including eating. We have been looking for a piece of furniture to fit in the closet in the soon to be awesome entertainment room. The hope is the new furniture would allow more room for mobility to play on the Wii (last year's Christmas present--picked up the whole system with the board for 125 bucks!). We settled on me making a giant LoveSac like beanbag. We shall find the guts for it tomorrow, and I will sew it up while JE flips the room upside down.

While I was going through a filing cabinet and some papers that fell behind the desk in the soon to be entertainment room, I found some correspondence from my family. It has been a really tough year in a lot of ways, but there have been some really beautiful things that happened as well. My cycle tour was a major stepping stone in being able to deal with what lies ahead. Just like in life, you never know what is around the corner, how difficult the next hill is, who will be your friend up the road, but the point is to keep pedaling and just enjoy the journey.

So, I am looking at my training for December. Not so hot! That is what the new year is for, a brand new start, a clean slate. And with the tri only 8 weeks away from this coming Saturday, I need to move my bloomin' arse! I just signed up for an 8 week training course for the reverse tri. I am so excited to be able to get some pro help with this. Yes!

Day 89: Encouragement

JE is playing the guitar right now, for my benefit. It's been a crazy kind of week, with movies, company, crazy food, things to do and I have been feeling it. He is playing to help me concentrate and write a little.

This morning on my swim, I was struggling through it, badly. Around lap eleven, I was through, done, finished. While I was hanging on the wall, I looked over at him. "Just 4 more, then you can be done," he said. Every lap I completed he held up the laps remaining, encouraging me to do my best, to speed up and focus on the task at hand.

We spent the afternoon at Crystal Cove State Park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the waves were small and even. Loads of shore birds were picking through the debris washed ashore from the storms.

More storms are headed this way tomorrow. I miss my bike.

Day 88: Sugar overload

My morning run 2.67 miles with 11 minute 5 second miles. In comparison to an earlier 10 minute 58 second mile, I feel the need to shave my miles! Setting a goal for that and gotta watch my sugar intake! My poor little pancreas!

Ye Gads! Way too indulgent. Canter's deli i West Hollywood today, cool place but the bakery isn't the bakery I wanted it to be. There are resolutions on the horizon, they won't be very fun, but probably necessary. Sigh...

Day 87:

Sort of sick today. I'm not sure if it's the flu or over indulgence. This evening we managed to make it over to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. There are some really magical tanks there. In the state I am in, watching fish buzz around in the water, was just the right speed. The aquarium is open late during the holidays. It was great because there wasn't a usual holiday crowd.

Has anyone seen sea dragons? Wow, they are so beautiful. Slow moving sculptures.

Thinking about rest days and intensifying my work outs. Will write more tomorrow.

Day 86: Marathons

I awoke early and tried to get ready for my run quietly, to allow my sweet JE to sleep in. I got stuck looking for my iPod. As I was about to head out, JE came out totally dressed and ready to go. As I started my run, I I told myself I was giving myself the gift of not stopping my running, but finishing stronger and faster. I did it, only pausing for a moment to look at a huge eucalyptus downed by the recent storms.

Midmorning we headed south to see my Gram. We had Christmas brunch with my aunt and her beau. Both are marathoners, totally amazing people.

Tonight, we pulled our own marathon: 4.5 hours of Thirty Rock. yup, It's a holiday!

Day 85: Red Carnations

During the multi-day layover in Moscow, I had the companionship of Svetlana, the woman who was working with the United Way to help fund my visit. She took me on tours all over the city. One of my favorite places we visited was an old church, built in the early 1700's. It was a sweet butter yellow on the outside. The interior floor was paved with large, rough flag stone and partially melted snow and ice brought in by careless crowds. As I entered, I passed a large group of people surrounding a traditional Russian choir. The walls were lined with gold encased icons. Beautiful haunted faces peered out from their metal wrappers. An old Babushka, dressed in a house dress and woolen coat with a scarf tied neatly around her head, bowed herself to the floor repeatedly, knealing before an icon, and kissing the ground beneath him. Candles burned everywhere, but still the place was cold and dark. After I had investigated the church, I turned to leave and discovered that what I thought had been an assemblage to hear a choir, was really a funeral. Three simple wooden caskets, each draped with large black shawls stood in the middle of the crowd. Dozens of red carnations lined the inside each casket, the occupants exposed from the waist up. It was so... real, and sweetly beautiful. It took my breath away. It wasn't until I looked up and saw a man on the other side of the room really truly glaring at me, that I realized I was staring and needed to not be one of those tourists. When I got outside, the sun was shining.

Sunshine today, and lots to do. I've not been feeling great between last night and today. No workout for me.

My sis it here. She'll kick me into shape!

Day 84: Holidays

At 6 am, I awoke and went into the kitchen. There has been dried fruit brandying on the counter for a couple weeks, begging to be made into fruitcake. That made, peppermint bark followed. Then a batch of cookies. I went into my sewing room to finish sewing a Christmas present. At noon I went out for a run (in the sun!!!). JE was done by 2, so I picked him and Justin up. We drove to Culver City. Justin's girlfriend works at a really hip museum called " the Museum of Jurassic Technology." Quite and interesting place. It feels like being in a strange and little known facts book/piece of art. I need to go back and look further.

We dropped our friends off at LAX and cruised on over to Inglewood to visit a friend at work. We delivered his Christmas present, which I finished with snaps in the car on the way there (hope it worked!). We stopped at Jerry's Famous Deli for Matzo Ball Soup. Paired with pickles, it was just right!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I love Christmas, for all of the gentle it puts into people.

I need to spend the next few days with my family, here. SO for a couple days, I will be posting activities related to my training (and anything that catches my fancy).

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Now, where did I put that manger...

Day 83: Hangars

I awoke far too early to be comfortable with it, and the rain pounding the skylight let me know the weather was not in my favor. The pool and walkway around it were at the same level, with a small ridge where the concrete lifts to warn unsuspecting passers-by of imminent wetness. Not that there were any passers by, dry or otherwise. Yoga is my friend on such days. I crawled back to bed, bone-deep-cold and scoot so close to JE, he nearly fell out of bed. Warmth is a beautiful thing. We awoke to the phone ringing. JE scrambled to answer it; and upon realizing the time, to get out the door.

I stayed home and sewed, finished JE's shirt and was about to start another, when JE came to pick me up for a surprise. Oh, man! Christmas came early!!!

There are two buildings in Tustin, giant, mega, ultra, huge hangars. They were built in 1942 to house the airships that patrolled the coast in those days. Each building housed 6 airships-massive Each I've been in love with them since we moved here. They are a landmark that can be seen for miles around. I got to go inside one of them today!

The company JE works for was having a photo shoot there today. I got to tag along. As we walked inside the building, the most noticeable thing is the vastness, the huge ceiling held by a network of wooden joists. JE immediately pointed out the ladders to the incredibly high catwalks. The second thing I noticed, were the owl pellets scattered all over the cement floor. Workrooms and offices lined each side of the hangar, each door painted a kind red.

We walked to the far end, which was cordoned off. There was a smaller structure housing a small airship replica--possibly for a movie?

We climbed a steep wooden stair up to a booth two stories high, commenting about what it would be like to be in there directing one of those massive airships. Everything was coated with a thick layer of dust. Looking down at the hangar floor below, I noticed the puddles from leaks in the roof; I know other 68 year olds with far worse leakage. We walked the perimeter, poking our noses in whatever windows weren't blocked out. We discovered a mascot painted in a dark hall.

At some point I realized there had to be tether rings. How did I notice bird puke and not the tether rings all over the floor?

It was so cool, just being inside! I think I can forgive JE for not taking me on that Maruchan noodle company tour.

A friend recommended Peter's Gourmade Grill in Tustin. It shares a building with the Valero gas station on McFadden and the 55. This place takes gas station food to a higher level. Awesome! For some reason I thought I would need the Greek style fries with my burger. I should have asked! They came laden with fresh tomatoes and onions, feta cheese and gyro meat! We barely made a dent in them. Awesome burger--sweet pickle? Who knew? Yum! They also serve amazing sweet potato fries--which you can choose to have toasted marshmallow over the top. JE got a chicken sandwich with basil. It was so yummy!

My deadline for Christmas stuff was unexpectedly brought forward a day, so I have been sewing most of the day. I got to a point I know I can finish tomorrow morning after my run (I know! I know! I feel the need for swim and I really really miss my bike! Hopefully tomorrow!)

Day 82: Temptation

Why is it so tempting to open up JE's presents and just give them to him? Or tell him what I'm making for him? I cannot hold a secret from the man. This morning as we opened our door to go for our watery run, there were two packages on our doorstep. One from my sister, the other from an order I placed a few days ago. I am giddy with anticipation.

The greenbelt around the pool and clubhouse was filled with water, and all the sidewalks were completely flooded. We ran through the gentle sprinkle, through pooling water, and crossed gutters shooting water out of car wheels. At our midway point we altered our course to go see what the local creek was doing.

The creek, which is normally a quiet little stream, was white with rapids in places. Debris lined the banks a couple feet further up. There were eddies in the foxholes. It was a fun morning to be out in it.

After our run, we warmed up with Korean breakfast= sticky white rice, scrambled eggs cooked in sesame oil, wilted spinach with sesame, and kimchi. It's a one dish sort of thing, but not mixed together. I need to figure out why mine is so much more bland than the stuff I ate every morning in Korea.

I spent the bulk of the day making a shirt for JE for Christmas. Hope he likes it, and I hope it doesn't look too much like a pajama top.

Tonight there is a promise of an even larger rain storm, complete with waterspouts and mini tornadoes in places. When we got home from some errands, the wind was gusting, flicking rain hard in our faces. We changed into swimwear and walked up the hill to the pool, huddling in bathrobes and hats. I swam like I was on an important errand. Interesting to me, I got really winded the first couple laps, and wanted to slow down. Running, I do the same thing, but I know if I just keep going, I'm good. The same thing happened tonight. I told myself it would get easier if I just kept going, and it did! 15 laps later--that's 600 yards plus 320 warm-up/cool-down yards. I rocked it! It was really tempting to make excuses tonight. But I am so glad I found my one reason--You! Thank you for reading. You inspire me!

Day 81:

JE summed up our diet today when he said, "I feel like all I've eaten is bread with toppings on it."

There was no work for me today, so I was able to sleep in a bit--not on the agenda, but it felt really good. We drove through the slight sprinkle to JE's work. There is a great trail running by what in other states would be a river, but here is a storm drain. A storm drain is a ditch that follows the natural river/flood plain. It is walled in with 15 foot walls in places. Often there are pedestrian trails along these with passes going under major roads. In the more modern storm drains, the bottom is dirt and allows plants and shrubs to grow there until they get scoured out by heavy rain. We have had so much rain in SoCal that the storm drains are filling up with dirt and debris. Debris ten feet up on the wall showed the latest high water mark.

I headed toward the mountains on the trail. At the underpass to the freeway, there was a barricade with yellow "caution" tape across it. It doesn't say not to cross, I thought as I ran past the barrier. When I got to the bottom, water was running over the path. It didn't look deep...

I turned around and ran toward the ocean (miles from where I was, but it is the Mountain to Sea Trail, so toward the sea I ran!). I set my intention to see what a 5K feels like. I ran over Railroad tracks, through the Incredible Edible Park, and through a neighborhood. I over shot my 5K by about a mile or so. Admittedly, I didn't run the whole thing. I stopped my time and distance pedometer at 5.45K (just under 40 min I am soooo slow!!!) and walked another 23 minutes.

As I was getting closer to the car, the storm was beginning to settle on Orange County. It has been raining here all day and getting bigger and gustier. Crazy day! It never rains like this here.

JE met me at the car and asked if I would mind getting him and his coworker some breakfast at 85*c AKA (God's own bakery). Certainly! They had my favorite--the Cheese Rose. A big ball of seed flecked white dough surrounding a pink rose scented puffy, chewy, cherry flecked dough baked with a sweet cheese in the middle. That was my breakfast and lunch!

Rain related adventures abound today. Driving alone in this area is an adventure! Good grief!

Day 80: Time

This has been a season for running. With all my gift baking and Christmas making, I have been running from one end of town to the other. Today wasn't much different. After a beautiful Christmas program at church, we baked soft molasses cookies to take to a few friends who have been on my mind.

Soft Molasses Cookies
Cream together
3/4 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
Add 1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses and beat until lighter
Sift together
12.5 oz (2 1/2 cups) flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Add 1/3 cup finely chopped candied ginger
Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Chill until firm. Form into 1" balls and roll in raw sugar to coat. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheets in a 350 oven for 9-10 minutes. Cookies will be crinkly and a bit puffy. Allow to cool for a moment before removing to a rack.

We visited an older couple who have been away from church because of illness. I knew our visit would be appreciated, I hadn't realized how needful it was. They invited us in and we sat and chatted with them for quite a while. So, if you are reading this, and are having a hard time getting into any kind of Christmas mode (other than shop and rush), make a batch of your favorite cookies--even if they come in a roll in the refrigerator section--and go visit someone you suspect may be lonely. The truth is, it isn't about the cookies, but the time.

Our second stop was to a widow from church. She invited us in for some hot chocolate. We sat at her kitchen table and talked about travel, food, plans, genealogy. And we sang Christmas carols. I love her.

Time is a funny thing. I am embarking on training for something where every second counts (if I were doing it to win--which I am not). But in my life, my crazy, harried wonderful life, I crave to slow down. Ironically, there just isn't always time to slow down. At least, that is what I tell myself.

Friday was my last day at work for the season. I'll return in the new year. That means that this week and next are all mine to do with what I choose to do. Last minute sewing for JE is a must and a few stocking stuffers. I'm excited for some daytime swimming and hopefully the rain will let up so I can go out for a nice long ride for a few days. Running in the rain is invigorating, so no worries there.

Plan of attack for training this week:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Running, 3 miles--on a nice trail close to JE's work, just to mix it up a bit. Swimming 500 yds with 4 warm up and 4 cool down laps. Lunges, squats, sit ups, Basic flow yoga. Essentially, my goal it to do two of the triathlon activities each day, whether it's cycling, swimming, running, or transitions. My times will be posted each day (someone hold me to that?). (transitions=running to cycling or cycling or swimming 15-20 minutes each activity). I also need to work on my stretching-hip is often nasty tense. Note to self: Any break in the weather is a good time to hop on your bike! Just GO!!! You'll love it once you're there!

Day 79: Human

Working so much has taken it's tole on my sweet little condo. Everything has been feeling cluttered, disorganized and dusty; not a good thing for a hoarder's daughter to feel. We spent the afternoon cleaning, arranging and prepping for Christmas company. My older sister will be spending the holidays with us, which has caused a bit of family fun (sarcasm!)

I spoke with Dad today, his hip is healing. It is a slow and very painful process for him. His pain level is around a 9.9999, he says. He masks it well, behind his cheerful voice. He is in a convalescent home for a couple weeks to manage the pain and allow him to have physical therapy. The home is about 30 miles away from his hometown. It makes me sad that we won't see him this Christmas. JE and I had a lot of time off because of all the happenings last winter It would be very difficult to take the 22 hours to drive one way in such an unpredictable winter. And Mom doesn't travel well, so her coming here isn't an option. Besides, then Dad would be alone.

We opted in September to take Gram's invite for Christmas. She is so amazingly positive and just plain fun to be around. My aunt and her beau will be there, too. It's a tough predicament to have to choose between spending Christmas with my aging, lonely parents and my 91 year old Gram. Who knows what the future holds, all I can do is hope to make a good decision and live with that choice.

Tonight we went to the Kettle in Manhattan Beach with BC. What is it about that place that is so comfortable and kind to the soul? Everything about it is simultaneously welcoming and nostalgic. It is a transparent place that is colored by whatever mood you happen to be in and brightens it.

We walked there from BC's. As we passed by a restaurant, I saw a transient man sitting at an outdoor table under an awning to escape the rain. As a cycle tourist, I met a lot of transients. Most were kind, friendly, and often very helpful. There were days on the road when I spoke with very few people and experienced a tiny bit of the loneliness felt by the transient populace. I think we all need social interaction to let us know we are alive, we are human, we are trying. I try to always say hello to transients.

Day 78: Sisyphus

Sisyphus has been rolling his rock around in my mind lately.

Sisyphus was the king of the original city Corinth. He was a naughty trickster, who fooled the gods and even hid Death (Hades) in his closet for a few days. Sisyphus died, but fooled death and was released from the underworld, only to be dragged back again. He was told he would be released if he rolled a huge rock up and over a hillside in Hades. The rock was enchanted, and rolled back down the hill just before the crest. Sisyphus, however is eternally compelled to roll that dang rock up and over that hill.

I often wonder what is going on around Sisyphus in this story. We know Persephone is there in the underworld 6 months of the year. There were other people and gods, as well. Parties? Probably. We know there were pomegranates. Surely there are far more interesting things to see and do in the underworld than roll an enchanted rock up and down a hill. So, lets say Sisyphus leaves off with the rock for a bit and has a look-see at what is around him. That big rock settles a bit into his living room, but that is OK, it isn't going anywhere. Sisyphus looks out the window one day, and with all his cleverness decides to have a party. He decorates his house for the party, and lights the stone with a string of Christmas lights. He invites Persephone, the woman responsible for persuading Hades to release him from death. He invites all the gods, including Zeus and the nymph. They comes, but hesitantly. People show up and make themselves at home. At first people wonder about the rock, but soon it just becomes part of the decor, a conversation piece. Sisyphus finds joy and contentment in being, and starts doing other amazingly interesting things.

There are a lot of ways I can see this story as useful in my life, but I think the perpetual want/desire for something is the thing that stands in front right now. And being blind to all other things because of that want. Where am I going with this? There are things I want in my life that are beyond my control (I am not talking about what I can do for my physical well-being here, but the nitty-gritty of what makes me Iris). It might be time to lay that boulder aside and just enjoy what life has to offer, all of what life has to offer in my circumstances. The boulder can still be there without me worrying over it.

As for my training: I ran my 3 miles without stopping today. In the rain, up hill both ways... It was a tough sell this morning in the wee early hours, but I just kept going. That first quarter mile is a killer, but I kept insisting that if I kept it up, I would be OK. Later, I found that I forgot I was running. I couldn't stand another day of writing about what a huge slacker I am. Thank you for your support.

Day 77: Smoke

One day, when I was around 9, I was home alone and hungry. Dad had a way with food and taught me to broil hot dogs, to add a bit of pizazz. There were two hot dogs under the broiler, when I became riveted on a TV show about house fires (not kidding). When I finally got back to my hot dogs, they were light as feathers and black as coal. They were beyond scorched. I threw them away but when dad came home, he spotted them and pulled them out to inspect them more closely. He laughed and changed the batteries in the smoke alarm.

This season seems to be more about baking, for me, than any other year. There are cinnamon rolls in my oven right now, three 8 inch pans as gifts for my coworkers. Spring-form pans are not really great for baking cinnamon rolls, the butter and sugar just dripped out sending smoke plumes which filled the house with dense smoke. A cookie sheet under the culprit is helping to keep the dripping mess from doing too much more damage.

They'll be out very soon, and then I go up the hill and do 15 laps.

Christmas is just busy! I was thinking yesterday, as I was struggling to run: A little everyday. And for now, that is what it has to be for me, until I can find a bit more time to dedicate to this lovely thing I want to do. After the holidays I can get back to that ritual work day with the bookends of work outs. But the day after Christmas marks a 2 months til the event. That isn't long. I'll have some time to dedicate during the break--my last day of work is tomorrow. There are still a few things to finish up, but my mornings can be dedicated to training. Smokes!

Later: We got thrown out of the pool at 10 after only having done 9 laps. At least I got that in! Feels really good. My lumbar needed that kind movement!

Day 76: Scattered, sorry

Often, I have many thoughts throughout the day that I think would make a great topic for a blog. However, they come at the most inopportune times! Geeze! Riding my bike in the dark, in the shower, in the midst of a conversation, etc...

Sometimes when I am practicing yoga, I'll get into a position--particularly a balance position--that I just can't seem to hold. If I let my inability get to me, I get a bit more distracted and out of focus. However, if I concentrate on slowing my mind, focusing on the initial pose and increase the position slowly, I find my balance increased, my stamina longer, my ability improved. On my cycle tour, this ability was something I used regularly, especially when climbing hills.

This morning's run was a tough one. I couldn't quiet myself. Just as we left the house, JE told me he had signed up to bring a savory breakfast item to his work holiday potluck. My mind raced over everything I had available to fix for his potluck. It's just what I do. My legs were leaden and heavy this morning, but I slogged around a mile and a half.

Mac and Cheese
When we got home, I put a pot of salty water to boil on the stove for one pound noodles. I melted about 4 Tb butter in a saucepan and then added around a third cup of flour. Stir for a few minutes until it starts smelling toasty, then whisk in a couple cups of milk/pasta water. Whisk until thick and add more liquid if needed. Remove from heat and add a cup and some of whatever cheese you have on hand, grated--we always have Tillamook medium cheddar. In a skillet, I sauteed and onion, added some previously cooked bacon, ham and some reconstituted mushrooms. Mix the sauce, skillet stuff and noodles. Pour into buttered casserole dish and cover with 1.5 cups dried breadcrumbs mixed with 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese, 3 Tb butter and 1 tsp garlic salt. Bake at 300 for about 25 minutes.

Around 10:30 this morning Keith walked into the shop. He had been told of my need to raise the table and had come to investigate. Within a couple hours, my table was raised to new heights! Hurray for tender mercies!

After work, I rode to JE along my trail. The cool rain-promising weather causes most Californians to hide themselves away. Christmas shopping is almost done.

Day 75: Stew

The growing season in the Arctic is short. Most people in Nar'yan Mar live in newer apartment buildings and have a place somewhere in the area to grow food. Tatiana Ivanevna kept a garden across town at a garden center.

Russian rye bread is a dense black bread with tiny chunks of raisins, seeds and nuts throughout. Everyday Tatiana Ivanevna brought home a heavy loaf of the stuff. It sat on the counter, face down on the cutting board, uncovered. It was never around long enough to get stale or dry. That bread, and a pot of borscht, was the family staple.

Broth was made from a beef bone boiled with a bit of onion, skin and all. The family grew most of the vegetables in the tundra soil. Huge white cabbages, tiny red potatoes, short fat carrots crusted with dirt, small sweet beets were placed in a storage shed close to the garden for the winter. Only the tomatoes were from a can.

Borscht

Saute in sunflower oil:
1 onion coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Until tender
Stir in 3 carrots, chopped
2 beets, peeled and cubed
Add 2 Tbs tomato paste and let cook for a moment
Add 3 medium red potatoes, peeled and cubed (honestly, I don't peel mine...)
3 cups chopped cabbage
pour in 2-3 quarts beef broth and simmer until vegetables are soft. Serve hot with a dollop of creme fraiche

In a stew again today. The right side of my body feels like I've been working at a cutting table about a foot too low; as it should, because I have been. It's a deep ache in my lumbar and under my shoulder blade, up to my neck. 800 mg of Ibuprofen barely touched it. Gentle yoga helped a bit. Bike riding was a bit troublesome. Need to change my work table and my posture. I'm going to rest this body tonight, if I can.

Day 74: Delicacies

The Titan, Prometheus, played a trick on Zeus, the Father of gods and men. Prometheus gave two offerings to Zeus on behalf of all mankind at the settling of accounts between gods and men. The first was a lovely selection of meats gift wrapped in an ox's stomach. The second was a bunch of bones wrapped up in glistening fat. Zeus chose the lovely glistening fat wrapped bones, which then set the precedence of how offerings to the gods should be given in the future; all the bones were to be wrapped in fat and then burned as offerings, leaving the more desirable meat for man. Zeus was pretty upset about that and retaliated by hiding fire from all mankind. Prometheus, always going to bat for the humans, stole fire back from Zeus, hiding it in a giant fennel stalk and gave it back to the humans. Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to a rock at Caucasus where an eagle eats his liver everyday (well, it grew back... nightly...). After several years, Hercules shot that eagle, and set Prometheus free.

It seems that if Zeus had gone for the poor man's food--the stomach, all of this could have been avoided. But he didn't. He was tempted by that caramelized, crispy fat. In my mind it is very much like bacon or the pork belly we had with Andrew, Simy, Ben and Amy. Beef stomach is only tempting to people like my JE, when served in a good, flavorful broth as in pho or menudo--two of his favorites.

In fact, tonight, after we passed around some Christmas cheer, AKA baked goods, we caught a quick dinner at a Latino Mercado off of Alicia and Paceo De Valencia. It has a hot food counter in the small grocery store with a great beverage selection. JE got the menudo, I got some sort of "cow in verde sauce." I sampled before I actually ordered it. The flavor and texture was amazing, something akin to a really nicely cooked pot roast. It was served on a platter with rice and beans and a side of tortillas. I ate about half and felt really full. Later, as I was waiting for JE to finish his menudo, I picked up another piece and ate it. It had cooled considerably, which changed the texture. Suddenly I recognized it as lingua--tongue. I am an adventurous eater, but tongue is one of those things that I wouldn't order on purpose, but I don't doubt was contained in that ox's stomach as an offering to Zeus.

How far would you go in eating something delicious? The word "delicacy" has a terrible connotation in this country, or at least in my mind. I see the bright green liver in the lobster shell, fried un-laid arctic perch roe Tatiana tricked me into eating in Russia, rotten smelling 1,000 year eggs in Asian markets, stinky tofu at the night markets in Taiwan (stinky as in lift a horse's tail and take a whiff--not exaggerating!), sea slugs in Mexico, fried sparrows in Taiwan, and strange tidbits of fish in Korea. I am not talking grossies--no matter how much you like that sort of thing. What I am asking is, if something tastes genuinely good to you, it has some sort of emotional satiation attached to it, how far would you go to get it, and what could possibly stand in your way of eating it?

I ask this because of a situation I was in a while ago. See this entry of this blog.

The truth is that while we made some of those porcinis into a beautiful tart, we made pappardelle with chantrelles in a butter and white wine sauce. They were amazingly good. I had never eaten mushrooms that good before. Midway through the meal, however, we began noticing strange pale green shapes. We soon figured out they were a sort of mushroom worm or maggot. That gave us pause... literally. Just a pause. We continued to eat, picking out the little guys and placing them on the side of our plates. The clincher was when JE offered me a piece of mushroom he was sure was worm free. From my side of the fork, I could see where the worm had been sliced through and half his body was still stuck inside the mushroom. That was it for me, I was done.

The other day, I was fixing some dried wild mushrooms from Costco--you know that giant container? JE found a bit of chantrelle and examined it. "Is that...? Could that possibly be...?" He headed toward the trash can and chucked the bit of mushroom. "I'm not taking any chances!"

In 74 days and about 12 hours, I will be running/biking/swimming my first triathlon. I am half way there!

We ran this morning. I love running in the morning. Strange. In 74 days my life has changed, with just one morning/shoelace/movement/footstep- at a time.

Tonight, as we dropped Christmas cheer off at Swantje and Larry's house, Larry told me that my face looks thinner, or was it that my skin looks radiant?, or that I look happy? He couldn't place the difference, but he knew I was different. The same thing happened in UT with my sister in law. "No, really. What is the difference?" Training makes me glow.

Day 73: Tea

Just before I left Russia in April 1998, things were just starting to thaw out. Water was dripping from housetops, snow shined with a slick icy sheen. Tatiana Ivanevna and I went for a stroll after dinner one night. We had walked on snow pack over a field and were headed back home. The days were long by then, with the sun horseshoe arching around the pole. The way home led through a small ravine and up a hill. As we approached the ravine, the snow started to turn to slush under us, causing us to sink to our knees in places. 'What is this? Russian quicksand?' I asked Tatiana Ivanevna, struggling to stand. She was tipsy and giggling like tween at my misfortune of having sunk knee deep into the snow. She explained about rivers that form under the snow pack in places making it very dangerous to cross, that some people disappear in such circumstances, or freeze to death because they can't cross the ice. (It was time to give up the felt boots and replace them with rubber boots.) Great... And right on queue, the wild dogs sent up a howl. Tatiana laughed harder, telling me that in the spring the wild dogs can become very aggressive toward people. Even more great... When Tatiana Ivanevna sank in to her hip and struggled for several minutes trying to shimmy onto her butt, she was laughing way too hard. By that time we both were. We continued our journey, finally conceding to crawl on hands and knees through the slushy ice. Tatiana was wearing a knee length skirt, I was wearing jeans. We watched as the wild dog pack shot through the bushes a hundred feet away, not heeding us in the least. The slush subsided as we finally made it to the hill.

We were only about half a mile from home, but my jeans froze in angry sheets at my knees. Tatiana's boots were soaked. We hurried home and had hot tea. She made me soak my feet in a hot foot bath with a half cup of dried mustard in it. My feet have never been so soft.

Tonight we spent the evening with BC. He has a great view of the Manhattan Beach pier and invited us down for the fireworks and festivities. He made dinner for us--a sort of pozole and awesome bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Each time we visit BC, and we settle into his living room, he serves us hot tea. My favorite is Twinings Apple-chamomile. Tonight he gifted several boxes of this hard to find flavor. Genuine friends are gold, and he definitely fits that category. Thanks, BC! You rock.

My plan for this week:
Monday: Get up early and run my route, trying to cut down on my time by adding a couple sprints. Finish with lunges, squats, sit ups and push ups. Ride to work over my hilly ride. Work. ride to JE's work. PM Yogurtland with friends (I am totally addicted to Snowflake mint with Oreos Geesh!)

Tuesday: Ride to work and around back bay. Work. PM ride to JE's work. Swim

Wednesday: Similar to Monday but must finish Christmas shopping

Thursday: See Tuesday. Work potluck

Friday: See Monday. Shop potluck and church Christmas party--last day before the new year--depending on how much I get done this week

Saturday: I know there's something... Can't remember

Day 72: Beta vs. lone wolf

When I met Ben and Phil, the two men who inspired me to go on a cycle tour down the coast, I asked what the most difficult part of the journey had been. Both answered: the hills outside Crescent City in Northern California. My touring book showed that the hills outside Crescent City were beyond 1250 feet in a quick ascent. Yikes. I wasn't looking forward to that.

As I was headed toward the first hill, I was plugged into my iPod shuffle playing some sort of power-tune like Jesus Built my Hot rod (secretly one of my favorite songs on the planet). I stopped just before I began the climb to remove my jacket. A man on a bike, pulling a trailer appeared and we started talking. His name was Cauhtemoc, a seasoned bicycle tourist. Together we climbed that hill, keeping good company and enjoying the vistas and the trees though the Redwood Forrest. He taught me to just enjoy the journey, and just keep pedaling, the top of the hill would come soon. We camped that night in Klamath (where we saw a black bear) and spent the next three days together. We climbed several large hills that good company made easy. The lessons learned about relaxing into my hill climbs, made it easier to climb on the rest of my journey. And even now, climbing isn't intimidating.

This morning, I attempted something new. I joined a cycle pack. Or tried to join a cycle pack. A local bike shop organizes a weekly ride. Today's ride was a leisurely 70 miles down the coast to Dana Point, inland to Santiago Canyon, and back to Newport through the Back Bay. Mistake number 1: I was late getting there, so I met up with the group at a cafe 20 minutes into the ride, where someone was changing a flat. By that time, introductions had been made, alliance formed. I was an outsider already, and my giant custom no name touring bike, among a flock of thousands of dollar roady bikes, confirmed me as "other." As some of the pack pulled away from the cafe, leaving the flat there to finish the job, I pulled out too. Though I was trying to assert myself as one of them by keeping within the group and being friendly, the people who were behind me passed me, closing the pack. I followed for a couple miles, but soon lost the pack as they flew up a few hills on their uber light road bikes. For a couple mile I still thought I would catch them, but came to realize I was on my own. Nothing wrong with that, I make for good company. I followed the route down PCH to Crown Valley (nice big hill) then up to Alicia and onto the Aliso Creek trail. At Cook's Corner, I turned around and flew back down the hill and home to finish off a 48 mile ride.

Around mile 30, as I was slogging up the slope paralleling El Toro, I had this thought: Why am I so slow? Is it my bike? Or is it my lackadaisicalness? Just as my brain was trying to figure out if lackadaisicalness was actually a word, a woman on a bike passed me, going slightly faster than I was going. I looked at her bike. It was an old Specialized with a rock fork and nubby tires (which would naturally slow her down on the pavement). My brain: Nope, it isn't the bike... I don't think I am built for speed.

Last night, I made magic in my oven. I left a pot of beans with a ham bone and some vegetables in over night covered, baking at 275. Amazing, it ended up as a kind of cassoulet, all the flavors melded together. Yum!

Day 71: Bodies

For a few years, my dad has had a lot of pain in his left hip. X-rays proved that the cartilage was badly worn down and even non-existent in some places. He was walking with bone on bone in his hip, very painful. Getting up to a standing position became almost intolerable. Doctors had told him that most people in his circumstances would be in a wheel chair. He used a cane (or two) and occasionally a walker. Wednesday he had hip replacement surgery. He is doing fine, in a lot of pain, but working through it. He is still in the hospital, but is hoping to get out Monday or Tuesday. Dad has an awesome attitude, and that is what will get him through it.

For Christmas, he wants books. I'm hoping that this recuperation process surprises him and allows him back on his feet quick, with more mobility and ability to do somethings he has been missing out on. He wants a bike. I may have to see what I can find on Craigslist...

This is a good example to me of how precious my health is. I only have one body, what I choose for it now, will be magnified in the future. It's just been within the past year that I've come to realize how precious my health is.

Earlier this year, I lost my body for a while due to some weirdo health issues. After a few months, I set off on my cycle tour and reclaimed my health. Remember in Better Off Dead, when Monique tells Lane how to ski the K-12? "All you've got to do is ski that way, really fast, if something gets in your way, turn." This is how my life feels right now. I'm dodging, I'm darting, I have one ski at times, but I am always in motion; skiing that way really fast, and turning when things get in my way.

We ran in a fog this morning, while off the horizon showed a brilliant pink underbelly of cloud. I love these winter mornings in California. When we were in Utah, I picked up a pair of Nike shoes with the pod that measures my work out. I've been wearing them the last couple runs, but somehow accidentally pause it after only a mile or so, when I pull it out to see how we are doing. Lame, I'll figure it out. I figured out a goal: right now we are running about 10-11 minute miles. Since I am stuck in the land of 3 miles until into February with work, I am going to see about reducing my time to do those 3 miles. Also, Jan 8 Kaiser in Irvine is hosting a 5K. I think we are entering it... Fun! Or at least, interesting...

Tomorrow, Cycling and swimming. Looking forward to my swim.

Okay, I recognize how lame and anticlimactic yesterday's post was. Sorry. I had a bit of a rough day yesterday. Basically, I was just off my game, woke up on the wrong side of the bed, in a stew, etc... I really need to figure out how to get to bed earlier ( I still don't understand how has time to just chill and relax--watch TV or movies, read...) This week has been a flurry, and any unexpected twist were almost too much to deal with. But I dealt, and enjoyed it.

Day 70: Miss Communication

Ever have one of those days when you just can't pull things together for yourself? Yes, it was that kind of day. A Juliet day, full of missed communication.

Time line of today's events:
5:30 woke up and began sewing
7:30: went in to wake JE and got sucked back into bed
8:20 left the house for work--late
9:30 JE text alerting me of an email he received 2 days ago telling him the dress for tonight was casual. Totally bummed me out, all that work wasted
2:00 Cycled to JE's work to pick up the car. Decidedly cannot ever be a hipster--riding in jeans is really uncomfortable
3:30 arrived home to discover no electricity. Found 2 outage alerts on the table previously unread--read them by flashlight
4:00 Sucked into bed with cat as a heating source
5:30 awoken to someone creeping around in the house--It was JE
5:35 got dressed in the dark-multiple times. Hated my every stitch of my wardrobe.
6:05 Power back on, plugged in curling iron
6:30 Left home, dressed to kill--figuratively...
7:00 JE's work party. Super fun to see his awesome coworkers. It was nice to have the thank you's from so many for the baked goods I send their way.
Now, bed. Need some good sleep--running tomorrow--looking forward to it

Day 69: Patterns

Why is it that when I have the most stuff to do, I can get so much stuff done? Slow it down and give me far less to do and I'll take forever to start the project.
At 5:30, I was wide awake and hankering for my run. It was cold out, but I was sweating by the end of it. 3 miles.

At 7, I was showered and getting ready for my day. JE dropped me off at work by 8:15. I worked my butt off. The designer wants three dresses, the same actress, the same floral print fabric, the same pattern--different stages of wear. My job is to cut out all three dresses to match. Same flowers in the same spots on all three dresses. A few times, I couldn't see the pattern anymore. When that happens, it's time to break away from it and come back later with fresh eyes.

After work, I rode to JE's work. It was really beautiful out. The trails follows a water way, where ducks and herons were flying in for the night. I love that place between dusk and twilight.

We went shoe shopping for a bit, at the Rack. When we got home, I went to work on my party dress. It took forever to figure out the raglan sleeves which was the only way I would have enough fabric to have a sleeve at all. A coworker talked me out of my wedding dress dye bath once he saw my amazing shimmery knit. The slip from my wedding dress is the lining. It's going to be beautiful. Fast and dirty, but really beautiful. Shoes are always the problem.

Day 68; Lace

Hi Croatia, What's for breakfast?

My brain turned on at 4:37 and wouldn't let me get back to sleep. The only thing to do was clean up the storage stuff from setting up the Christmas tree last Sunday. Clutter screams at me much louder than sewing. Eventually, I did crawl back into bed and slept through a couple alarms. The clock radio is set to classical music, which on most days is fine. The dress crisis has been averted. Someday, when my life isn't already consumed with sewing for a living, I will make a riotous dress for myself. Right now, there is enough on my plate. My wedding dress is getting a dye bath tomorrow...

While I was preparing for my wedding in 1999, a friend was heading to the LA fabric mart and asked if I wanted her to pick up some swatches. Absolutely!!! I was living in tiny Provo, Utah and was excited about the prospect of something different. She came back with a swatch of the world's most perfect lace and told me it was $7-8 per yard--really inexpensive for what it was. As she was leaving to go back to LA to pick up several things, including my lace, she asked if I had a price limit on the lace and how much I would need of it. Thinking the lace was so inexpensive, I told her no, I had no price limit and gave her specifications for how much I would need. She returned with 10 yards and gave me the receipt for $50 per yard. I heart was in my stomach, I was so sick about it.

My Gram had told me that she would pay for my dress fabric, as my wedding gift. I made a watercolor illustration of my design, stapled the swatch of the lace and the silk under dress to it, and told her about the misunderstanding. I also told her that I could sell the fabric in Utah for more than I paid for it. In reply, she sent me a check to cover the amount and her best wishes.

On my commute home, this evening, I felt strong and elated. I rode faster and further than I had set out. Long, lacy shadows covered the trail as the streets lights shown through the trees. Dusk was almost gone soon after I started and it was really dark when I got to our meet up point. JE pulled up with the car moments after I did. We headed home for pumpkin soup and cheesy toast.

I didn't swim today. I doubt I will this week. Right now I can't swim if I want to stay afloat.

Day 67: Onions

In 2000, JE and I moved to Michigan for the summer. We had our cat with us and she proved to be a fantastic traveler (she has gone across the country with us a few times, and goes for short trips around town, as well, including Pet Smart to pick up her food). One day I was sauteing onions. The kitchen small enough to have been considered a coat closet and it had poor ventilation. There wasn't a dry eye in the house--including the cat, who came to me protesting that I should really open a window.

This evening, again, I was sauteing onions with the Didi-Cat crying and blinking at me to do the sensible thing. On occasion I make a huge pot of something and divvy it up into individual servings. The fastest thing I know how to make is Chile. Here is the recipe:

Iris's really fast chili
Start with corn bread:
Whisk together:
Preheat oven to 425. Heat ovenproof skillet inside.
2 cups flour (50/50 white and whole wheat)
1/2 cup corn meal
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbl baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup grated cheese or a can of corn

Mix together in a separate bowl:
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup milk
2 eggs

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup butter to hot skillet and rotate around until melted. Pour batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean--cheesy, but clean...

In the meantime:
Saute 1 large onion in 1 Tbl olive oil until tender.
Add 2-5 cloves garlic
Add 2 chopped chicken breasts or a can of roast beef (I know, but this is a pantry recipe!) Stir until mostly cooked
Add 2-3 canned chipotles in adobo sauce (I freeze them in ice cube trays because I never use a whole can. Once frozen toss into a resalable plastic bag)
2-3 Tbl chili powder. Stir for a few seconds
Add a 15 oz can of minced tomatoes and let simmer for about 5 minutes
Throw in 3 15 oz cans of your favorite beans: black, pinto, or kidney
and a can of corn
simmer until hot and serve topped with fresh cubed avocado and tomatoes

My life seems really full right now, with work, the holidays, parties, friends, etc.
Like an onion, there are many layers of my life. There is really no way to get everything done that I feel like I need to do before some deadlines come sneaking around the corner. What are the layers in the core, that my life is based on? What are the exterior layers that can be sloughed off so easily as onion skin but that are important to keep things from drying out? There are things I want in my life, now and in the future. Health and well being is vitally important. What am I doing right now to forge that into my being? what can I do better? I guess it all boils down to priorities. Where in my life's onion do my wants and desires fit? How deep does it go? What am I willing to sacrifice for it? Can I remember in the moment that which is ultimately of more value than that which is before me?

Where does my training fit into it all? See Day One of this blog... See the beginning of the vision. Recommit

And so I run. 3 miles. Stuck in the land of 3 miles because getting to work on time is tough enough. I didn't have time to do other exercise, and in honesty, drove to work and paid the $8 to park.

Day 66: Travels and homes

We spent the afternoon with Gram today. She is back to her perky cute self, at least conversationally and mentally. Physically she is more stooped than I've ever seen her. But mentally, she is amazing. She and I chit chatted while JE drove to Boudin to pick up our order. Gram and I both love their butternut squash soup. I learned that Gram was born in Worcestershire, Mass by the same doctor who delivered my father--there was a war on, and all the young doctors were helping with that (who knew?). How many generations where born there? Quite a few.

All her life, my gram wanted to live in Southern California. Just as my father was graduating high school, Gramp was relocated here, so they packed up the family and headed west. Upon arrival, Gram bleached out her hair, only to return to her natural color for a quick trip to Massachusetts. Blondes definitely have more fun. The home that they bought when they first arrived in California is located on one of my bike routes. I pass by it all the time.

I didn't meet my Grands officially until I was 15 years old. Lisa (my older sister) and I flew into John Wayne airport and then took a shuttle to Escondido, where my grandparents owned a small avocado orchard. Gramp squeezed orange juice for us each morning. We watched slide shows of their travels to Africa, which admittedly, at 15 bored me to sleep (all I wanted to do was go to the beach--typical for 15). How interesting and fun to see those now! Instead, I hear the stories of Gram's international travels and the places she wishes she had gone. And I get to tell her about my adventures.

JE and I got home this evening and set up our Christmas tree. Each ornament on our tree has a clear and distinct memory of a place in the world we brought it home from, an experience we had together, or a person who gave it to us. Some of those people are no longer living, so those ornaments are especially precious.

Good news: My dad gets his hip replacement this Wednesday! He has been trying for years to loose weight and keep the infection out of his foot (exaserbated by diabetes). His hips are terrible--bone on bone in his joints. He finally will have some relief from that.

Bad news: no running for me today, though I did walk and got a wee bit of Yoga in. SO here is my plan for the week:

Monday: Get up and RUN! 5:55 am for about 30 minutes. Stretch and do some lunges, sit ups and squats. Ride to work--as long as it isn't terrible out. Deliver some Christmas cheer AKA baked goods. Start a dress for JE's fancy work party--all my formal-ish stuff hangs on me at the moment and making is easier for me than shopping--go figure-same amount of work, different energy-one creative, one destructive-I hate shopping.

Tuesday: Get up and work on dress in the morning. Ride to work-fast-training. Get home and go for a swim. Work on dress.

Wednesday: Same as Monday, except swear a lot while making cookies for a church function on Thursday that I can't even go to, but get them done anyway and wonder why I didn't just pass them off to some one else. Work on dress.

Thursday: Hopefully dress will be magically done (can I hire those darn shoemaker's elves?) and the cookies delivered, so I can ride to work in the morning. Leave work early to get ready for fancy party (when did I get my eyebrows done? and my pantyhose shopped?) After party tradition: head down to Laguna beach and walk on the sand in our formal wear. If it is still early enough, getting home (doubt it) go for a swim... And Blog about it!

Friday: Same as Monday, except now I need to get serious about all those people in my life I need to shop/make something for...

Saturday: Go for a nice looonnggg ride! I deserve it, Boy Howdy!

Looks like another week of eating out. I'll have to see what I can do.

Day 65: Bad Math

The problem with staying up late and waking up early showed in my communication and math skills today at my craft fair. While the set up and take down and was all physical and easy, talking to people about my products or making change was a bit of a joke. I/We did fairly well, however. Though our hourly wage would have been laughable, we earned back quite a bit more than the ingredients and have just enough left over to give to friends and family for Christmas. In essence, it paid for our gift giving.

The house is destroyed except the kitchen, which cleanliness has been maintained throughout the whole process of baking (otherwise I would have just gone stark raving and completed nothing). Tomorrow will be a great get things together day, church, gram, set up the tree.

When I give myself a project, or feel ownership of a project, I can focus on that project until it is complete. After completion, I stumble into bed and try to remember what my routine was prior to the project. Right now, my routine is training. Though tomorrow is my usual rest day, I feel the need to allow myself today-Saturday- to be my rest day. Tomorrow, after a rest, I will run. Right now I am crawling into bed

Day 64: Baking

As of this moment, I have been baking and getting ready for tomorrow's craft show for 13 hours with an hour break for dinner. There are now 24 Christmas cakes covered with marzipan and fondant, 3 dozen gingerbread cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting, 5 dozen peanut butter balls dipped in milk chocolate, 2 dozen baggies (three to a bag)of chocolate cherry chews dipped in ganache, 2 dozen baggies (three to a bag) of Apricot, Pecan, Coconut chews splattered with white chocolate ala Jackson Pollack, 2 dozen almond macaroons resting on a bed of milk chocolate and 2 dozen apples polished to a shine my my sweet JE.

I am hallucinating from the sides of my vision. Time for sleep!

My commute was my work out-about 15 miles total. I will be better after this craft fair, I promise! Don't like the way I feel when I'm not doing what I know I need to do.

Day 63: Bugs

How do you tell if a cyclist is happy?
You can count the bugs in her teeth!

The first day out on my bicycle tour, I was zooming down a hill, when I met a large bug on its way up the hill. He smashed with a thud between my left eye and the bridge of my nose. It was a good lesson that I should always wear my cycling goggles.

Today, though, my goggles were in the car, and I wasn't. At work, I am ahead of the game (awesome!!!) and was able to leave early. The Newport Back-Bay was calling, so that is where I went. I hate to admit it, but I haven't been exerting as much energy into my cycling as I should. That means, today's ride was kind of hard and it was only about 25 miles. Along with the whole 5 or less hours of sleep each night this week, that equates trouble. Also, not having established goals at the beginning of the week is clearly not working for me. I'm in treading water mode at the moment with Saturday's event coming so quick. Tomorrow--running in the morning, baking and packaging all arvo and evening.

On my way home from the Bay, I was riding along, minding my own business, when my leg, just below my knee started hurting. I looked down and saw a bee--stinging me! I think I screamed and came abruptly to a stop and swiped at that bee. Now mind you, I was wearing my winter tights. Now mind you, I was going about 16 mph. Now mind you, It's December! What the heck! I have a little red spot and a bit of swelling, but that's it. I think I scared the pedestrians I passed while I was screaming. As I stopped to investigate my leg, a woman caught up to me and asked if I was OK. She cleaned my wound and bandaged me. So sweet.

Gram called today. "you know what Sunday is, don't you? It's the day you and John help me with my Christmas decorating." She will be taking us to lunch and then we come home to decorate our tree as well.
I have 2 sheets of Christmas cake baked, and iced with marzipan. The fondant gets rolled and put on tomorrow. I think I might make some buckeyes for the craft fair too. Sounds good.

Day 62: oranges

A friend was telling me of her experience in Japan on one of the
smaller islands that had rarely seen a foreigner. She was riding her
bike one day, when an old farmer man grabbed ahold of her long blonde
hair, dismounting her from her bike. He apologized profusely,
explaining that he had been telling his wife about a girl with blonde
hair living on the island, but his wife wouldn't believe him. He was
trying to get a bit of hair as proof. My friend gave him some of her
hair. The following day, the old man and his wife brought a huge box
of oranges to my friend and her host family.

So many American fruitcakes are based on citron-a candied citrus peel
that looses it's true flavors during the process. I make my own and
use it sparingly, soaking it in brandy. This years cakes are cherry,
apricot, and golden raisin. I top the whole thing with a layer of
handmade marzipan and top that with flavored handmade fondant.
Should I add my candied orange peel? Opinions please!

We woke up early and moved the furniture to accomodate our yoga mats
and practiced yoga for an hour. Kbyu.tv has a great show called Total
Body Workout. Even that felt hurried. So busy right now with the
craft fair this weekend!