Cycle Therapy

I've ridden a bike all my life but unusual circumstances this summer have provided new insights. Bob's knee surgery has kept him from resuming his regular rides because of challenges getting on and off the bike. Instead, we've been riding around the neighborhood, never more than a mile or so from home on familiar streets.

Unexpected bonus: these little junkets have given me the opportunity to improve my own basic skills, always deficient but ignored until this summer. I didn't even notice the change until last week, when I realized that I could complete a circle or U-turn without putting my foot down. I can also start off on one push and stand up on the bike, easily stop and start without wobbling, get on and off without worrying too much about catching my foot -- very simple but important skills that weren't really up to par.

I've always been afraid of car traffic but find that my ability to see and hear cars has improved now that I'm more comfortable on the bike. And my own left knee, ten months out from total knee replacement surgery, seems to be better every day. Looking forward to being  more confident when Bob gets back to "real" riding soon.

Not a Merry Maid

Yesterday morning I decided to vacuum in the corners and under the beds, a mix of carpet (mostly) and wood flooring. I usually do only a quick job with the upright vacuum cleaner, neglecting the stairs and the upstairs because the machine is too heavy to carry up the stairs.

The Eureka vacuum with the hose and various accessories sits in Bob's closet, for the most part unused. I thought I'd have trouble putting together the pieces but, in fact, everything went together quite easily. I got a little cocky backing down the stairs and misjudged the bottom step for the landing, losing my balance and beginning a fall backward, perilously close to the window on the landing. Fortunately, I caught myself and disentangled my feet from the hose and cord and power cord. The cord came out of the outlet and I decided to plug the machine downstairs.

Bob noticed the commotion and showed me how to use the tools, one a small "sucker" that works well on stairs. Bob fired up his favorite supervisory role and I slugged through the vacuuming. Not signing up for any outside jobs.

If Football, then Fall

CDH Football Practice August 16, 2013

Nothing signals the approach of fall like the beginning of the football season. Late Friday morning, Bob was working with a customer at Cretin Derham Hall so I walked over to the CDH field to watch a practice. Most of the boys looked young and slight, so I guessed that I was looking at one of the junior teams, probably not the champion Raiders -- always contenders in their conference.

Voices raised for projection purposes; no yelling or abusive comments. So much mutual respect among coaches and players. I'm a fairly recent convert to football but it was easy for me to follow the offensive and defensive drills and mini trip through the playbook.

I left the practice at about noon, around lunch break. I felt uplifted, joyful and full of hope for the future. Good luck in 2013, CDH Raiders.