This whole bike-as-transportation thing? Very educational and interesting for me. I rode up to get us some To Go food (Laughing Planet) this afternoon. (My new lock has already more than paid for itself. I’ve used it so many times now, it’s getting to be almost automatic.) Sadly, the cargo situation is not better though. Last night I dug around in some closets and found one backpack and a shoulder tote. (Both are probably close to two decades old. Not even kidding.)
Here’s what I went with. The weather is still pretty humid and warm, so I thought that NOT having something resting against my sweaty back with double straps over my shoulders was my best option. (As in, lesser of two evils, sort of choice.)
Clearly not a messenger bag.
I was already down the road maybe half a mile when I realized it was hanging too low behind me, nearly resting on the fender. When I tried to adjust it (with a rubber band I’d used for something else that was still on my handle bars) I was attacked by a rare but serious condition: purchasing-power envy. (WANT!) The mid-ride fix only lasted about another three blocks.
(Where that elastic went when it gave way and shot off, I have no clue.)
For my journey back to The Burrow I tied a knot in the strap (as you can maybe see in that picture), with moderate success (it was actually kind of painful on my collar bone, but round-trip is right around my regular five miles, so the discomfort wasn’t that long-lasting). I’ll keep working on my carrying arrangement. (And there will be another visit to my favorite local shop soon too, my water bottle system is fatally flawed.)
Below is a view of what I found when I got home. (It’s not as bad as it looks.)
Flamingos down!
It was weedwhacker day. So Dan moved them all to safety. Later I’ll need to go out there and re-position everyone.
Yard work.
One of the things I’m noticing, being out there on that bike so much right now, is how little you get to observe shit. When I walk I’m looking around and taking in the scenery (neighbor’s landscaping, decor, and property, mostly). Riding, it’s fast. No time for gazing about. A major plus though, this town has some amazingly great bike lanes and paths! Some are like little bicycle freeways even. Super fun.
No time for picture-taking either though. I had to make mental notes (and you all know how bad I am at THAT). Here’s what I remember, from yesterday and today:
~ old woman with bright purple hair
~ a dragonfly couple escorting me along near the canal
~ LOTS of families on bikes
~ Illinois plate and one I couldn’t identify
~ many folks walking the bike paths with earbuds in
~ delightful hippy woman crouching in the tall grass photographing a nutria near the stream bank
~ nice walking group who all said “hi” to me
~ two young girls taking a break on a bench, conversing about whether they were far enough from home to not wear their helmets any longer
~ the new artistic entrance (sculpture?) over the top of our small dog park, really cool. (Click on that link, it has a much better view of this than I could take with my camera. Also, the whole story is there. Watch out though, it has a sad part, then it gets better.)
On our card altar today the message is one that really speaks to me. Even if the artwork isn’t my favorite.
“Set Your Sights Higher ~
Increase your standards, and expect more from yourself. Don’t settle!
This card indicates that you have been trying to rationalize that some situation is okay . . . when it isn’t. You’ve settled for less than you desire, and for much less than you deserve. You don’t need to compromise! Heaven will help you heal, or will replace troubling situations in your life. All you need to do is ask for Heaven’s help, and then adhere to the guidance that results.
Take time today to visualize and dream about your true heart’s desires. Do not worry about being disappointed – you deserve a great life, and you have the power and the Heavenly help to accomplish it. Fear and worries slow down your manifestation, so keep releasing all cares and doubts to Heaven.
You may feel intimidated by moving up to a higher plateau in your journey; however, you have Heaven’s reassurance that you’re ready. Reach for the stars, know that you are qualified and deserving of these gifts, and open your arms to receive!”
Setting aside all the mentions of Heavenly assistance, I like this one. A. Lot. (Replace those with The Universe, The Force, Life, or any other word that suits your feelings and beliefs better, then re-read. That’s what I do.)
One of the great things about flipping a card every day is that we never know exactly where it will take us. Reminders, or lessons, or encouragements, or helpful messages and omens. Each one is worthwhile, and I look forward to it so much.
Are you for some canine excitement? Today’s Daily Dog is a first for me and Max. I caught him in the act of playing. With another winter holiday themed toy. (Behind him you can see Purple Bone, it squeaks as well.)
“I love this stocking!
Just listen to the noise it makes.”
Today’s Deck:
Magical Mermaids and Dolphins Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue
I know exactly what that card is talking about, unfortunately.
I admire your biking skillz though I must admit I miss your pictures.
The flamingo pic is funny now that I know they’re not laid out due to tragedy.
And Max is a treat, as usual.
~
I truly am surprised at how easy it is for me to get around town (at least MY part of town) on the bike. Who knew?!
J
9:23 p.m.
7-23-12
OMG, it looks like a flamingo massacre! Glad to hear they were purposefully placed and all safe! LOL!
The small dog park story is sad… it’s good that she turned the tragedy into a safer place for all the little dogs to play.
You don’t like this drawing? I think it’s lovely! (Though a flying mermaid was a mind-stretcher for me, LOL!) And the message is great! I’m glad you like pulling a daily card, ’cause I, for one, certainly don’t want you to stop!!!
Maximum playfulness! Super-cute-ness!
~
That was why I warned you, it starts off bad. But,
it gets better! I think of things like this (John Walsh is always my favorite go-to example) as uplifting lessons. Yes, we have a loss, but we (the person/dog/whoever and us) have agreed on it all before hand, so that everyone can learn. It’s one of the reasons why I believe that everything happens for its intended purpose and reason.
I just KNOW that we are fine in the end.
J
9:27 p.m.
7-23-12
I do enjoy the daily draw, even if I don’t always remember to comment on it by the time I’ve made all my other comments. I have had some recent thoughts etc. that haven’t been the most positive (lots of negative and critical self-talk) and had a moment the other day that said “you know, your life is as perfect as you make it”, which I thought was really profound for me. And I have decided to make it so. I think 5 days of mototherapy helped a lot.
I would suggest splurging on a rack and some panniers for your bike. That would go a long way towards solving your transportation needs. Another possibility is a rear rack with a rubbermaid tote afixed to it. A milk crate would also work, but the rubbermaid gives the opportunity to have small items not fall through AND the ability to lock it. I know this is popular in the motorcycling world, and see no reason why you couldn’t use it on a bike.
Max is pretty cute. We had a yard day yesterday as well. Damn weeds. Concert went well, and there was ice cream at Prince Puckler’s after.
~
Oh don’t rub it in! I missed ice cream.
GOOD ice cream!
J
9:31 p.m.
7-23-12
(That was pretty profound, and not just of you, but in general.)
I’m hoping this means that if I just get my butt in gear and become a member of this national association I’ll find work. Or maybe it means I’ll actually make money writing fiction and I should put my efforts into my revisions (which I have barely started). Ack. So much to decide.
The picture looks a little like the mermaid is doing that so-called gymnastics routine with the long streamers (how that became an Olympic event beats me).
~
No, not really decisions at all. Go with all of it. Simply follow up. That’s more of what its saying, keep reaching and don’t let go of your dream. Just, ya know, don’t try to figure out HOW it’s going to happen. THAT part isn’t up to us.
(And let that fear drop away,
you really don’t need it!)
J
9:36 p.m.
7-23-12
When I saw the flamingoes I thought, “Oh no,” and immediately imagined someone had trashed them.
Our daily dog sure does look intrigued.
~
With a cop car parked in front of the house? And Max on duty? Lol, not likely.
J
9:39 p.m.
7-23-12
What about something like this: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bike+accessories&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvnsr&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1272&bih=615&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8944251120364414749&sa=X&ei=beENUOCJFc610QGFyoDgBQ&ved=0CH8Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers
Okay, that’s a really long URL. But then you could strap on a tupperwear like Xenatuba suggests or just strap down a bag of yours so you don’t have to ride with it on you making you all hot.
It looks like the massacre of the flamingos on your deck!
~
YOU! That was the exact item Dan pointed out at the bike shop today! We wondered if it would work though, with the fender situation and all…..
J
9:41 p.m.
7-23-12
(I got the link to open in a separate window,
scroll down.)
And the url doesn’t want to work. Let’s see if this does: Topeak Explorer Rear Rack: Black; FITS MTX Trunk Bags
~
See below.
(It didn’t want to work for me originally either.
Blame Mercury!)
J
9:42 p.m.
7-23-12
Well, hell. Maybe copy and paste?
~
Here
(it was fine in the e-mail notification).
J
7:20 p.m.
7-23-12
Thank you for saving my link! If the rack is there over the back wheel I would think maybe it would replace the fender. I’d ask the bike store people what they think because, seriously, it would not only be safer but also be MUCH more comfortable to have that than a bag that hitting the fender and slipping of your shoulder.
~
My only problem with “replacing” the fender is that then I’d feel as though it was wasted, being shoved aside for something newer and shinier.
But this might actually fit right over the top……
J
11:48 p.m.
7-24-12