Dear So and So

[lph]

Dear big national newspaper,

seriously?? You have a 4 page article about doping in professional road biking, and link in to it on the front page with a photo of a mountain bike and a guy wearing rugged shoes, thick wool socks, and generic, obviously non-pro clothing?

Hey, a cyclist's a cyclist, right? I can't wait for the next doping scandal in competitive running, to see the hiker in rugged boots you then put on the front page.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have not been on TE in about 6 months, stopped by to say hi.
Nice to see everyone.
I was so, so saddened to hear of Mimi's terrible loss.

I have ridden my bikes a few times this year, but not as much as I used to. I did give them both a thorough cleaning last month however, I still maintain them in good working order.
At 58 now, I've incorporated some other exercises into my life to get back into shape and hopefully lose a few pounds too- I am doing fitness walks again, also a couple of 3 hour contra dances per month, and started yoga 3x/week a couple months ago as well. This works well for me, and the yoga and walking in particular are already making some much needed changes in how I feel and how my body is working. I am grateful to have my general good health.

Enough work comes in to get along ok. Playing lots of music still. Had a great year in the veggie garden, with TONS of tomatoes. My 4 hives of honeybees are doing well- I harvested 42 pounds of honey this past week, will have plenty for ourselves next year and some gifts too.

Was taken by surprise by the new look of the TE forums... =8-o but my password still worked.
Warm wishes to everyone.

[OakLeaf]

Lisa! Good to see you. Glad life is good.

[Crankin]

So nice to see you here, Lisa.
I didn't ride as much this year, either. A lot, but considerably less than the past 2 years. Funny thing is, I am fitter from the other stuff I do now (boot camp, a little running), but I still "miss" my bike terribly when I want to be riding, but I don't have time.
Hope the storm stays away from you!

[Catrin]

Lisa, it is great to see you! I've missed you here.

I've noticed the same thing that you and Crankin have. I am fitter, feel better, and am far more flexible from all of the things I started doing this year (high intensity training/crossfit) than when I was riding a gazillion miles a week. I don't have time to ride more than twice a week, and I do miss it. However my body feels so much better that I can't/wont argue with it. Riding has become more recreational/fun and I do enjoy that change. My body feels far more balanced these days. Thinking about adding geocaching to get me out there in the winter weather.

Hopefully the storm will miss you!

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear life,

The last month has been HARD. And it's still hard. I'm glad you gave me a swift boot to the behind to get myself together, to seek out new friends and I am glad to have found kindred spirits in people I'd otherwise never have connected with if you had not put this in my life. But, I am still sad. I am sad because there is no longer anyone whom I have been friends with long enough to have my back unconditionally. I am sad because I don't know how to stem the immense loneliness and isolation I still feel at 3 in the morning every morning. I know this is where you are giving me a chance, an opening, to finally become the person I've always wanted to become. But I wish it didn't involve so much sadness, loneliness or isolation. Or the many times I wonder whether whatever is going on now will last forever. I know that one day, it will change, I will not feel like that forever. But in those hours when I wake up far too early and cannot go back to sleep, I can't make myself believe it.

[emily_in_nc]

alexis: Sorry that you are hurting. Have you seen this book? Sounds like it might be a good read for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Learnin...=IDVG4XIO9EK02

Lisa: So happy to see you here! It's been awhile, and I wondered where you'd gone off to. I remember all your beautiful photographs more than anything...and your cool Sheila Moon skirts! Funny the things that stick with a person. Glad you're doing well! Sounds like your life is well-rounded.

We are in Belize, have been for the past 14+ months, but are looking forward to moving back to the US next year. It's been fun, but we've had enough of living in an island "paradise". Most of all, we miss road cycling. Here it's all beach cruisers as there are very few paved roads, and the ones that are paved are bumpy, cobblestones, etc. We took a great trip to the US in August and got to do some excellent cycling. Anyway, hope you'll maybe hang around here a bit more often. We talk about a lot besides cycling, as you know! I am doing yoga down here as well -- love it!