Today's Bike Ride...nothing went as planned!

My neighbor, Krystal, and I were supposed to ride today. Last minute she had to go to a funeral. The original departure time was 9 a.m. but since I was riding alone I left as soon as I was ready...about 8:40.

We were supposed to ride the new section of the Airline Trail in Willimantic. Since I was now riding alone, I decided to ride, instead, part of the Hop River Trail from Andover to wherever it went now. The bridge over Route 316 was installed a few years ago and the surface was improved. I wanted to see how far it went (or ride 5 miles out) whichever came first.

I parked at the trail on Burnap Brook Rd. in Andover. This proved to be a good decision.

From here it's about a mile to the Route 316 bridge. I had not ridden beyond the bridge before...because the surface was narrow and lots of stones. I recently heard it had been improved so I had to see for myself.

The new surface is hard packed dirt with stone dust. Good riding until I notice it was getting bumpy. There is only one explanation for that...horses. The hooves make small indents and it feels like I'm riding a jackhammer. Not fun. However, I keep going.

Most of the gates have soft sand, a couple inches deep, in the area of the narrow access opening, which can be disastrous if you don't see it in time. If you are riding a mountain bike it probably is not a concern. I ride a hybrid.

At about the six-mile mark don't I meet the horse and its rider. Nice guy for the most part. Has a negative attitude about the East Coast Greenway. And I did mention to him how hard it was for me to ride when his horse chops up the surface. He really didn't care (none of them do). He did tell me that those folks who parked their cars in front of the barriers (because all parking spaces are full) are now being towed. What are these folks thinking? The gates need to be clear in case emergency vehicles need to access the trail. And he also told me I was about 1.5 miles to where the trail surface changes and ends shortly thereafter.

So I continued to the end...a total of approximately 7.5 miles. 

Now I have to go back. The trail is a slight up grade for the return trip. Not bad though. However, it is getting hot and I'm getting tired. Thank goodness for the pediatric electrolyte drink! At the 12.5 mile mark, I had to stop and drink the bottle I had with me. It made me feel better, but the last 2.5 miles was a little scary. I kept talking to myself, telling myself that quitting was not an option. I had to make it back to the car.

I did make it, obviously. I loaded my bike on the rack, locked my stuff in the car and headed down the embankment to Burnap Brook.

I sat on a rock and immersed my feet in the cool water. I splashed water on my face and over my head. Oh, my! Did that feel good! Then, squishy sneakers and all, I trudged back up the hill (I was so tired), stowed my stuff properly, made sure my bike was secure and headed for home.

What Does it Feel Like to be 80 Years Old?

I know many 80-year-olds and it's different for each of us. Most of us are still very active; others aren't. None of us are what I would consider ‘spry." That's a word used way back to describe little old ladies that tottered along and called everyone "dearie." It was also the brand name of a hydrogenated cooking oil going as far back as those little old ladies. Check with me in about 10 years to see if I’m spry yet (little old lady, not hydrogenated oil!).

I can only answer for myself.

Physically

I'm very fortunate to have a relatively strong, healthy body. I do have a few aches and pains and some stiffness of joints now and then, but by and large, my body continues to serve me well. The gym is still essential for strength training. Between my PCP and my Chiropractor, I am able to keep going. I can still take care of myself, keep house and cook for myself. I tend my flower gardens for three seasons and shovel snow in order to clear a space to feed the birds during the winter.

I can still go for walks, although somewhere around 3 miles I start to stagger. I cannot run for the life of me! My preferred method of self-propulsion is my bike. I can still do 15 to 20 miles, but not every day. When Kathy and I rode the Erie Canal bike path in 2008 we were doing 40-50 miles a day and after eight days it sucked the life right out of me. Right now, 15-20 is a good ride.

Mentally

As far as I know my mind is totally intact. Some folks might tell you I'm crazy, but that's because they don't understand (or choose not to understand) what I'm talking about…or they are one of my kids. But that's OK. I don't have a good memory; never had a good memory. Even as a kid, I saw no reason to memorize or remember anything. If I needed information I could always go to the library and look it up. Obviously, this was way before the internet.

Spiritually

I have definitely grown spiritually. I no longer practice the religion of my parents. I went looking for a more direct contact with God and decided I did better without the "middlemen" who were more prone to punitive rules that made no sense to me. I chose a loving God and I continue to learn the Laws of the Universe that seem more reasonable.

Wisdom

According to ancient tradition, at 80 the Crone becomes the Hag, a Woman of Wisdom. You may call me a Hag if you wish. Years ago I was taught that knowledge is only knowledge…until it is shared. Then it becomes Wisdom.

Ok. What do I do with my knowledge when those around me don't want to hear it?

Even though this was taken in 2008, nothing has changed

The Wisdom, in this case, becomes showing by example. Nothing has ever been taught by cramming things down someone else's throat. So I live my Truth in hopes others will catch on to what I have been trying to show them.

Do I have all the answers? Oh, my no. What I know I could put in a small thimble and rattle it! There is so much more for me to learn and I am in the right place, at the right time, surrounded by the right people to help me continue to the next level.

I turn 80 on May 25th.

So! What does it feel like to be 80 years old? It feels F A N T A S T I C!

Aurora is at it Again!

This morning, as I sat in my chair holding a cup of hot coffee, watching the birds out in the backyard, I heard a noise…like something tumbling and falling. Not something big. I sat there for a moment thinking about the noise. I cautiously looked around.

At first, I didn’t see anything, much to my relief! Then, on the floor in front of the bookcases, I saw a small book…measured 3.5” x 4.75”. Small. I picked it up and the title made me chuckle: When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple. My first thought was, “You again?” Then I realized that it was Aurora having an April Fools Day moment with me.

I read the title poem and decided I would NEVER do any of those things. Furthermore, even though I will age, I would never grow old!

Maybe you are wondering who Aurora is. Aurora has been with me for quite some time now, even though I was unaware of her. She is in spirit and from time to time, starting back in the 1970s, let’s me know she’s around. It is only recently that I know about her, her name, where she is, and why I’m aware of her now. It’s only in retrospect that I know she’s been with me a long time. Is she my Guardian Angel? Some other kind of Guardian? Guide? I don’t know. Maybe she just likes to hang out with me.

Let’s start with recent happenings

I moved into my condo in May of 2010. My mom was in a nursing home and she passed in April of 2011. In August of 2011, things began happening. Let me state at the beginning…I was never frightened by these happenings.

Incident #1: A little white, stuffed rabbit would not stay on the top of the bookcase anymore. No matter what I did, it kept falling. Thinking nothing of this, I simply put it on a different self. It is now under the watchful care of Hedwig (Harry Potter’s owl).

Incident #2: Shortly after, three books fell off the top shelf of the same bookcase. I looked for evidence of a mouse that could have crawled behind them causing them to fall. Thankfully, there was nothing. Hmmm.

Incident #3: I came home from a bike ride and realized I still had my riding shoes on. I kicked them off down the stairs. One landed on a stair and the other at the very bottom. I made a mental note as to their placement so I didn’t break my neck going down the stairs later. When I did go down the stairs later, both shoes had been placed upside down, heal-to-toe, along the baseboard. Not by me. Double hmmm.

I consulted some people I know about who was doing this. I suspected my recently passed mother. However, Mary and Tina assured me it was not my mother. Tina eventually told me the name of my “guest” is Aurora.

I then asked Aurora why she waited so long to make her presence known…since I had lived here for over a year. She responded: I didn’t want you to be lonely. How sweet.

There were a couple other instances of Aurora tossing books off the shelves to get my attention…including the incident this morning.

Looking back…

When the kids and I went out on our own in the early 1970s we had instances where our kitchen cabinet doors would open on their own and our dog would watch something we could not see.

One night, when we came home from some event, I found my shoes placed side by side in front of my bureau in my bedroom. However, earlier that evening I had kicked those shoes off in the kitchen and they flew in two different directions.

Hmmmm. Sound familiar? Apparently Aurora does not like it when shoes are not properly put away. This is why I think it was her right from the beginning.

In addition to being tidy, she has a sense of humor. It’s comforting to know she’s around. Can’t wait to see what book she’ll toss off the shelves next!

Researching Historic Homes

I have posted only two things since last fall. That's because I've been busy doing research on three historic houses I lived in from 1974 to 1986.

I was asked to write the stories and memories of when I lived in each of these houses...and I did. Then I realized it was a piece of trash! My stories were full of I think, I was told, and I assume. Since my intention was to give these stories to the East Windsor (CT) Historical Society I had to have facts. 

And so it started.

I needed to know for sure when each house was built, confirm the builder and anything else of historical significance I could dig up. One house was built in 1835; another in 1672; and the third was built in the early to mid-1800s.

My search started at the Town Clerk's office; then across the hall to the Assessor's office. From there I scoured old tax records at the Historical Society as well as old books and the oral histories others had written. My search also led me to the folks at the Windsor (CT) Historical Society. All along the way, everyone who aided me in my search was so gracious and helpful. It didn't matter that I had never done anything like this before; everyone just wanted to help.

This project kept me occupied from October 2015 to February 2016. It's finished and the East Windsor Historical Society has their copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge.

Now that the weather is getting better, and getting better earlier than usual, I'm itching to get out into my gardens and back out on the bike paths. 

I expect you'll be reading my musings on a more regular basis. Until next time...

Willimantic (CT) Multi-Use Trails

Back in November 2015, Peter Marteka (Hartford Courant columnist) wrote, “By next spring, two popular multiuse trails ... the Hop River and Air Line trails—will link together along a series of asphalt paths snaking along the Willimantic River.”

The greater part of both trails is compact stone dust, which makes for a fairly good bike ride and is good for equestrian travel (although I wish the horses would have their own path). This new section is paved.

I went out to Willimantic today (Thursday, March 10, 2016) to see what these trails look like. I wish I had my bike with me! It was a humid mid-70s and perfect for a ride. All I was able to observe was the beginning and end of the Hop River section.

In May, I will start at Mackey’s on Columbia Ave. and ride toward the terminus at Bridge St. Now that’s not going to be a very long ride, but along the way the trail splits (I’m told) where it joins the Air Line Trail. Who knows how far I’ll go? Truth be told…not far. It won’t be more than a 20-mile round trip.

The ride will be significant, however. I will be celebrating my 80th birthday.

Here are the photos I took today:

Nice parking area next to this business, 249 Columbia Ave., Willimantic.
Best place to start your ride.

This is the beginning of the new section.

A view of the Willimantic River. The trail parallels the river. 

Another view of the river.

How's this for a bike path? The new wood smells so good.

I hope it holds!

Good to know!

This is the Bridge Street end which, basically, is the end...of the new section at least.

S N O W

What may back yard looks like

Connecticut (at least north central) is finally getting snow. Earlier, the rate was estimated at 2” an hour. So far, I have about 5” at my house and increasing.

As I sit here, looking out my sliding glass doors into the back yard, I have to admit I think it’s beautiful.

The birds are in a frenzy looking for seeds. I had to go out and clean the wet, heavy snow off the feeders so they can get something to eat.

It should be over in an hour or two. Then I’ll go out and shovel a large area on the lawn so the birds can have their feeding ground back. Next will be cleaning off the car and moving it so the plow trucks can do their job.

But, all in all, I’m pretty excited to finally see a decent snowfall.

Fall Beauty and Gardening Chores

Never did I think I would be out in my back garden on October 29^th in a tank top, working the soil, and sweating like crazy. It is crazy!

I cut the sedum back as well as the pink phlox. The sedum has already started on next year’s growth. That plant, by the way will be divided into 4 and three given away!

The bleeding hearts have stopped blossoming but the plants seem to be unaffected by any frost we’ve had…and we’ve had a few. I’ll just leave them.

I worked the soil with my garden weasel and was able to pull up some of the biggest clumps of grass that started growing. I think I’ll put down some weed and feed now and maybe it will discourage grass and weed growth in the spring, as well as give them a feeding boost.

The shepherd’s crooks are up and ready for filled seed feeders. I bought the seed today and I’m waiting for it to turn cold. As long as the weather stays mild the birds will be ok. I checked the low temps for the next ten days and they will be from the high 30s to the upper 40s. If this keeps up I’ll save money on birdseed (as well as natural gas heating). For 6 months last year (Nov. through April) feeding the birds cost an average of $80 a month. I don’t mind. Watching the birds all winter gives me so much pleasure.

This picture has nothing to do with gardening. It's all about beauty. This is what I look at out my back door. And, as I write this, a weather front is blasting through from the SW with 25 mph winds. I don't think the leaves will last much longer.

Bleeding Heart. They still look great!

This is the sedum. Two years ago it was a little bitty thing. Look at it now!