Glimpse January 15 2014

A glimpse into today:

At home: Michael is staying home with Dashiell, who had a fever last night and was talking in a delirious fashion around midnight: "I'm not going to play with money. No, because I might get hurt." So, having some sort of strange dream!

At work: A lovely mild winter day. Maybe an afternoon bike ride at lunch time with a thermos of tea and a bit of chocolate.

Wishing for: My new 50mm lens to arrive! I want to start playing with that the light today would be wonderful to try it out... Patience... And SNOW so we can cross country ski, already!

Reading: The Two Towers, The Name of This Book is Secret, The Explosive Child, Your Money or Your Life.

Listening to: The Bryan Ferry Orchestra's Cocktail Party Music cd, James Blake cd, KEXP at work, (But I dreamed about a Playskool record player last night that I almost acquired!)

Making: Delicious chili (the secret's in the adobo sauce and sprinkling of roasted corn), strawberry and oat scones, hot chocolate sweetened with a few pitted dates (so creamy and thick).

So thankful for

1. The chirriping kingfisher! Ah, my bird and the only one left this season.
2. The first layers of ice growing where the water lies along the pond's edges.
3. Taking the most difficult time with family, the 7 year-old anger and intense (but sometimes misunderstood) sadness/strong emotions, the (seemingly) impossible scenario and just deal with it head on: slowly and patiently!
4. My hot thermos of steamy hot tea while my seat remains ice cold. Somewhere in the middle is plenty of warmth.
5. Remembering that we create our reality. By ignoring the negative media around us, raising our voice when we can offer up clarity, and focusing on the amazing all around us!

So thankful for

1.  A bike ride (on my new bike, Snow) and brunch with only one lad. Drawing together, the time flew by.
2. The smell of roasting cherry tomatoes in the house.
3. Laundry is finally done.
4. A lovely husband bringing me my coffee just as I woke up.
5. Getting to read my book again last night, even if it was only two pages. Vegan Before 6 by Mark Bittmann.

A very smooth transition to the weekend and I can't help but think ahead to the time when I'm not working my fulltime job anymore. When time is mine to decide how to spend it. When the we'll have more of these smooth transitions, with some jagged times of course. More reading, more bike rides, more writing, more peacefulness and calm.

skiing is close

The summer heatwaves were in July while we were remodeling and they haven't returned. I can't help but look ahead to skiing - plenty of biking and hiking to do still, but I'm praying we have another awesomely snowy winter.

The XC ski pants I've been eyeing for the past six months are half the price they were in March. Down from $100 to $49! After years of using second hand equipment (and waterproof trousers I bought about 20 years ago), we know we'll be sticking with crosscountry skiing for the long haul. New England in winter is fabulous when you get seek out nature's corners on skis or snowshoes. These ski pants will work for my bike ride to work until snow and/or ice makes it impossible.

Bike purchase: how I'll spend my bike allowance

I started reading Ben Hewitt's 'Saved' yesterday and it does heartily to remind me that perhaps a weeks worth of my salary isn't necessary to buy a new bike.  Yes, they are shiny and colorful and oh so beautiful. But the downside is that they are also over $600.

Giant Via1 W $600

And, honestly, I do know this already, but reading 'Saved' I am reminded - phew, just in time! - that the money I have is money I have earned in exchange for my time. My time is my life. My time is my energy. My time is something I can't get back (except in the form of dollar bills). When I spend my money, I am spending my time and my life and my energy. Once that money is spent, it ain't coming back.

My current bike is a metallic green, lady frame Mongoose, named Herb. Yes, I name my bikes. Herb and I were introduced back in 2007 at the end of the academic school year. In those days, come the end of May, students would leave their dorms for home. They would also leave behind the most useable, perfectly good detritus. I skipped over a lovely 3 speed white Peugeot and chose with Herb. (In hindsight, I should have taken both and fixed the 3 speed.)

After a nasty spill this April (completely my fault, nothing to do with my dumpster dived bike), I finally had Herb tuned up. $60 later worked pretty well. After three more months of regular commuting, though my 21 speed is down to a 3 speed.

Now in contemplating my next bike purchase, I have been looking at bike reviews on-line and bugged a guy at Hampshire Bike Exchange about what I should look for in my 18 mile, twice weekly commuting bike.  I thought I'd be buying new and start with a fully rigged bike that would perfectly suit my needs.

But I'm remembering now that when I purchase items, at least a quarter of my purchases bring a less than desired affect - something about them doesn't work to my satisfaction. So I'll be taking all of my newly acquired bike knowledge and reviews and keeping a list of what I want out of my next bike and a list of bikes that would suit my needs best. From there, I'll keep my eyes open for used versions of these darlings. I'll ride loads of used bikes at Hampshire Bike Exchange to find out for myself what feels right to me.

More bike options

More bikes to add to the possibilities, the search never ends:

Civia Twin City Review $850  A mixtes to consider. How do you even say 'Mexte'? Follow up: pronounced 'meexte'.  Review is from May 2012, so prices (in USD) have gone up. (Cause that's what prices do, even though our salaries don't really do a helluva lot from one year to the next. It's from the banking crisis. Really.)

Civia Twin Mixte

Linus Dutchi 8 $850

Linus Dutchi 8

Finally, been collecting those urls onto my biking page on Pinterest.

Civia Twin City Review

Civia Twin City Review

Civia Twin City Review

even more bike possibilities

Bobbin Birdie: $650 USD  And a review. 5 speed & 37 lbs

Bobbin Birdie $650

Papillionaire Sommer: $429 USD base price And a review. 3 speed & 29 lbs

Papillionaire Sommer $429

Detours

Not unlike our house remodeling project(s) at home, our local bike path is getting some work done and it's going to take some time. But thank goodness that the construction is being done in 'bits' - although during peak biking season - so there's only one small piece to detour around at a time before the work crew moves on to the next section.

Taken in August in 2012 and, you know, on a different part of the bike trail. But the SAME bike trail.

 The last two weeks it was section #1 and a short ride on the main road (yikes!) and a bit of riding through windy fields. Manageable, definitely manageable even when it was rain was splattering down on me. I was even surprised that the dreaded bit of road crossing I had to deal with, I ended up hitting at the perfect moment (and the bike gods were smiling on me, pleased that I hadn't let the detour derail me from my weekly bike plan).

This week it's section #2. Let's talk groundhogs. Goddamn those critters are cute. And slow. As I rounded a corner, at the top of a small hill, I surprised my little groundhog friend. (I say 'surprised', because s/he turned around and waddled back into the tall grass. But those little lads (lassies) always act so mellow, never in a hurry, I don't think anything could really surprise them). As s/he headed back to safety, I could see her/him rolling her/his eyes at having interrupted her/his morning breakfast chomp.

Further along, I biked past some farm work crews picking produce. They looked up, I waved and said 'Good morning' and they all smiled and said it back.

I'm hoping on the way back I'll come across some freshly picked blueberries for sale at the side of the road.  Good gravy, what a pleasant detour!

Commuting bike reviews

More investigating, more information, still trying to just keep it straight and not feel too overwhelmed.

A few more articles I found at Momentum Mag, an online biking magazine. Looks very stylish and 'cool'.

What to look for in an upright bike.
Getting used to upright bikes.
A review of 15 upright bikes. Not necessarily geared (oh, ho ho) towards commuters, but a little more information to help understand the playing field also helped. I wish these had been put in order of price, or that the price had been listed on the main page. Frankly, most of these are nowhere near what I can put towards a new bike.

All reviewed in October 2012 and the prices reflect that (in USD).
Biria Citibike 700C  $500 The green is to-die-for. But may be too heavy for the uphills on my ride.
Bobbin Birdie 3 Speed $650 A 3 speed isn't going to cut it for my commute.
Cooper Oporto $1,700 Yeah, when there's a comma in the price, this one gets crossed off.
Electra Ticino 7D $650
Felt Verza Regency $700 Beautiful, but sounds too heavy, insufficient brakes for what I need, not enough speeds.
Gazelle Tour Populair T8 $1,400 Lovely design, waaay to pricey for these pockets.
Globe Daily 3 $830 Gorgeous, but still a little rich for me.
Handsome Devil Complete $1,200 We've been over the cost issue. I don't like the style. So, doesn't matter.
Norco City Glide 8 $890 An 8 speed bike, blue is so pretty in the Womens frame.
Novara Gotham 2012 $1,300 Another gorgeous bike, removed from my choices by price.
Opus Zermatt $665 Really pretty and convenient features.
Public C7 $600 Doesn't come with a rear rack... tsk tsk. Bright colors make Public's bikes into candy.
Sillgey Belle $750 + shipping But being a 3 speed, it's off my list.
Viva Juliett Classic $1,300 Holy cow, this looks like it jumped out of the Belle Epoque!

And so the quest continues. Of all of these I'm thinking the Opus Zermatt looks like the best choice. But there's nowhere around here to try one out. My search continues!

Easy or not?

Listening to a podcast, Elvis Mitchell's 'The Treatment' on my bike ride in today (cause I figure I can’t listen on my ride home since the rain will electrocute my brain if my iPod's running), I heard Richard Linklater utter a line that strung itself in silver sheathed in a cloud above my head: 

 

 “There is never an easy path.” 

And it’s true, so true, isn’t it? If you attempt the easy path to avoid what would have been more difficult (and potentially more satisfying), it catches up with you. Professionally, personally, emotionally, dirty dishes or laundry… so I’m trying to keep that in mind as we deal with the challenges that our lives present and try to allow myself to fully bask in the wonderful times as well. But is all a part of our journey we’ve put ourselves on.

And on that Buddhist note (yes, I am still reading my Buddhist meditation book), I’ll move along.

Spring flowers

This is the album cover for the Bloodworts' new album entitled 'Blooming'.

I slammed on my bike brakes when I spied this bloodwort blooming on the edge of the trail. Luckily I didn't slide to a crashing halt this time.

Birthday weekend 7 & 9

Yeah, it's Easter, but it's also birthday weekend for my boys. Each is 'Boss' on his respective day.

'New' bikes were distributed, so each kid got the next size up from his older brother and we ride out to Herrell's Ice Cream for Dashiell to get his free birthday medium sundae. And we continued on for a very pleasant picnic/soccer play at a local park.  Lego presents were opened and assembled. Friends came over and baseball was practiced. Mint frosted chocolate cake was made and eaten while we watched some vintage (new to us) Three Stooges. So damned funny, those guys!

This morning it's an outing to Look Park, per Huxley's orders. But first we had a waffle bar: sliced strawberries, nutella, pear, maple syrup and whipped cream of course! (BURP!) We even made 'sandwiches' of sliced strawberries, a shmear of nutella and a dollop of cream.

With the warm temperatures finally sticking around it's a perfect spring weekend in New England.

Commuting bike : the investigation begins!

I started by looking at a few bike sights I like, seeking out bike reviews:
Let's Go Ride a Bike: More about style and lifestyle with a bike with a smattering of reviews. Lovely pictures.
Lovely Bicycle: Very gear oriented with language that is above my head, but sometimes very straightforward and I feel like I'm having a one-on-one conversation. But, as I spend more time with it, I am beginning to understand it better. More reviews. Never condescending.

I started here to find out what exactly I should be considering for a commute/transportation bike.

I also looked up bike forum discussions:
Public C7 vs Linus Dutchie 8
Giant Cypress 
I've found that even when the topic is about bikes WELL out of your price range, you can learn an awful lot about other options you might not have otherwise considered. And there's always someone who mentions another make of bike that you can then look up as well. (Of course, that's the way of the internet, there's always a link that will go on forever and ever.)

More soon!

Shifting bikes

I have a bike by the name of Herb. I procured it when we did a walk through Hampshire College after their move-out in May, geez, maybe in 2005 or so.

Yes, I dumpster dive. I left a beautiful white Peugeot 3 speed that I will forever regret not giving a home. But that's a story for another day.

Herb is shiny green and has all sorts of attached bells & whistles that broke long before it came home with me. And sometimes the gears just, you know, shift without warning and the angle of the bike versus me on it, usually ends up in an achy back by the time I'm done. I think the knobbly tires are working against me as well, as I primarily bike on concrete and not on mountain trails.

This bike has pulled two different laddies on their bike trailers and, as of last August, has taken me on a 20 mile round trip commute 2 days a week from August 2012-December 2012 and starting up again this week, when the snow finally receded enough for it to be safe for me to ride. (And man, was I ready to ride!)

But now, now I know I'll be commuting regularly. Not every day of the week, but at least twice a week, if not more.

I love getting some physical exercise first thing in the morning and seeing the landscape change through the seasons. Being slower than a ride in my minivan and closer to the ground, I have seen rare or early season sightings of turkey vultures, sharpshinned hawks, bunnies, chipmunks, turkeys and and AND a fisher cat last week!!! (Not technically a cat at all, but a member of the weasel family.) Biking also gives me ample opportunity to keep up with my favorite podcasts.

But it may be time to retire Herb and move up in the world of biking. Now it may well be time to invest (aack, spend money?!) in a commuter bike. Going to do some research and find out what I can on upright commuter bikes that won't put me in debt. While I realize the more you pay, it's likely the better the components, etc. But my budget isn't going to allow me a $1299 bike that I'll be afraid to leave alone on a bike rack. More to come soon!

biking, without wiping out

I took off in both directions of the bike path to assess how soon I could bike to work again. I miss the leisurely morning rides, pre-work activity to keep my day feeling even and happy.

I rode towards home and stopped in two places: first where a tree cut the path off and second where the ice hadn't been maintained by anyone. My bike only swerved in the ice one time, when I had to squeeze through a very tight un-iced space as the biker next to me had to quickly dismount or fall. Back the other way again, towards work and past work, towards the swamps until I knew I should turn around again.

But before I left, I paused and saw my first turkey vulture of the season! We'd seen them in Joshua Tree/Palm Springs a few weeks ago, and now they were at our home too. I felt so joyous to see a true sign of early spring right above me, swirling in the updraft, waiting for a scent to waft upwards.

Surely, my morning/afternoon commute is a mere few weeks away!

nesting along the trail

Wintertime means fewer flora and fauna to seek out and identify. Even the birds' songs are few and far between.

But the lack of leaves on the branches allows us a view into bird nests that would usually be hidden, 

as they should be, for the raising of their young.

Made of cat tail fluff, leaves, mud, moss. 

Perhaps chipmunks came along, post-birds, to enjoy some berries.

The inside and out, mostly mud on the inside, the intertwining of plastic refuse on the outside gave this home a ghostlike, Miyazaki appearance from below.

 

So many branches intersecting in one place, was perfect camouflage, the thorns the perfect defense. 

The chicks of this brood must have learned the art of balancing along each strand of bush, before they learned to fly.

bike before snow

The ice patches left on the trail look like world maps.

If I'm to ride the trail on my bike at least once a month, like I did last year, then I can cross off January.
And just in time, with 3-6 more inches of snow on the way in the next 24 hours.

  

But for now, I'm imagining a fantastical world beyond the asphalt.

thanksgiving jam 2012 playlist

From ripping out old carpet and *shazzam* discovering unknown 100 year old pine boards beneath; to a candlelit pizza picnic on our kitchen floor; to our first family bikeride where each person powers themselves along the path - this Thanksgiving was the most memorable I've ever experienced. Here's our music from the looooong weekend.