Springtime in Kansas

It's Spring in Kansas....and I'm lovin' it! You'll notice it's still the same old mulch...soon...very soon I'll put the new stuff down. And all those little green noses sticking up..those are hostas. This flower bed is way too full and in far too much sunlight...I didn't plant it, it came with the house...and I'm probably not going to change it. I like it just the way it is..simple for me. Or is that simple like me....hmmmmm.

Life in the Real World

Last Tuesday I went to Joplin again to spend a few days with my sister after her second chemo treatment on Monday. I was there until Friday. (Ok...just typed a bunch and then deleted it. The world doesn't need to know all that!) Bottom line: If I ever need to be jailed or wind up going to hell, just put me in Missouri! 'Nuff said?

It rained from about 30 miles from home until I returned home on Friday and got just south of El Dorado, Ks. (About an hour and fifteen minutes out.) (And that may well have been the BEST of it!)

Since then it's been gorgeous here!!! Yesterday Mary, Carol and I rode 28.28 miles and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I needed both the physical exercise and the emotional/mental release. Good GOOD friends...they're wonderful!

This a.m. Carol and I rode to Nickerson to meet her husband who came over on a motorcycle for breakfast. It made us coming back into the wind (usually one rides INTO the wind and then gets a "free ride" home), but the wind is pretty mild today and we had a great ride. Another 27.49 miles for me!

Everything is blooming and spring is so beautiful and colorful!! Red bud trees, Bradford pear trees, crabapple trees, jonquils, daffodils, tulips...even peoples' clothing is more colorful. I love Spring!!!

With that....count your blessings. They're plentiful when you just get to thinking about it!!! :) Count down: Only four more weeks til a wonderful event!!!! :) :) :) :) :) ;)

New Area of Bike Path

Yesterday and today were both absolutely incredibly beautiful days...perhaps a little windy in the view of a bicyclist...but truly wonderful. Yesterday was 82 degrees, and Mary and I rode 20 miles. Carol's fighting a sore throat/cold so she has taken a few days off.

Today Mary had other plans...and it was just too nice to stay home. It was 80+ degrees with winds out of the south at 16, gusting to 26. Oh well...still nice!

Hutchinson has two bike paths. One runs from about 22nd and Hendricks south down through Carey Park at the south end of Main Street. It's about a 12 miles loop and a nice path that gets a lot of use.

A couple of year ago a new path was started at about 38th and Plum, going east and south to Lorraine; crossing Lorraine and heading south to 30th. I've ridden it many, many times. Recently they added more to that path. It now continues on south of 30th down past 23rd, then east out to Halstead Street. The newest part is very "big city park-like." It twists and turns and is incredibly smooth and wide. Lots of prairie dogs along the edges and down in the drainage ditch. They really barked and chattered when I rode through that area. So long as they don't start chasing bicycles I'm good with them. Cute little critters....until they invade MY yard...then they'll become "RODENTS," and I'll want them gone!

With a fairly strong south wind riding the bike path is probably better than riding the roads. On the path I'd go east for a while, then south into the wind, then back east again. And coming back was just pretty great...tailwind! I only got in a little over 12 miles...I could have done more but just needed a little outing and 12 miles was fine. Maybe again tomorrow??? We'll see.

Count your blessings...and be sure to get outside and enjoy some of this wonderful weather we're having. I heard it was 80 degrees in Chicago today...first time in 22 years that it's gotten into the 80's in March. Hello, Chicago!! :) (Some of you understand that!)

Great Rides

Wow!!! We have been having some gorgeous weather here. Last Friday Carol, Mary, and I rode and got in 30.5 miles. For March, that's pretty incredible in Kansas. Usually we have WIND!!! in March. Not so...well, at least not so bad.

It's about 6 pm Monday and the temperature is still 80 degrees!!!! And the wind is probably less that 15..maybe even less than 10 mph. AWESOME!!!! Carol, Mary, and I rode again this afternoon and it was absolutely perfect. Didn't even have to wear leggings! 27 miles!

After I got home I oiled my chain and pedals (and shoes)...then decided it was just to nice to quit with the outdoors stuff. So I cleaned the patio off....that hasn't been done all winter and it was pretty messy. I trimmed two clumps of zebra grass (like pampas but the stripes go horizontal instead of vertical) and emptyed a large pot of black fountain grass from last year. Thought maybe I'd be able to reuse some of the Miracle Grow soil but when I tipped it over into the polycart, it was a solid mass of roots. Well....that's interesting...because I had another one just like it...only it was planted in

a clay pot with fatter sides. So, knowing it was full of roots (and wouldn't begin to just be "dumped out"), I first cut the top completely off, then started with a butcher knife, sawing and digging and sawing some more. Finally I got most of the plant and main roots out of the pot. Haven't decided what I'll put in there this year. The fountain grass did very well there last year, but if I go back that way I'm going to have to dig the rest of this dirt out. Maybe something simple with shallow roots that would function even if the dirt does have leftover roots??? We'll see.

We have another ride scheduled for tomorrow and I'm totally looking forward to it. However, the weather guesser did say more wind tomorrow. Again...we'll see.

One of my new favorite expressions: The good thing about the future, it comes just one day at a time!

One more thing....speaking of the future...less than 6 weeks before my son and his sweetie get married. :) :) :) I'm really looking forward to that!

Count your blessings...they're numerous!

Jonquils & Hyacinths

I took a couple of friends to Wichita this morning to catch a flight to Washington state and thought I'd drop by Menard's and pick up some mulch. It snowed/rained/sleeted/iced in Wichita last night (Hutchinson [about 50 miles northeast of Wichita] had a LITTLE sleet...no rain, no real moisture, OF COURSE)...and while everything was already clean and clear and melted dry by the time we got over there, I chose not to buy mulch today. Wet, icy bags....nah...not today. So the mulch still looks horrid...but I do have a few flowers...and signs of lots more in the coming days/weeks.

Sure looking forward to Spring....but curious/worried about Summer. We had virtually no winter. The other day I heard one weatherman say, "Puxatawny Phil said six more weeks of winter..." and the other reporter said, "We haven't had six weeks YET!" However, I do remember a few posts back that we had a HUGE snowstorm - 18" of snow - on March 29, 2009. It can happen!!!

Barring that, I'll keep hoping for a summer that's as mild as what our winter has been. Last summer was HOT!!!!

Count your blessings....say your prayers...and plant spring lovelies!

Short Month - Long Month

February's been a bitch!!!!!

That should give you some idea of why there have been no posts on my blog. I'm not going to go into much detail here (those of you who know me have already heard it...over and over and over again!!!) For such a short month, it surely seems long to me!

The day after Christmas my sister went to see a doctor, who sent her to another doctor. Who ordered tests, and then sent to yet another doctor.....you get the idea...it goes on. Well, bottom line, on February 8 she had surgery for ovarian cancer. Biggie!!! Yesterday was her first chemo treatment...to be followed by 5 more at three week intervals. On top of all this, she's always been very very allergic to a lot of medications. She reacts with hives and vomiting and passing out, etc. So pain meds are difficult at best. They removed both ovaries, her spleen, her gall bladder; her omentum had attached itself to her colon and they corrected that; they resectioned a bowel. The doctor told us her insides looked like a popcorn ceiling and each piece of popcorn was a cancer cell. They vacuumed her out and he felt they got at least 90% of it and the chemo will get the rest.

And I say this only because she doesn't have a computer and doesn't read/know about my blog - but on top of all that, she's probably the most negative person I know...always has been. This isn't a new thing. She's always seen the glass as half empty.

So....I was in Springfield February 7 through the 12th - sleeping in chairs in the ICU waiting area (as was her son). Then on the 17th she was released to go home and I went to Joplin to stay with her until Monday the 20th. Therefore...no computer, no posts to my blog.

Other than that I don't really feel that I've been all that busy...lots of phone calls, but physically I really haven't done much. Reading a lot....really into the Sue Grafton series! A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar....and on. I've read them all up to S is for Silence (which I'm about halfway done with now)...except for P is for Peril. It wasn't available at the library when I wanted it. Have to go back and get that one later. Reading is an escape for me...I know that...and it's okay!

My riding buddy Carol called Sunday and I was updating her on all this and she said, "You know what you need?" I DID!!! We took off at 10:30 a.m. and rode to Nickerson for coffee, then back to Hutchinson and rode the newest part of the bike path. They extended the Plum Street bike path to go down around by the clinics and hospital. Very nice!! It was a lovely day and there were lots of people out using the path. It has a very rural feeling...also very "park-like." Very nice!! (Didn't I already say that?) Got home with 32.73 miles and feeling much better about life in general!

Talked to my sis last night and she actually sounded better (mentally, emotionally) than she has in quite awhile. They had told her she'd be exhausted - and she was - but seemed more relaxed and accepting that she just has to "do it!" One of my cousins said, "The good thing about the future? It comes just one day at a time!" Yeah..I like that! Same cousin also gave me some excellent advice about travel agents and booking trips (only she will understand that!) But THANK YOU!!!!!

So...short month / long month....I hated to go out of February with NO posts...even though this one may not be the best of news. Oh..but hey...yesterday was Schiz's 8th birthday!!! One of my neighbor gals asked if we'd had cake. Nope, but we had chicken! But..honestly...we have chicken just about every day! I've found Tyson's Chicken Breast Strips (or something like that)...they look like little fish sticks and are fully cooked, so I zap one for 30 seconds in the microwave, cut it lengthwise with the scissors, and then crosswise into itty-bitty bites and mix with her food! I repeat from earlier blogs: She IS NOT spoiled...she's just special!

Count your blessings...compare your woes to others and you probably wouldn't trade with them! Thanks to all of you for all your kind words and prayers...they are all appreciated!!!

Schiz's Antics

Another gorgeous day here in Kansas. Little windy...quite a little actually...but Carol, Mary and I rode to Nickerson for a soda/coffee. Got home with 27.19 miles...felt really good! Then this evening went to the Anchor Inn for a pork tostado and chips. I'm taking an antibiotic for my teeth (or lack thereof) so decided the big red beer I'd been dreaming of all day probably wasn't the best idea. The food was excellent....but a red beer sure would've improved it!

I have to tell you about Schiz's latest antic. The people across the street from me were getting some new windows. The fellows came and worked for a while, but then left their trailer parked there. After I got home from my ride yesterday, I was hooking up the water sprinklers to water my flower beds and Schiz was outside with me. She went to the end of the double driveway and paced back and forth, curling her head and body, and growling. Occasionally she'd let out one little bark. She simply could not understand why this fellow wouldn't come over and see her...and she's not allowed to go in the street and she knows it! There was no one there...and I could see she was clearly looking at the trailer. DUH!

However, in her defense,this a.m. the trailer was still there and she stopped, looked, and

walked out into the yard to "take care of business"... no big deal.

Count your blessings!!!

Out Ridin' Again

Wow...here it is January 30 and temp in Hutchinson is 64 degrees!!! I'm at this very moment watering my flower bed as we have had virtually NO moisture this year.

Carol, Mary and I took off on a bicycle ride about 1:30 today and it was simply wonderful. I'd had some "oral surgery" done Friday (had two teeth pulled) and although yesterday was beautiful I didn't think it would be wise to go ride. Today I decided I'm well-enough!!! I got home with 21.6 miles and a big ole smile (well....less 2 teeth...no, they're clear at the back) !!!

On Monday mornings four of us "coffee" together. Conversations vary. This morning one of the gals mentioned a friend of hers had false teeth....and that they had buried little magnets in her gums to hold the teeth in place. We were absolutely falling over each other with punch lines. Can't wear zippered tops anymore. Watch out for the doorknob. Can't get the spoon out of my mouth. And it went on and on and on. I think MaryLou may have regretted telling us anything about it!! When we rode this afternoon we started talking and laughing about it again.

As I mentioned I had two teeth pulled Friday. I've been going to a dentist in Cassville, Missouri who I really liked and who was UNBELIEVABLY cheap...yeah..not reasonable, CHEAP! I wasn't unhappy with his work but was told he was retiring, so I made an appointment at Cambridge Dental in Wichita. I've been twice and I'm here to tell ya...I like 'em!!! Everything has been just great. The people are absolutely wonderful, their work is great, the offices are clean and cheerful (albeit HUGE)...and I am 100% happy with them. Dr. Vessali...she's my dentist from now on! And yes, this is an advertisement! :) Well, maybe not...but they really are great.

Count your blessings....stay healthy...eat right...and walk the dog. It's a great life!!

A Wintry Day....NOT !!!!

Here it is January 22...usually cold and wintry in Kansas. Here's a picture I took today...looks cold and wintry (other than lack of ANY kind of moisture!) And the temperature is about 56 degrees! Wind was major this morning, but it's pretty much still now.

But...I was bored...so I wasted fossil fuels and went for a ride. I found this beautiful tree... truly pretty...even without much sunlight. Maybe if you'll click on it you can see how pretty it is.

I'm fighting being angry with the world. Why? I'm angry because I can't make someone close to me well. I'm angry because I can't make several people close to me quit smoking. I'm angry because I can't make people use "bcc" to hide everyone's email addresses..and to delete them when forwarding any email. And I'm angry because of an ignorant racial slur that makes my blood boil...and I responded. I've been trying to make that thought "Sometimes it's better to be kind than to be right" work for me...but a neighbor who has recently had major surgery (and is doing great) sent me an email with an EXTREME racial slur...and it was also political. I decided in this case it's better to be right!!! So I told her what I thought of it. Haven't heard back from her and I'm really REALLY ok with that!!! Just wonder if I'll need to move again :).... oh well....

Life is good. I have tons of blessings to count. But it's winter...blah....... But count your blessings and thank God for the good things in life: A couple of cousins who are both healing from recent surgeries, tremendous friends (we've actually named our wrinkles after each other..because we decided they're laugh wrinkles and we laugh a lot!), and overall, life is good!!!

Just a thought....

Saw this today and it fits into my "current world" very well. Not a resolution, but something I'm going to try to keep in mind:

Sometimes it is better to be kind than to be right. We do not need an intelligent mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens.