Inspiration...

Greatful Dead blasting , a covered roaster pan filled with the following:
2 racks of pork ribs
4 lbs of collard greens
2 onions
1 head of garlic
1 pablano pepper
1 bottle of apple juice
1/4 cup of vinegar
salt
pepper
honey
Nicely tucked into the smoker for 3 hours at 350 degrees with a wood fire that pretty much started the yard clean-up and has me longing to fire some work. I have given myself a slow cooked studio day today. Uncover the ribs and take out the collards and return to crisp up a bit for about 30 minutes (basting).

Kenny contributed too (Cubans, Salad, Broccoli, and Pizza). Mikey made chocolate banana pudding pie, Chris and Kaoru brought burgers and cherry pie. Mary brought wine.

Sake and dried squid.

Kenny teased Anna with a picture of the Cherry Pie.

Wine, cheese, friends, dinner, cherry pie, pudding pie, whip cream and ice cream. I am exhausted, stuffed beyond belief, and going to bed.

I Have a Prepared Statement I Would Like to Make

Its 8:12 AM and I am thinking about getting out there for a ride before I have to go about my day. I am sitting here catching up on my reading (blog roll) and drinking my coffee, listening to the birds, looking out the window and thinking about the road. I came across Fat Cyclist's post and it seemed to compliment my last post so well I had to share it! Happy reading!

I Have a Prepared Statement I Would Like to Make

Posted using ShareThis

RIDING with BOYS

I started to think about this yesterday as I was out with my friend and colleague. KD used to race but he hasn't been on a bike in a year and a half. He and his wife just had babies a few weeks ago so he is sleep deprived. So riding with him, as a well seasoned cyclist should be a piece of cake, right? It dawned on me 3 miles into this adventure that riding with BOYS is very different than riding with the girls. I started to reflect on this thought as it popped in my head when we cruised by the sign for Silvermine Historic district and I wanted to stop for a photo-op, something Alison and I have started to do consistently last season that from a teaching perspective is an interesting way to document life on two wheels. I find that most of the shared rides with BOYS don't allow for such nonsense, its always about go, go, go...work, work, work...no scenery appreciation, no slowing down. Last season I cruised by the most beautiful meadow at break neck speed. I thought about stopping to take a photo because the colors would help me so much in the studio, I chickened out and committed it to memory instead, which never serves anything of that nature well. The practice of documentation Alison and I share interestingly enough was started by my son Chris a few season's before thanks to one of my other colleagues, Deej, who is a history teacher.

In anycase, I blew by the sign yesterday, found myself wishing I didn't have to worry about being dropped on every hill. I actually did stop caring at one point, which was good, no excuses, no whining, no bad feelings. As KD and I wove our way through New Canaan and Wilton, we marveled at how nice things were. Finally, I said screw it, stopped and took one picture. I was dropped on that hill anyway. I was going to hear it anyway. So one shot, not a historical sign, just a cool waterfall on Mill Road in New Canaan. Our ride lasted about an hour, with the last 10 minutes consisting of KD searching for this one hill to have me experience being pummeled on. It was equivalent to the steep part of Hillside, about as long without the 2 mile lead in. Nice KD, you have successfully allowed me to formulate in my mind that riding with BOYS will always be laden with competition and pitchforks! Cameras are not really necessary. As for riding with BOYS, I can't wait for another ride with any of you, KD, Jon, Steve, Kenny, Chris, Justin...just know I am onto those subtle nuances and if I stop to document the experience you will just have to wait. Also remember that the TORTOISE always beats the HARE!

Today was another story all together. I spent two hours working on my bike and then Kenny's. I let Justin take the car to work with the thought I would ride to get it. However, I left my helmet and shoes in the car. Kenny is off on my day's adventure by himself and I am out for a walk.

March Madness

Its been an interesting week. I put my kid on a plane to Salt Lake City via LAX and waited on baited breath until he told me that he was picked up at the airport. I then awaited for the results of each race praying I would also get the skate by skate details out of the teenage voice instead of his fingers. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind texting, I am just not good at it on a touch-screen phone. I had one of the most enjoyable field trips of my career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, though it did remind me of the importance of the studio work I have been neglecting lately. I spent 6 hours on the ice chasing blocks at the last short-track meet of the season on Saturday oblivious to what the rain was doing to the world outside the ice rink. Apparently all hell was breaking loose south of Newburgh, old growth toppled, utility poles snapped in half and parkways turned into boat-launches complete with ducks and other water fowl. On Sunday I wish I had gone back in for the camera when we left for NYC, as the storm damage had to be seen to be believed. I also spent 3 unexpected days at home as school was closed due to electrical outages and I actually was so overwhelmed with stuff to do that I did nothing. I guess it was relaxing. I got out and about with PODRUNNER and caught up on "Stuff you should know". I managed a bunch of time in the studio too.

So, now that the weekend is approaching and there is no meet to run to and no traveling to do, I am happy to greet the spring with sweat-equity and tend to the yard and the house and the studio... and maybe, just maybe dodge the pitchfork from the coach and get some decent miles in (time to document with blue signs included - Alison this year's tally has begun!)
Now for some college hoops!