Lake Life

 I love the lake.  

The open expanse of water.  

Skimming across the surface.  

Pulling up to the beach. 

Jumping in the cool refreshing water.  

Dodging thunderstorms.

 Eating scrunched up sandwiches. 

Waving to the other boaters.  

Wishing I had  a bigger boat.  

Being content with my 12 foot little motor boat.  

The boat seems to shrink as the kid grows.   

Teaching the kid. 

Laughing with the kid. 

Providing for the kid.

Enjoying what I have,  missing what I don't have. 

 Practicing being kind.  

Practicing being selfless. 

 It all takes practice.

 It does not come naturally.  

It is intentional, worth the effort because it helps the greater good.

At the end of the day, focusing on who I am, what I am and being satisfied.

Just be.

Just Be

Self care, self improvement, self aware.... becoming a better person requires a lot.  Breaking the negative cycles and habits that were ingrained from child hood, requires a lot.  A lot of thought, a lot of work, a lot of new habits and new focus.    I've been doing that, to the nth degree,  but suddenly a though crosses my mind.  When am I good enough?  When will it be enough?  In my desperation to be the best dad, husband, neighbor,  I am now stressing myself out trying to improve. 

And then it dawns on me.  I have to take a break.  I have to relax.  I have to be.  I have to enjoy the work that has been done.  I have to be who I am and be who I have become.   I have worked hard, and the change is obvious (as reported by my wife). 

Is there still work to do?  Sure, but for a period, for a season,  I can relax and know that I have worth, that I have purpose and that I can enjoy the freedom that has been given to me. 

Racing the Storm

 I set out in the sunshine and heat.  It was upper 70's in the shade but the humidity was thick, so it felt like 90!   Heading out the parkway and up Avondale, I was planning to loop back on Rose Hill for a lollipop loop.  Plans changed when the thunder started rumbling through.  I decided to turn down Concord and try to outrun the storm.

 I was successful for a while, but when I took a left on 74A, the wind picked up and the curtain of rain was closing in.  I ducked in to Dollar General for a little while.  When the rain let up, I headed up the road again.  When the next band of rain came through, I hid out at the produce stand.  After about 15 minutes, the rain let up and I took off.  

I made it home mostly dry,  just a little damp from road spray, but even more importantly, didn't get hit by lightning!

Home sweet home. 

Scorching Hot

 Hot, almost metric century ride.

 It was hot, and I considered calling someone for a ride.  I wanted to finish this ride, though.  It has been a couple of years since I rode 60 miles. I ran out of fluids and stopped at a church to get some water from the faucet on the side of the building.  No one around.  A few minutes in the shade helped me feel slightly better.

I finished the ride.  I felt like crap, but it felt good to finish.