Is This Indian Summer?

The weather man was right. Today felt like early October despite the calendar read November 7th. Our afternoon high hit 59 degrees with sunny skies. I told bike man we needed to get out on our bikes, so we did just that around noon today.

I had hoped to ride Ruby today, but Ruby has a permanent place on her trainer, so I settled for my fat tires! Oh look, guess who came along for the ride? That's Bud.....Bud travels everywhere with us, especially on our bicycle trips. We've learned our lesson in the past about keeping Bud at home alone. I won't go into the story, but it involves broken ribs, concussion, cracked helmet, shock & emergency room visit.......12 years ago Bud stayed home, need I say more?

Now this wasn't planned, but near the end of our 20 mile ride, we just happened to swing by my girlfriends house (hobby farm). My girlfriend was outside doing what she does best.......working hard. Today was the day she scheduled to butcher her chickens. You just gotta love J, she works hard and always has a project in the works. Since J had FRESH butchered chickens, she offered me one.....a 6 pound sweetie. As you can see I strapped the chicken on to the back of my bike since I still have my computer rack on. Who would ever think I'd be biking with a chicken strapped to my bike. Does this mean I'm a country gal?

Here's the proof to our freshly cooked chicken tonight. The chicken tasted really good and was quite juicy. With mashed potatoes and some gravy, we had a perfect meal. Good thing Chris was hanging out at our house today, because we needed extra eaters to enjoy this large bird.

Expresso Bikes

Besides my spin classes, I've been getting back to working out on the Espresso (virtual) bikes at the fitness center. I really like these bikes because they simulate a real bicycle ride. In fact, some of the routes I choose are rather breath taking and simulate mountains, cliffs, rolling hills, sharp turns, mountain bike trails and much more. It's weird how my mind reacts sometimes during a workout. I'll actually feel my stomach turn as I come around a sharp turn and head down a steep hill with a cliff drop-off into the ocean! Ha, how do you like that for a routine workout? Nothing like a Wisconsin farmland bicycle ride!!!!! If you compare the virtual bikes to the spinning bikes, I think you can get a better workout on the virtual bikes. Who needs a spin instructor anyway.





Tomorrow the forecast is screaming 60 degrees. I've already made a reservation with bike man for a road ride. I miss Ruby girl in road action. It's just not the same when you have Ruby hooked up to the bike trainer.

Colors To Remember

Remember the August Flowers?

I sure miss those summer flowers. I could have used some of those colors today. I spent my Thursday morning out for a long, cool & crisp walk. Went to work thereafter and enjoyed the sunshine through the library windows. The weather is slowing warming up, which is unusual for November. I'm thinking our lake will not freeze-over until December if these warm temps keep up. Of course that's ok by me, but not the ice fisherman in my life.

Observations

If you have a job that keeps you away from children, you are really missing out. My day was filled with observations of all ages of children.....babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, early elementary and teenagers. Hey, all in one day!

What I love about the younger children are the comments they make. Every child wants to tell you as much as possible at that very moment you make eye contact. Sometimes you don't even understand their gibberish, sometimes they mumble, sometimes they scream, sometimes they cry, sometimes they laugh, sometimes they smile, and sometimes.........they just observe too! My life, my former jobs and my current job have always centered me around children. Guess it's in my life's plan and I never second guess it, I just accept it.

Not Up To Snuff

Courtesy of flickr.com

I wasn't feeling up to snuff today. No I don't have the flu, but rather just dealing with my weird migraines that always last for 3-4 days. I tried a new medication this morning that dissolves on the tongue, but it proved not to be so great because my head started aching again this afternoon. So, I decided to just come home after work and forgot the fitness center. I think a quiet night is just the thing for me!

Monday Spin

As of tonight, I've been teaching Monday spin class for one month now. I've also been teaching Tuesday as well, but starting tomorrow, Mark is back. Mark had a bicycle crash back in late September. Sounds like he's ready to give spin class a shot.

I realized tonight while spinning that I really, really need to step up my exercise. I've been a slacker for the last two months! Once I get back into a routine of spinning, weights & toning, walking etc. I will feel more energized. Guess I have the "slug-a-bug" feeling!

Pink Puffs

While racking leaves late this afternoon, the setting sun turned all the clouds pink....it was just gorgeous.

Update on the fishing shack, or should I say ice fishing shanty! Hey, it now has windows, whoo hoo.

It's now insulated as well.

After closing the door for ten minutes, with the heater turned on, the ice shanty was stifling HOT! I think this is going to be a nice ice fishing get-away. The ice shanty won't move out of our yard until good drivable lake ice in January 2010. I can't wait to see it out on Lake Menomin in Menomonie, WI.