A Very Full Day

After getting my ten hours of beauty sleep....yeah, that's true, I woke up refreshed this morning.  Bike man and I decided the first thing we needed to tackle was some stream monitoring on the Hay River.

It was so peaceful and quiet here by the river this morning.  It took us two hours to complete all the tests and the biotic index (water critters) test.

Headed home and changed our clothes for cycling.  By 2 pm Bike man and I were heading west towards the corn and kidney bean fields.  Our route started out nice and easy, and then half way we reached the hills.  I remember those hills from previous years.  I wasn't pleased with my heart rate readings climbing the hills today.  I can definitely feel the lack of road miles, or just time in the saddle for that matter.  Yikes!

After our ride, we quickly showered and then headed over to Sherrisa's graduation party.  Bike man's granddaughter graduated today from UW-Stout.  Sherrisa is such a sweetie....we are really proud of her for graduating with top honors.

Was a full day today and now we both are feeling it (25.5 bike miles).  Tomorrow's another day.

Calling It An Early Night

I'm looking forward to sunny days, warmer temperatures and lots of time outdoors this weekend....but first I need a good night's sleep!

This Was Her Seventh Day On the Road

This is Amy.....Bike man found her at the laundry mat trying to dry out her wet, soaked cycling clothes.  Amy has been traveling by bicycle from Michigan, en route to St. Paul.  She wanted to keep traveling farther west this afternoon, but couldn't pass up Bike man's offer to come and stay overnight at our house, especially since it had been raining all day today.  You know, we've done this before and believe me, it's always just a random thing.  Every couple of years it seems like we are a magnetic to someone traveling by bicycle.  One thing that makes a big difference is that WE know what it's like to be traveling by bicycle, and sometimes you just want a shower or bed to sleep in for one night......or maybe you just want to get out of the rain and dry off for one night.  I'm amazed at the timing of our house guest, especially since I just got back to work this afternoon from being with my mom and dad for three and a half days.

I treated our guest to vegetarian enchiladas (refried black beans, with sauteed onions, yellow peppers & green chilies) made with green chili enchilada sauce, and a fresh green salad.

Amy will take off tomorrow and head for St. Paul.  She'll be crossing into Minnesota via Stillwater.  She'll spend a little time with a couple that she knows, then will take the train out to Montana, where she will begin her summer job at Glacier National Park. 

It's been enjoyable to have her here at our house.

Ok....Lets Get Back To Bicycles

Mom and I pulled up to the hospital this morning and discovered a flock of bicycles.  I'm not kidding.  Every type and kind..... commuter, mountain, hybrids and a few road bikes!

Off to the corner of the hospital entrance you can see the bicycle coral.

I went and talked to the guys doing the bicycle maintenance this morning.  Apparently, today was "ride-your-bike-to-work" day.  Not sure if that was a local Madison thing or not, but the guy told me that the hospital organized the bike maintenance outside the hospital as a way to get their employees to cycle to work.  How cool is that?  I'm jealous.  Being in a bicycle friendly city is awesome.  I sure miss Madison.  Can't believe I use to live here 30 years ago, however, it wasn't really bike friendly back in the day!

Dad Update:  My dad was released today with all kinds of good suggestions from the dietitian on how to eat a heart healthy diet.  I was there to listen to the dietitian's advice, and it actually put me to shame.  I certainly could strive to eliminate animal fats from my diet.  Ohhhhhh geez, the things we have to do to stay healthy.  The one thing I did hear that rang loud and clear to me was, EXERCISE.  Exercise will help reduce your triglycerides and blood sugar.  

So keep exercising for a healthy heart (& vessels).  More reasons to commute to work by  bicycle.  Now if the weather would just cooperate!

Driving back home tomorrow morning...hope to be on the road by 7 am.  

All Is Well

Was a very looooong day today.  My dad came through his procedure very well, however, he did have three stents put in because of considerable blockage.  Actually, a few of the arteries had suffered years of hard blockage so instead of a two-hour procedure, it turned out to be more like three hours.

I just have to share this one little shinning moment when the nurse wheeled my dad back to his room.  You see, my dad was still under the influence of his anesthesia so he was a very, very happy man.....almost giddy.  As the nurse wheeled him back in to his room, dad yelled, "hey, look....I have a sucker."! Lick, lick, lick, lick, lick!!!!  I've never seen a grown man enjoy a Tootsie pop so much.  Besides that, my dad was REALLY sharing with all the nurses and doctor, you know TMI (too much information).  I don't know, there was some comment about having a new heart, chasing my mom & sex......I almost got up and ran out of the room.  Yup, even daughter's get embarrassed.

Dad's feeling back to normal tonight.  I hope he gets a good night's sleep.

The angioplasty & stent work was done through dad's right arm....lots of bruising and blood in the tissue.  I'm sure dad will feel better by this weekend.

Thanks to all my blogger friends for the nice comments and concerns for my dad.

PS.  Thanks Jackie (Teacher's Pet) for the nice phone chat tonight.....love your southern drawl

Over the River and Through the Woods To..........

Just having a little fun!

Took off early from work this afternoon and headed to southern Wisconsin.  Had a nice drive down, especially the last 60 miles.  I actually drove our bicycle route, which always gives me a different perspective by car.  You see, if you bike a lot, you will know exactly which hills are a challenge or a struggle, so when you drive that hill by car, all you think about is how hard you would be breathing to make it too the top of the hill.  I also have flashbacks of the screaming legs.  Then you will drive down the hill, and all you think about is how fast your bike computer would be clocking your speed.  It's amazing how your mind thinks when your in a vehicle but, you really want to be on your bicycle!!!

My mom is so sweet.  She had a beautiful home-cooked meal for me tonight....tender pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cucumbers thinly sliced in sour cream & applesauce.  Then, to end the meal she served me sliced strawberries with a chunk of brownie and whipped topping.  Hummmmm, I waddled away from the dinner table tonight, oh boy.....now I'm ready for bed!

So what's the story behind this photo?  As I was driving through the little town of Elroy, I had to stop for the train at the railroad crossing.  Since I was just sitting there in my car waiting for the train, I couldn't resist taking this picture of this lovely old house.  I've been driving by this old house for many years and wish I knew the history behind the place.  Since it's so close to the railroad tracks, I'm thinking this use to be an old boarding house or hotel back in the early 1900's.  What do you think?

Tomorrow is dad angioplasty in Madison.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the procedure works well, otherwise dad will have the stent procedure, which will probably involve staying overnight in the hospital.  Mom and I are preparing for that too.  Motels are plentiful in Madison so I'm not worried about that. 

Early to bed, early to rise......... 

Enjoyed the Sunshine Today

Even the simple things stood out today in the sunshine.

Nature was rich in color everywhere I looked today.

What? Are these rhurbarb kids?