Interesting week we have had. Temperatures all over the place. Now it is much cooler than normal with frost and hard freezes at night.
This weekend is the Assault on the Carolinas (HERE) The Assault is a major bicycle event that features rides of 40K, 60K, and 100K up and down the mountains of Upstate South Carolina and Transylvania County in NC. The rides all begin and end in downtown Brevard. The other thing shared by all the rides is that they travel on US 276, our only route to town and beyond. Need I say that we don't plan to leave the community? Except perhaps to drive to a nearby viewing place to cheer on the riders. They have an elevation gain of 5,567 feet in the 100K. I'm sure they will appreciate the cooler temperatures. The wind? Not so much.
The Assault has become increasingly popular. The rides began with 50 cyclists and are now capped at 1,000 riders. Registration was closed in 2015 for this year's ride. Interestingly enough, the average speed in the 100k is 36mph. The speed limit on most of the route is 35. Considering the elevation changes, that is quite impressive.
Lucy is on forced rest this weekend. At the park on Wednesday she decided to run zoomies around the car after finishing a healthy run by the lake. The sharp quick turns caused a minor injury. I'm sure she pulled a muscle. She limped a bit each time she got up yesterday. The limp went away after several steps so we are certain the injury is minor. She isn't limping at all today but we think it prudent to keep her from running over the weekend.
She manages the rest surprisingly well for such an active dog. She follows my husband around and takes a bed wherever he ends up. In this photograph, she is on the alert since he has walked into the hall. She's watching to see if he goes upstairs or comes back to the den. If he returns, then she will plop her head down and snooze some more. If he goes upstairs, she will follow and get into the nearest bed or find a sunbeam.
Can't bother to look at the camera, Mom.
Gotta watch where Daddy is going.
Our friends in Wisconsin were frequently in touch as their Presidential Primary assumed far more importance than it usually does. Made no sense to vent to others living there, so they vented to us. They are delighted to once again be out of mainstream news.
Today's quote comes from Shel Siverstein's A Light in the Attic. It is delightful, a little bit naughty and was a favorite book of both our children. And as I age, I love this verse more and more. I'm glad I have a freezer full. It's nearing time to use them.
I'll take the dream I had last night,
And put it in my freezer,
So someday long and far away,
When I'm an old grey geezer,
I'll take it out and thaw it out,
This lovely dream I've frozen,
And boil it up and sit me down
And dip my old cold toes in.
HAVE A MOST WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE
PUT THOSE DREAMS IN THE FREEZER
Every great dream
begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the
strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change
the world.
Harriet Tubman
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_dreams.html
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_dreams.html
12 comments:
I love that poem! I'll have to remember it as I approach geezer-hood :)
Here is my Facebook post from yesterday: April has been crazy in temperature blanket land. I check the temperature at 7:00 each night to determine what that day's row color will be. So far we've had: 52, 38, 56, 35, 41, 56, & 38. Plus, rain, high winds, & snow. That's our Ohio!
And today I mowed in 38 degrees while it SNOWED. So crazy!
Dreading the predicted hard freeze. But, boy, it's been a beautiful few weeks!
I was talking to my brother who lives in Virginia, and he told me how the weather has been wild. He lost all of his blueberry crop to the frost the other night. Really crazy weather, and another freeze expected this weekend. Love seeing Lucy watching for your husband. Such a sweet, attentive doggie. Love the poem.
We have had so many bikers on the roads for the few nice days of sunshine, it was really hard to drive on our 2 lane curvy and up and down roads already. I don't pass them until I have a clear visual that I can get around...and it is good that I don't have to be anywhere at a specific time often. Loved the poem!
I've not heard that verse in a long time, thanks for posting it, and reminding me of it!
I hope your girl feels better -- OF course we've "rested" our dogs too, all the while trying to remind them that they're aren't puppies anymore!
Stay warm this weekend -- Crazy weather in VA too, they are saying snow! Ugh....
Hope Lucy is back to her old self in no time! I love Shel and used to have two of the books, but one of the kids stole them. I can't imagine those bike rides in the mountains, but I've seen bikers on the roads there before. They must have some seriously strong legs, stamina and butts with callouses on them from those bike seats!
Hope Lucy's muscle heals quickly, lovely photograph of her ...
Bicycle racing is so popular,so hope the weekend cyclists have fun (can you call those distances fun) and no accidents.
All the best Jan
What a sweet poem!!! Poor Lucy....she was just trying to have some fun. :) {the story of my life!} I hope she's back in action soon. That bike race sounds amazing; I just couldn't imagine having the endurance to keep up with the elevation changes OR the speed.
I love the poem!!!
I'm glad that Lucy is on the mend already. You take such good care of her! I hope that she's running zoomies again soon :)
Aww, poor Lucy. As long as your husband doesn't do too many trips on the stairs, she should be fine. How devoted she is.
Can't imagine biking up that elevation. I use to wheeze at a 20 foot elevation in fl.
I love that poem. Great advice for all.
Love that Shel.
Hope you got to watch the race. We love watching riders come through our area every spring for the Tour of California. Many heavyweights in the cycling world.
Lucy is recovered by now I hope. Just doesn't seem fair to become injured after such a good romp.
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Bug - And you were worried there might not be enough color variation for your blanket.
Vicki - I agree. I've gotten to the point that I no longer worry about the weather. I simply enjoy the good and manage the bad.
Robin - I'm always so sorry to hear someone loses a crop. Especially one as dear as blueberries.
Barbara - Same here. It's not so bad going down the mountain to town since most of the bikes go near the speed limit. It's the trip back up the mountain to the house that slows us down. So we can live with that.
Kim - Lucy is just like we are...constantly forgetting that we are no longer in our youthful prime.
Ms. A - fortunately most of the riders who try the mountains are just like you describe
Suz - thanks. Lucy is just fine and I'm sure we were overly cautious.
KB - We've taken to putting her leash back on before we get to the car. Zoomies in the open are not so bad but those quick turns around the car are not good at all.
Patti - No, I cannot imagine riding in the mountains. In fact, we gave our bikes away when we moved here. Those suburban flat streets were great. But these hills? Not a chance.
Tara - We loved Shel as well. Great new photo you have there.
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