back at it……..

Des Plaines River Trail

free of the vortex

trekking beside phantom tracks

joy of snowshoeing

Weekly Pet Challenge – Biker Chick ‘Pee’

˜

She is the leanest meanest hairiest machine

on 2 wheels

(who is…not a biker dude)

˜

She is the quintessential Biker Chick –

Code name: Chick Pee

she is an advocate for safety
helmets are her thing

˜

no messing around with Chick Pee…

˜

being tough is tiring

˜

a post script:  As one can see, Sydnee Pee looks a bit tuckered out.  Peyton and I took her out on an adventure – an actual walk, of which she has been lacking.  Thanks to a little break in the weather and ice thaw, we found a really cool place – Morraine Hills State Park.  By the way, she did not budge once while having her photos taken!

http://hopethehappyhugger.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/michelles-weekly-pet-challenge-round-up-and-start-of-new-week-27/

soccer season

∞

a year older

a bit taller

new team

new faces

new uniform

new coach

new field

new goals

new excitement in the air

♥

a new season has begun…

♥

♥

♥

second game of the season
not the greatest picture – there will be more to come:)

Oh – by the way – they won.  2-0!

the looking glass

•

truth or distortion?

what is it you see?

is it a contrived perception

or

the person you believe yourself to be?

•

a mirror can be a friend –

revealing beauty

inside or out.

it can also be a fraud –

killing life’s dreams

and

fueling one’s doubts.

•

there is always too much –

never any less.

nothing ever seems right,

though we desperately try our best.

•

the eyes only see

what they alone can see

and

the mind stands behind

to confirm what it all means.

•

some people find contentment –

they are happy just to be

and

there are those

who struggle daily

never

liking

what they see.

∞

∞

a trip home

˜

running on the trail

˜

beneath the tall canopies

˜

sunbeams peek through trees

˜

a bridge leading to somewhere

˜

guided by a burst of light

˜

˜

Des Plaines River Trail

Lake County Forest Preserves

Lincolnshire, IL

≈

from the archives:

https://words4jp.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/my-trail/

with mom, sort of

˜

a pair became one

three steps, one blink – he is gone

alone – i do run

≈

≈

≈

Peyton was here just a second ago…

August 6, 2013

Running on  the trail with my son Peyton, sort of – We started together, passed each other twice and I found him by the car.  He had been waiting for about 5 minutes. Humph!  🙂

running

˜

ties secured with knots

˜

music cued, strapped to left arm

˜

sounds of crushed limestone

˜

feeling ones rhythm and stride

˜

moment of grace in movement

˜

˜

∞

July 21st run at the Singing Hills Nature Preserve in Volo, IL

A storm was moving in …… I ran anyway…….

storm clouds

I squeezed out my run – just in time …..

my daily haiku

up     ↓      up      ↓      up →

     down   ↑   down   ↑

◊

from a one flat to three floors

◊

            up       ↓        up   →                    SIT.

down  ↑    down     ↑

can this be my new couch???

An after blurb:  The boys’ beds were built into a loft at the old house.  Right now, the beds are mattresses on the floor, until I can purchase new frames – but the boys are digging being low after being 6 feet in the sky – and someone else seems to enjoy being low, as well. 

you and the water

up early before the sun rises

standing over the body of water,

waiting

tension running thru her body, soon to be erased

tension running thru her body, soon to be power

as she enters the body of energy

feeling one with mind, body & soul

all cares are forgotten, troubles are gone

reborn in the maker’s fountain

held once again.

∞

Ironman Wisconsin 2006

punch + kick = ahhhhhh…..

 

The scent of sweat and leather

filters through the room

while

the rhythm of thunderous music –

resonates in my ears……….

 

With hands wrapped tight,

and gloves secure,

I find myself

standing –

in front of my

opponent.

 

Or is it my friend?

 

I do not know for certain

but

will soon find out

for sure.

 

I’ve stretched out a bit,

gulped down some water

and

anxiously…..await……..

with all of the others………

 

“LETS DO IT”

 

The warm up is very basic;

to get the blood flowing –

fifteen minutes of

running,

lunging,

push ups

and

squatting.

 

When the bouncing has commenced

it’s time to get serious –

in front of the bag

we stand –

hands up,

face blocked,

on the hop……………….

 

“LET’S GO”

 

There is nothing more

liberating

than throwing a punch –

into a bag

of sand 

weighing 75 lbs –

covered in black leather

hanging

from a chain.

 

The impact begins when the glove

hits the bag –

then

the fist

the arm,

the shoulder,

and neck –

until the whole body is

contracting,

heart racing

faster than  fast!

 

The bag is unrelenting –

it’s firm

with just a little bit of  ‘give’ –

not a pillow –

but it does allow

for a darn good punch

and

a give-it-all-you-got power kick.

 

After 30 minutes of throwing

punches

and

kicking hard against the bag,

it’s time to move on to

the core,

stretch,

clean the leather

&

then

collapse.

 

“GOOD CLASS  EVERYONE”

 

The arms feel like

noodles,

the legs turn into

rubber,

the mind becomes

crystal clear

and the spirit feels

light as a

feather!

 

What I like the most

about this class

is the bag I get to punch.

For me it is not

an object,

it becomes

so, so

much

more –

 

It’s the conflict

deep within me,

all of the chaos that exists –

the darkness,

fears,

the uncertainties,

and struggles

of everyday life –

wrapped in a 75 lb package

for me

to punch

&

kick!