~ trailblazing ~

 

 

watery eyes,

runny nose,

freezing fingers,

burning toes ~

 

poles in hand,

laces secured,

ratchets tight,

crunching……. sounds…… underfoot ~ ~ ~

 

such a wonderful time ~ ~ walking in the snow ~ ~

with trails ahead

and

a smile in tow!

 

……… just purchased a pair of snowshoes – so much fun!!!

 

Madness of the Big Dance…..

•

tis the time of year where madness rules –

when a ball and net turn some into fools.

•

where a seed is not a plant,

a bracket rules the office

and

a grown man (or woman) cry

because their favorite team is offed.

•

there are kids of all ages wearing their fave team jersey

and

alumni digging in closets for old college mementos ~

then

there are school pennants flying high – on public display

along

with echos of fight songs being prepared for game day.

•

the whole process is quite sophisticated,

beginning with a group of 64

then

whittled down

to a Sweet 16,

Elite 8

and

The Final 4.

•

by the time the Big Championship game arrives,

almost 3 weeks will have passed…

when all is done,

the trophy is won – what’s next???

•

Major League Baseball will have just BEGUN!

•

•

Peyton is home tonight…through the weekend.

One guess where he will be camping in front of…..

•

•

•

The day…after the day of the watch and roll…..

~
~
It was a very long day.
A long day indeed.
A day to remember.
A day in which the Patriots
rolled into first place
&
WON THEIR VERY FIRST BOWLING TOURNAMENT
EVER!!!!
~
~
~
Stevenson Patriots in Lincolnshire, IL

a chilly game

~

sitting on uninviting slabs

wind whooshing through fleece

air nipping at noses

autumn soccer and sunsets

~

the view from behind the stands…

~

 

anticipation…

“

sitting and waiting

“

anticipating the call

“

“get out there young man!”

“

end of the game – can you see the moon?

“

 

way down the lane…

•

•

staring down the lane…

standing poised behind the line…

deep concentration…

a mighty orb in his hand…

perchance a strike awaits him?

•

•

first match of the season…

November 14, 2013

my bike

Θ

round and round

the wheels turn-

pushing and pulling pedals.

circles and circles

going far –

miles and miles

but

nowhere.

Θ

forearms resting in aero bars,

water bottles sitting in cages;

the playlist blaring in both ears

and

a chest pounding rapidly at bay…

Θ

10 minute, 20 minutes, 45, 60

sometimes many, many more.

if time is sparse, then less it is

dripping sweat all over the floor.

Θ

the mind is somewhere else

thinking of words, memories or things;

thinking about burning the day’s calories

and

beating up one’s self-esteem.

Θ

many times there is reading –

getting caught up with friends

and

other times there is writing –

spilling out feelings and distress.

Θ

Θ

a bike is like a friend –

it can lift your spirits;

make you strong

or

challenge you –

take you places

you never imagined

Θ

BUT

Θ

a bike can also kill you –

leave you bleeding on the ground

as you feel your life slipping away

along

with

a future

Θ

never to be found.

Θ

Θ

Θ

—

Two weeks after this picture was taken, I had crashed in WI during a training ride – six weeks out from Ironman Wisconsin.  Spent three days in the hospital.  After five hours of surgery, two titanium plates, 48 titanium screws, concussion, scars, getting an xray evaluation of my carbon fiber bike and one year later, I competed and completed Ironman Wisconsin 2006.

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!

beyond the outfield….

˜

not boys, barely men

sunset over dusty field

swing to hit and score

!

an evening game of baseball

sun is setting in the outfield

Madness of the Big Dance

 

 

University of Cincinnati

 

 

’tis the time of year where madness rules –

when a ball and net turn some into fools.

 

where a seed is not a plant,

a bracket rules the office

and

a grown man (or woman) cry

because their favorite team is offed.

 

there are kids of all ages wearing their fave team jersey

and

alumni digging in closets for old college mementos.

then

there are school pennants flying high – on public display

along

with echos of fight songs being prepared for the big game day.

 

the whole process is quite sophisticated,

beginning with a group of 64

then

whittled down

to a Sweet 16,

Elite 8

and

The Final 4.

 

by the time the Big Championship game arrives,

almost 3 weeks will have passed,

when all is done,

the trophy is won – what’s next???

 

Major League Baseball will have just BEGUN!