The Cloud Effect or, Its Always Something

Years ago, a client and I came up with a concept we named the cloud effect. We had worked hard together to help her get through a pair of daunting tasks, flying on an airplane and having surgery. Both times, the preparation worked well, and both times an unexpected challenge arose, involving clouds. We concluded […]

New Wheels

I got a new bike. I haven’t had a lot of those in my life. I rode hand me downs from a neighbor and my mom until I bought my first new bike in high school. It was a ten speed, in Kraft dinner orange (this was 1972) and it was cool. It was stolen […]

Strange gardening, take 2: Small potatoes

A few days ago, in my Strange Gardening post, I noted some of the unusual goings on in this year’s garden. I now have an update. The potato plants that weren’t doing so well a few days ago started looking really crummy, despite rain and cooler temperatures. Figuring that they were unlikely to improve, I upended their […]

Tri this: I’m in!

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve entered my first triathlon. Its the Mini Haha (mini ’cause its short, haha ’cause its fun–their words, not mine) put on by the Broomfield Recreation Center. Its a mini-sprint event, with a 300 yd swim, 11 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run. As its name suggests, its a fun […]

Strange Gardening

This is my 29th season of vegetable gardening. I began when I bought my house, and started from bare dirt. There have been many iterations over the years, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that no two gardening seasons are alike. What thrives one year may be a total bust the next, and vice […]

Too many variables, same result

The result: pain in my low back and pelvis. Again. Last week was a good week. I saw my sports medicine doctor on Monday, and we got some things figured out and loosened up. I was able to run two miles twice without pain during and after. Very encouraging. Last evening, I noticed I was […]

Running haiku

cool morning post rain quiet birdsong, sun rising I run with pleasure

Word Funnies, Part 3: Mondegreens

Mondegreens are rampant, we’ve all said them, and many are hilarious. So what are they and why do they have such a strange name? A mondegreen is a word or phrase that results from the mishearing of something said or sung (Merriam Webster). Sylvia Wright coined the phrase in a 1954 article, writing about how […]

Spiky Beauty

The seasons have clearly changed here, going from the lush greenness of late spring/early summer to the more brown and sparse landscape of hot and dry midsummer. With that, I’ve noticed a change in the plant life. Green leaves and blossoms are morphing to drying grasses and the spiky plants, with their protective armor seem […]

intimidated

A few weeks ago, I was looking at a listing of local triathlons, curious about what was available. As I suspected, there are quite a few, from low-key sprint races put on by parks and recreation departments to a full Ironman. Perusing the listings, I was surprised to find myself intimidated and overwhelmed at times. […]

Moxie, you tempt me!

I laughed when I read that today’s daily prompt is Moxie. Moxie is also the name of the fabulous bakery about a mile from my home. https://www.moxiebreadco.com Its only been open a few years, and has already made quite a name for itself, locally and nationally, including being named one of the best new bakeries the […]

Tri training, month 1

First off, I am really pleased that I completed this first month of training. I showed up, I trained, I learned. Overall, I feel stronger and healthier, with more energy and enthusiasm for life. As I write this, my SI joint is aching, (see Tri this: P.I.T.A.) reacting to a slow walk to the post office (about […]

Tri this: P.I.T.A.

Pain In The Ass: Both the experience of being injured and where it hurts! A few weeks ago, I made a mistake. I rode my bike with my swim bag slung across my body, messenger bag style. I’ve done this before, riding the short distance from my home to the rec center where I swim. […]

The Cat Crunchie Caper

via Daily Prompt: Caper A few weeks ago, I wrote about my aging cats, in Living with Elder Cats, prompted by Lucy being ill for a few days. This weekend, Lucy demonstrated further recovery. Coming into the house after a trip to the pet store, the bag of very expensive prescription cat food ripped open, spilling onto […]

Word Funnies, Part 2: Malaphors

Whats a malaphor? A blended idiom, combining two phrases. A combination of Malaprop and metaphor. I’ve enjoyed these gems for years, having a fondness for the absurd. Only recently did I learn the “official” term, when a Facebook friend of mine linked to one of Dave Malaphor’s posts, and from there I found his site: malaphors.com I’ve […]

Meadowlarks and other joys of morning training

Early morning exercise has its benefits, most notably, the joys of being in nature as my day begins, with the song of the meadowlark

Word Funnies, Part 1: Malaprops

I’ve long enjoyed malapropisms and the little twist of surprise that comes with hearing one. So what are they? From the Oxford dictionary: malapropism (noun) the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, as in, for example, “dance a flamingo” (instead of flamenco) synonyms: wrong word, solecism, […]