Get out

The smoke is finally gone. I'm glad to put that chapter behind us. It's now something we can talk about in past tense. We can laugh about the ugly masks that we had to wear, and remember how the sun looked so eerie and pink through the smoke, and how unfortunate it was to spend the entire month of September indoors!  It's not something that any of us will soon forget.

The fresh air feels so new! I was able to run outside the other day for the first time in about 6 weeks. Glorious. My lungs were totally ecstatic to take in all that sparkly O2.  I have a real need to be out-of-doors. I think I get it from this guy. Some times I forget. It comes naturally to children doesn't it? We are always telling kids to, "go out side and play". Well I think that we should be saying that to one another as well.  I have to say it to myself. It's so easy to get stuck in a routine of treadmill, desk, car, house, TV, laptop, bed.

I have to remind myself to get out. Breathe. Move. Wonder. Explore. Take it all in.

Get off the beaten path a little.  See. Smell. Hear. 

It's important to notice. Awe. Delight in Creation. Be thankful. 

Go outside Friends. Fresh air can do a lot. There's a little bit of happy waiting for you out there. 

everything else...

There is a lot floating around in my mind. I am a notorius over-thinker. Sometimes it gets so jumbled that it is hard to separate thought from thought. It's like rapid fire, one after the other. But when I ride (or run, or swim, or hike, or row...you get the picture) it all stops.

Total standstill.

The exertion necessitates that my whole self (mind included- there is no division) becomes devoted to: 

muscles under flesh, flexing, rising up, pulling away from bone

lungs and breath

sweat and salt on my skin

cadence, rhythm, pace, and time

pedaling, pounding, pulling, pushing

going further, faster

burning

building strength- inside and out

Exercise: it's just so vital to me. It's more like a rest actually. Everything else just fades away. 

Sunday Morning

7:53am tee time. Because we're loud, and hit our balls zig-zag accross the course, and because we like to drive the carts a little faster than what is allowed.

Ian was trying REALLY hard to reach the pedals. By hole #8 he realized that he could just push it down with his hands. Thankfully I was standing nearby!

It was a georgous morning!

Laurel's "technique" makes me smile. She doesn't let her head get into her game. She just smiles and laughs when things don't go exactly her way.

Which is more than I can say for some...(ugh).

We just skipped the tee boxes and drove right up to the 150 yard markers. It still took us 2 hours to play nine, and keeping score was pointless. I know a few cheats in that group!

After a few holes Ian was demanding to get in on the action.

Later in the afternoon we enjoyed poolside ice cream. 

Whenever we get food or drinks at the country club I have to try so hard not to say "Charge it to the Underhills." Ha!