Catch Up: Last Weekend

So, I've mentioned that it's spring break here in our part of Connecticut.  Three years ago, we went to Disney World.  Two years ago, England.  Last year, well, I recovered from major emergency abdominal surgery.  And this year . . . not much.  We'd thought of doing Vermont, but a few of the places we wanted weren't open yet; ditto, Quebec.  Also ditto, Hershey Park, PA.  And I'm not going to DC with every American 8th grader for spring break.  So, we're having a little staycation, so to speak.

Friday night, we headed into "upstate" New York, i.e. Westchester, which was always upstate when I was in NYC.  There is the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, which advocates for, protects, and, when possible, re-populates wolves, including gray wolves and Mexican red wolves.  And we went to an evening program to learn about wolves--and to howl with them!!  We only saw four of the resident wolves, the ones trained to be ambassadors to people; the other wolves are not accessible so that they can breed away from humans and their pups can be re-introduced into the wild.  The wolves we saw were beautiful, with those silver eyes and the lanky walk that always says "wolf" to me.  I have heard wolves at the CT Zoo howl before--and it fits every cliche--spine tingling, blood curdling, heart stopping--I've never heard anything as scary as when those wolves began howling at a siren on the highway in the distance.  So I was a bit nervous about hearing that howl again.  We watched them be fed--talk about circling like sharks and even dancing in unison as they tried to anticipate the toss of the raw meat (from Whole Foods, no less!) over the fence--and then we howled at them.  And one of them howled back!  So one howling wolf is okay.  Earlier, and from a distance, when we were watching the informational film in the little center, we heard a howl begin and thought it was the film.  Nope, it was many of the wolves at the conservancy.  Still not as chilling as the zoo ones.  And that's okay.    Sis wondered what it would be like to be a vet to wolves . . . maybe one day she'll find out.

We had dessert first, passing through a town with an ice cream parlor-candy shop combo.  Mmmmm!  Salted caramel.  Black Raspberry.  English Toffee.  Chocolate Lace in Cream.  And Sis's very delicious Frozen Hot Chocolate with Belgian chocolate, milk, ice, and a touch of cinnamon.  So good.  And THEN we hit the Jelly Belly display, loading up little bags with our favorite flavors for the ride home:  tutti frutti, tangerine, mixed cocktail (margarita, mojito, strawberry daiquiri), mango, Grape Crush, cream soda, plum, crushed pineapple, coconut . . . .

And just in case that wasn't enough, we actually did eat dinner--at a diner!  We have had diners on the brain since Providence and so ate at one on our route home.  Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green beans in tomato sauce, chicken tenders and french fries, lasagna, a hamburger, iceburg lettuce with ranch dressing. Mmmmm.

And then, completely unrelated, I have a new bicycle!  My last one had been lost in the garage accident four years ago and I hadn't really missed it until recently, when Mama and the kids started riding together more.  I always did like riding my bike, with the feel of the wind in my hair and that sense of whooshing through space--the same feeling I liked on boat rides and rollerskating.  But I hadn't thought about riding after my surgery because of my weak core.  My PT said when I could easily push a grocery cart around the store without my brace for 45 minutes that I could try a bike.  I got to that point awhile back but the winter weather wasn't conducive to riding.  Until recently.  And so, we got me a "beach cruiser" bike, with high handlebars and pedal brakes just like I like.  And, well, it's just like remembering how to ride a bike.  Except I'd never worn a helmet before!  I've been zipping around the cul-de-sac, just like I did 35 years ago at home.  Feels so good.

In fact, we've been outside a good deal, for us, recently.  With the warmer weather and some sunshine, albeit not in the last few days, we've been tossing a ring Frisbee thing around (not a solid Frisbee, more like a a flat coronet.)  We're not great shots, but we can go round robin with lots of laughing and encouragement.  As long as we stay clear of the blossoming hyacinths (my favorite) and daffodils.

If the weather holds, maybe we'll go out to the zoo to see the local wolves.

And then, this weekend:  owl prowl!

Let's Go Ride a Bike!

Sis has learned how to ride a bicycle!  After weeks of coasting down the driveway practicing, she went into the cul de sac with Gong holding her seat and in just a few seconds was cruising all by herself!  She is so excited and so proud on her pink and white bike.  Now, every chance she gets, she heads by herself into the cul de sac and rides and rides and rides--do you recall that feeling?  The wind in your hair, the speed of the wheels, letting the bike coast without even pedalling?  The freedom, the joy, the pride!  She's even practiced standing to pedal!  And tonight, she even ran an errand on her bike, cruising down the block for a cup of milk, which she carried in her little handlebars tote in a clean jam jar I gave her!  "If you need any more errands, Mom, I'm your girl!"  Yes, you are.

Bicycles Built for Two

We spent the morning at the local bike shop because the kids got their first bicycles today, a birthday present from Gommie and Pop. After measuring, discussing, consulting with the cycling expert at the shop, we selected a pink bike with white tires (and a little purse/basket) for Sis and a blue bike with black tires (and also hand brakes) for Bud. Plus two new helmets (unfortunately, the new novelty helmets with rabbit ears and shark teeth weren't really protecting against front impacts, the main source of bicycle injury), also pinkish and blue-ish. Of course.

Along with our purchase, we got a little "Zen and the Art of Bicycling," some philosophical advice on life. A helmet is very important to save your life but elbow and knee pads incubate you from life's lessons--it's important to skin your knees and get right back up on the saddle seat. He was wonderful, spending a lot of time with us as his shop got busier and busier.

Sis and Bud waited as patiently as they could, considering how excited and proud they were. The nice bike shopped rushed the construction of the pink bike so Sis didn't have to wait all day or even til tomorrow; we were grateful, especially because Bud's bike was ready. Soon they had those shiny new bikes and were riding up and down the sidewalk with Gommie and Pop, testing those wobbly training wheels on their new two-wheelers. You could see the concentration and effort on their faces as they seriously rode up and down. At home, they rode back and forth, trying turns and stops (both also have coaster brakes). Sis was speedy--I think she loves speed, on her tricycle, her scooter, and now her bicycle. There was one small flip but Bud got right back up on his bicycle, ignoring his skinned knee. Just like we hoped he would.

During the whole morning, we reminisced about our own bikes. Pop had hand-me-downs from his siblings, repainted for him, only getting his own new bike when I was probably about 10. I remember our going with him to the bike shop to get the big new blue bicycle and then he shocked me by riding it all the way home, down the backroads of the various neighborhoods. I think he had a wonderful time. I believe my first bike came for Christmas and, it being warm enough with no ice or snow, I rode it up and down our cul-de-sac so happy about the plastic white-woven basket with three big flowers and not minding the training wheels at all. I was probably about 6 or 7, can't be sure. I had a different bike, a blue Schwinn, with huge book basket rack on the back, that I rode to school from 5-9th grades (with Gommie following me the first time or two so I didn't get lost). Mama remembered especially the adult bike she bought in

Chicago, from the dyke-owned shop. She rode a lot around the city those first few years, excited by the freedom. She went back to the shop several times, enjoying the atmosphere and buying accessories. I think she was nostalgic for those days, and for the days riding through the parks of Queens with her dad, and hopes we become a biking family. I actually have an adult bike, purchased at the same shop several years ago but left unused because I found riding hard--after three years of physical therapy and learning about my body, I know why now it was challenging and why it will be hard to take up again. But I can participate in family rides in other ways and think it would be great fun for us all. I hope the kids remember today and subsequent bicycle days with the same happiness and fondness.

Happy Birthday, Sis and Bud!