Celebrating the ‘Top 5’ of 2010

I’m not a resolution maker. My theory is: If you want something, do it. Of course, I love ‘checklists’ and ‘to do’ lists as much as anyone (which my post-it covered writing desk proves). But when even the grocery checkout lady is asking me for my New Year’s resolutions, I’m baffled. The whole tradition of an annual ‘hit list’ is simple enough. But to me, probing friends and family for New Year’s resolutions feels too much like the ‘tell me about your short and long-term goals’ question at a job interview.

Instead, I propose we celebrate our successes of the past year. Make a list of your Top 5 Accomplishments of 2010 (and toast yourself while you’re at it). If you’re like me, the best part of any checklist is marking off tasks when they’re done. It feels great to recognize those successful completions. So, let’s use this energy to propel ourselves into 2011 and make it our best year ever. To help you get started, I’ve listed my own below.

1. Book Project - This year I started writing a novel. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Currently, I’m 75% with the first draft. Fortunately, I love every minute and task involved in this project. Once the book is written, there’s lots of research to do to find an Agent and get on the path to being published. For those who are curious about the story, see the book summary below:
   
   MAGGIE LONG is plagued by an anxiety/panic disorder. Each day is a series of careful steps to avoid her stress triggers. A conversation with her sister LUCY leads to a secret about her past, Maggie confronts her parents JIM and RUTH, who reveal the villainous cause of her panic disorder. For Maggie, coping with most everything involves writing and journaling. So after being suddenly downsized from her Technical Writing job, she decides to pen a novel. When her grandmother FANNIE falls ill, she rushes to help. Then, a firm agrees to publish her first novel. Living her dream, she embarks on a book tour. But, as always, the evil panic demon lurks in the shadows. It mars her homecoming by inducing a bad case of writer’s block. Unable to work on her new novel, she must try a new method to drain her stress-filled barrel: running. But will this newfound strength be enough to silence the demon so she can resume her journey as a successful novelist?
    
2. Running for a Healthy Life – This year I started jogging. My sister-in-law inspired me by training for the Des Moines marathon. She wasn’t much of a runner either, so I figured that if she could do 26 miles, I could surely do a 5K (3.1 miles). After a brief set back with an ankle injury in October, I ran my first 4K (2.5 mile) race in November. Now, I’m addicted, but at least this is one habit I won’t have to kick!
   

3. Kindle e-Reader Reignites an Old Flame – I LOVE reading thanks to my mom who’d read me five stories a night as a child. Her efforts were not wasted as I still devour books, especially anything by Stephen King or Dean Koontz. Until I got an e-Reader, I was leery about the technology. Would I like it as much as my beloved paperbacks? All I can say is, OH YEA! If you haven’t seen one, check out the display models at Staples or Best Buy. The screen looks and reads like an actual paperback page (no eyestrain). If you like to dog-ear pages and highlight passages, you’ll love the e-Reader’s automatic bookmarking, full text searching, highlighting, and notes features. One small device holds thousands of books and holds a charge for up to a month (if you disable the Wi-Fi). Those 2-inch thick Stephen King books easily fit in my purse now!
   
4. Capturing Memories – I’m a frugal gal. My sister and I make a game of saving money. For me, the best deal of 2010 began as an experiment. Our oldest son, Sean, needed senior pictures and we dreaded the cost of a professional photographer. Using my shutter skills as an ‘accidental photographer,’ I took tons of outdoor pics (since I’m better with those), knowing I’d get at least a few good shots. After dropping off my digital images at Photo Pro in Cedar Rapids, I was rewarded with amazing, professional-looking images. I got 108 wallets, 14 5x7’s, and 2 8x10’s for $80.00 (that’s with a 20% discount for picking up the order on Friday). I saved money and enjoyed capturing those precious memories myself.
   

5. Letting Things Go – Another addiction of mine is cleaning, a side of me I jokingly call ‘The Clean Queen’. Clutter and chaos are intensely distracting, so I’ve always spent considerable time picking up, organizing and cleaning our house. Of course, writing a book requires a lot of effort and time at the keyboard. The dilemma was getting The Clean Queen to defer her standards for The Writer. After months of adjustment, I’ve finally learned to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. My family helps more with household chores now too, which is another Hoorah! for this year.

Living without the Black Box

Our boys sitting around
The Black Box in our camper.

I wonder if television is rotting my brain, turning it into mush. The black box’s draw is especially strong on long, stressful days. I sit before it, like an altar, fixed on the screen seeking relief, an escape. At such times, I’m drawn to crime dramas, stories of strong female leads that triumph over crisis, and comedies. Laughter is the best tension reliever after a difficult day. Its instant, mood-changing quality eases tight muscles. Who doesn’t love laughing until you cry as your bladder threatens to burst?


Blue Jay @ feeder

Yet without restraint, I let the black box become a brain sucking, time devouring machine. Serial programs hook you and pique your interest as commercials peddle the latest must-have products. If you prefer, like me, stations such as Showtime and HBO without commercial interruptions, you likely sit around the box longer. At least those stations don’t require me to endure the awkward ‘male enhancement’ ads.

I found myself ignoring my favorite pastimes and hobbies in favor or the black box. But, I had nothing to show for my time at the end of the day. So, I opted to enact NO TV days (for myself) allowing only a radio or an iPod background noise. What a miracle happens when I do this! The beauty of Mother Nature comes alive, doing her best healing work on me. I made homemade suet cakes from leftover bacon grease, peanut butter, and sunflower-rich birdseed. I sat around the windows waiting to see how my recipe would be received. Woodpeckers and blue jays swarmed the suet feeder devouring the first suet cake in a single day.



Fall Maple Leaves

 As I watched the feeders the day of my suet experiment, I also saw goldfinches line up to munch on thistle seed. Cardinals, nuthatches, sparrows, and pigeons snacked on my homemade seed mixture (a big bag of cheap seed mixed with a medium-sized bag of black sunflower seed). Watching these natural joys and dramas filled my weary, tired soul more fully than anything found on the black box.


Later in the day, I hopped on our 4-wheeler to go around collecting kindling for the fireplace. I found gigantic Maple leaves to press flat and frame for Thanksgiving decor. I stopped to watch a flock of 20+ wild turkeys jogging through a grove and a herd of deer crossing an open field. I spied the rotting carcass of a coyote. I smelled the fresh, woody scent of pine trees. I collected fallen pinecones. 

Our Northern Sunset View

In an unfarmed section of field, tall, tan grass with heavy seed heads waved back and forth in the breeze. As the sun descended, the horizon transformed the landscape with a spectacular blend of turquoise, yellow, and amber. The falling temperature made me grateful for the headband and gloves that I’d brought along. As I headed back to the house, I felt alive and rejuvenated. I hadn’t missed the black box one bit.

Life is NOT a ‘To Do’ List



Melissa's Solution for a
Stressed Schedule

Like many Americans, I allow my life to revolve around To Do lists. I keep thinking if I could just get these things done, I can relax and even get away for a weekend retreat. But, that just never happens. In my own observation, there are many facets of life and ACCOMPLISHMENTS are but one part of our existence. Having wonderful EXPERIENCES and RELATIONSHIPS are the other two crucial elements. After all, when you simplify basic human needs, they boil down to three things: (1) food/water, (2) shelter/clothing, and (3) being cared for/loved.

So, why are we (and even our kids!) so chronically stressed and anxious? I believe our immediate-driven lifestyles are to blame allowing us to connect instantly with anyone, anywhere via instant messaging, cell phones and Wi-Fi. While I’m all for communication, a person needs time for themselves to stay focused on their own life’s priorities and goals. Plus, technology can never provide the true connection that face-to-face, human contact provides. Voices, photos, and videos are representations of people, but are only pieces of the true person and cannot be touched or felt.

My search for solutions on Amazon.com revealed scads of material on counteracting and relieving stress. But, the new-age remedies like breathing exercises and focused meditation haven’t worked for me in the past. I needed somebody to teach me how to relax again because I’d forgotten how to quiet my soul. That’s when I found “The SuperStress Solution” book by Dr. Roberta Lee, M.D.

It’s teaching me about balancing my ‘Qi’ (the life force that regulates our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health). For example, I’ve learned that my tendency to isolate myself when I feel frazzled occurs because my body is balancing the excited/agitated (‘yang’) with the quiet/passive (‘yin’). Whatever terms you use to describe these states, the exercises and de-stressing tools Dr. Lee teaches are nothing short of miraculous.

Dr. Lee proposes that we answer and adhere to our answers to the following questions?

1. What do you VALUE?
2. What do you STAND UP for?
3. What do you BELIEVE IN?
4. What is SACRED to you?
5. What would you SACRIFICE for?

My own list of treasures includes: Self/Spirituality, Family, Freedom, Independence, and Friends. Yet focusing on priorities becomes murky when the day-to-day, moment-by-moment stuff comes barreling at you like a bullet from a gun. I got into the habit of giving in too easily to the nagging requests before me. Before long, I’d set trends that ran counter to my values and what is sacred to me. That’s when I realized I was too focused on GETTING DONE QUICKLY rather than DOING IT RIGHT.

Nowadays, I counteract negative energy by playing nature sounds on my iPod for background noise when writing, reading or relaxing. The chirping birds, light rainfall, and sounds of the desert at night calm my soul. They don’t distract you with words or fast tempos. In a way, that’s what I like most about my favorite getaway: Camping. The sounds of a walk in the woods are the perfect remedy for stress, grounding your sensibilities. It’s simple, unadulterated living that culminates around a roaring, crackling campfire. Watching the logs glow and burn is hypnotic and lulls me into a meditative trance. It begs silence and attention in a mystical way.

Guess I knew how to relax, I just needed to give myself permission to slow down. Yea, I might end up keeping the To Do lists, but perhaps things like WALK THE DOG IN THE WOODS will be at the top.

What We DO Have Time For

I’m tired of hearing and reading about how out-of-balance we are juggling the ever-expanding roles and responsibilities our hectic lives require. Too often I find myself telling someone, “I would, but things are just so busy right now” only to realize there is never a time when I’m not frantic. Why do I let myself become sucked into the over-scheduling vortex? Guilt has this deadlock grip on me making me think I should do more than I’m capable of handling. The media doesn’t help matters and I’m shunning TV, print, and online news because it makes you feel bad about life. I take any more stories touting the evils of technology addiction, poor nutrition, and sleep deprivation.

I suppose such ominous facts grab our attention, which is ultimately the point. They want to pique your interest and we all know that bad news travels faster than the speed of light. However, my frustration with world affairs makes me glad I have the freedom to retreat from society to seek out others who desperately seek a path of light and optimism.

'Smiling Sisters'
My Grandma (Gracie, right) with her
dad (Johnnie) and two sisters
Lorena (left) and Francis mid 1940s.

To that end, I’ve compiled a list of things I DO have time for each day/week/month/year. Hopefully, you can find some useful tips, hope, and joy to fit into your own routine!

1. Smiles – It takes no extra time to SMILE and SAY THANKS to people throughout the day. I’m setting a goal to do this twice daily until it’s a permanent habit.

Recently we merged with another company in town and re-located our employees to their site. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many familiar faces (from other companies I’ve worked for over the years) along with many new friends. Smiling and saying hello to everyone (even ones I couldn’t name) makes me feel so at home

'Smiling Football Fans'
Rollie, dad, and me Sept. 2010 at the
Iowa vs. Iowa State football game.

 and comfortable. Had I taken a more standoffish stance, I’d surely get a far different reaction walking those halls each day. For inspiration, visit The Art of Smiling website.

2. Healthy Body – If I don’t treat my body well, I’m prone to illness plus feel tired and drained. A daily regimen of exercise plus eating fresh fruits and veggies keeps everything in good working order. Being fit gets me through those very busy, overwhelming days!

I’ve discovered as I age that eating and exercising properly is a necessity rather than a novelty. If I don’t eat yogurt and bananas for breakfast, my sinuses clog up and I get infections easily. If I forget to take my Citrucel fiber each morning, my intestines painfully remind me. Skipping exercise and stretching for more than a day gives me stiff joints and achy muscles. Giving my body what it craves lets me live every day more fully. If you need a kick in the butt to get healthier, check out this book I’m reading called "The Superstress Solution" by Roberta Lee, M.D. The 4-week diet and lifestyle program is a wonderful read on handling stress more efficiently, building resilience, relaxing, plus sleeping well and managing your weight.

3. Get Outdoors – I cannot say enough about the miraculous way nature fills my soul. A walk in the park or even sitting in my car facing a tree or meadow is entrancing. Watching the birds, squirrels, and other creatures scurrying about is both soothing and rejuvenating. Check out this article for motivation: Looking at Nature Makes You Nicer.

4. Simplicity – Everyone likes cool stuff (even me), but before I buy I ask, “Is this for a physical need or an emotional one?” Buying things feels good, but too much stuff makes more work, which I don’t need. Besides, most times a good cleaning/rearranging session makes me feel like got a new wardrobe or redecorated.

I love reading and have researched electronic book readers (where you can download thousands of titles via a web connection) at great length. Yet, I hesitate because buying books second-hand (at a fraction of the list price) and re-selling my old titles is so economical. Plus, printed versions let you write notes in margins, highlight favorite passages, are easily dried out when spilled on, can be shared with friends, and require no batteries or charging. If I traveled more for work, I’d invest in an e-reader, but for now, the low-tech print books are best.

5. Give within Limits – My mailbox and email are overflowing with ‘Won’t You Please Help…” requests, plus the nightly phone calls. Giving is good whether it’s your money or time, but setting limits makes saying ‘No’ easier. I confine myself to these charities: (1) soldier/veterans’ groups like the USO and DAV and (2) Easter Seals benefiting disabled children. Even if I only have $5 to give some years, that’s still good I did for someone else.

A Retreat Alone

(Two young maple trees
outside our farmhouse in 2000)

H.D. Thoreau heralded the wonders of being alone in nature. I have an old, worn paperback compilation of his works in my office that I periodically peruse when I need a good dose of earthy inspiration. Country life is miraculous because you can actually hear the wind blowing and bird’s voices echoing across the landscape. When a lone car or truck careens down the road, its approach is evident from a long way off. Although city-dwelling birds and creatures are numerous, their voices are drowned out among the urban chorus of machines, vehicles and crowds.

(One of our grown maples today)

Wanting to take advantage of these picturesque views, I recently rearranged my desk to face the office window looking eastward through a pair of stately maple trees. They were but rail-thin saplings when we bought the farm (as the above picture shows), but 10 years growth has transformed them into marvelous shade-filled beauties (as shown, right). From their branches, well-stocked bird feeders draw winged singers. In the early mornings when I rise to write, the sunlight spills through the leaves and onto the dewy grass beneath. Soon the greenery will transform into a palette of orange, red, and gold as fall arrives. For now, though, my senses gorge themselves with the cooler temperatures and the lush green Garden of Eden outside my window.

Unfortunately, life’s hectic journey encroaches on one’s time regardless of where you reside. Lawns still need mowed, carpets need vacuumed, and laundry needs washed no matter how serene things look outside your window. But for those few moments each morning, I have my little piece of heaven where nothing else exists. This brief meditation fills me with inspiration to wade through the hectic day of family, work, and personal responsibilities. As I write this now, a storm is brewing outside as the leaves are rustling loudly and the gray sky is thick and heavy. Better take my umbrella to work, but then again maybe a few raindrops would feel good.

CAUTION: Flamingo Crossing

These well-dressed flamingos
visting our farm last May sported
Americana-inspired scarves.

Family traditions can be engaging, difficult, and enlightening, but none is as entertaining as our own Flamingo Gang. This clan strikes by stealth leaving a flock of pink birds in their wake with other telltale signs claiming responsibility. No one remembers (or admits knowing) where the practice originated, but many family members have been implicated in the gang’s antics.

The level of creativity displayed at some sites leaves little doubt that considerable planning goes into these artistic arrangements. And, there’s no denying the attention these exhibitions attract.

The Flamingo Gang left this
calling card on the mailbox.

Who can blame drivers for slowing to gawk at a perfectly lush lawn containing a strange collection of flamingoes surrounding an old toilet littered with beer cans as if they’d been out on an all-night bender. The victim is then tasked with selecting the next target while allowing enough time to elapse between incidents as to question who was responsible for the latest episode.

Some might consider the tradition juvenile or at least strange. But, isn’t retaining a childish sense of fun an ageless pursuit? We spend too much of our lives being serious and rushing from one thing to the next, so a little flamingo humor now and then is a healthy thing.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This blog author in no way admits to having direct knowledge of or experience with The Flamingo Gang and/or the incidents described herein. She is merely relating this engaging tale for the sole purpose of making you laugh!

Reclaiming Space

Crowded Office (BEFORE)

Anyone who’d witnessed the truckload of stuff we hauled to Goodwill this weekend surely wondered what we were up to here. The big cleanout initiated from my lifelong desire to start my own writing business and I needed a dedicated space for the job. However, our modest 1800-square-foot home doesn’t afford us many options for a home-based business. The office/den area is half of a long, narrow room in our house that also houses the living area, separated by a partial wall. Being technology geeks, we have three desktops and two laptops in our house, four of which were jam-packed like sardines into that small office. You could hardly move your chair without bumping into another one.

My Writing Office (AFTER)

Everyone who’s visited our home in the last year always asked the same thing, “How many computers do you have?” That should have been a sign something needed done, but we always used the excuse ‘there’s nowhere else to put them’ to justify ignoring the problem. Of course, trying to write amidst all this activity (especially a rowdy game of CounterStrike) did little to foster my creativity. Although having an entire room was a luxury, to be a serious writer, I needed a place of my own to feel professional, be productive, and get inspired. On a whim, I ran the idea by my husband to reconfigure the space solely for my writing business. Somehow, within a matter of hours, we made a plan to:

(1) Clean/organize the closets to store clothes and eliminate the bulky dressers.

(2) Sell the unused workout equipment (since we bike outdoors or use our gym membership).

(3) Move the desktop computers to one of the boys’ bedrooms.

When Friday night rolled around, I was itching to get started. By Saturday evening, we had reclaimed every closet in our house and I finally had that office space all to myself. It is grand (to me anyway) and I love working in this space. There is definitely something magical about having a room (aka ‘office’) of one’s own.

Book Project

I’ve been writing a novel for a few months now. The process feels comfortable like a favorite pair of jeans or old sweatshirt. The ‘business’ end of the work involves goal-setting, milestones, timelines, and reader feedback loops. The surprise is how the book has come alive like a newborn crying in a crib longing for me to pick it up and nurture it. I find myself needing to write more and more each day, which tells me I must heading in the right direction.

The drawback of writing everyday means cleaning and yard work tasks are backing up as I postpone them as long as humanly possible. Most days, the dishes overflow the sink and laundry is spilling into the hallway. Mowing and garden chores are a joy of mine, but I’ve had to farm out those jobs to my husband and boys, abandoning my preference to have things done a ‘certain way.’

I find myself envious of those homes with clearly divided rooms with walls for private writing space. The evenings are especially busy evenings when dinner, homework, sports practices/games, and trips to the store for more milk abound. Now that we’re up to about three gallons a week, I’m wondering if I can work a deal with that dairy farmer down the road. Headphones and earplugs can only block out so much noise and our home’s open floor plan means the busy energy is everywhere. Remaining focused is challenging when you share office space with the ‘CounterStrike gang’ engaged in a boisterous round of a counter-terrorism game.

Not surprisingly, the main character of my book (Maggie Long) is also a writer who uses the family camper as her satellite office. The concept flowed easily as I was writing that part of the story and has me thinking Maggie is onto something. After all, our own camper has a kitchen for coffee and snacks, a bathroom, and a table for writing space. I so love how writing this book has become an amusement park ride with me laughing and hanging on for dear life. Stay tuned for more novel news to come!

Chasing Miracles

View from our suite at Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa

Admittedly, we’d had enough of the snow and dreary days when we booked our Phoenix vacation in early March. The warm, sunny weather invigorated our spirits just as we’d hoped. We stayed in a remote area outside Chandler, Arizona at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa where the breath-taking landscapes, babbling brooks, and endless blue skies made us feel like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. My husband and I hadn’t taken a vacation alone in over a decade. It’s sad how we let life and time get away from us before admitting we’re frazzled because we neglect our souls. Like most Americans, carving out time away from TVs, cell phones, and electronic gadgets is usually bumped from the schedule to squeeze one more 'To Do' item into our already overstressed daily itineraries.

Rawhide western town and steakhouse in Chandler, AZ

When we do make time for self-care by hitting the gym, pampering ourselves, or walking the dog after work, we still ‘guilt’ ourselves about tasks we had to skip or postpone. My sister and I often compare notes about fun, effective relaxation methods in much the same way we played together as kids. “You won’t believe what I did the other day,” is the best thing to hear and share with a friend. Sharing joyful energy is so powerful. The puritanical idea of serious, hard work is so ingrained in our society, but we are literally killing ourselves by adhering to these ancient standards. I challenge those who feel ‘serious’ work is somehow more valuable and business-like. Isn’t working with a positive, energetic person more likely to make you a repeat customer?

Camping at Backbone fall 2009

While in Arizona, we took the opportunity to cruise the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Parks website. We chose and reserved three weekend getaways at our favorite campground Backbone State Park. This wonderfully serene spot features a lake for swimming and boating as well as trails for hiking and biking. The location near Strawberry Point is a short 45-minute drive from our home and to our surprise, offers no cell phone signal with our wireless carrier (oh well… he, he). Chase a few miracles of your own today and do something for your soul that makes you smile all day!

Awakenings

(by Melissa Kane)

Warm air dissolves snow’s blanket
Sunshine awakens moist earth

Revealing sleeping ground beneath

Ice wanes as water creeps and rushes

Momentary pools well up

Feeding swollen streams and rivers

Buds pop on limbs and branches

Foundlings stretch arms skyward

Shaking off hibernation hangovers

Winter’s dark cast retreats

Fresh sprouts proclaim nature’s revival

Ushering in our beloved bride SPRING

Anticipation

My Garden Shed

Beyond the open front porch windows, the sun shines brightly as birds croon and blades of new grass peep through the ground. I could drown myself in those beautiful rays of light. It’s unusual for me to ‘dress up’ for Easter, but this year I’m craving flowery prints for clothes and linens to celebrate the season’s rebirth. Although the scorching hot days of summer will soon be upon us making us head for the pool for a break from the heat, I say pump up the mercury on that thermostat, baby!

Cleaning is another seasonal blessing I’ve eagerly awaited knowing how miraculous it is to clear out the clutter and get a fresh start on the upcoming growing season. This year we plan to expand our veggie plots with additional raised garden beds on the south side, but within close proximity to the garden shed to make tending easier. My husband and I eagerly pour over seed catalogs carefully inventorying what’s needed and how we’ll rotate crops to extend the growing season. We also intend to make better use of the fresh raspberries, gooseberries, and mulberries that grow around our farm (perhaps even freezing extra cobbler for later).

Daffodils from my Paris, IA garden

The anticipation has me rethinking the old adage ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ Winter was likely just as long this year as last year and the year before that, but the greater number of gray days and never-ending piles of snow made the season feel much longer than usual. This heightened expectation has exaggerated my response to earth’s renewal making it so much sweeter. For some reason, the thought reminds me of dieting. The first time I went on the Atkins diet, weeks and weeks with no bread made me moody and edgy. When I finally allowed myself to eat some bread, I swore it was the sweetest tasting morsel I’d ever eaten.

Of course, now I’m hungry for fresh raspberries and vanilla ice cream. Even though I’ll have to wait a few months to taste that mouth-watering dessert, it will undoubtedly taste sweeter than ever. Until then, I’ll be watching for those first crocus, daffodil, and tulip bulbs of spring to emerge from their restful slumber. They will be a welcome site for my winter weary eyes.

Nowhere

The passion and purity of country life amid such raw landscapes is both humbling and profound. An eternal whistle of wind through the trees is engulfed by a muffled silence in which the noises of ‘stillness’ resonate. With no traffic sounds or yelling neighbors’ voices to be heard, your spirit can soar as high as the bald eagles flying overhead. With nowhere to hide and no one to hide from, the serenity wraps your soul like a warm blanket.

Certainly some would be bored stiff after a couple of days for lack of interesting and exciting activities. “So what is there to do out there?” is a common query, but it’s not about stuff to do; it’s about appreciating the awesome power of ‘calm.’ Still, there’s something deeply emotional about sitting comfortably silent for hours on your own. Embracing LONELINESS lets you get to know yourself in a way that isn’t possible amid constant chaos. After all, the beauty of solitude is what drew Henry David Thoreau to Walden Pond and inspired him to write about the miracles he experienced there. There’s just you and nature, who asks only that you leave your baggage at the door when you cross the proverbial threshold.

Although the hush of ‘quiet’ can be deafening, it is also equalizing, especially if you close your eyes and really listen. The low, howl of a winter wind has a pitch unlike the buzz and hum of summer. Autumn’s crunchy leaves echoing through bare trees strike a different chord from the drone of a fresh, spring rain. These soul-stirring essences conspire with the spectacular colors of a sunrise or sunset leaving you feel drunk with wonder.

I’ll leave you to consider two of my favorite ‘Walden’ excerpts from Thoreau, whose writing is as intoxicating for me as nature itself:

“In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear…I wanted to live deep and suck all the marrow of life.”

Reach

  I regarded Serenity as this big red ball stuck in a tree with me endlessly jumping, arms outstretched but unable to grasp my target. Standing on boxes and even using branches to extend my reach were futile in retrieving it. Eventually, I gave up on the Serenity ball and was simply satisfied to distract myself from obsessing over stupid crap. The hard labor of cleaning and gardening were the only remedies that could annihilate my anxious energy. Writing was great for working through problems, but pulling weeds in the garden was my favorite diversion. After all, I could run out of things to clean, but would never run out of weeds.

One late spring day as I knelt beside a garden bed furiously yanking weeds, my oldest son, informed me we needed to hit the local sporting goods store to get him a new baseball bat. Drenched in sweat sporting muddy knees and gloves caked in dirt, I explained it would be ‘a while’ so I could finish the job and shower. He dropped his shoulders as he turned tail and went back inside. Going to town was not what I had in mind that sunny Saturday afternoon. I wanted to hide in the garden all day and at least make a dent in the new weeds that seemed to sprout up before my eyes. As I stood up to shake the layers of dirt from my gloves, my back creaked and I suddenly felt 100 years old. Maybe a break would be good after all. I went to the back porch, peeled off my dirty shirt and pants leaving them lay beside the sliding door. Grabbing the hose, I used the sprayer to rinse most of the dirt from my arms and legs. A stray hand towel found draped over a chair let me dry off before heading indoors.

Dick’s Sporting Goods was packed with people that day as the weekend shoppers were out in full force. Wanting to avoid the crowds (as much as possible anyway), I parked far from the door and away from the other cars. Inside, my son went to try out the bats and I decided to wander around the store to mark time while he looked. I ended up in the back of the store in ‘Shoes’ alone and grateful for the solitude. As I was checking out running shoes, he came up behind me sporting a smile and a shiny blue aluminum bat propped over one shoulder.

“Hey, we should look at bikes,” he said.

Oddly enough, the bike section was right next to the shoes, so we meandered that way. He immediately found a trail bike he thought he had to have and a glance at the price tag sent my eyes rolling back into their sockets.

“Yea, right,” was all I could say.

As I walked away from him, he set down his bat and attempted to ‘test drive’ the bike down the short aisle. I tried to ignore him and started looking at the women’s bikes. A salesman approached me asking if we needed help with anything.

“No, we’re just browsing right now, thanks,” I offered forcing myself to avoid his gaze.

“Well, let me explain how the different styles of bikes are arranged here. We have men’s on the left and women’s on the right. Within each section there are ‘trail’ and ‘racing’ styles and here we have a new style we just got called a ‘hybrid.’”

“What’s a hybrid?” my son asked as he walked up behind the salesman with bike in tow.

As he explained the various types of bikes, I became intrigued and asked him to pull down one of the hybrids for closer inspection.

“Which one are you interested in?”

I didn’t really know, as I hadn’t owned a bike in years.

“I’m not sure, but I like this one,” I said pointing to a white and gray hybrid with pink trim.

As he lifted the bike down off the rack, my son flashed me a wide, knowing grin.

“That’s a nice bike, mom.”

Already my mind was churning with possibilities of riding the cross-country bike trail not far from our place. I did love biking and my sister had marveled so at the stress-relieving benefits of daily exercise. I hopped on the seat and put my hands on the straight-style handlebars. To me the big drawback of a bike was the seat, but this one sported a comfort gel one with a wider base and more cushioning. The bike I had in college had been a 10-speed with curved handlebars requiring the rider to lean over to ride. Being over 40, I knew comfort was more my style and liked that this bike sat upright. I preferred the solitude of trail riding and the fit of this hybrid was just right.

“We could ride them on that trail, Mom.”

My son’s salesmanship was impeccable that much was certain. He knew just what to say to persuade me to shell out the $900 for those bikes that day. The thought of us riding the trail together, doing something healthy and fun, sealed the deal. With that, we headed home with the new bat and our new wheels chatting away as we made plans to go for a spin. I hadn’t felt this excited about exercise since college and couldn’t wait to tell my sister.

A few weeks and several test drives later, the newness had worn off the bikes, but my affection for cycling was stronger than ever. Most times, we biked together but I had taken a few solo trips as well. On the way home from work after a particularly stressful day, I found myself longing to take out the bike. As I drove past the trail entrance off Alice Road, a couple of riders sat waiting to cross. I wanted to be there on my own bike soaring along thinking of nothing but the ride. Earlier when I phoned my son to see if he was up for riding after work, he mumbled something about being sick and tired. I didn’t care if I had to go alone…I needed to ride. At home, I headed inside just long enough to change into my workout gear and grab a water bottle. My son, lying on the couch with remote in hand, inquired where I was headed.

“I gotta ride my bike today. Work sucked and I gotta ride.”

“I don’t know if I’ll go.”

“That’s fine. I HAVE to go,” I said and rushed out the back door to the garden shed to retrieve my bike. I rode along the sidewalk to the machine shed to load my bike in the back of the truck. As I lifted it into the truck’s bed, my son appeared clad in shorts, bike in hand.

“I guess I’ll go too,” he said as he loaded his bike and climbed in the cab.

The late afternoon sun was warm, but not hot for that time of year. Capri-length, Lycra pants and a long sleeved shirt were perfect attire for the ride. I took off faster than usual and pushed my new bike as hard as I could, shifting gears like a pro. This bike had 21 gears and it had taken me a while to get used to feel of them all. The adrenaline rush propelled me along the trail until I could no longer see my son riding behind me. The release of pedaling as fast as my legs would take me was surreal…almost like flying. The usual strain I felt on the trail’s inclines was surprisingly absent that day. I loved the feel of the wind on my face drying the sweat from my brow.

The trees and brush along the trail provided just enough shade and wind cover to insulate riders from the elements. The path itself had once been an old railroad line and was well built up with limestone and heavy bridges that provided easy access across busy highways. The only real maintenance required was trimming the foliage that occasionally encroached into the passageway. We always entered the trail at Alice Road by parking the truck roadside, which other riders did from time to time. There was a trail entrance point with a parking lot five miles further south, but we preferred the proximity of the Alice entrance. From there, the trail stretched 14 miles to the southeast and 40 miles to the northwest. Sometimes we'd take the flatter, southern route and other times we'd take the shadier but hillier northern route. Since my son needed to be at a 6pm baseball practice that afternoon, we opted to ride south.

On the drive home with the windows down, we savored the breeze as it massaged our sweat-soaked heads. My legs ached and I was spent, but felt glorious. Our other rides were good, but that day’s ride liberated me from more than just stress; it also freed me from myself. Natural endorphins were more effective than any pill, but this ecstasy was a new encounter. Two weeks prior, I’d stopped writing to allow frustration build up in my system. This catalyst was just what I needed for the day's hard ride to expel all the negative vibrations from my body.

Over the past few weeks, I’d lost seven pounds and gained so much energy that I finally knew why my sister was so infatuated with exercise. Although I wasn’t biking to impress her, I couldn’t help longing to pass on my illuminating experience. She already knew, but would act thrilled to hear it anyway. Maybe I’d reached that Serenity ball and at least budged it a little.

Top 10 Cold Weather Wonders

Too much of anything is bad for you (ok, some things are bad for you in any quantity, but we’re talking normal stuff here), so enough with the cold weather already! I’m all for snow days as much as anyone, but these sub-zero days are wearing out their welcome. Snow isn’t much fun when all you can stand to do outside is run to your car and back. Bone-chilling climates are fine for folks in Alaska or North Dakota, but here in Iowa we like our temperatures at 10 or above in the winter. The one bright side of this year has been our consistent, reliable heat and water supplies. Last year winter’s -29 degree conditions were disaster for our cattle’s automatic waterer, so we’re counting our blessings for working supplies this year. Saturday night was forecasted to be the last night of the frigid weather and I have my fingers crossed the weathermen are right on the money this time.

As they say, you have can’t joy without sorrow or sun without rain. Necessity has fathered many an invention and cold weather remedies are no exception. So in keeping with my New Year’s resolution to look more on the brighter side, I’m offering up my TOP 10 COLD WEATHER WONDERS:

10. Wearing gloves to bed (a bit unorthodox, but if your hands get cold at night like mine, try wearing a pair of those ultra-thin stretchable gloves to bed)
9. Starbucks Drive-Thru (love their coffee and drive-thru is a miracle for cold Iowa winters)
8. Chenille Socks (these keep your feet toasty warm even on hardwood floors)
7. Hot Pajamas (fresh from the dryer)
6. Flannel Sheets
5. Remote Car Starters (not so great for my dad, though, who somehow manages to start his accidentally by rolling over the remote during naps)
4. Electric Blankets
3. Hot Showers
2. High-tech hand/foot warmers (the ones you open and kneed with your hands to activate)
1. Body Heat (gives you an excuse to get close to your favorite person!)