Any Similar Revival

The Medina Farmers Market has started up again, every Saturday morning in the square, 9–1. It's such a nice little market, and it gets better and better as the season progresses. If you live in this area, you should really check it out, especially in the next few weeks, with the strawberry season in full swing and blueberries starting in early July.

Check out my crazy rose bush! It's been pretty hum-drum for the past 6 years, and all of a sudden, BOOM! Gorgeousness!

And this beauty always does well.

How are you enjoying the season?

The most wonderful thing happened today: Chad called at 10:30 to say he was coming home for the rest of the day because his building in Solon has no power! All of a sudden, "lunch" was took on a new significance. I threw together a quick pasta with kale and broccoli and goat cheese, some focaccia that I made yesterday, and some lovely grapes. Voila! Porch picnic, on a random rainy Monday morning.

Of course, we had some onlookers.

And then, getting better and better, I found cookie dough from Christmas in the freezer! So I baked up some of these little sweetie pies.

Well, I have to go now. I'm very busy today, eating and whatnot.

I've been pretty quiet this week, trying to recover from a crushing disappointment. As always, I am finding comfort in good friends, good books, my garden, my pets, and too much ice cream. I'm not going to talk about it, but that's where I've been.

Every so often, I indulge myself and reread The Lord of the Rings. It's like going on vacation and going on a pilgrimage and going home, all at once. I cry like a baby every time, especially on the Field of Cormallen. And when I'm done, I feel bolstered in my spirit. I know this makes me a dork, but I don't care. I'm just getting back, now, after being there for a week. I pretend that I've outgrown my deep desire for Middle-earth, but I haven't.

Sometimes I miss my mom, not as my mother, but as the grown-up friend I would have had in her. I was looking at some photos the other day and realized with a shock that she was as old in those pictures as I am now. Why does she look so much more grown-up and mature and together? I still look like the goofy kid I was in this picture:

Oh, those big goofy glasses! She wouldn't smile much for photos, either. Worried that her gums would show. SO ridiculous, she had a lovely smile.

It's June, I'm home, the garden is blooming, and I baked bread today. I keep telling myself that that is enough.

Yesterday was Kristen's birthday. We had a fun dinner at 5 Guys and Burger, then cake and icecream back at the Clotworthy homestead. Emma flirts with Chad every time she sees him. He actually said to me yesterday, as she was making eyes at him across the table, "You know, Emma is my girlfriend." I said, "That's fine, because Ben is my boyfriend."

Here we are, being tough. Apparently, this is as tough as Ben's face gets.

Super-Nerd. I can't stop laughing at this photo.

And her brother. (Although, she told me yesterday that I know her "because you are my twin!" Ok.)

And we can't forget this nerd!

I was there too, in all my Nerdy Glory.

Awesome.

And here is the Birthday Nerd, making her wish!

One more. This girl just revels in her nerdiness.

Hug a nerd today!

Thunderstorms are rolling in right now, so they probably won't look like this tomorrow. But that's ok. Part of their charm is that they only last for a day or two.

Pretty, pretty!

Do you like my catchy title? Yesterday, we went to the beach to hang out (the water's still a bit too cold for swimming, at least for us.) When we got there, it was FOGGY. At NOON.

This morning, M and I went kayaking with Jay, who runs Wildlife Expeditions here on the island. I think they might be changing that name. Anyways, this is my third kayaking trip out here with him as a guide, and it was a spectacular as ever.

Last night, we built a fire in the fire pit, and it was really sluggish. So we played around with candles and slow exposure.

Of course, when M put lighter fluid on the fire, it burned quite merrily.

We're taking M to Norfolk tonight so she can take off for Japan tomorrow. (two years, sniff sniff). ANd then we're off for home tomorrow morning.

See you there!

Yesterday, Meredith and I got up early and went to Assateague to hike. We started on the Loop, branched off onto the service road, and then took a little path up to the shore. It was completely foggy when we started, which made it all very beautiful and otherworldly. We saw ponies on the way.

baby ponies.

And then it suddenly cleared up.

And then, just as suddenly, the fog came rolling back in.

The best thing about Meredith is, we have so much fun together! Every time!

Heidi has decided that we're not getting lots of comments on our blogs lately because everyone is jealous of us. While this might be true, I'm more inclined to think that it's because you're all busy after the holiday weekend. Anyways, I don't blog for comments,(though I am fond of them) but Heidi REALLY likes them. Go comment on her blog and make her smile!

Yesterday we had a beachy walk, a road trip, a birthday party, a wildlife adventure, and other fine adventures. It's been rather chilly here this week, which we've enjoyed. Chilly and windy.

Here are some yellow thistles being tossed by the wind:

Later, we drove around a bit on the Eastern Shore, checking out Princess Anne, which has beautiful old houses everywhere and HUGE magnolia trees. I didn't get enough photos there, which is a sad thing that happens to me sometimes. When we got back to the house, we had a birthday party for Meredith. Her bday was really a month ago, but we didn't get to celebrate it with her.

Who doesn't love a birthday party?

She's full of hot air.

We even had balloons. If you want to see what happened with the balloons, you have to visit Heidi's blog.  Believe me, it's worth it.

We went to Assateague after our amazingly delicious dinner and drove the "loop." We saw some loveliness and some PONIES.

See that bit of blue there? We think it's an indigo bunting.

We were excited by the sight of ponies far away. It was our first glimpse. But those pictures aren't very exciting. BECAUSE the ones we took afterwards were even better! We were driving up towards the beach, and the ponies were in a much better position.

They had baby ponies with them. A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.

Here, Meredith kept telling me to move back, move back. Her secret ploy to have me fall backwards into the swamp. I didn't though.

Coming back from the beach, the ponies were standing in the middle of the road! It was pretty dark, and we didn't want to get out of the Jeep, so these bad pics are as good as it got.

Is ICE CREAM, of course. At least, it is to me! We went to the Island Creamery, may its name be ever blessed, tonight. Oh happiness! Oh sweet joy!

Here is Heidi, trying to hide her ice cream cone. Being diabetic and all. She's so very sneaky.

Ha! SHe can't fool us!

We have all made it here, after long drives and finger incidents. I drove out here ALONE today, all 9.5 hours, and I got here just as I was about to go crazy. There was very little traffic, and it was smooth sailing the whole way. After a yummy dinner, we headed out to the beach to make sure all was still well there.

It's a lot cooler here in May than it is in August! Here is the water getting Heidi:

And getting Meredith and me:

When the water came close to Cynthia, she would RUN. Like actually move FAST. It was so amazing, we were all surprised! She can't fool us anymore, we know she can move!

We love the beach, and the best part is, we can come back tomorrow.

Apparently, she cut herself on a chair down in Norfolk. Which is very, very sad, as it is their first day of vacation. She and Cynthia flew down today to meet Meredith, and I am driving down tomorrow and will meet them in Chincoteague! Poor Heidi, though, she can't get her hand wet AND she had to have a tenanus shot. Let's hope it doesn't make her sick! She says to "watch her blog," as she is taking lots of pictures of her battle wound. My favorite is the expression on Cynthia's face in the above photo.

Last night, Liv and Emma came over while Kristen took Ben to a birthday party. They were so excited to come over, so they could see Myles. They love Myles. They miss Myles. He was their first dog, in a sense. He loves them too. 

We ran around a bit, then cooled off inside with some Silly Symphonies, vol. 2, which I leave here at all times, so they are always excited to see it. We ordered Chinese, and when Chad got home, we had a huge feast. I'm still kind of reeling from the feast. Anyways, after dinner, Olivia asked if we could go outside and "run around." What she meant is, can we chase you, Chad, Myles, and get chased back? So out we went, much to Myles' delight and excitement. They wore him out, which almost never happens. He finally just flopped down in the middle of the yard and refused to chase his rope toy any more. Then it was Chad's turn. They chased him around and around.

When they caught him, they put him in jail.

But he staged a revolt,

and escaped!

Then he had his revenge!

We were all pretty tired afterwards. (Manning the camera can be so exhausting!) But it was worth it!

Emma's line the whole time: "Get his feet!"

When I get an idea, it takes over my brain. Even if it's a silly idea. A pain-in-the-butt idea. A crazy idea. Like, "Hey, you know, I could ride my bike to work this summer. I'd get my rides in, it would be purposeful, so I'd do it, I'd get in shape, it would be fun . . ." I don't even stop to seriously consider that I'm not in the best of shape these days, that I haven't ridden my bike more than 20 miles since the double-century two years ago. "It's only 16.5 miles, one way. That's totally doable! I can do it, I know I can. I'm going to."

So yesterday, I did.

The ride up was beautiful. The weather was perfect all day long–clear, sunny, blue-beyond-blue skies. The greens were incandescent, every bird in the world was singing. My legs felt strong and I felt fast.  A few hills made me sit up and take notice, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. Drivers were nice to me. They let me go ahead at stops, they gave me plenty of room while passing, nobody honked or made obscene gestures at me. I arrived at work in an hour and fifteen minutes flushed with the victory of making it and making it well. Then I sat around for over five hours, watching kids, sitting outside, making snacks, resting. When Kristen got home, I put my gear back on. We looked at each other, both thinking the same thing: This is crazy. I was tired. I had a headache from being in the sun all day. I was feeling a little hungry, and my butt hurt. But I blithely hopped on the bike and pedalled away.

I think I was about six miles into the ride home when I wanted to cry. "This is so STUPID. Why did you think you could do this, Allyson? What were you thinking?" My head pounded. I discovered that the reason the ride up was so easy was because it was mostly downhill, with a tail wind. Now, I was going uphill most of the time, into a fierce head wind. I got slower and slower. I stopped to rest, to eat granola bars, to regroup. I thought about calling Chad to come pick me up at least every five minutes.

It was absolute misery, but I finally made it home. Chad and Myles were sitting in the front yard, waiting for me. My legs were like jello, and I was starving. It only took me an extra 15 minutes to get home, but it felt like hours. I went in, ate, showered, and lay in my bed reading until it was time to sleep.

I'm going to do it again. Maybe. After I get back from Chincoteague. Maybe by then, two rides a day won't be so hard. I know that I am able to do this, especially when I'm in shape. I liked the idea of riding to and from work. I just need to make sure I'm ready for it when I do it again.

Last night, we went to our friends' house. Jeremy and Christi are the parents of 2.5 year old Daniel, and we always have a great time with them. Although I met Daniel the day he was born, he always plays shy with me at church, always, always, always. At home though, he warms up to me in about 3 seconds, jabbering away and playing games and being super-adorable. Last night, I asked him, "Daniel, are you going to say 'hi' to me at church on Sunday?" LOOOOOONG pause. "No. I'm going to be shy!" We all burst out laughing, because this is SO Daniel! As we were leaving, Daniel was on the back porch, waving and shouting, "goodbye! goodbye! Please honk [the horn]!" I started blowing him kisses as Chad rolled his eyes. He thinks I'm such a flirt. Daniel started sending wet smacks back to me, very enthusiastically. "I'm going to say 'hi' to YOU, Daniel, on Sunday! Because you are blowing me kisses!" He just kept shouting his refrain. We honked.

This morning, I realized I'm not going to be in church on Sunday! I'll be driving, Lord willing, down to Chincoteague Island to join the aunties and Meredith for the week. But I'm going to say 'hi' to him NEXT Sunday. He is playing hard-to-get, but I am determined to win him over.