Finally the sun came out and the air warmed up.  The breeze scattered colorful leaves across paths and in front of everyone's eyes who chose to notice.  Apparently most people missed the weather forecast, because Eddy and I were nearly the only ones out to enjoy the perfect day.  That made it all the more perfect.

I dusted off the long ignored but beloved bicycle and Eddy's trailer and gathered together so many miscellaneous items involved in a ride.  There sure is a lot to these things!  Helpful Eddy wandered around finding things for me, until he became Patient Eddy, as he sat in the trailer and watched me run in and out and around with all the other things I forgot.  Air pumped, adorned, packed and ready, we crunched our way to the road and whizzed out of sight...of home, that is.

Down a long easy hill to quaint Afton, then around in circles until we found the beginning of the St. Croix River Trail, a bike path we've admired since moving here.  It was prettier than we'd thought, weaving in and out of woods and over creeks.  Leaves beneath, all around, and hanging over us became that shadowy mysterious world we visit every now and again, when our mind allows us.  Eddy called it the "dark tunnel," and enjoyed it immensely.

We re-emerged in the sun and on to the bridge crossing the St. Croix.  Here came the most majestic part of our day.  Right along the edge of the bridge and moving at a leisurely, look-around-you pace, we were able to take in the fullness of our River.  All those sparkles, that span, the walls of multi-colored trees from where the tiny docks poked out.  It made me swoon.  I unwisely stopped on the highway bridge and took a picture. I couldn't help myself.

The cool bike trail switched back at the end of the bridge and curved right under the highway on the other bank, rejoined the road, and turned to head right into historic downtown Hudson.  After many more picture stops, lessons in patience for Eddy, and a giant hill, we made it to the store.  It severely lacks a bike rack, but otherwise our errand went well.

Across town, down the giant hill, through downtown, and we rejoined our new friend, the bike trail.  Under the highway, over good view bridge, past fields and through woodsy tunnels to a wooden playground we went.  It was the best place to go.  A sedentary Eddy turned active and a worn out mommy sat on a bench on the phone.  Then back up, up, up the Afton Blvd. hill until...after...what seems like...forever...we made it home.  Yay!

Never underestimate the power of outdoor exercise!  Thank the Lord and my husband for this stay-at-home mom life I lead.  It has its perks.

It's interesting how our happenstance affects our thoughts on God and truth.  This last week I've had conversations with siblings about the role of family and about parenting, with strangers at church about salvation, with Buddhists on a train about God, with Mormon's at their church about the Bible, and with many others about various topics.  My mind has be flooded with deep, allbeit frustrating, thoughts and queries.

In fact, all these thoughts and conversations have been so exhausting, I will not think about them anymore, but will simply give you a snapshot from yesterday:

Sam and I loitered on the sidewalk with our respective sons in their respective strollers.  We examined each stroller and discussed the vast differences between them.  Whit was in his carseat, nestled into the backward-facing, eight-wheeled folding stroller, with cargo space, plastic wheels, and many adjustment and swivel options -- it was a steal from Craigslist, and it was high class.  Eddy was in a borrowed stroller that a New Zealander had given Sam & Nicki.  It actually didn't look like a stroller at all, but more like a two-wheeled dolly for moving boxes, only with a seat and handlebars, canopy, and straps on the back for converting to a backpack!

Finally Nicki poked out of the door. "The cake will be done cooking in 2 minutes."  It was hard, but we managed to wait, then commenced down the sidewalk.

Around the corner we strolled, and on through my brother's neighborhood, of small old houses and low-income apartments.  I breathed in the dry cooling air of west central California's July.  Everything struck me as old here, compared to Wisconsin.  Maybe it's because the trees have longer growing seasons. Maybe it's because the sun beats down so harshly, softening colors.  Maybe it's because items last longer with the absence of corrosive rust.  Or, maybe it's simply my old childhood memories of the state, with its hibiscus hedges covered in lavish silky blossoms, it's giant Eucalyptus trees, it's waving Queen Palms against the white sky, the dusty earth, and the friendly Hispanic culture I've grown to miss.

As sunset approached, Sam pointed out friends' houses, street changes, and houses for sale.  Whit looked up at his daddy with interest one moment, and was asleep the next.  Eddy loves dolly rides, so this stroller was his favorite.  He tested the limits of every novelty, and tested our patience.  But the many many kids playing and biking around us kept him cheerful.  I conversed with my brother while basking in the beauties we went through, and Nicki walked, mostly quiet and happy...happy for the company...happy for the weather...happy to be a mom.

to sing and dance ... to step to the beat ... to bend and groove ... get the heart goin'... to lift your mood ... to smile a bit ... to close your eyes, tilt back your head, and breathe!  Jump and spin!  Run around!  Find a partner!  Pull them in!  to get lost in rhythm ... to relish a melody ... savor the feeling...of singing aloud.  to listen and sway ... to harmonize ... to recognize beauty ... to remember the Lover ... to forget all troubles ... to cherish His goodness ... to lose track of time ...

Okay, so I've spent approximately 12 years hating McDonald's. It's about time I started liking it again =) They still have all the greasy food, mayonnaise, expensive salads, and mislaid values, but, I gotta love 'em!

Where else can I go in the winter where Eddy can have a blast for 2 hours with other kids and have a yummy lunch (complete with toy), while his mommy sits and relaxes in the sun, with a friend and a caramel frappe (light on the coffee, heavy on the caramel and whipped cream)?

McDonald's makes it possible for me to parent and be close to people. Who knew?

I don't know about you, but I got a little out of shape over the holidays...then I went on vacation and got sick as well (perfect circumstances for exercising, right?) Then we came home to a still snow-covered Wisconsin. So much for biking or strollering. You may be wondering how a blog built on positivity is dwelling so much on this depressing history. Well, I've learned that (as the song goes) "para fazer un samba con beleze, e preciso un bocado de tristeze": to have a samba with beauty, it is necessary to have a little sadness. In other words, how would I be able to portray the ecstasy of today without providing the perspective I'm coming from? And this state of affairs led me to a bit of depression and a whole lot of lethargy.

Such were the last several days for me. But thanks to my mother-in-law's letting me join her YMCA membership, today my state has finally changed. Eddy and I got up, ate an energizing egg breakfast, and were off for fun and adventure at the Y. He got to play and climb, eat and socialize with his long missed friends while I warmed up on a rowing machine then hit the pool. 75 lengths (3 lengths over a mile - woohoo!) and a shower later and we left, exchanging our varying happy experiences. Being a 2-year-old, his included a successful potty trip (good boy!) and mine included alternate stroke breathing and down to 27.4 lbs on the scale! =) Now I have energy, Eddy is contented and asleep, and the day looks all the brighter. Let's see what I can get done today now, with my added pep.

P.S. It is so worth it.

On a day when we were supposed to be traveling back to home and hearth, my husband and I were swept along with a big group of local skiers to Beaver Creek and my first ski of the season. What memories and joys came alive on the slopes that day! Even a mogul covered black diamond could not stop me on that day, and the snow was good and abundant. In a life lacking skis, a whole day at a first rate ski resort is sheer bliss.

A 2-block walk by myself to the natural grocery store is delightful enough. And still unexpected fun awaits at every corner... a shiny green VW bug greeted me on my way AND I had a phone camera to capture the moment.