Over five decades I have written to Presidents. I felt it was important to express my view and believed it was worth as much as money, input to a poll… and it did not matter if the person I voted for won or lost. Whoever held the office was safeguarding the entire nation and not just those who voted for or against. Perhaps it is silly to think such things matter but old habits have a way of sticking withyou.
Mother’s day is like seeing a rainbow… it is just something to look on and enjoy.
The last time I looked at bicycles knew of road bikes, hybrid, city, adventure, dirt bikes as well as mountain bikes. Today I find “gravel” and even “CGR” (cross, gravel, road) and then I recall “touring” bikes. I also ran across cruiser, endurance and the list went on. All I wanted was something to ride without much thought. The more I looked the more I wondered about speed, weight limits, gears, brakes, and comfort. Seems that comfort for some is second to speed…. and it seemed that while everything changes by name… you still pedal to get where you wish to go… so what’s most important remains the same.
On the bicycle ride across Iowa a person rode past me with an electronic device that spoke out loud Speed, Distance Traveled and total climb completed. The voice said: “You have traveled 4.5 miles, at 6.3 miles per hour and completed 500 feet of climb.” You have traveled 4.6 miles, at 6.2 miles per hour and completed 510 feet of climb.” “You have…” I’m not sure I could stand having such information for long… I saw bikes with GPS that told them where they were and what route to follow. When someone wanted to SAG (get picked up) the first comment was to use a cell phone and call for support… back in the day it was put your bike (wheels up) on the left side of the road and wait. Putting this in perspective I had a person ask if plastic water bottle’s existed when the ride first started… (seems the plastic water bottle was invented in 1973).
In a corn field far far away… in the summer… on a bike… that’s where I will be!
What you do when no one is looking is what makes the world go round. I will continue to believe when someone mentions seeing a “double rainbow” not call it “fake news” because it easy to deny than to believe.
I will still look for 4 leaf clover’s because they will bring me luck.
I will not step on cracks in the sidewalks… not because it may break someone’s back but because it makes walking along a sidewalk more fun.
I will believe that good will will outlast bad. That honesty takes you farther in life than lies. That it is good to think of good…
For three decades I have ridden my bicycle across the state of Iowa. If the ride was a “go for 2020” I could say four decades. I miss that I will not be able to say this until 2021. I think of the world today and the world only one year ago. So much taken for granted, the ease of being together and able to visit; travel, shop without thought or mask. I also felt that the divisions would fade; and ways to goodwill would rise like a morning sunrise with ease… all would simply have a new beginning.
No Iowa ride this year… but in my thoughts and mind I see and reflex on all the kindness and fun I found in Iowa each year. Each year people from all over the United States and the world would ride bikes. It seemed to me this was “America at its Greatest”. The rider’s from the Air Force would be offering a helping hand. Bike repair workers, police, fire department, health care workers, people ready at all times; to support all. As sure as the sun comes up in the morning a good time could be found on the ride. Regardless of what is happening today I know that the best of America is in people’s goodwill and kindness to others. Just thinking about it makes my day hopeful.
As I listen to voices today… I am struck by the fact the I see a United States that has improved so much since 1963. Yet I hear about how much it has not. That by now things should be better than we are right now. We have waited too long. It has been 57 years since 1963. In 1963 the view was it has been 100 years since…
In 2020 the crowds are more diverse than in 1963. The leaders (those in office, police, military is more diverse) and those who loot and set fire is more diverse. The response is “world wide” and if we keep our eyes on the prize and use the vote to cement change greater good for all can come from this.
What is equality to have all treated the same? Or to see the value of each person and to treat others in a manner we wish to be treated? In 1963 well dressed and respectful I could be removed from a store just for the color of my skin. In 2020 it takes more than that!
In this time and in this place; I look for my imagination to take me to a place where I can feel good and see a brighter day that is just around the corner. I can avoid the worry and dark spaces that can drag down a mood and find false thoughts that only bring despair and doubt. Does not take much, I can look to the sky or imagine a bike ride… or all the good things that make a blessed life.
It seemed like such a little thing… a elderly man came through the check-out line and seemed unsure of where to go… I pointed out a newly opened lane and let him go in front of me. I could of said: “end of the line is…” I decided to be patient and kind… For some reason I have been smiling and feeling good ever since that moment.
