Snowflake Monday

This is my first attempt at duplicating the second flake on a red mug I gave away last Christmas. There is still one more flake on the mug I hope to create, and it promises to be even more of a challenge than this one.

In about January, I began trying to stock up on snowflake designs, doing more than one each week so I could continue to post Snowflake Monday patterns once cycling season started taking a gigantic chunk out of my spare time. Late in April, I was trying to get some of the January patterns ready to post when I realized this pattern didn't have a photo. I couldn't find the snowflake I'd made either. Looking at my photos of the long-gone mug didn't help much because I didn't remember which flake this one was supposed to be.

So I had to make another one, following the instructions I'd written in January. I realized how critical it is to have a photo or diagram to go by so I know what the final flake is supposed to look like. I became so confused before I finished the first couple of points. Then I didn't really like how some things looked, so I also ended up unraveling several times and making a few modifications to this pattern. I also made yet another flake using this same pattern with size 20 thread. I pinned it a little differently, just for fun.

I guess you could say my flake patterns are never quite finished, as long as I keep making them! I'll always find something to change.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 4 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Icelandic translation may be found here, graciously provided by Ólöf Lilja.

Third Red Mug Snowflake Instructions

Ch 10, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, in ring work * 1 sc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 sc, 1 sl st; repeat from * around 5 more times for a total of six petals; sl st in first sc.

Round 2: Ch 9 (counts as 1 dc and ch 6), * skip petal and dc into next sl st, ch 6; repeat from * around 4 more times for a total of 6 arches over petals; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 9.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: * 5 sc in next ch 6 arch, ch 9, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, sl st in each of next 2 ch, ch 8, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in same ch as 2 dc, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next sc, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, sl st in each of next 3 ch, ch 8, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch as 2 dc, sc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in next sc, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, working back down branch, sl st in each of next 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 7, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in same ch as 2 dc, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next sc, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, sl st in each of next 3 ch, ch 7, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next sc, sl st in next 2 ch, ch 4, 5 sc in same ch 6 arch, ch 7, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in same ch, ch 5, sl st in same ch, sl st in next ch; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or foil. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Funny

Oh, my...

Elk Hair Caddis from peter smith on Vimeo.

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Lucky Seven

Day 1

First morning commute with only two layers this year. Baby prairie dogs and goslings lined portions of bike path. Crippling headwind final 20 miles of the day. Had to push hard to reach 60 miles, but made it.

Day 2

Too windy for Indy Pass, so did Waterton Canyon on mountain bikes instead. Murphy's Law day. Totally flooded kitchen floor with gallon of ice-cold water while filling Camelbak, unaware valve was broken.

Cyclocomputer malfunctioned; recorded 15.6 mph uphill in headwind. Fleetwood Mac: "Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies." Mountain bike cyclocomputer also boasted fixed elevation at 2,072 feet. In Colorado. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Shot 496 photos of bighorn and goslings. I proudly pronounce my trigger finger ready and fully conditioned for Ride the Rockies.

Day 3

First sleeveless ride (and day!) of the year. Road biking seemed way easy after mountain biking in extreme wind yesterday. Passed on climb by huge group training together. This what my next six weekends will look like.

Day 4
Extra a.m. miles in case I couldn't ride in p.m. Predicted 50 mph winds materialized. Ten times more blowdown on the way home than in a.m.

I'm varying my morning detours, alternating drink flavors and breakfast, and taking sunrise pictures in different spots every morning in an effort to keep from getting bored with the daily high-mileage routine.

Day 5

From Sleeveless Sunday to Three-Layer Tuesday. 45 degrees to start! Warmed up fast once the sun came up. I pass rows of lilacs on the way to work every morning, and the fragrance is intoxicating! Tailwind final 15 miles of the day! Baby prairie dogs refused to pose for me.

Commuting starts with three nice downhills early (predawn) in the morning and finishes with three steep, heaving climbs in the evenings. Ride the Rockies will be the opposite. I'll ride up, over and down mountains, canyons or mountain passes each of the seven days except one. Day 3 will be a slight climb all day. Of course, Ride the Rockies is a new route every day for seven straight days. No chance of becoming bored with the scenery.

Day 6

I think this is the first time I've done six consecutive days in the saddle since 2003.

Trying to log five or six hours a day in the saddle with eight or nine hours in the office, too, every day this week is beginning to take a toll. I turned down a ride at 40 miles tonight because I felt strong and thought I could make it all the way home. Then the headwind kicked in and became progressively stronger the higher I climbed.

I could have called The Lizard at any point to pick me up. Rescue me! Two miles from home, I began to lose my will to keep pedaling. And then came that 12% grade. Yikes. I was so tempted to make that call. But I didn't. I made it home without any help. And I did NOT get off and walk my bike!

Have you ever been so tired you didn't even want to change out of your sweaty clothes before falling into bed? And I still have to do this one more day...

Day 7

I DID IT!!! Yeehaw! Do a Little dance! Make a little herbal tea! Park the bike tonight!

I'm tired. I don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done when I ride this much. I don't look forward to the same old route every day. I didn't get in enough high altitude climbing. I don't have a clue how I'm going to carry two camera lenses every day of the tour. But I made it! I did seven days in a row! I think my body is ready for Ride the Rockies!

PS: I published this post before I knew how many miles I would be able to pedal on Day 7, and now I've finished calculating. 319.1 miles in 7 days. Had I known that, I would have gone another .9, no matter how tired I was. But this still is pretty darn good. A bit intimidating knowing this year's Ride the Rockies is 213 miles further. But I won't have to put in 8 hours a day at the office during Ride the Rockies. And we'll have rest stops where I can stretch and pig out every 15 miles or so!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Look, Ma, No Sleeves!

I'm in the middle of a quest to be in the saddle for seven consecutive days. Rides don't all turn out the way I plan, and they aren't always the route I plan, but the adventures and training continute.

Killer sunrise Friday. Change in high altitude plans again Saturday; too windy for Indy. Short and sweet, plus shorts and sleeveless, on Sunday, sandwiched between church and other commitments. Wild winds Monday. More miles today. Wordless Wednesday (with pictures from Saturday) tomorrow while I pedal yet again. Thursday completes the goal.

If I can endure seven consecutive days in the saddle, I consider myself ready.

Stay tuned!

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Snowflake Monday

Note: Pattern updated 7 November 2010

This is one of three flakes so far inspired by a mug I stuffed with cherry cordial Hershey’s Kisses and a crocheted Christmas bear to give away as a gift last December. All three flakes are tweaked from the same design. There are still two more flakes on this mug I'd hope to try, but the next two are much more demanding. Just the kind of challenge that makes me drool!

I may still tweak this pattern a bit, but for now, it's sort of two flakes in one. It has entirely different personalities, depending upon how you block it. You may open up and stretch out the longest points, or keep them straight. I like both renditions.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 7 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 4 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Instructions

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into ring, *ch 2, 2 dc into ring; repeat from * around 3 times; 2 dc into ring, ch 1, hdc into 3rd ch of starting ch 3. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc around post of hdc just worked, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, *3 sc in ch 2 sp, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, 1 sc in starting hdc sp; repeat from * around; sl st in starting sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: *Ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dtr in next ch, ch 5, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3; working in motif again, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in same ch as previous 3 dc, ch 4, sl st in same ch, ch 3, working back down the other side of branch, sl st in same ch as adjacent dc, ch 3, sl st in same ch as next dc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc; sl st in next sc; repeat from * and around 5 more times for a total of six large points and six small points; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 6. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or foil. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Funny

Oldie but goodie...

And here is the link, in case you can't see the video above.

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We all Scream

My annual MS-150 ice cream social was yesterday, and the people I work with have done it again. I'm over the "required donation" amount!

I still hope to raise more money before the ride, but at least I don't have to put in any more of my own money now. I was worried. But I'm there now! I'm happy!

Meanwhile, I haven't had much time to crochet (or sew, knit, quilt, design, write, shoot, you name it) lately because I'm trying to increase my in-the-saddle time. Big rides coming up. Gotta be ready!

However, I did design one new toy (my first sea turtle ever, pictured above) on my most recent train commute, and I did play with some thread while waiting for a computer program to run on my laptop at home one day last week.

My sea turtle was a bear the first time around, although not literally. Just difficult to shape so tiny. The flippers took several attempts before I got them to curl just the way I wanted. After I got the mint green one done, the second one (in pastel blue) worked up very quickly. I'm going to try to make a lavendar one tonight. The challenge will be to see if I can remember what I did while making the blue one without having to count the tiny stitches on a completed sea turtle.

I also tried my hand at a bigger basket than what I made for some special moms for Mother's Day. The bigger basket came out so cute (in my opinion), I decided to stick a bear in it and try to sell it (to raise MS-150 money, of course).

This might not be too big a deal to anyone else, but I've grown quite attached to my micro bears, and I didn't think I could ever part with them. This is my third attempt at putting one up for adoption.

Roxy Bear (shown at right) got her name from a pristine area in Colorado that I like to visit because of the wonderful red rock formations - Roxborough State Park. I was on my way to the trailhead when Roxy was "born".

Maybe Roxy will be like Sunny and Crystal and stick around for a while. Although I can't complain if she raises some more money for a worthy cause...

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Wordless Wednesday

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Skinny Tire Adventures

No newsworthy mileage or gains in altitude over the weekend to report, thanks to blizzard conditions over Independence Pass and a garden screaming for equal time. Adventures persist, nonetheless.

Typically when we ride uphill, The Lizard pushes ahead at his own speed, and after he summits, he returns to my side and rides up a second time at my speed. I was working my way toward him when I noticed a big, huge, giant, immense hairy spider alongside the road. Tarantula!!!

Now, these furry guys literally are crawling all over the place in southern New Mexico and in Texas where I spent my formative years. But I’d never seen one in the wild in Colorado. I wondered if he’d escaped his owner. I once again had neglected to carry my camera, but The Lizard had his, so I raced ahead, hoping to catch him and reel him back in for a photo.

Yes, there was a tiny fragment of damsel in distress in there, too. No way would I want to get close that hairy monster without my knight in shining bicycle jersey to protect me.

About a mile and a half later, I caught The Lizard (on his return trip to meet me, of course), and I informed him of the magnificent photo op awaiting. Together we detoured back and around, navigating the busy highway in pursuit of furry arthropods

As we neared the location where I thought I’d seen the Theraphosidae, The Lizard had his hand over his camera, ready for a quick draw, if necessary. He’s becoming rather adept at shooting on the roll. Even though tarantulas are not known to be dangerous to humans or even aggressive, no sense in taking any chances.

We approached slowly, cautiously, on full alert.

Yep, there he is! Posing pretty!

Um, it’s a toy.

Later in the day, we approached a highway crossing near an elementary school. In other words, adequate signage, freshly painted crosswalk and even a little traffic light with a button low enough for small fry to reach.

We normally pause a good distance away before attempting such crossings, allowing traffic to continue without obligating motorists to stop for us. Not because we’re courteous or anything like that. Because we don’t always trust drivers.

Sometimes, cars will stop for us even though we are a good 20 or 30 feet from the crossing. These people deserve the blessings of heaven.

Such was the case last weekend. Four-lane highway, and cars in the far lane stopped for us, even though we were not quite ready to cross. The Lizard hung back, but I proceeded into the intersection, crossing the first two lanes, which were totally clear. I slowed briefly in the median and noticed in the next lane an oncoming vehicle (the monster truck variety sans Big Wheels and shiny horn-like exhaust pipes) barreling at me with no apparent desire to stop or even slow.

I squeezed my brakes like never before, my front wheel crossing into the lane maybe about an inch before coming to a complete stop. Rubber burned as the truck’s wheels gripped the road and screeched loudly to a halt. The truck stopped just inches from the front of my bike. If I hadn’t stopped, he would not have hit me. (Yes, it was a he. Yes, I looked. And yes, if looks could kill…) He stopped in time.

Nevertheless, my heart was racing and my legs were shaking. Anger was shooting out of my sunglasses-shielded eyes, I’m sure, and fire probably was emanating from my ears. But the rest of me was one big tub of jelly, and the salt water wasted no time trailing down my cheeks.

We made eye contact. It didn’t last long, and I’m certain he couldn’t see my eyes. But I could see his. He was angry. He was angry because I made him stop. He was angry because I was in the way.

The Lizard and I quickly and silently crossed in front of the now string of motionless vehicles in both lanes. Drivers stared at us. I wondered what they were thinking. I wondered if they’d even noticed what had just happened. I wondered what the kind driver thought now; would she ever stop for a cyclist again? I wondered if a small person might ever be hurt at that very intersection because some big person is in a hurry to get somewhere.

As we began climbing the next hill, The Lizard took me to task for proceeding into the intersection, even though the law-abiding citizen had stopped.

“Don’t ever trust automobiles,” The Lizard directed. "You could have been creamed." Not quite in a bark. More like a growl. His emotions were so visible. He had watched helplessly as his wife could have been totally laid flat in an instant. My legs were still quivering, but it was obvious his heart was doing somersaults, and not the romantic kind.

And for that, I love him. I bit my tongue. I did not defend myself. I did not cry for doing what should have been the right thing while someone else nearly did what would have been the very wrong thing.

End of rant.

Monday morning we set out half an hour before sunrise, lights twinkling in the darkness as the horizon line began to take twilight shape. I was hoping to shoot more sunrise cycling shots, like this one. The temperature was darned near comfortable, and the sky was clear.

Riding that time of day (or night) is difficult for me because there isn’t enough light to distinguish things like cracks in the pavement or manhole covers, and the headlights aren’t quite strong enough to vividly paint obstacles on the outer edges of pitch black night.

So I didn’t see the rock I hit so hard, my handlebars ripped right out of my hands. I managed to hold my line and regain control, but I worried I might have messed up my rim. That’s how hard I hit that rock.

A mile further down the road, right along the busy four-lane highway, of course, I felt a pavement seam as though I’d dragged the palms of my my hands across it. The next one was even worse. Kevlar strips hadn't protected my tires this time.

It would have taken me a good six hours or so more to do what The Lizard did next in about 20 minutes. Instead of the cycling sunrise, I got just a sunrise. But I also didn’t have to change the tire and break nine or so fingernails in the process. If it had been my back tire and I’d been alone, I’d have had to take a couple of days of PTO. I’d probably still be out there trying to figure out how to get the chain back on the bike. If I ever managed to get the tire back on the rim. Or air in the tire.

No extra miles for me Monday morning. No camera full of dazzling cycling photos. But summer is coming. I’m not a pancake. No snow in the forecast this week. And National Ride Your Bike to Work Day is this Friday. How can I complain?

Oh, and Bicycle Tour Lesson Number 16 or so is in the pack. Literally. Never, ever put your Hammer gel in the same compartment with your camera.

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Snowflake Monday

My daily commutes during December were a flurry of flakes for gifts, cards and my tree. I got tired of running out of thread. (Three times!!!)

So I bought one of those huge, gigantic, 1.5-miles of thread balls – the discount stuff you buy in bulk. The packaging claims it's size 10, but to me, it feels slightly larger than the size 10 Cébélia I'd been using. While trying to fine-tune one particular pattern, I gradually moved up in hook size until I found one that works better with this thread.

I've got at least a mile of this stuff left to use up, so I'll be using the larger hook for a while. You may use whatever size hook works best for you. Different crocheters prefer different tensions. Everyone has their own soft spot. Do what makes YOU happy.

This pattern is my second attempt to duplicate a snowflake on a red mug I gave as a Christmas present last month. So, the mug is long gone, but the endeavor to elaborately design three flakes on the mug rages on! (Yes, there are two more red mug flakes I'm yearning to take a stab at. And each is going to be progressively more challenging.)

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 4 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Instructions

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in ring, *ch 3, 2 tr in ring; repeat from * around for a total of five spokes; ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same ch as sl st, sc in next tr, *5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 2 tr; repeat from * around 4 times, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, sl st in starting sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same sc as sl st, *ch 18, 1 sc in each of next 7 sc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 petals, ending with sc in each of next 6 sc, sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: *In next ch 18 sp work 2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 3 sc, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, dc in next ch, into same ch 18 sp work 3 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc; 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 tr in same ch, ch 7, sl st in top of tr, 1 tr in same ch as previous tr, 2 dc in same ch, ch 4, sl st in same ch, sl st in next ch, ch 4, sl st in ch between next 2 dc, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch of branch, 1 dc in same sc as next dc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or foil. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Working Our Way Through 2010

Almost summer! Almost heaven!

Here are the next two months of my free weekly planner... September and October. Enjoy!

The next installment(s) will be available in June.

Of course, strings are attached... you know, all that legal mumbo jumbo. This calendar is copyrighted and provided by Snowcatcher Photos. You may print the calendar and share the calendar via link back to this site. You may not under any circumstances sell the calendar or any of the images therein. Modification or republication of the calendar or any of the images therein without prior written consent of Snowcatcher is strictly prohibited.

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Friday Funny

And here is the link, in case you are unable to view the above.

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Buon Compleanno!

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Happy Birthday, Lizard!

Italian because the Giro's going on right now.
French because THE TdF is nearing.
Californian because there's a Tour over there, too, and passing just miles from my parents' place next week.

But mostly, because he's the most awesome guy in the world!

More ways to say happy birthday here.

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Eye Candy

Titanium from Element 22 challenged me in her Tagged and Flagged about two or three lifetimes ago, and Tuesday night was the first chance I had to go into my electronic photo storage to find the eighth photo of the eighth folder of the eighth folder of the eighth folder... I did a similar challenge last winter. I shoot so frigging many photos, I maintain far more layers and layers of folders than the average blogger, so I must be creative in my counting.


This is the eighth photo in the eighth folder of my Nikon Transfer folder on my laptop. I crocheted all those bears, and we toted them into the Weminuche Wilderness specifically to get pictures of them near a genuine ghostly ghost town called Beartown. Turns out, the tiny mining town is long gone. All that remains is the sign.

Thoroughly addicted to sunrises and sunsets, I also enjoy quilting. This is what you get when you mix the two together in the middle of a sleepless night and tinker with a vast collection of Photoshop plugins and filters. This bizarre compilation of more than 250 slices of sunrise/sunset photos snapped during the first three months of 2009 is the eighth photo of the eighth folder in my 2010 folder of my My Pictures folder on my third external hard drive. Using a 12-megapixel camera can wreak havoc on your photo storage budget.

This is the eighth photo currently in my camera, taken bright and early Wednesday morning. I'm SOOOOOOOO glad I haven't transplanted my overgrown veggie seedlings yet!

Okay, now comes the time to pass on this challenge. I'm SUPPOSED to list EIGHT names of buddies here (but I'm cheating because I'm not sure I know eight people who might do this), and then they in turn are supposed to post their own challenge photos in their blogs, tell about the photos and invite more participants. That didn't work so well last time I did this, so I'm also going to comment on their blogs, leaving a hint I hope they will see.

One of the fun, rewarding fringe benefits of participating in something like this (I believe it's called a meme) is when you follow the links, you see new things, learn new things and perhaps even make a few new friends. Always a good thing, right? In the long run, you might pick up a few more followers, and that can't possibly be bad.

Kate
Lisa
Lizard
J.H.
Sandra

All right, Blogging Buddies, it's your turn! Be as creative and prolific as you choose. Let me see your stuff!

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Wordless Wednesday too

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Wordless Wednesday

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Bicycle Dreams

Friday was humiliation day.

Saturday, everything we planned went awry, and we didn't get to test-ride the initial portion of the Day Two route of Ride the Rockies as hoped.

Sunday we explored the Day One route of Ride the Rockies.

Monday, I completed my third-highest one-day mileage ever.

Friday we had a very light dusting of snow, so I bundled up, thick full-finger gloves and all. Kept toasty warm. And kept my fingers.

I went into a roundabout a little too fast and failed to negotiate a curve. Chalk it up to inattentiveness; that and a lack of dexterity. I asked The Lizard what I need to do in order to hone my critical thinking and riding instincts. How do I train myself to know going off route into a soft, flat, green field is SO much better than trekking on skinny tires over rocks and grates? He said I need to do more mountain biking.

Admittedly, I am much too conservative on my mountain bike. When I'm four-wheeling, I always say I like the shape of my vehicle and don't want to change it. Same goes for my mountain bike and my body. I like the shape of both, and I don't want to change them.

For at least a couple of years, The Lizard has wanted me to duplicate a timed exposure I shot of him riding through sunflowers. He wants to do the same thing, only riding through Palisade's peach blossoms with Mount Garfield in the background. We planned to do that Saturday. The blossoms were gone, and time constraints prevented us from riding at all that day. We're hoping for another chance next April.

Sunday was an absolute hoot. Colorado National Monument was one of The Lizard's favorite rides for many years before we ever met. The ride up and over was our third date. It was Day 1 of our first Ride the Rockies together. Every chance we get to go back and do it again is just as thrilling as the first for me.

There exists this Code among cyclists. We know the seemingly cryptic meaning of "You doing that this year?" Whatever ride jersey you are wearing, chances are, passing riders either have one of their own underneath their layers or a twin hanging at home. We all know the routine. We all know the exhilaration. And the disappointment.

"You riding that this year?" I was asked over and over and over again as I slowly made my way up the Monument.

"Yeah!" I'd answer, trying not to sound out of breath. "And you?"

"This will be my 11th," came one response.

Eleven. How do they do that? How do they get drawn over and over and over again?!? Lucky devils!

The wildflowers were spectacular. Desert weather has been a little friendlier to cyclists than what we've been getting in the Denver Metro. Words cannot describe the sensation of going from triple layers Friday to short sleeves, shorts, sunscreen, sunburn and a bucket of sweat Sunday. Then back to multiple layers routine Monday.

We had planned a multi-day trip to Moab to do some heavy duty riding, but plans changed at the last minute. Third consecutive year. Drats. So I arranged to take some extra time off work Monday to reel in a few extra miles. I've got only four weeks left to get used to long, long days in the saddle.

My goal for Monday was 70 or 80 miles, whatever I could eek out. The forecast, of course, called for thunderstorms and 40 mph winds in the afternoon. I decided to reign in as many miles as possible in the morning, just in case the afternoon ride got derailed.

As I prepared to leave home, I informed The Lizard I would not be taking my camera this time. Not only to lighten the load, but also because I had not been using it. Friday's spill left me a bit nervous about wrecking again and injuring the camera. I decided the Nikon could take a day off. Just this once.

The Lizard told me the camera gods would understand. "Yeah, right," I replied. "The 'camera gods' will throw every form of wildlife known to man at me for leaving the camera at home." And that they did.

Curious deer on the bike path along the greenway. Elk near the lake. Cormorants in the sunrise. Baby geese closer to Downtown. Yikes!!! A skunk!!! Whew! Just a black and white kitty. Run, kitty, run! No less than 11 not-shy great blue herons near a sudsy spillway north of Downtown. They posed for me. And laughed. They thought my lack of camera was hilarious. A couple even flapped their wings and danced to display their amusement.

The sudsy spillway reminded me of my adopted daughter's first ride along this very same path. She would NOT cross the bridge. The 8- or 9-year-old was terrified of it, and we had no clue why. Finally, I convinced my then 12-year-old adopted son to portage all three of our bikes across the bridge while I carried my daughter across. She screamed bloody murder the entire way, but she was never afraid of the bridge again after that. In fact, she spent a few years fantasizing about living beneath a bridge with a Rottweiler to bring her food. But that's another story. For another day. Another year. Maybe another decade.

During a school assignment several years later, she wrote about being afraid to cross that bridge. She thought the suds in the water were acid. (Both my kids did a little too much "Dante's Peak" in the '90s.) She wrote that the bridge collapsed as we were crossing it, and we were being sucked into the acid. Then a dog came along and pulled us out of the water, one by one. She and the dog lived happily ever after.

That momentary step back into time was accented by a new bridge a little further along on the trail. Back then, we had to take a two-block jog through a heavily industrial area to get back onto the bike path. I was always nervous about taking my kids across that section of road, even for such a short distance.

Now it's done. The bike path goes all the way through. No cyclist has to brave the wrinkled road and huge trucks for that short little segment anymore.

I logged 53 morning miles, expecting to have to load the bike onto the train in the afternoon and be picked up by The Lizard.

However, the winds never reached gale force, and the thunderclouds didn't materialize. The 20 mph shifting breeze didn't make the ride home easy, but it did keep the bugs down. Thankfully!

As I neared home, I realized I'd topped 80 miles only twice before. I did my first and only century to date the day I had to, 108 miles on Day 4 of the 2003 Ride the Rockies. I did 88 miles on May 24 that year while training. Never again have I been able to go more than 80 miles. Until Monday.

I was so excited, I rushed home to grab the camera, then rode back out to get a picture by one of the pink trees down the street. By the time I got back to my front door, I'd logged 82 miles. And heck! It wasn't dark yet!!!

Insert "Theme Song from Rocky" here. Because that's what I'm feeling right now!

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