http://nyti.ms/1mfhOjw
This article from the New York Times this morning drew my attention. I starting to think about athletics in a whole different frame. The dictionary definition speaks of proficiency. Well, proficiency is all a matter of perspective. What about joy? What about courage? What about commitment? The members of the paraclimbing group from Brooklyn Boulders are finding joy, courage, commitment and companionship together. Having said that, Froggy gave me a gift last night. I “flew” around Johnson Park (flying is riding as fast as I can, focusing on pushing well with both feet). As I came close to the turnaround, about 2 miles from home, … It was hard to keep up with blog posts for my places project during the work week. So I have decided to do a slide show for the accumulated stash of pictures. I have managed to get out just about every day. I think I'm already feeling the benefits, in terms of increased stamina.
I have a new project for August. How many times can I go riding? Yesterday (Friday) I went to the Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market in our town has inadequate, claustrophobic parking. So, I have decided this summer, to take 3 wheels instead of 4. The basket contains: tomatoes, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, cheese, Kale, cucumbers. ...
I have spoken here about my love/hate relationship with walking. Recently I have noticed that I am avoiding longer walks, in favor of Froggy. The self talk about my gait has been extremely negative recently. Today I was early for work, so I walked a little further and thought about what I was doing in the process. Then I saw it. It's performance anxiety / shame. It's slow and it's crooked, and I am my own greatest critic.
I'm putting this here because I felt like standing on a street corner and shouting "I have nothing to be ashamed of !" If people have to step around me, that's their stuff. Part of it is that I'm in NYC, where everybody walks too fast (except me and others like me). I made friends at ALA recently who had no trouble walking with me, and they were both from the West Coast. It's very important that I burnish my courage, and keep walking. We do know that if I don't practice, I will forget how it's done. As we approach mid-summer, where have Froggy and I been recently? The local food coop The public Library Church The Train station The loop around the Park The drug store The Farmer's Market (Parking is horrible, 3 wheels is the only way to go!) In the process I have understood something very basic. I must never stop riding! I need this! It gives me a whole different way to relate to the world around me. And I know that my doctors will not disagree. Part of my MO is a magnified case of "use it or lose it," they have all urged me to stay active. Plus I would miss the smiles, the waves, and the shout "I want one!" I sleep better, and my food tastes better. As we continue to consider where we should live, this is an important point. Housing for Froggy (or Froggy's descendants) is absolutely critical. Plus the neighborhood needs to be bicycle friendly, with sidewalks and parks that need to be explored. As the semester winds up, I have additional space to work on my writing projects. I am pleased this Spring to have a wide range of projects.
It took considerable investment, Froggy essentially needed a completely new set of gears, and a new chain. What really matters is that I am back! Froggy is back where she belongs, and parked in front of the train station. In a season where I have huge reasons to be grateful, I can also be grateful for a unique opportunity to play in the sunshine is I go back and forth between home and the train station.
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Why three wheels?My name is Robin Brown. This is a picture of my "magic carpet." When I'm at work it's probably parked at the commuter rail station about a mile from my house. I get to ride three wheels because my right leg doesn't like to show up for work. I flunked riding two wheels. Archives
April 2018
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