I’ve been feeling a little better, more connected, since my “cellophane” post last week – maybe I just needed to vent. Certainly the responses to the post helped, so thank you to those who commented, on WordPress and DW and LJ. Also, work has been busier – I’ve had a bunch of local in-person meetings in addition to the usual telecons, and having more human contact definitely helps.
I’ve had slightly more time on actual water lately, too, which is probably good for my general well-being. On Labor Day weekend, we planted a dwarf Japanese maple, so we went back last week to water it, and we’ll be returning this week again. Two and a half hours is kind of a long haul, which is why we normally only go every other weekend. This will be the last time for a few weeks, though – next weekend is the airshow here, and then after that we’re going to Hawaii. THat will be good; I feel like after all those years of travel we got back to the US and then we just stayed put. Much as I love Portland, I’m looking forward to going somewhere else for a change. Anyway, we’ve hired a neighbor kid to water the tree a couple times a week so hopefully it will survive.
Meanwhile, all those trips to the house mean we get to row every weekend. Last weekend I actually didn’t go out on the water on Saturday due to the combination of rough water and some vertigo, but I pulled the erg outside and at least got to face the lake as I “rowed”. I did get to go out on Sunday, and also had a couple short outings in the kayak, chasing after Ted’s new radio-controlled model seaplane. Until he flew it into a tree where it lodged high up, turning it instantly into Ted’s former radio-controlled model seaplane. I must say I’m impressed at how cheerfully he took the loss.
The oddest thing about going to the lake two weekends in a row was that the season changed in between our two visits. When we went there Labor Day weekend, it was the end of summer, and then last weekend it was Fall, poof, just like that. The light was lower, the wind was higher and smelled of autumn, and the trees had actually begun to change color, just between the Monday we left and the Friday we returned. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it happen so suddenly.
I’ve started marathon training again too, because I felt like my endurance has been dropping. No guarantee I’ll finish out the whole six-month plan, but I’d like to get back up to doing half-marathons routinely on weekends. I’m up to the second 4-week cycle, and this Saturday I’m supposed to do 12 km, I think – I might need to do part of that on the water and finish it on land, if my hands aren’t callused enough for the full distance. (Ergs are easier on the hands – you don’t have to feather the oar, so you don’t get hand blisters.)
So yeah, doing a little better. I still need more socializing and more adventure in my life. I’m sure something