Another try with iJournal

[ksmith]

This time I'm logged in, so it shouldn't dump the blasted post.

A decent enough day. It began with a bike ride. I took a different route this time, because while the marina is pretty, the cars, stop signage, tight turns, and general windiness don't allow for that steady 10 mph pace that one needs to set if one is to call one's ride actual exercise. I tried the bike trail, but I consider that more recreational than anything--also winding, with many blind curves and cracks/dips/serious bumps caused by tree roots and the general sloping toward the marsh that runs along one side.

ANYway, I found a stretch of road that runs though some wetlands, a nice straight even shot about a half-mile long. One circuit equals one mile. I rode five or six circuits, and was able to hit 10mph until I reached the points where I needed to turn. So, along with some decent exercise, I'm gaining a little more experience in bike handling. The only drawback is the unchanging scenery, but there are nice wildflowers and cattails. Saw a few small hawks and a doe with two fawns. I know I'll see coyotes eventually because I've seen them in the vicinity before. Could count the cars encountered on one hand, which is a big plus.

I raised my seat a little, pbray. I think it helped. Knees felt much better today than they did last week.



Then came grocery shopping. The amazing find of the day--Bartlett pears that were actually ripe enough to eat. Five were bought--one's been eaten. Not so juicy that I needed to eat it over the sink, which is my personal gold standard for optimum ripeness, but still good.

Next came a really nice lunch--roasted chicken, tomato-mozzarella and pasta salads, fresh coffee. A large number of dink chores completed--updated Quicken and balanced the checking account, answered a few emails, filed papers and cleaned off the desk. Now I'm watering stuff. Writing comes after.



Books. Despite the fact that I'm still reading JANE EYRE and THE HISTORIAN, I went ahead and reread PRIDE & PREJUDICE. It was a nice place to revisit, although I must not have remembered the initial visit all that well because I was surprised by all the narrative, by which I mean all the things that were told to me rather than played out in front of me. I think part of this surprise is due to the fact that Fay Weldon lifted such large swatches of this narrative and turned it into dialogue when she wrote the script for the 80s BBC version of the story (David Rintoul as Darcy and Barbara Shelley as Aunt Gardiner**, and my favorite filming of the story).

**Barbara Shelley also played a role in one of my favorite SF films, FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH. She has a wonderful voice, a Joan Greenwood alto but without that odd timbre Greenwood possessed.

Anyway, I have started Mad Robins POINT OF HONOUR, and think I will enjoy it. Any book that starts with "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Fallen Woman of good family must, soon or late, descend to whoredom." and then goes on to refute the point strikes me as a good'un.

In closing, ponder, Gentle Reader, I pray you. For it is a truth universally acknowledged that an LJ post of Uncommon Length must, soon or late, be subjected to the Cut LJ.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Almost 10 miles, and I felt it a little more in my thighs this time. A few inclines would allow for a better workout, but the added pumpage necessary to get uphill is what bothers my knees. So, until I can strengthen them, I'll stick to the flat.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Endurance first, then hills...

Come walk in sand with me. That will toughen you quickly!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Sand really works for your calves.

Where do you find sand to walk in? Along the river?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm doing it along Lake Michigan right now. It's vacation time--wish you had time to pop over. ArmadilloCon in two weeks...