Daffodils...

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

~William Wordsworth

Red bicycle...

The other day I was given the gift of a brand new bicycle. It is really red and it goes really fast. Nothing beats getting outside on an early spring morning to ride along the country roads as the day is just getting started. For the “maiden voyage” on my new bicycle, I was blessed with the perfect morning for such a ride. I donned my ultra-sexy (not!) biking shorts, complete with built-in cushioning to protect my delicate “sit bones”, a jacket, earmuffs, helmet, and gloves. As I pulled out of the driveway, I felt a great sense of joy and anticipation. I love riding a bike. It makes me feel like a kid, as if anything is possible.

As I left the city behind me, heading north along one of the country roads, I noticed a faint mist hugging low along the roadside ditches and ponds. Dried, over-wintered rushes along the waters edge provided the perfect perching place for the first red-winged blackbirds of the season. They were calling to each other with their characteristic song, singing out to all who cared to listen. In fact, the world was teaming with birdsong, complete with robins, blue jays, and even cardinals. There were ducks and geese dotting the farmers fields, along with some cows and horses, who blinked their sleepy brown eyes at me as I whizzed past them at what felt like a very fast pace.

I could hear the wind rushing in my ears and feel the cool morning air on my face and it filled my lungs. My legs felt strong and sure; my hands gripped the handlebars with purpose and determination as I sped along the country road. I felt like I could ride forever. This feeling lasted about 20 minutes. Then, as exhilaration quickly turned to fatigue, I wondered if I might not just simply die right then and there. My lungs suddenly felt hot, as if they might explode. My thighs burned with a red-hot aching and turned to lead. My neck and shoulders felt as if I had been stabbed with a knife in my upper back. My movements became laboured and I felt as if I was moving in slow motion, peddling through molasses. So, I eased up on my speed. After all, I was moving at my fastest ever for the first time in years, so perhaps my body was just not up to the task. It seems the older I get there is a disconnect between what my mind thinks I can do and what my body can actually do.

And after a few minutes, I began to feel more human. My breathing returned to its normal rate, my legs felt less hot and heavy, and my shoulders and back were relieved when I shifted my body to a more upright position. It was then that I realized that it was a pretty good ride for the first one of the season. The days are growing longer and we have been promised a warm summer, so there will be lots of opportunities to get out and explore the world from the seat of my bicycle. It looks like we will have many happy hours together, my new bike and me. This thought makes me very happy, indeed.

Art Credit: Linda Apple