"You are never too old to
set another goal or to dream
a new dream."
C.S. Lewis
So with the upsurge in COVID cases, club rides are once again suspended. But I decide I must make use of this beautiful day. After over a week of cloudy skies with no hint of sun, the sun is out. I wash and hang out three loads of clothes before heading out. I decide to ride toward Salem taking the shorter route that I have not ridden for awhile. I think it is odd how I seem to ride a certain route for awhile and then realize I have not ridden another way for quite some time. I think how blessed I am to be able to step right outside my door and take off with hills in one direction and flats in another and little traffic on most routes.
There are now some trees that have completely shed their leaves and they stand tall, seemingly proud of their nakedness, but there are some who have not and there is still color that seems even more brilliant now that the sun is shining. I had thought they would be gone by now, but they are not. Probably Sunday will take care of most of them as there are strong winds predicted. The road is covered with leaves that have fallen and when no cars are near, I play my my game of picking one to run over delighting in the crunch. But I am also cautious as the rain has left the leaves wet in many places, and wet leaves, like freshly cut grass, can mean a fall. I feel the sun caress me despite his growing lack of warmth and I feel blessed. As I age, sunshine seems to have become more important to my emotional well being.
On Sawyer road, I am accosted by dog after dog. I wonder where they have all come from as the majority that are there now did not live there the last time I passed this way. I giggle at one I pass that has lived there and used to chase me. He is old and just looks now, letting me pass. How age changes us. I think that perhaps the pandemic has caused people to adopt more pets since they are home. I, myself, thought of adopting one since I cannot travel as planned until I saw how hard it was to integrate Murphy into my home when I had to take him from my sister. Most of them appear harmless unless they happen to bump my front wheel, but a pit bull comes out that seems rather worrisome. I stop knowing I can't outrun him and would rather be stopped if he bites than pulled from my bike. He smells me and I feel certain he can smell my cats, but then he retreats seemingly satisfied that I am not a threat.
On the way to Salem, I am facing a head wind, but my pace is leisurely and there is no rush so it is not a problem. I know that there will be payback on the return journey, and indeed there is. I blow home quickly and easily. On my way I think about what, if any goals, I want to set for the New Year. I come up with many ideas, but nothing that I settle on as a certainty. It just will take more thought. But there will be a new goal and new dreams to sustain me through the isolation that comes with the pandemic so long as I count my blessings and not my losses.
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