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It looked as if today would be a ride in the rain. But, by early morning, the rain was disappearing from the forecast. And, by the time I hit the road at 10:15, the skies were cloudy but not threatening.
I had a good talk with John this morning on the phone and he was asking me about what is my favorite part of the day. He followed up by saying that for him, it was those moments when he walked out of his office and there, up in the sky, would be an enormous flock of geese, like I have posted a couple of time in the blog.
His conversation reminded me of precisely what this past year journey has been all about for me; at least a very large integral part of the journey: relishing what I call those Simple Pleasures. Those may include geese flying overhead and the marvel of a butterfly hovering in the same spot for several minutes. But, I try to capture on film as well those items that may seem mundane and everyday but, if we pause and give them a second look, they become some eye candy that makes us smile and think twice about the ordinary.
Such as:
Some green beads that were strewn on the road and resembled a bag of spilled exotic jewels or tiny green planets or stars that fell from the sky.
Or a piece of twisted rusted metal that I've passed many times and has always appealed to me. A large wild fungi blossom?
This paper plate has remained trapped upright between blades of grass for what seems like at least a couple of weeks. For some reason, it brings a small smile to my face when I pass it. To get the shot below, I went around to the other side and shot it from the shoulder looking back toward the road. A child's version of a moon rising in the woods.
I like the archaeological feel of this four foot post in the red soil.
It may have been noticed that all the pictures today were of roadside litter or trash.
This mule is definitely not roadside litter. But, I had to include him. I took a photo of him not too long ago. Today, when I stopped by his pasture to try and photograph something else, he came over to me. This was indeed a Simple Pleasure since when I first used to pass him on the bike he would trot away. As time went by, he got used to my presence and actually seemed to welcome my company.
And, not too far after I left the mule, there was this Fido Franks bag in the leaves on the side of the road.
So, no, these photos may not be my favorite but it was fun viewing the world through a different lens today.
I thought of John quite a bit today as I rode and I want to dedicate today's ride and posting to him. May the simple pleasures abound.
Happy Birthday, Laura!
Today's Ride: 1hr 51mins. 20.05 miles. 45°-51° Miles YTD: 9,914.77
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 4.74
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 30 November 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike3.blogspot.com
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
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