But, around 11:00, I remembered that I wanted to take the recycling. With the bike still in the van from yesterday, I crammed all the newspapers, bottles, plastics, mixed paper and cardboard along side the bike anticipating I would ride from somewhere downtown. Then, I had an idea, two ideas.
I went to my closet and pulled out the Santa outfit lying crumpled at the bottom in a corner. This would be the flair I was looking for these last few days; Santa riding along the trail.
I first acquired this suit when I played Santa at David and Rachel's elementary school. I don't think that it confused the kids or that they even suspected I was the same man who showed up at other times in their classroom as Zero the Hero and also to light Hanukkah candles and explain that Jewish holiday.
Donning the suit has never been an easy task for me. Growing up with parents who were Holocaust survivors and in a southern city where anti-Semitism was very much a part of my life, what to most may seem a very innocuous symbol, to me represented a very different world. I played Santa for many years at my kids' school and I know the teachers, parents and kids appreciated the visit. Oh, yes. I made this Santa suit myself, sewing it from a pattern. It has pants but those would have been too cumbersome to wear on the ride.
On the trail today, I was really quite amazed by what joy I seemed to bring just by riding. And, I'm talking about adults, not children. Men in cherry pickers working on lights, became very excited when I passed, waved and smiled very broadly. Many waved enthusiastically from their car windows. Many cheerfully honked. All this by wearing a red suit with a beard; what a wonderful feeling to bring such a sense of joy by such a simple act.
I mentioned that there were two ideas. The second was to stop by the hospital and visit Joe, who ended up in there a couple of days ago because of fluid in the lungs.
He is doing much better and, if they can track down a doctor, hoping that he will be out by tomorrow. Tired of the hospital food, Joe asked if I would cook him something. We settled on chicken soup (what else!?) I'll deliver that tomorrow.
Wearing the suit inspired me to ride longer than I thought I might this morning. I wanted to take pictures of people as I passed them but the cold required wearing heavy gloves and, so, the picture idea went out the window. But a very enjoyable day out.
Oh, yes. New date for the appearance of the biking blogger newspaper article: Monday, 2 January 2012.
Today's Ride: 2hrs 16mins. 25.02 miles. 36°-41° Miles YTD: 10,129.94
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.
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