The fellowship of the saints

I went to church yesterday for the first time in a month.  It was so good to be in the presence of God's people worshipping together.  Singing 'A Mighty Fortress is our God' gave me goosebumps.  If our combined voices here on Earth are so sweet, what will millions and millions of voices raised in praise sound like in heaven?  Unfathomable!
Our local church body really rallies around its members when comfort is needed.  Food, phone calls, e-mails, cards, prayers, and visits all came our way during and after Darcie's hospital visit.  I am so thankful for people who love me enough to drop what they're doing and minister to my family.  
 I'm not naturally given to thinking of others first.  I'm too involved in my own life to stop.  But by being blessed so richly during this time, I've been  gently exhorted, by my own conscience, to go and do likewise.  So I'll pray to love people more and myself less.  When a need arises, I'll try to make an effort to comfort remembering how it feels to be comforted.

Bike Bash

A great finish of the road and mountain bike racing season. The hall was filled with people attached to that 2-wheeled machine called a bicycle. I just wondered what took me so long to rediscover the joy of riding a bike.

I was surprised to be recognized for the work with T.H.O.R - serving on the board, working on trails, and being Webmaster. That was enough, but the floored me when they presented me with the PsyCow-Spririt Award! The photo is me with my award. Roxzanne allowed me to pass on mike time (I was tongue tied). Martin, thanks for grabbing my camera to take the photo.
The evening ended with a video montage of photos with a "Thanks" for the photos I took during the races.

Update 10/22 - Photos and commentary are now posted on my web site.

http://www.tomwinfield.com/bike/mtn-bike/mtb_festivals/bikebash07.html

A Bon Tempe Day!

Oh how I love hikes and this one was not a disappointment... well... except for the leash laws around here...
Momzers and Dadzers didn't really take those rules into account until some peoples told us that rangers here are very strict about attaching us to hoomans. If we're not compliant, my pawrents might have to pay upwards of a $300.00 fine - coughcough.
So we were pretty secretive in some areas and I had some super pawesome swims and got to leer at some pawesome, humongous birdies. Can't seem to embed this show, but here's the linky!
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/zP6YY9Ga
Maybe some girl or boy scouts built this cool fort.

A bootiful blue heron in the late afternoon. What a gorgeous day!

The Monarch Has Emerged!

The newly emerged Monarch warming up in the sun.

It's that time again

Time to make a foray into Gaelic culture and travel to the northernmost tip of mainland Britain. The Royal National Mod is in Caithness this year, so we're packing up the clarsach (harp) and heading into what will be uncharted territory. Shamefully, despite Scotland being a small country, I have never been to this north eastern quarter.
The photo is of the front cover of the Mod programme. Some of it is translated into English, some not. There's enough English to give a glimpse of the range of categories. From the children's classes: 'Ancient Folk Tale (age 9-10). Tell a story in traditional style' and 'Bible Reading (age 13-15). Read at sight from the Bible'. In Gaelic, of course. Some of the most hotly contested classes are for Gaelic choirs. I hope we might have time to hear something of these.

Xitang

Ming Ming and Jonny returned to Shanghai last week - how quickly those three weeks flew by.

The place seems very quiet without them.

Xitang - February, ..

I often ask Jonathan to let me have some photographs - my requests fall on deaf ears. Ming Ming, however, willingly shared her photographs with me. Thanks, Ming Ming.

I really like the look of this ancient water city, Xitang,

which is located near Shanghai.



I love the peace and tranquillity of this scene

although I bet the reality was a bit whiffy and rather more noisy.



With so many lanterns, and such a lot of red around

it has the air of a festival of some sort.

As night falls it looks magical with the lanterns reflecting in the water.


Lanterns everywhere.



See the tree growing through the roof of the porch?

The spirits of former inhabitants is said to come

back to reside in the grass growing on the roofs.

Back on shore all is hustle and bustle.

Xitang is an ancient water town dating back to around 700 BC.

It is built at the point where nine rivers converge

and is famous for the covered walkways, lanes

and beautiful bridges which

span the rivers.

x

Ozaukee Interurban Trail

This morning was a beautiful morning. Less humidity, breeze from the WNW, filtered sunshine. I actually had to wait to ride until the temperature came up above 70!
Prepared the road bike for a ride. It was 2.5 miles from where I am staying to the Interurban Trail. I got on the trail at Jay Road heading North. I mile north, the trail enters Sheboygan County. I knew the trail was open to Cedar Grove, and perhaps up to Oostburg. I was ready to find out.
I was a little concerned with the breeze. I wanted to ride North so I had the wind with me on the way back. The trail parallels a railroad track. The trees along the tracks sheltered the trail, so I was not fighting the wind.
In Cedar Grove, the trail takes to the streets for a short section, then back along the tracks. on to Oostburg. There, the trail ends at the South end of town at a plastics company. To make sure it did not continue North, I rode on through town following the "Bicycle Route" signs. Where the tracks exit town, along the tracks is a gravel access road with a cable over the road. Guess that was the end of the trail for today.
Stopped at a little park across from the bakery before heading back. It was time for some granola bars and G2. Uneventful ride back to Jay Road.
There a a couple decent hills (thankfully short). I was happy the bike (and my legs) performed well on the road. I feel I am reay to tackle Hy-way 275 and a ride south to Hy-way 34 when I get home.
21.3 miles in 1:38. 13 mph. I was pleased. Maybe tomorrow explore the Interurban Trail south from Jay road tomorrow morning before I head to Kenosha.