i like to ride my bicycle...

One of the most wonderful pleasures of my vacation was my daily bicycle ride.

Just before we headed off on our vacation, we stopped by the bicycle shop to buy a bike rack. While there, I decided I really needed a basket and a bell, too. The basket helps complete the dream I have of casually riding my bicycle with a baguette and a bouquet in the basket. The bell is essential, don't you think? It completes the dream nicely. The bell I got is brass and is very loud and clear. Briiiiing....brrrring!

The epiphany I had on my vacation (which was entirely unplugged, by the way!) was that while it seemed like I had more time on my hands I have exactly the same amount of time here, at home. I want to try to do more things that I love and fill my days with delight more than dread...I want to have more better than bitter.

The vacation couldn't possibly have come at a better time for me. I was feeling completely overwhelmed. So much rushing about and too little recovery. My to-do list (which was never really committed to paper) had a life of its own. And my life was getting lost.

So today, after I prepared my orders, I decided to go on a bike ride. My first stop was the bike shop for a lock. Certainly my cruiser with such charming accessories as a brass bell and basket attached would tempt a sticky-fingered passerby. I love the fellows at this bike shop. When we bought the basket and bell there, we had such a lively and fun exchange that as we drove away Rich said to me "Amy, life with you is like being in a Doris Day Musical!" Well, if you know the least little thing about me, you know what an incredible compliment that is. It's just the nicest thing he's ever said to me.

So today, the bike shop "musical" turned comical. I asked the bike man to show me how to use the new lock. And when I went to unlock the contraption, the key snapped completely in half, while engaged in the lock! So just imagine this scene...the bike man, who had just explained how exemplary this particular bicycle lock device was because it is so terribly difficult to cut open, witnessed me breaking the key in the lock rendering it permanently locked to the rail in front of his shop!

The bike man had to employ all manner of gadgets and electrical equipment to cut the lock apart. You should've seen the brilliant display of sparks that the rotary tool made as it cut through! They gave me a new one, even though it was clearly my fault that it broke (I must have some sort of hidden superhero strength!)

Since the grocery is right next to the bike shop, I decided to keep the bike securely fastened to the front rail and pick up some things for dinner tonight. Baguette and bouquet, excluded. So I put my two heavy packages in my basket on my bicycle parked in front of the bike shop. When I carefully opened the lock on the bike, the weight of the packages unbalanced the bicycle and all of my groceries fell all about the sidewalk. Can you imagine the scene?

Embarrassed at causing such a scene, and especially so when I looked up in the window of the bike shop and there was the bike man shaking his head in disbelief at what a character I am (Doris Day, maybe?) I quickly repacked the bags, hopped on my cruiser, and headed home.