First "Big Wing" Ride of the Summer

Yesterday, Hubby and I decided to get away from chores and unpacking boxes. We went out for breakfast to Star Diner and then packed up the Big Wing (our 1997 Honda Goldwing) for our first long ride of the summer. What a lovely day it was. The sun was shining bright and its warmth seeped into my being. This was our first really warm day. As Hubby steered the Big Wing, I sat back and soaked up the wind, warmth and sun.

Over the years, we thought we had covered all the areas around home on day trips. This time, we headed west. We often take the Loyalist Parkway along the shores of Lake Ontario which has stunning views. We wanted to do something different so we headed west using Highway 2. It took us through Napanee, Deseronto, Tyendinaga, over the bridge into Picton and then west through Bloomfield and into Wellington. We parked in front of the Wellington Town Hall, changed into running shoes and took out our lunch bag/cooler. Being one of the first really gorgeous days of the Spring let along Summer, the main road was very busy with tourist/cottager traffic. We finally ran across to the Lions Park and found a picnic table near the water. We had noticed during our ride that the Lake Ontario water levels are still very high. Some cottages were still surrounded by water. While we had a cold drink of water and some orange segments, we leaned on the railing at the top of the shore wall and watched the choppy, high water. As we looked west down the shoreline, we saw docks still under water and a gazebo "out in the lake". It will be awhile before the owners of that cottage will be able to use their lovely lakeside gazebo.

After our snack, we wandered around and people watched in the park. It was a busy location with lots of young families. Up by the playground area which was in the full sun, it was very warm. The children and parents were dressed for the hot summer day. As the families wandered down to the shore wall, they discovered the wind off of Lake Ontario was very chilly. We didn't mind it as we still had our motorcycle jackets on. As we made our way back up to The Big Wing, we decided to see if there were any geocaches. I hadn't planned to do geocaching so I didn't have any of my paraphernalia, but Hubby had his phone with the app. We noticed there was a geocache in the park area. Of course, I didn't have a pen on me so that I could sign the log. Hubby went back into the cargo area of the bike and found a pen in my purse. After locking everything up again, he came back and we found the cache very quickly. This was a really nice break in our day.

We hopped back on The Big Wing and continued our way west. We rode through Carrying Place, Consecon and then......  Well, then we decided to just meander and make turns according to our whims. I have no idea what road we ended up being on but it was a great road for a bike ride. It had hills, it had hairpin turns and beautiful rural scenery. I did notice that the corn fields in this area were further ahead to what the fields are close to home. The land near home has been so wet that some farmers were only able to finally plant their crops during this past week. Some fields further east are just starting to show their corn and soybeans. Some fields further east (near home) are planted but nothing has come up yet. On this particular rural road, the corn will easily be "knee high by July". As The Big Wing meandered and turned here and there, we went over the 401. Now we had an idea of where we were. We finally meandered our way through Stirling which I recognized from Son's teenage days of curling bonspiels. We continued making our way east. After a couple of turns and again being on some road that I had never been on before, we ended up in Corbyville and on our left was Signals Brewery. We stopped to share a charcuterie board and I had a their ION beer. It was lovely and refreshing. Typically I don't like beer but I don't mind some craft/microbrewery beers. This one was described as a Cerveza with a twist of lime. It went down well as we sat on the patio beside the Moira River. Our table was in the shade and there was a lovely cool breeze coming off the river. Just further south on the river was some rapids which created a soft, laughing water sound. It was very soothing. Our little break was needed by my body. I had starting to have cramps in my hamstrings and feet from sitting too long. It was good to get up and walk to get the blood flowing again.

After our Signals Brewery stop, we continued heading east and made it home. It was lovely long afternoon ride. Hubby and I were very surprised at how late in the day it was when we arrived home. Of course, it didn't feel late in the day because we were fully enjoying this time of the longest days of the year. Our day ended with a hamburger done on the barbecue and eaten on the patio. We then enjoyed the birds singing and the soft lighting as dusk descended. Here's to many more Big Wing rides this summer.

A Fabulous Month

I can't believe that it has been 4 weeks since my last post! Time flies when life is great!! So we had our flooring installed (most of the house), my daughter was home for a week (wonderful, wonderful visit), I continued to fund raise for Relay for Life which was last night, I had a chest CT scan and I'm unpacking all the boxes of "stuff" that was packed up for the floors to be installed.

It's been a crazy and hectic month but I've had a grand time! Throw in a few parties, barbecues, bike rides and life is very, very full. The best thing of the many best things was the news this past Wednesday that my Follicular Lymphoma is currently in full remission!!! Woo Hoo!!! Do we know how long it will be in remission? No, but that's OK. I am all about living fully in the moment and enjoying every single minute.

Last night was the Relay for Life event. I had set my fund raising goal at $2,000. I am very pleased that I surpassed that amount. As I walked the track last night, I couldn't help but compare my energy to a year ago. Last year, I was only able to walk about 2 laps and was at the event from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Last night, I walked a number of laps and I was there from 5:30-11:45. This is how I measure my progress in energy levels. Hubby and I celebrated my good health and remission by walking and flirting and dancing (kind of) to the music. It was a special night. The Luminary Lap is always an emotional time for us and last night was no different. We remembered 3 close family members who are no longer with us due to cancer. Hubby had made a luminary in honour of me (not in memory). As I looked at all the luminaries that lined the track and lit the way after the stadium lights were turned off, I felt anger. It's not often that I have had that surge of rage about how unfair my journey has been or that I have been afflicted with lymphoma. But as I walked the track and struggled with tears in my eyes, I also had anger deep within. It took me by surprise. I acknowledged it but I didn't dwell within it. When we left to come home, I was not in as happy a place as I normally am. As I think about my emotions, I am coming to the conclusion that all the emotions will be coming to the surface now that I have been granted good health. Kind of like the wake of a boat. When a motor boat goes full throttle and then stops, the wake can come up and swamp the back of the boat. Perhaps now that I've been given the great news of remission, some of the other negative emotions that have been restrained unconsciously and consciously, are now straggling through to the forefront of my being. Who knows, but the anger I felt last night regarding cancer certainly took me by surprise. It was like "Where did that come from?!"

While my floors were being installed, I chose to spend my time outdoors to avoid the dust and dirt. A year ago, I would not have been able to consistently weed my garden. This year, I've been able to dig and weed, till and plant my gardens. It is wonderful to have energy and feel healthy. As I write this post today, I'm feeling very tired. So I'm giving myself a day off.....kind of. It's Giveaway Day in my city today and so I put out my free items at the curb around 7:30 this morning. I made turkey soup yesterday, so I divided it up into single servings and froze it this morning. A large load of laundry has been done and is hanging on the line. We are have a wonderfully warm first day of summer and the warm breeze is causing my laundry to gently flap on the line. This is what I call living in the moment. Enjoying all the little things. I am so blessed and I truly believe that all the prayers said for me and by me have been answered. A cure? Not yet, but I am blessed with the ability to recognize the good things, feelings and people around me. Thank you God!!

Living fully in each moment.....seizing the day....carpe diem. This is what makes life worth living and enjoying. ENJOYING!!!! Bring summer on! I'm ready!!!