Let me begin with the acknowledgment that a photo of a bike is nothing compared to the cutest-video-ever of Sam kissing Kate. Still, if it's going to be a bike photo it might as well be a darn cool bike. What's great about this bike is that it must not have been overly pricey. Still, put together by someone with taste and flair it's a real looker. I love the two tone paint job. Maybe here's an idea for Dad's to-be-repainted Trek. What do you think?

Sam loves his mommy

Sam is starting to give hugs and kisses. They are very wet, slobbery kisses.

Today couldn't have been a more beautiful day. The perfect temperature for riding, a gentle breeze, and the rice in the fields turning golden. I spent the morning doing laundry--again a chance to enjoy being outside--and set off for a ride around three o'clock. I didn't have a destination in mind, I just followed the roads through the fields. Occasionally I ended up on busy roads and once had to make an emergency stop after being blown about by three passing trucks, but mostly I stuck to the farm roads like in the picture. Once I passed an ancient farmer coming down the road on a tiny tractor. I was slowing to turn and we made eye contact. I smiled and nodded. His face, weather-beaten and as wrinkled as a pickled plum, positively glowed when he smiled. It reminded me of the sunshine in Sam's smile.

I was out for two hours. I rode about 40 kilometers. For me now that's a long ride. I'll be sore tomorrow, especially my neck and my triceps, but there were moments of bliss while I was riding.

Dan, This Ones For You

Dan and Tomo, thanks for the shirt. This picture's just for you guys.





















Sam loves his new bike helmet, but it is still a little big for his noggin. What he really likes to do is to push it around on the floor. He looks like a WWII tank driver with it on, but I am sure that he will be growing into it very soon.














Here are a couple of pictures that I took on my ride last night. It was a near perfect summer day and I was glad to have time to get a few miles in after Kate came home from work. I am not certain if the rocks in the second picture are part of an old stone wall or an old foundation, but they are at a four way stop on one of my regular routes.

What's up with Lug Bro Deuce? A run yesterday and a ride today?! I guess Britta's quip about how I "used to be so outdoorsy" hit somewhere close to home. That's me in the second picture trying to look like a cover model from Outside Magazine. In the third picture I gave up and gave it a goofy smile.

My ride was short. It was getting dark. Oh, for the light-until-late evenings of Northern Michigan! The lowlight of the ride was getting smacked in the face by a flying cicada. It was large enough to hurt. I wish I could say I had the linguistic control of my namesake. To write my outburst would require liberal
use of asterisks, exclamation points and at-marks. He smashes his finger and remains cool; I hit a bug and go cra-a-zy.

The highlight of the ride was talking to the man walking his cat. It's hard to see in the last picture, but that's a cat on the leash. Well-behaved, but he makes his owner wait until he's ready to move on. The cat has no doubt as to who is leading whom.

Who knows how long this fitness streak is going to last, but if the days stay as cool and beautiful as they have been since we got back I will be eager to be outside.

New Sam Videos

I want that camera, give me that camera.



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Water, water everywhere



Wait for the surprise.

Sam's Baptism

One of the high points of our week together was Sam's baptism that we had at our house on Sunday. Grandpa Bob performed the the baptism, but like so many things in our lives, it was a true family effort. Sam's Grandmas did to readings, and his Nona Sandy made his baptism gown. We celebrated afterwards with a family dinner.

 
 
 
 

Sam & Family Pics

Here are some pictures that Dan took this week of Sam and other family members.