Fall Garden

Bacon n Bikin'

Perhaps because of the clarity of the early morning air, perhaps air carries a scent more directly in the wee hours, or perhaps the lightening fast speed which I travel delivers the little scent molecules more forcefully to my smeller.

Whatever the reason, whenever I'm bikin' the morning route, I smell bacon.

As the years tick by, my eyesight may be fading, and my hearing a little less keen, but I do believe that I have the nose of a bloodhound....and it makes my mouth water.

Guns and Vinegar

I have a student that worked as a guide in hunting trips for bears.

Student:   “So, Sister Smith is there an all-purpose vinegar that you can use in the kitchen?”

Me:  “Well, white vinegar seems to have the least flavor, but recipes that use specific vinegar usually need that flavor.  For example, rice vinegar is needed to give the right flavor to an Asian salad.”

Student:  “That explains all the vinegars that my mom has.  She’s got a whole shelf of ‘em.  I asked her why she had so many blasted vinegars.  She said, ‘Same reason you have so many guns.’”

Bob n Me

The bike route that I follow is undertaken at precisely the same hour each day.  Consequently, I often pass the same people.  A peppy walker with turned-out feet and a springy step comes regularly from the opposite direction.  I’ve been passing (I’ll call him Bob) each day and after so many days of greeting nods, I felt it appropriate to take it to the next level.  

I greeted Bob with a cheerful, “Good Morning!”  His response, silence.  With all the wires coming out of many people’s brains through their ears, I assumed that Bob probably didn’t hear.  The next day I tried again….silence.  The next day….silence. 

I examined Bob's head carefully on the next passing and noted a distinct absence of wires, so he must hear me.  I tried again and again….silence.  Then out of the blue, a hit!  Bob responded with a staccato, “Hi.”  Then nothing, day after day after day.  

Bob must know me.  Perhaps I am just frightening the dear fellow.  However, it’s difficult to resume the pretend-we-don’t-recognize-each-other approach after that one substantial hit.

3,127 miles

Love my red TREK

• shifting and braking - awesome
• tires - fast
• seat - comfy
• accessories - all great additions
• bell - melodic
• handle grips - ergonomically correct

Today's total mileage = 3,127 miles of joy :)

Fi Fi

While on the Provo River Trail, I have lately been amazed and perplexed to see a great number of miniature dogs on parade, a cacophony of guinea pig-sized yappers on leash.  These fierce little defenders of territory are usually mismatched with the living creature on the other end of the leash.

After having observed how scary the trail can be in the dark and noting all the shadows that lurk outside the beam of my headlight,  I was surprised to round a bend and come face-to-snout with a pint-sized mongrel led by a young thing in hot pink running shorts.  I laughed out loud as I envisioned her commanding, "Sic 'em Fi Fi!" as she commanded her pooch to ward off a would-be attacker.

Today, that was outdone by a black chihuahua dressed in a white and pink tu-tu led by a burly tattooed male.

Although I probably could never catch him and he most certainly would not allow the procedure, I may make the attempt to bring Eddie along clad in a little cowboy outfit, complete with boots and hat.....just so I fit in.

I have a very long list of Most Embarrassing Moments.  I hardly flinched as my lecture hall of 120 students burst into muffled laughter as I announced, "The government has decided that we will no longer be using the old food guidelines to a nutritious diet."

Mixing a confused combination of the pronunciation of MyPyramid and ChooseMyPlate, I announced, "Today, class we will be studying My Period."