Comments: As you know, I often write about personal experiences. This one started on Lake Tahoe. I couldn't resist a short poem on kayaking and the inner doors it is opening for me. I trust each of you saw beyond the mere description of the experience and realize that it is also an allegory on life–the present and the unseen yet to come.

The Trail Bench

A Resting, gazing out,
....the pinnacle of a blue roof
....peers through the trees
....while mere yards away
....a rippling stream
....flows into the nearby rushing river.
A whiff of lilac playfully tickles the nostrils.
....as heat from the morning sun,
....causes beads to form
....upon the brow.

Another day is evolving
....likes thousands before.
But for this cyclist
....this day
....is as the first
....when the heart began
....its finite beats.
The views from the bench,
....though the same,
....are new.

Comments: Now that my bike rides are less hampered by the chains of time, I am finding them to be more meditative than the traditional desire for exercise. Slowing down allows me to enjoy the flavor and nuances that I often miss when pedaling strictly for cardio purposes. Benches along the trail often become a place to create. I find myself stopping more often, not due to fatigue, but for the growing need to savor.

Vignette: An Evening Stroll or So I Think

........On the way to Memphis in June, I decide to spend a night with my sister Larraine and her husband, Jerry. Their home near Cincinnati is housed in a beautiful subdivision that includes extensive walking trails. Following a delicious Thai meal and a scoop of Graeter's ice cream, my sister asks, “Aren’t we going for a walk? I do every night. It’s about three miles. Despite the 'physical' wisdom of such a jaunt, the 'couch potato part of me' thinks, “A three-mile evening walk seems to be a bit of overkill, especially since the humidity is much greater than where I live.
........“Can’t we shorten it?”
........“Oh yes, we can do the shorter mile and half.”
........“Hmm, how about a bit shorter?”
........Basically, she replies, “Follow me.”
........Within the first 100 yards, perspiration builds on the brow due to the humidity. I realize I am in for something less than a treat. She struts forward, arms swinging, with each step leaving me further behind. Despite the fact that my stride is a good two feet longer than hers, I am talking to her back. I suggest that she should get her cell phone out so we can talk. That is hint one. She misses it. Then I talk about how I don’t ride with my brother-in-law Harvey because he is always leaves me in the dust. Hint two works! “Oh, you want me to slow down?”
........Gasping, I murmur, “Yes.” By then, we are a quarter mile into the jog–I mean stroll. As Larraine continues to talk and I listen, mainly to preserve oxygen, we enter a wooded area. Despite the shade, the effort climbing the rolling mountains causes the perspiration to flow. Finally, at the lake area, I suggest we pause to look at the few boats who owners are enjoying my kind of outing–leisurely. Along the area are stately homes with manicured lawns, flowerbeds, and other landscaped beauty. I take great interest, obviously stopping to gain a better appreciation. Sadly, this ploy only works for a while. Off we go into the woods, including a moss covered rolling trail. Great, an opportunity for a broken leg! She also adds a tale about snakes. Finally, we arrive back at the house. My sister is invigorated, and I, well to put it politely, “a wet rag.” Air-conditioned house, “Here I come.”

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........After an enjoyable meal at my favorite Thai Restaurant and ice cream at Graeter's Ice Cream Parlor, Bob and I climbed into his "Mini" and headed back to my house. He mentioned that someone had told him I was going to do Tai Chi with him. Hmm...what misinformed person said that? After a few minutes of discussing this, I came up with an idea that would hopefully discourage this idea. The deal was if he took my evening walk with me around the lake ( about three miles ), I would do Tai Chi. After some good hearted negotiating (the walk would only be this side of the lake, and the pace would be slower than usual ), he agreed. Hmm...Tai Chi for me!
........We started out at a semi-fast but reasonable pace (after all we had eaten ice cream with calories to burn). Soon I hear him ask me if I've brought along my cell phone so we can keep in contact with each other. Okay, I'm quick to take a hint, and slow it down. A couple more blocks, and he is telling me he doesn't want to get all sweaty. Well, it's a pretty cool night for Cincinnati, so I figure this is no problem.
........"I'm sweating," he complains. I slow it down another notch.
........At the lake he spies our resident blue Heron. I keep walking until I realize Bob isn't beside me, or even close. He has stopped to look at the lake.
........"Peaceful isn't it," I tell him after backtracking.
........"Yea, if you take the time to look at it." Oh boy, I believe there is a hidden message here!
........Moving once again, we are now going through the second stretch of woods that leads up to my street, when he asks where this is taking us to. I believe there is a smile on his face when I inform him we are on the last stretch of our walk.
........We arrive back at my house, and he immediately goes inside. When he doesn't come back out, I go looking for him. He's standing in the family room with a wet hand towel over his head. Oh dear, this isn't part of the Tai Chi thing is it?
........"A new look?" I ask.
........He just laughs and says, "No, I'm hot!"
........Ah, but he got even with me with the Tai Chi, in which I discovered I'm much better at walking than I am at it... (And he's good at it!). All in all we had a good time sharing the evening together!
........Thanks for a fun night, Bob.

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Surprise Contest Vignettes: In the May Issue I wrote a vignette on the concept "for every gain there is a loss and for every loss there is a gain." At the end of the vignette I sprang a surprise contest asking readers to submit life examples regarding this concept in their own lives. From the entries two winners were selected. In June, we read Robert L. Hinshaw's gain-loss story. I originally intended to run the second one this month. Instead, due to length of this newsletter, I will run Jules from California's vignette next month.

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If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, printing it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.