On my bike.

As strange as this may sound, there’s nothing more relaxing to me than a long bike ride on a beautiful Sunday morning. Of course by the time the 30-mile ride is done, there’s nothing more relaxing than being back home, showered, with a bowl of popcorn and an A&W 10. 🙂

The half-way mark, or the destination where we turn and make the journey back home, holds an REI, Starbucks, and park by the river.  Those things in and of themselves will get me out of bed and on my bike.

It’s while my feet and legs are pushing the pedals that turn the bike tires, that my mind turns, creating ideas for writing, and connects in conversation with God.

How can one not quickly develop a heart of gratitude for over-the-top blessings when those blessings surround me, filling all of my senses as I drink in the beauty of wildlife and vegetation, and as I inhale the aromas of the flowers, water and trees. I try to avoid the taste of an occasional bug or two, however.

Even those things that are not extraordinary and go unnoticed on a daily basis, draw a smile on my face.

A wild turkey? And my first thought wasn’t “Thanksgiving Dinner,” but “Magical.”

Can’t you just smell the sweet aroma of cherry?

This little guy was watching me as closely as I was watching him. 🙂

Unlike babbling voices, there’s nothing quite so serene as a babbling brook.