too soft?

Age brings with it all these interesting new considerations: infirmities of the body, perhaps infirmities of the mind, but also maybe wisdom, and greater freedom (for many, but not all), perhaps tighter pocketbooks, but a decreasing need to buy more stuff. These are all known to us events and statuses. You just have to wait and see which package of goodies will be yours.

I've been wondering if age is also making me soft. I'll work damn hard outside -- but only at tasks that bring me some degree of pleasure or at least satisfaction. I'll travel tons -- to destinations that are safe and often known to me. I try out few new recipes, and if I do, they will be easy peasy. I can go on like this: examples of toning down exertion, experimentation, adventure. 

And here's one from today: Ed asks -- want to throw the bikes and kayaks into the truck and go down the river? This is something we've done many times. We take the bikes to a takeout point and leave them there. We drive over to the put in point and unload the kayaks. We leave the truck, paddle to our bikes -- some two hours away -- then leave our kayaks, bike over to the truck, come back for the kayaks and go home. There's a pretty stretch of river, flowing into Lake Kegonsa, and the weather is lovely. Ed is all up for it. Me? It feels like such a bother.

Can't we do just one or the other? Bike, or kayak on the lake? I know he'll say nahhhh, and he does. Lake paddling is boring and biking -- well, he does his weekly ride without me. No need to go on a mini ride now. 

Normally, I would just go for it. I never regret these combination rides and paddles. And there is such a limited number of activities that are suitable for him and for me. And yet today, I say -- it's too much. Think of something else. 

Maybe it's age. Maybe it's the mosquitoes. They really wear me down. This morning, I snipped a good 450+ spent lilies, fighting bugs all the way. You have to really twist my arm to go out again. The great outdoors feels hostile and the inner sanctum of the farmhouse feels grand. 

Of course, the garden is getting awfully close to its peak. I should have taken photos earlier, before the sun hit some of the beds, but I'm rather methodical in my lily work, paying little attention to light or even weather. I snip and move on to the next one. Snip and move on. So, you get a bright morning garden today with colors that are not subtle! But the fields are cleaned up and ready for their day of blooms.

(this bed was tough to establish: it sits on top of what was once a gravel driveway; the rains really helped it along this year!)

(better luck sitting in this flower!)

(The sun is out! My camera recoils at the brightness of these girls!)

(I will feed you after I am done here!)

(So satisfying to see the roadside bed well cared for again...)

(Big Bed: view 1)

(Lilies on all sides of the courtyard)

(Big Bed: view 2)

(upon closer examination...)

Breakfast, with Ed and Dance, on the porch is very late.

This is actually amusing since I have an early lunch date with my New Mexico friend again. That's okay, we both choose breakfast foods for lunch, so you could view it as one extended morning meal. Bravely, we eat outside. They tell us the bugs arrive here, at Lakeside Cafe, in the afternoon.

 

 

I am really surprised at how suddenly, I'm all on board with Rosie the moped. I hop on her almost automatically as I head out to meet my friend. It is, in fact, my fourth ride in just one week. Indeed, I rode her dry today and had to refill her commodious (ha ha) gas tank. Though maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Yes, it's summer, yes, she is fun to ride on rural roads...

 

 

But maybe, too, it's a sign that even my electrical bike is sometimes just too much effort! Riding Rosie has the fun without the work. And so once again I have to ask myself -- am I getting to be too soft?

I go out for an evening bike ride. Okay, it's not impressive. Short and with an electrical boost. Soft, but not a total Squishmallow.   

with love...