Tattoo 140

After listening carefully to a grown-up conversation about tattoos, our girl added to the conversation:

"If I got a tattoo, it would be "12 x 12 = 140",  so I could remember that one. " 

I smiled all the way to my toes but didn't laugh out-loud until later (I didn't want her to feel silly) and gently told her it was 144 not 140.  

Though her thoughts weren't perfectly formed, in her childish way, she saw the true meaning of our conversation:  tattoos are reminders.  

Hopefully they are beautiful reminders.

Under the Bridge: a Selfie Adventure

While in NYC I have the days to explore by myself, while my husband works. Left to my own devices, I've discovered that I think I'm invincible. This is the reason I'm blogging from NYC and not after, to recover. I'm staying in this morning to rest and stay warm. Yesterday I ran around the city to stay warm (9 degrees) and explore. Now, I'm beat.

Yesterday I rode the train to Roosevelt Island. It's an island in the East river, under the 59th St. bridge. It used to be a prison, housing gangsters and the criminal Mae West. Then it was a hospital for the insane and contagious. Now, the hospital bits which have survived are a nursing school and specialty hospital (that sounds suspicios).

The island also is a master planned community. My observation is it's like Communist era Poland, meets NYC. I also saw the filming crew from Person Of Interest. Here are my photos, incase you never make it there yourself. I was so cold my fingers hardly worked for my phone camera!

Freaked Out Mom

Photo by P.R. Frank

Though we are 1/2 done having our children growing in our house, we are taking a parenting class.  I always can learn to do better, and in turn, find I'm more comfortable in my skin.

Parenting in general freaks me out.  I want to be my best for my kids.  Despite my best efforts, my kids will turn out.  I like to remind myself that, and go to a parenting class.

Last week, as we were talking about the class, our daughter overheard us.  She had an opinion about our parenting.

"Guys, I know you are good parents.  Wanna know how I know you are good parents?".......
yes..... 
"I spend a lot of time in my room."

We laughed too hard together.  It's true.  She does spend a lot of time in her room getting a grip, and letting me catch my breath.  In a calm moment, she was thankful and it was funny.  It won't be funny next time I have to send her to her room, but it helped me not take myself so seriously.

Chubby, Underachieving Runner's Bible

In the summer I started pushing myself towards a goal running.  I track my progress on my phone.  I learned a lot about myself and about myself running.  I am not sure what I learned is universal, but just true for me, which is nearly like the real Bible (up for interpretation) .  My list of lessons is way shorter than the real Bible.

On January 1, 2013 I'll reset my iPhone app to zero miles, and see how far I get next year.

Before I list what I learned, there are some self deprecating caveats.  I am not a real runner, or what you might think of as a runner.  I see folks who are good at stuff and get intimidated.  DO NOT get intimidated by my running.  I ran 350 miles, which is less than a mile a day.  You, most likely, went that far as well.  I happened to have run the miles.  I am not lean.  I don't have long legs.  I don't run fast.  I'm not sporty.  I'm fumbly.

Here is my list:

• Run up hill as much as you can, then walk until you recover. 
• Push yourself a bit downhill, but not so much that you fall.
• Tip your tailbone under and engage your abdominals while you are running.
• Relax.
• Lead with your toes and your head.
• When your feet or knees start to hurt, get a new pair of shoes.
• Relax.
• Your shoes will wear out. 
• Dress for weather that is 15 degrees warmer than it is outside.  This is good in the winter, and bad in the hot summer.
• Do not run and listen to Verdi's Requiem.  It is not relaxing.
• Stevie Wonder really is a wonder!
• If you have to, walk.
• If you can, go faster or farther, but not necessarily both.
• Run with someone you love. 
• When running alone, remember running with the people you love. 
• When running alone, listen to music, but not when you have a friend along.
• Not all people I know who run are good running partners.
• Carry a cell phone and pepper spray.  The cell phone, if you need help, the spray to ward off dogs and make you feel safer in the woods. 
• If you fall down, get up.  
• If you are really injured, use your cell phone and don't try to get up.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Run when you go new places.  Get up early and see a place before everyone wakes up!
• Say hello to everyone you see on your path.
• Don't push yourself too hard, or you'll get a headache and not be able to run tomorrow.
• Don't compare yourself to other runners.  Comparison is the thief of joy.
• Your body is stronger than you think it is.
• Running hurts a bit, but the more you do it, the easier it is.
• If you don't feel like running, get ready and go before your mind tells you not too, you have about 5 seconds.
• If you run at sea level you will feel like a rock star for about a week, then it will feel just like your mountain elevation.
• Don't get caught up on time and distance and miss the beauty outside (I take photos).
• Have fun.

If I were you, I'd hold loosely to my observations.  They are probably a moving target, except for the running to the Verdi Requiem.

I'm really proud of myself and running so much this year.  I worked hard at it.  I have nothing but this photo of a number to show for it on the outside.  On the inside, I can't wait to go on my next run.  I can't wait to get all my wiggles out.  I can't wait to see the woods on the trails in my town, or the streets of a new town or park.

Took a spill on the trail below.

My favorite run.

A run this fall in Central Park.

Nerd Protege

Our clan is pretty hooked on the written word.  My parents read to me, and started with AA Milne.  We did the same for our two.  While in New York City this fall, we visited our friends from our imagination.  It turns out that Pooh Bear is a real stuffy toy.  He and his friends live in the NYC public library in the children's section.  It was 'as it should be' to meet them in person with my parents and my children.

My son, who was a gifted reader at age five, has now read half of the books in this library (okay, maybe paternal hyperbole).  We did enjoy the smell, architecture and quiet of so many books.  We maybe were too happy to be there.

Grandma, Pooh, and the Kids!

P.S.  I hate this gui google!  But am too lazy to edit the HTML.  Sorry the pictures are all jumbled.

Mushrooms

I love mushrooms. I'm not going to eat any of these.... yet. I think one is edible, but not worth the risk.
I live/run in the woods, and these beauties all came out after it rained. They're gone with the frost now.
They are as beautiful as roses to me, which makes me just like Oscar the Grouch, in a small way.

Roots

I took these at a street fair in Albany, California.  They caught my eye because I enjoy Art Neuveau.  A selection of roots is different than a selection of seasonal goddesses,  in a more down-to-earth way.

Enjoy!