I love biking. I love the freedom. I love the feel of wind in my face. It is therefore with bone deep sadness that I read of a biker killed. The Portland, Oregon attorney killed recently was doing everything right. She was wearing a helmet. She was in a bike lane. Nevertheless, she is dead. Bikers need to realize they are the bug on the windshield. That is why I bike sidewalks and back streets always. If I am lucky enough to find a bike path separate from the highway, I will, of course, use that. There aren't many. There should be more.

The first reaction folks have to the jardin after OMG is a veiled reference to the amount of work it must take to keep it up . I am always puzzled by that question for two reasons. First, it isn't really so much more work than an hour long yoga class AND at the end of the yoga session there is never a bouquet of basil or a hand full of Wild Fred tomatoes.

Was recently in Raleigh,NC where I was forced off the Fletcher Park Path by a Mommy Armada. The sweating mamas were jogging with junior who was, in most cases, sucking a pacifier or snoozing. The mamas had matching teeshirts with perky slogans and a few black Labs.They had marathon grade strollers with swiveling front wheels. At first I wondered if this could be considered PIE exercise as opposed to the more artificial forms of non-integrated exercise.I decided it was PIE. The mamas were getting an exercise unit while junior was treated to a glimpse of the outside world, albeit a fast glimpse.

Life is a Labyrinth

In keeping with the PIE philosophy, I jumped at the chance of helping to create a 7 cycle painters' tape labyrinth for a workshop. Spending two hours on my knees was a revelation. There are parts of my body I have simply assumed would work for me. Good old knees. When I found out that labyrinths were designed for pilgrims who couldn't make the trek to Jerusalem, and that some of the same pilgrims walked the labyrinth on their knees, I felt better. Here I was reenacting holy history. The next morn I was praying the knees would forgive me for the abuse.

Vermont Ain't Flat

That is the motto on a tee shirt I purchased at the end of five days biking in Southern Vermont. There were ten of us and some of them were celebrating their 9th VBT trip having already pedaled through the Dolomites and Croatia. I felt like I was in the Olympics and had not trained. The food and the lodging were superb as was the conversation. Folks who spend vacation time pedaling up places with names like Hysteria Hill are always interesting.

Labyrinth Building

Long day, but a good one. I assist Cynthia in the creation of a seven cycle labyrinth on the floor of the main building. Now I know why the medieval pilgrims got credit for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem by walking the large church labyrinths, on their knees no less. Creating a labyrinth in

blue painters' tape is not the same as carving one in marble, but it requires its own kind of effort, extensive kneeling. By walking the finished labyrinth and the residential perimeter I put 11,485 steps on my pedometer. My PIE ( personally integrated exercise) goals were met today.I am truly grateful.

Putting the cat in the Witness Protection Program

Chester, the transgendered black and white feline, has been relocated to a beautiful pecan plantation in Mayo, Fla. Her name will be Chessie. No one will ever know she was a B&B cat whose silky black coat was stroked by Gloria Steinhem and the Commanding General of West Point as well as the grandchildren and Dear Matt. After the shock has worn off, she will enjoy living with other cats,Jake the dog and the four horses. I know she will. Many of my FitBit step credits today came from chasing her. Some of the other steps came from a 7/8 mile circuit walk to shake the sadness from the relocation. I will miss her.

He Did Not Inhale

The community garden is about 1/2 mile from my front door. This gives me a destination walk that I take three or four times each day.I am now wearing neon pink FitBit to tell me how many steps I have taken each day. I try for 10,000 which I heard is a good total for folks concerned about aging gracefully. Today I fell short by about 2,000 steps.The little smiley face on the Fit Bit seemed to smirk. My beloved Robo helped me harvest the okra now that the beautiful hibiscus like blossoms have turned to verdant daggers ( or cigars)

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Brigadoon and Basil

It happened.I move to a retirement home and out of the concrete rose the gorgeous community garden of my dreams. Eighteen raised beds with a wash stone path between each one. In addition, a hose and faucet for EACH garden. I must be dreaming. The entire garden is about 1/2 mile from my apartment, so I can walk there several times a day....and I do. Four of the beds are organic and the others are conventional. This is not ideal but it honors the elders and that is the way it should be.I am learning lots from them.