Double Shot and Me - The Denouement of My Spring Biking - 2002

I believe I first heard the word, denouement, while sitting in a ninth-grade English class at Babcock Junior High School in Westerly, Rhode Island. This was probably 1964 or 65-ish. If you do the math, you realize that this was 58 years ago so my memory may be a bit off. My recollection is that we were reading, A Tale of Two Cities. Denouement was one of our selected vocabulary words. While I don't believe I have ever used the word in any writing or exposition since then, for some reason, it has always stuck with me. In case your memories are rusty, denouement means the outcome of a complex sequence of events. It is usually applied to literature, drama, and that sort of thing. I am applying it here to biking and me.

It’s early June 2022. March, April, May, & now June have been a watershed for me in returning to biking. In case, “watershed” is not in your routine vocabulary, I am using it here as an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs.

Spring has been remarkably good to me – good enough that I wanted to capture some of my thoughts about it. Leaving out the boring details, I have experienced some significant health issues over the past twelve months. These issues forced me to drastically reduce my physical exercise as, simply, I was unable to do it. As part of my recovery, I had targeted this spring as a turning point for my lagging biking. Due to a very chilly March & April my start-up lagged. I did get started but it seemed abysmally slow. Finally, May arrived and, with it, weather that I felt was more appropriate for biking – my favorite and seemingly easiest exercise for me.

I took my bike, Double Shot, down from the hooks in the garage on March 20 for my first ride in months and months. While Double Shot was happy to be out and about, he was barely communicating with me due to my neglect. I only managed two rides in March totaling a measly five miles. While this was progress, I was hoping to ride every two or three days, but the weather and my strength did not cooperate. In April I managed two rides for a whopping twenty-six miles. Again, progress, but not what I had envisioned. Then May came along and I was able to log ten rides totaling 172 miles. While certainly not fast biking, I was able to maintain an 11.5 mph average for which I was pleased. On June 2, I met one of my goals, making it all the way to the Capputan coffee shop just on the other side of downtown Ft. Atkinson. My round trip totaled thirty-two miles.

My biking legs are back, my derriere is reconditioned to Double Shot's seat and Double Shot is speaking to me again. Additionally, my health challenges are, for the most part, behaving. I'm focused on recording my blood pressure and weight twice a day, so I have noted a side benefit to this activity. My weight has gone from 194 on January 4 to 173 on May 31. My weight does move around a bit, but the reduction is another accomplishment. This investment of 53 hours biking time has earned me improved conditioning, needed weight loss, reacquaintance with some great biking routes, and a sense of accomplishment which produces a better outlook on life in general. Let's not forget that Double Shot and I are speaking again.

In my mind, especially at my age, biking provides a keen awareness of temperature, wind, and the absolute power of God in creating the glory of nature. A couple of days ago, as I was cranking along a nice flat part of the trail just north of Bower's Lake Road, I noticed a very large bird running down the trail about fifty yards ahead of me. I was clipping along about 15 mph, but that bird maintained its lead. It finally flew off across the highway. This turkey actually looked more graceful running than it did flying. I had no idea a turkey could move that fast. On last Thursday’s ride I encountered a deer. It was just on the other side of the mesh fence which is parallel to the trail but between the trail and the highway. This poor deer was frantically running ahead of me but continued to try to break through the fence which, of course, was not successful. It finally headed up the steep bank and safely crossed the highway. Sunrises are particularly nice to observe while biking, but head winds are a bane. Recently, a small bird, perhaps a red winged blackbird buzzed my head. I must have been too close to its nesting territory. I didn't see it coming but certainly heard the strange noise it made as it neared me. I was moving along quickly enough that it left me alone – probably went home and bragged about chasing a biker away. The plant life is also interesting to watch. Milk weeds are beginning to bloom, and, in some places, there is a plethora of garlic mustard. I haven't seen wild parsnip yet, but I also know there are areas where it hangs out. You want to give it a wide berth as the burns and blisters it causes are nasty.

I think most of my acquaintances would characterize me as quite friendly. A couple of days ago, I was pedaling north on Potawatomi Trail toward Lake Koshkonong. This is a nice road to bike with little traffic, great scenery and often wildlife. As I passed a large field, I saw a man in the middle of the field waving vigorously to me. Trying to convince people that bikers are great, friendly people, I actively returned his waves. As I pedaled past, my sight angle improved, and I realized that I was waving at a scarecrow. I was convinced for a bit that he was real, but it was just his long sleeves flapping in the wind. Oh well, I am an aging baby boomer so maybe that provides an excuse. Isn’t life like that - something not real (this could be so many things in life) attracts our attention, and we are immediately convinced that our interest is good, productive, and right but in reality, it is illusory. We wake up and realize we have been duped by our own human thoughts, actions, and interests. This encounter was pretty harmless compared with many of the illusions we conjure as we pass through this life.

Another great life lesson was my recent flat tire. I had pedaled from Milton and had just reached the edge of downtown Ft. Atkinson across from NASCO when I encountered a fairly large bump and my rear tire immediately deflated. Bummer! In the old days I would have changed this out there on the bike trail, but I don’t do that anymore, especially on the rear wheel. Luckily, dahliagirl (Sue) was able to come get me, and I was in an easy place to be found. I took Double Shot to Bicyclewise – my bike whisperer in Whitewater. I was convinced that I had the flat because of the big bump, but it turned out to be a tiny, barely perceptible shard of glass. Who would think this tiny speck could penetrate a sound tire and tube and deflate it that rapidly? It seems that this also happens in our lives. Our missteps and poor judgements are often not huge transgressions but are those little shards that we allow to penetrate and contaminate our lives. Our lack of discernment and thoughtlessness convince us our acts and words were relatively harmless, but they turned out to inflict significant damage to ourselves and maybe others.

Double Shot has also turned out to be an instructor in life lessons. He is a Giant ANYROAD and is the perfect bike for someone of my age and fitness level. He is very stable and, basically, a road bike, but with broader tires than most true road bikes. This allows me to easily ride on unpaved, gravel bike trails when I encounter them. With a true road bike with very thin tires, this is a bit tricky. Double Shot is equipped with three front sprockets and nine rear sprockets. This translates to twenty-seven different gearing ratios. Here’s the question – How many of those gears do you think I use most of the time? Well, the answer is about three. This is not because I am such a fitness specimen but relates more to my stupidity and not thinking about using the tools that are at my disposal. Good grief. Even though I know this and ponder it, I seldom change my routine and behavior. Isn’t this also just like life. God has equipped each of with unique gifts and strengths. Do we know what they are? Are we using them regularly to make life easier and better for those with whom we are in community? Or do we just muddle along in our old routines and habits and wonder why life is so tough?

So, my spring biking denouement and watershed is complicated but also, on reflection, simple in many other ways. Certainly, life’s trail changes and challenges us. “Weather” conditions arise to influence our daily decisions. In my opinion, seeking God’s guidance is a wise thing to do. I do not believe that God will solve my problems, but I do believe that if I seek and then listen, he will guide me back to the strengths and gifts he gave me and then, to either lean-in and use those gifts or do nothing and wonder why things don’t change. God couldn’t ride my bike for me, but I believe that he did influence me to summon the gumption he gave me and get it done. Isn’t it amazing - the things on which we reflect, from the seat of a bicycle?

 Life is good. #Gobybike

 

 

 

Pedaling Into April

Today is April Fool’s Day. It was sunny but quite cold when I heaved myself out of bed this morning. I had scheduled a morning of meetings so after a bite to eat and some coffee at home I hoofed it over to Sharla’s Coffee Stop to make my connections. Jenna and Sharla provided their usual outstanding service and the nitro cold brew with a bit of half & half was outstanding. Spiritual and life coach #1, Pastor Nate, just happened to be there working on his Doctor of Ministry assignments so we had to have a brief chat while Jenna prepared my nitro.

Rich was my first meet-up. He and I have known each other for several years and have worked together in a variety of capacities. We connect on a number of levels, and he provides great perspective for some of the meanderings of my mind. Our conversation today was most productive, and the synapses were jumping when we finished.

Meet-up number two was Pastor Liz, the other of my two spiritual and life coaches. We covered an entirely different gamut of mind meanderings than did Rich and I. So grateful to have people like this in my life.

By then, as Mabel (my mother) would have said, “The morning was fast going away.” As I walked the 250 steps home, I discovered that, if I dressed appropriately, it was probably warm enough for a foray by bike. (I am not a cold weather biker – too much of a wuss!) I did a quick weather check on my phone and decided to go for it.

Donned the appropriate garb, filled the water bottle, and headed to the garage. Double Shot heard me coming but assumed it was just another false alarm, so I surprised him by taking him down from the hooks. I then proceeded to ensure that everything was working and ready to go. Then it was East on High Street, North on Sunnyside, and then East on Storrs Lake Road to access the Glacial River Trail. Just a mile from my driveway to this point. Then I headed north but hadn’t landed on a goal as I was not at all sure how I would feel.

Well, Double Shot was working amazingly well. He had recently experienced a tune-up and, boy, could I tell. No superfluous noises (other than my breathing and the creaks of my body) no wobbling, shifting and gearing working like a charm. I was clipping along much better than I had hoped and a big part of this was Double Shot’s wonderful condition. I was so pleased but not really shocked at this. My bike dealings are 99.9% exclusively at Bicyclewise in Whitewater. John and Liz are small business owners and are phenomenal human beings. John, and Liz as well, have forgotten more about bikes than I will ever know. I am so comfortable with their knowledge and the way I have always been treated there. I refer to John as the Bike Whisperer. I wish I could get a similar tune-up for my body. I highly recommend them for any of your bicycle needs.

The trail is flat from Storrs Lake Road to Bowers Lake Road. I arrived there feeling good but knew there was an immediate uphill on the north side of Bowers Lake Road. You must begin this ascent from a stop due to the road. I was pleasantly surprised to find the uphill far easier than I had expected it to be. I then realized I could gear-up a bit, make better time and experience a better work-out.

This good feeling continued as I passed the Klug Road Cul-de-Sac and started the ascent just beyond. The ride was going so much better than I expected. Some type of topcoat was added to the Otter Creek Bridge since last season. There is more of a “bump” as you get on the bridge than I would like. Not a huge problem but certainly a bigger bump than I expected. I’m tempted to take some yellow or orange paint and highlight that line but that might be considered vandalism.

After the bridge, the trail heads uphill again to County N. That went well for me also. The fast and usually heavy traffic on N necessitates a stop there. I discovered that I was out of practice unclipping and swinging my leg over the bike to step down. This, of course, has NOTHING to do with age or physical conditioning. It’s about 4.5 miles from my driveway to this spot.

I was feeling good enough that I decided to continue my northward pedaling. The trail on the north side of N is flat with a gradual descent. Of course, the reverse is a gradual ascent. This is important to know for the return trip as is the fact that the most strenuous portion of the trail heading back to Milton is from County N to Bowers Lake Road.

I began to think that I might ride to my 10-mile point before reversing and then I could “book” a 20-miler as my first outing of the year. Remembering my cautions in the previous paragraph, I decided that would not be wise and instead chose the covered bridge as my goal.

The covered bridge is about six miles out. I dismounted to stretch my back a bit before heading south to Milton. My return trip also went well despite it being somewhat up hill all the way. A delightful surprise was encountering Dahliagirl on her new E-Bike as I headed down the hill to the Klug Road “circle.” This was her first ride on this machine, and she was enjoying it. We rode together the rest of the way home. I even made it up the High Street hill to my driveway.

So, feeling very righteous this evening sitting in front of a nice fireplace fire. Just over thirteen miles and feeling pretty good. Overall, a great Friday and beginning of a new month.

#cruzan4milton#GoByBike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                      

Positivity at the Coffee Shop

I hear often about how our community, the nation, the world - you name it – are full of negativity. I agree that there is more than enough out there to go around. Unfortunately, I find myself caught up in it. I don’t like this, so if, and when, I recognize that I am there, I try to do what I can to extricate myself. One coping strategy that has helped me is to always keep searching for the positive. Positivity is out there, and really isn’t hard to find. But you must be intentional and persistent in looking for it. When I am searching, I am often amazed at what unfolds.

Most of my readers know that I frequent Sharla’s Coffee Stop. As a reminder, it is all of 250 steps from my driveway, serves up great beverages, scones, waffles, & muffins and has become a gathering place for many. I happened to head that way Saturday morning. I entered and positivity descended on me to the extent I needed to share the experience.

I arrived late in the morning and found the place packed and getting more packed by the minute. This is positive for any business. I wondered at all the people and discovered that Opala’s Music Studio students were setting up to put on a recital. Seemingly every parent, family member, and kid in the world were pouring in. You can imagine the scene. Opala set up a keyboard and began to organize the kids. The noise level was high with the nervous, excited chattering of everyone. It was great! What a community building activity.

However, that left the two baristas, Kaleb & Maysa, to handle the onslaught of business. Not unlike many businesses, Sharla’s has experienced some recent staffing challenges. When I entered, I could see that they were facing a challenge that would have daunted many of us, but then I had the privilege of watching them rise to the occasion. As the recital of vocalists and pianists began, Kaleb & Maysa maintained their poise and their customer focus. They worked effectively as a team as their preparation and maturity clearly shown through. They were awesome and I was as proud as if they were my own kids. Many factors go into helping our Milton kids learn and succeed. Clearly their parents and families but also the programs offered by our schools. These two rising Red Hawk high schoolers participate in the School to Career program. This program is too phenomenal and comprehensive to describe in this blog but what a positive for our students and our businesses who participate.

To recap last Saturday:

I saw a local business absolutely packed with customers.

I saw a local business (a music studio) using another local business (Sharla’s) to host a recital. I hope we see more of this. Clearly a Win-Win.

I saw many families being introduced to Sharla’s Coffee Stop because it was the venue for their children’s recital.

I saw two great high schoolers show their maturity & training in effectively handling a challenging business/work situation.

I saw positive effects of our School District’s School to Career program (thank you Amy Kenyon). Opportunity, Achievement, Community!

I got to enjoy a great nitro cold brew with a bit of cream – absolutely delicious.

I’d say it was a positive day.

You can’t find it if you’re not looking for it.

#cruzan4milton

Stepping in the Light

“Life unfolds as a mystery. An enterprise where outcome cannot be foretold.  We do not get what we expect. We stumble on cracks, are faced with imperfection. Bonds are tested and tightened. And our landscapes shift in sunshine and in shade.  There is light. Look for it. Look for it shining on your shoulder, on the past. It was light where you were. It is light where you are now. It will be light where you go again.  Gentle rhythmic circles.” (*Call the Midwife – Series 8 Episode 3 Closing)

 A few short weeks ago, those gentle rhythmic circles didn’t seem so gentle as they caught me up short and shifted my landscape significantly.  My big sister, Barb Green, an icon of a healthy approach to life through regular exercise, healthy diet, sense of purpose, and profound faith in Jesus as her Savior, contracted ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It landed on her with a vengeance, and, while it could not breach her will to live nor her faith, with tenacious, impatient aggression it rapidly sapped her strength and her body. Barb died peacefully in her sleep on April 28.

I refer to Barb as my “big” sister because she is the eldest of we four Cruzan siblings and I am the youngest.  Having 9 years on me, she was always there. She wrote on me with the indelible ink of her shining role model of caring.  Nancy, Wayne, and I would sometimes call her, “Miss Perfect” or the “Golden One” as she never seemed to get in trouble, earned the lead in the play, became proficient in both piano & pipe organ and played the French horn in band. She earned the distinction of Valedictorian of her senior class and graduated cum laude from her four-year nursing program at Alfred University. Of course, Barb is a case of the “proverbial apple” and how it falls, as our parents, Earl & Mabel, were great caregivers themselves but Barb put her own brand on it.

She seemed to intuitively know that to be truly alive, we need to focus on something outside of ourselves. She used her medical experience to help individuals attend doctor appointments, manage their weekly meds, decipher their bills, and sort through treatment options. But Barb was so much more than clinical.  Those she helped understood her caring as she knew their names, their houses, their families, and their work.  She became their prayer partner and their prayer warrior. She had authentic concern for the ground level struggles of the people around her.  Why was she like this?  It was her faith, her belief that we need to become more like Jesus, serve one another in God’s love, and share life together in the Spirit. I haven’t heard or sung this hymn since I was a child, but it came to me this past week. It so speaks to who she was.

 Stepping in The Light 

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Trying to follow our Savior and King;

Shaping our lives by his blessed example,

Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.

(Refrain)

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior.

Led in paths of light.

Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading,

When we are tempted to turn from the way;

Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,

Happy, how happy, our praises each day.

REFRAIN

Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance,

Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love,

Looking to Him for the grace freely promised,

Happy, how happy, our journey above.

REFRAIN

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Upward, still upward, we follow our Guide;

When we shall see him, “the King in His beauty,”

Happy, how happy, our place at his side.

REFRAIN

As our parents began their decline, both Barb and I were at the height of our careers, she in Occupational Health & Medicine for large manufacturers and me in Corporate Human Resources, both of us in the greater Rock County area. Wayne and Nancy lived at opposite ends of the country, so Barb and I were “it”. We soon realized how ill-equipped both of us were in knowing how to be caregivers for our parents who had always been caregivers for us.  We were daunted by the time required for their care and the need for a rapid and steep learning curve from us.  We collaborated, we learned, and came to understand that our careers were very similar in many ways.  This drew us closer as we shared acquired knowledge and understanding. Our experiences with our parents led Barb to initiate a Parish Nurse program in our church.  In addition to her caregiving with individuals, she organized classes for caregivers. You might call these Sunday School classes while we called them Sabbath School classes or Grow Groups.  Barb researched, prepared, and presented caregiving materials and led deeply personal discussions with class participants.  These classes evolved into support groups resulting in significant value for those involved.   Barb also led the way as our congregation realized a need to recognize mental health issues. She developed a class called, “Mental Health Is Not A Choice”. It was well attended, and our discussions again became support groups. She brought in local area guest speakers to address topics such as suicide, eating disorders, PTSD, depression, bi-polar, and anxiety. Barb, as our Parish Nurse was the lead in these classes while Sue and I were privileged to be her support persons.  We worked well together in these settings and I will sorely miss collaborating with her. She and I looked forward to our monthly breakfasts, first at Panera in Janesville and then, after Barb & Dale moved to Fairhaven, at Jessica’s in Whitewater.  We shared great conversations and, as we told our siblings & spouses, solved most of the world’s problems.  There is a hole here which will be challenging to fill not only for me but for our church congregation who came to rely heavily on her. 

A couple of years ago, leaders in our church studied the Clifton Strengthsfinder materials and assessment. Barb’s Strengthsfinder assessment results indicate that her top five strengths were: Connectedness, Learner, Harmony, Responsibility, and Intellection.  No big surprise here as they are quintessential Barb.  Here are the personal Strengths Statements she wrote as a result of her study.

“I feel strong when I am able to build ongoing, supportive, trusting relationships with people that enable me to be of assistance in guiding them into appropriate, Godly solutions to their problems and concerns.”

“I feel strong when I listen and pay attention to God’s priorities concerning my time and act obediently so that I am in the center of His will for my life.”

 “I feel strong when I can see the gifts and strengths of others and can encourage them to step out and use these abilities wherever God leads.”

Not much of a surprise here either.

Barb also invested her time in our church's AWANA program for kids.  For several years she worked with the youngest group called Cubbies where she led games, helped these youngsters learn Bible verses, and learn about faith and salvation.  Sceptics might ask what affect any of this had.  Let me tell you about the phone call I received yesterday.  Out of the blue, I received a call from my grandson Emmit's third grade teacher.  She relayed that on Mondays she often asks her class members to share experiences from their weekend. This past Monday, 5 days after Barb's promotion to Glory, Henry raised his hand and told the class that a wonderful grandma type of lady he knew from AWANA, Miss Barb, had died. He was sad because she was so nice and caring and he would miss her. Liam and Emmit also shared that they knew her and how she cared for people. Talk about a tear-jerker. I found it difficult to breathe for a moment or two. Thanks so much Jan, for calling me. This, from the mouth of babes, speaks so eloquently to who and what Barb was and what has become her legacy.

 So, what lessons are here for those of us still here in this physical world?

 If we are to shed the light of the sun on others, we must first have it within ourselves. We must get ourselves sorted. “Purpose often comes to us in unexpected forms and packages. It surprises us. Sometimes a crisis will trigger it. Most often, purpose comes in the form of a faint voice that is difficult to hear above the noise of a hectic life. It emerges in the most ordinary of places and circumstances – at home, on the job, in the community, with family and friends.” (Wilson Learning Corporation – The Power of Purpose) We must be intentional. We must act. If you are not looking for it, you can't find it. People showing a little caring and compassion will start a chain reaction.  Each of us must start our own chain reaction.

In a recent article, The Wilderness Walk, Barb remarked, “We are all struggling. We are all in this together. We need to encourage one another, pray for one another, and remember that God is in control. I challenge you to find your blessings in this wilderness walk.” For me, this passage is deeply personal. Barb has established a standard of care. To fill the void of her absence I must step-up. I can't do everything, but I can do something.  I invite you to join me.

If you haven't read the poem, “When Great Trees Fall”, by Maya Angelou, you should. But get your tissues out first.  Here is the final stanza of that great poem:

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be

Better. For they existed.

I know it is well with Barb's soul. Despite my current sadness, it is well with my soul also. So long great lady until we meet again.

 

Gleanings from the Glacial (River Trail)

 After being quite active on Double Shot back in July, I ended up on a hiatus that lasted about 3 weeks. This wasn’t really planned but just kind of happened. Unfortunately, that is a pattern with me. I was raised (so it is pretty ingrained and part of my DNA) that one should not do anything for oneself, like reading a book, taking a snooze, watching a TV show, etc., if one does not have one’s chores completed and responsibilities fulfilled. This is both a blessing and a curse. My exercise program falls into that category of doing things for oneself. So, I end up in these cycles. Of course, this can’t be my fault, so, you can see, that I have chosen to assign blame to my heritage. During early August I fell into a period of other responsibilities and let the biking languish.

My perceived responsibilities changed, and I trundled Double Shot out of the garage early last Saturday morning. It was still dark at 5 am.but was really more that pre-dawn gray. I could tell the sun would appear very shortly so headed out without being concerned about the light. I also knew that Sharla’s would have freshly baked scones later in the morning so there was that bit of incentive as well. By the time I hit the Glacial River Trail at Storrs Lake Road (a mere mile from my garage) the sun, still a bit below the horizon, had lightened things considerably. The trail heading north from Milton was beautifully groomed, i.e. well mowed, grass cuttings swept off to the sides, very little litter, and hardly any animal excrement. The air was cool & clear, the sunrise was spectacular, I was feeling strong, & Double Shot was working well after a recent mini tune-up and lubrication. Perfect conditions for my mind to do its thing and help me regenerate, physically, mentally, & spiritually.

First, I went through my morning prayer list. This led me to think about nature’s (God’s) cycles. While the trail environment doesn’t look like “fall”, it is clearly showing signs. The Queen Anne’s Lace is dying down and the other ground foliage has more of that “end of season” look. There was no one out there – I had the Glacial to myself. Then this setting led my mind to thinking about the cycles of life. Things like age, careers, relationships, purpose, involvement, caring, and then all of those things in light of the state of the world. Who am I? What do I have to contribute that will make a difference? What do I value and believe in? What am I doing with my life? Where do I get a sense of purpose? And then it comes to me - the seeds of purpose are all around us.

Well, when your mind is doing these things while your eyes are overwhelmed with God’s creation, the miles slip by quickly. I was already at the parking/rest area across Highway 26 from the Stagecoach Inn. This is just over 6 miles from my garage. I felt strong and wanted to push on but I also realized I hadn’t been on Double Shot for 3 weeks and I still had to have enough strength to get home and there would be freshly baked scones at Sharla’s that I knew would not last long. So. I pulled in to sit on the picnic bench for a bit and stretch my back. This gave me a chance to do a short video clip from the trail (I have found that I like to do these and also know that people can choose to not view/listen to these clips if they are disinterested or feel that the clips are lame). These clips have added a piece of purpose to my psyche and help me connect with friends and acquaintances. Then I headed home. Clocked just over 12 miles round trip so was feeling righteous.

On the return, I got to thinking about Double Shot. He’s a great bike and is equipped with 28 gears. I was reflecting on the fact that I use about 3 of these 28 gears. Now, that’s just plain not smart. When a hill starts to be a challenge why not use the mechanical advantage for which I paid good money? So, I began to consciously use this great 2-wheeled machine much more in the manner for which it was designed. Amazing results. Now, I know all of this. It's not exactly rocket science. You probably don't, but I just get bogged down in habits and routines on occasion.

Then it hit me that I often don’t use the gears that life (God) has given me to overcome and effectively deal with the daily challenges along the way. God has given my life many gears. How am I using them to advantage, to leverage the other skills, abilities, and strengths that I have? How am I using the tools right in front of my face to help find my way through life’s challenges? Maybe I'm not and that could explain a lot of things.

As I pedaled into town – about 7:30, I popped my head in at Sharla's and was informed that the first batch of scones would be out of the oven in about 5 minutes. I pedaled home – about 50 yards – changed out some clothes and hoofed back to Sharla's. Enjoyed a nitro cold brew and a delicious, hot scone. Connected with several neighborhood & community friends. Had a nice long chat with LeAnn & with April. As it was closing in on time for virtual church, I hustled home bearing scones for Sue, Mandi, Leif, and Gus. It's always nice to be the hero.

Today, Sunday 8/16, was day 2 of my return to biking. Once again nice and cool this morning. Headed north again but once I hit the parking area across from the Stagecoach, I decided to reverse and head south of Janesville to review the Glacial section between Town Hall Road and Badger Veterinary. I had not been on this part of the trail for a long, long time, but was curious as there had been some Facebook chatter about the trail being overgrown and littered with matted grass and weeds. This chatter resulted in an official inquiry to the Rock County Highway Department who replied that this area was a designated butterfly habitat so there would be no mowing until fall / frost / or that sort of timing. Interesting idea and one which I support. Who knew? I probably missed an article in the paper or some meeting minutes or something. It doesn't seem that the bikers I know who use this section were aware of this habitat. This does make a bit more than a mile of the trail quite overgrown (narrow) and there is a significant accumulation of matted grass from mowing early in the season. This matted grass is always nasty for bikers as it flies up into your chain & gears and can be treacherously slippery when wet. (Do our lives have areas of matted grass?)

So there's the dilemma. Two great ideas but with potentially competing or opposing agendas. Rather the story of life wouldn't you say? I like the habitat idea. In a perfect world it would not narrow the Glacial, but our world is seldom perfect. I understand the need for the habitat. I understand the need for a clear bike trail, especially one free of matted grass. What to do? Weren't we speaking of purpose earlier in this post? Didn't we suggest that the seeds of purpose are all around us? Well, I could gather a couple of volunteers, maybe a grandson or two, take some flat shovels out there and carefully clear that matted grass without damaging the habitat. This would solve a great deal of the problem. Yes, it would be work, but it would also be great exercise in a very nice butterfly habitat area. It would be a couple of miles or more of walking but am I not always looking for steps? It would be driven from purpose and it would be a way to contribute a solution to this current issue – an issue which is understandable but somewhat aggravating. Hmm! I think I know the answer.

Finished my ride today by returning home via Town Hall, then Town Line, then Parkview Drive, the St. Mary St. to Campus St. and a quick down hill to home. Cranked off 18 miles total and, perhaps learned a few things as well.

Biking is such a good activity, exercising the mind and soul as well as the body. I highly recommend it, and the Glacial is such a great place to do it.

#glacialgleanings#cruzan4milton

Where Everybody Knows Your Name & They're Always Glad You Came

“People looking for utopia miss the good things developing right in front of them.” – Alan Briggs in Staying Is the New Going.

We who live in the Historic Milton College Neighborhood already think it is a special place. Not only are we part of a great community, but we also enjoy neighbors who care about our space and who watch out for each other.  Three weeks ago, on June 20, 2020, we upped our game significantly with the opening of Sharla’s Coffee Stop. Sharla’s is in the front of Whitford hall, a space that was once the Milton College library. While you can get a cup of coffee at many places in Milton, Sharla’s is the only “true” coffee shop within a radius of several miles.

Being a coffee lover, as well as a Milton lover, I was ecstatic about this news and couldn’t wait to try it out, so I was among the first patrons in the door at 7 a.m. on opening day. I was very curious about the “fit” of a coffee shop in this historic building but any fears I had conjured were laid to rest immediately. Sharla’s décor and use of the space simply looked and felt right.

I went to sample the coffee and welcome this new business to Milton and especially to our neighborhood.  I discovered so much more than great coffee – I realized immediately that I stumbled into pure community & neighborhood spirit - the stuff of life as it were. Dave, Sharla, & their daughter, Fiona are the proprietors, operators, and our new neighbors.  Dave and I instantly perceived that we had a connection.  How did we know? I’m not sure, but we just did.  It was in the air. It was palpable. I couldn’t help but take liberties with this Billy Joel song as I thought about Dave – Sing us a song you’re the coffee man, sing us a song so nice. Well, we’re all in the mood for camaraderie, and you’ve got us feeling all right.

So, what’s up with this community/neighborhood spirit business? I believe in neighborhoods and make efforts to get to know and check in with the people and families who live in what we call our neighborhood. Most of the time that is a wave or a shouted “hi” as people are working in their yard or driving past.  We do have a neighborhood potluck once or twice a year but most of the time our connections are more arms-length. I was pleasantly surprised that several of my neighbors were at Sharla’s sampling nitro cold brews, lattes, chai, smoothies, pastries, and other offerings and we were all engaged in conversation with each other.  I had great chats with Eric & Katie, April & Nick, Jim, Sue, Lexie, & Kailyne. Neighbors continued arriving and hung around to converse.

If asked to characterize the atmosphere,  I would use these words: excitement, anticipatory, connection, renewal, comfort, an “ease”, conversational, a warm vibe, who will come in next, a buzz, success, accomplishment, fulfillment. I was filled up with a desire to share all of this so that others could experience it as well. It felt like home. It felt right.

I have returned to Sharla’s every day they have been open.  Sometimes it’s to have coffee and other times it’s just to pop my head in and say “hi” to Dave as I go by on my morning walk. My Bible study group is now meeting there every Wednesday morning at 6:30. I continue to encounter neighbors with whom I haven’t had the opportunity to chat for longer than I can remember.  I was able to catch up with Bruce & Judy.  I got to spend time with Bill and Ethel.  I run into Anissa on occasion. My grandson, Ivan, has discovered Dave’s healthy smoothies. Ryan & Jessica were taking a break just a short walk from their School District offices.  Sally and her friends were having a great catch-up conversation. All this, a mere 250 steps from the end of my driveway.

From my front window, I can survey much of the neighborhood. There’s the Goodrich Hall Airbnb, Milton College Preservation Society’s Headquarters and Main Hall Museum, CrossFit, a Photography studio, and now Sharla’s.  I see vibrancy, I see initiative. Author and Columnist, Jenny Anderson, has said, “Communities (neighborhoods) are built, like Legos, one brick at a time. There is no hack.”  The Historic Milton College Neighborhood is interlocked.

Jon Cruzan

#cruzan4milton#WEAREMILTON

Biking, Traffic, & DISTRACTION, Oh, MY!

The word, the concept of distraction, can have so many meanings – some positive, some negative. I am sure you are thankful that I will not go into all those meanings in this post. However, while biking yesterday, I experienced a moment of distraction that could have been disastrous, and I feel strongly that the story must be told.

I have been biking most of my life. I love to bike. It’s great exercise, it frees my mind – all those good things. I consider myself a very safe biker and follow traffic rules carefully. I try to always be very visible with lights, bright colored clothing, etc. I have four young men, my grandson biker gang, for whom I have worked hard to be a good role model about biking. I have discussed good biking etiquette and safety while we are riding and often discuss why certain traffic situations can be very challenging for bikers and why it always imperative to be alert and vigilant when riding.

So, late yesterday afternoon, after a couple of weeks of neglect, I take Double Shot off the hooks to head north on our great trail. Double Shot is so understanding in that I can neglect him for several days or a couple of weeks and he doesn’t moan, groan, pout or accuse. He just enthusiastically anticipates the current ride. No, I have not been seeing another bike. Recently, I have been walking a lot so slacked off on the biking. But yesterday, I was ready to do some pedaling again. I think I was goaded by the fact that my daughter, Nicole (age undisclosed) and her son, Emmit (8) cranked out 25 miles (Nicole a few more than that) yesterday as part of a J-Hawk virtual event. I provided some linking transportation for them and was feeling a bit lame that I had not even had Double Shot off the hooks for several days.

I had just finished re-reading a great book (Jodi Picoult's, Small Great Things – you should read it if you haven't > certainly speaks to the times), so it was on my mind as well as other things that I spin around in my head. Often, a good bike ride will act as a catalyst, clear my head, and help me either implement the ideas spinning around or abandon them as not feasible. In either case, it’s like a reboot, a kick start that moves me forward.

So, I head out. As is often the case after a bit of a layoff, I felt good, my legs felt good. Double Shot was running so fine as he had recently had a tune-up by that great bike whisperer, John, at BicycleWise. The trail had very few people at that time although it had had many earlier in the day. I’m pedaling along feeling righteous and thoroughly enjoying myself and my thinking time.

I came up on County N. You bikers know the spot. You’ve just come up a good incline and need to cross four lanes of traffic. There’s quite good visibility there in both directions. There can be a lot of traffic at times, but it is never choc-a bloc full of cars. This is a place where a biker needs to be very careful. For one thing you are a bit fatigued from just coming up a hill. For another, while the speed limit is reduced here for cars, most drivers seem to pay little attention to that, so cars are moving quickly. You must watch not only quite a way both left and right (due to the potential speed of the cars) but also check for vehicles exiting off Highway 26. Bikers should always have in their head that drivers may not have a clue, despite good signage, that there may be bikers in the area. There is an island between the east and west lanes of traffic, so a prudent move is to go halfway and recheck traffic before crossing the remainder.

When I arrived I County N yesterday, I knew all the things I just mentioned. I have safely and prudently crossed that road many, many, many times. But yesterday my mind was working overtime and I was DISTRACTED. No, I was not on my phone, no I was not adjusting a radio, no I was not reaching for my water bottle. I was simply lost in thought – very good thought mind you, but I was not safe. It was clear left but there were cars right. I thought, or maybe – in my distracted state (which being distracted, I didn’t know I was in) I could cross those two remaining lanes without stopping on the middle island. So that’s what I did. Mind you, I was very visible but those cars were coming faster than I had calculated, especially the one in the far right lane which I couldn’t see as well as it was shielded a bit by the car in the near right lane. No, I didn’t get hit or cause an accident. I made it across with no mishap, but it was much closer than it ever should have been. The cars slowed rapidly as I powered across. There was no screeching of tires – it wasn’t that close – but, I heard the horns and am quite sure I was given the # 1 sign. How stupid and careless of me. Let me tell you, I was alert now.

This happened because I was momentarily distracted by my thinking. It was a blink, a microsecond that could have ended in a tragedy. My behavior was not deliberate, was not intentional, had no malice or agenda behind it, was out of character for me but, nevertheless, was incredibly stupid and dangerous.

What if my foot had slipped off the pedal? What if I had lost my grip on my handlebars and had gone done? What if? What If? What if? All because of a blink of the eye distraction. I could whine and blame this incident on so many things, but the truth is I have no one to blame but myself. I apologize to those drivers yesterday to whom I probably gave a scare.

I was angry at myself. I had behaved in a way that I knew not to. I had behaved in a way that I have taught my grandsons not to. I had behaved in a way that gives a bad name to all bikers everywhere. All because of a moment of not being vigilant.

Please, please, please, learn from my experience. Be alert, stay alert. Never let up on vigilance on a bike and being aware of your surroundings. Be better. Keep your group alert. Follow traffic laws to the letter. Avoid a tragedy that can happen in less than a second. Be safe out there.

#cruzan4milton#cruzan4bikesafety