Back in the saddle again...

More like back in the running shoes again!

Since my first visit to the doctor to determine the cause of this persistant pain in my side, we've managed to check off all sorts of things that it isn't. Yea us.  We're still plugging away at finding the cause and, hopefully, treatment and making it go away.  However, this morning when I stepped on the scales at the doctor's office and a number I haven't seen since the wee girl was a infant popped up, I decided the pain was no longer going to keep me off the road.  No way.  No how.  I've worked way too hard to ever have to see that number again!

I'm not going to lie.  The run this afternoon was horrendously painful.  Physically, psychologically and emotionally.  But I've got to start back somewhere.  And this was it.  I just kept having to remind myself that I can't go from months without running to running six miles.  So I let myself be grateful for two.

I'm a much nicer person when I get to run on a regular basis.  Apparently my family appreciates that.

Today I learned...

A trail run with an almost 7-year-old is more of a social event with nature than exercise.  Especially if the trail goes by a pond with turtles, egrets and algae.

Still the most fun I've had on a trail run in a long time!  And we didn't get lost.

Another generation...

We've had a young Bald Eagle couple nest along the James River for the past two years. Last year their egg didn't survive. This year they laid two eggs. The first one hatched last night.  The Center for Conservation Biology set up a live webcam when they started building their nest.  It's been amazing watching them care for their eggs and each other!  The video is long but worth it.

 

Congratulations, Virginia and James!

 

Coming out of the dark...

I was raised on the equator.  My body temperature registers at 97. something.  My blood pressure is typically so low that the nurse looks up just to make sure I'm actually breathing.  To say I don't handle the cold well would be putting it mildly.

Spring has come to our little corner of the world...

My world view is brighter all ready!

Just a geek side note...it blows my mind that I took that picture with my phone.  We still have our first point and shot digital camera--it's 10 years old, it's bulky but it's still kicking! It couldn't have pulled off this shot.

Insufferable know-it-all...

Earlier...

"It's fall forward, right?"

"No.  It's 'spring forward'...we lose an hour tonight."

"Effin' Ben Franklin! Robbing me of a precious hour of sleep!"

Then the fact that tonight is Daylight Saving time came up at supper and one far-too-smart-for-his-own-good 6-year-old piped up...

"Did you know that Benjamin Franklin invented Daylight Saving time?"

Yes, son.  I believe your mother already expressed her appreciation of Mr. Franklin's involvement.

Too much time...

I discovered these gems on the back of the boy's spelling tests:

I think the clock tower is an excellent touch!

Their instructions on test days are to sit and do a quiet activity at their desks when they're done.  I was always one of the last to finish any test.  His dad was/is always one of the first.  He is, most definitely, his father's son!

And, yes, he got all of the words correct.

Snow day...finally!

First (and probably only) snow day of the winter.  Enough to keep busses off the road, but not enough to play in.  Oddly enough, no one's complaining about that!