#bluebirdflies

hi! there’s exactly one stamp ive found that’s of interest (its an illustration of The Hobbit)!

Aw, this is so sweet!! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it so far :) 

As for Elphir and Alycia, I can promise you we will be seeing more of them in the next few chapters, once Lothiriel is back in Gondor! Don’t tempt me with writing a spin-off about how they met/the early years of their marriage because Lord knows I need no more WIPs

Events:Planned 143  km ride from Sault Ste. Marie to Blind River, shortened by rain and wind to 56 km

Thoughts and Highlights of the Day: A short ride.  Home to the Family.

The sound of the rain on the top of the transport as we awoke promised a wet day on the bike.  However, the rain sounds much worse on top of transport, especially at 6 AM, then is the reality waiting outside.  There was a steady rain coming down but it looked to be rideable.

Few people like to ride in the rain and nobody sane likes to ride in the rain and the cold.  While it was cool outside – perhaps 14 C. – it was fine to ride in.  But added to the mix was high crosswinds of 30 to 40 km/h. Within a peloton, any one of rain, cold or wind can be a discomfort.  Two of them together make it worse and add in a level of danger. Three together created a situation that pulled the team off the road.  

We left behind a fantastic breakfast and welcome served up by the Sears staff at the mall in the Sault, and advanced 80-some kilometres down the road to Thessalon, a small community on the North Channel of Lake Huron.  

Bruce Crooks provided the dedication today, to Brianne the daughter of one of the staff members at IWK in Halifax.  For Bruce and the staff at IWK, each child is special but Brianne hit especially close to home.  Even for members of this medical community, who see the disease every day, Brianne’s illness caught them by surprise in the emotional sense.  They found themselves experiencing the emotions that families experience every day – not that the medical community is not empathetic to its patients.  

Brianne loved Mabel Murple, the storybook in which Mabel loves everything purple.  Brianne, like Mabel, was something of a terror when it came to any procedure. She did not willingly accept any treatment and fought tooth and nail for her health.  After her initial rounds of treatments for neuroblastoma, her cancer returned and eventually, she succumbed to it.  Bruce is wearing his hair purple during this national ride and also has braided his long shaggy beard and tied several bravery beads including Brianne’s into it in her honour.  As well, Bruce dedicated the ride to two friends who have died of cancer during these first 10 days of the ride.

So, today, we ride for Brianne and all who have lived, died and survived this disease, including those who have survived the loss of a family member.

There we began our ride.  It was a little chilly to start but the only moisture was on the road; it did not rain the entire ride.  The only wind was at our back.  With only about 56 km to go, we quickly ate up the road.  It was a beautiful ride.  The route was mostly flat, with a few moderate climbs to keep us honest. The only thing that stopped the team was our bladders calling but we quickly returned to the road after ditching a layer or two of wet weather gear.  A good portion of the ride was along the Mississagi River, a wide meandering river full of sandbars and driftwood trees.  At one point, we looked up to see something dark and large in the middle of the river.  At first, I thought it might be a bull moose crossing the river, as what appeared to be the head was moving.  Then, as we approached, a huge bald eagle lifted off from its perch on a piece of driftwood.  Perhaps it was the Great Manitou blessing our ride?  What a beautiful sight.

As we approached the finish line, one of our team members briefly touched wheels and then recovered from near disaster.  It was the best save of a bike wobble I have seen.  While she was very shaken, the team came together to support her and she bravely finished the ride.

Tonight, I get to go home to my family.  It has been a long two weeks for me, and longer for Frances, Ben and Maddie.  I am in the midst of a great adventure and journey of discovery.  They are on the outside looking in.  The support from the three people I love more than anything in the world has been phenomenal, with love, encouragement, and sometimes a kick in the butt that I occasionally needed this summer.  Beyond this ride though, they have helped to save me from the worst thing that could have happened to us, our loss of a brother and child.  We have come together as a much stronger unit, who are more committed to, and in love with, each other than ever.  I can’t wait.

Tomorrow,  I will join up with Team 2 for the ride from Brantford to Toronto, along with my family, my Team Axle family, and my friends. This extended family has been the bigger set of encircling arms which have helped us during Alex’s illness, done everything possible to make sure we survived our loss, and supported our dreams to change the course for those with childhood cancer, those who have both survived it and those who must live beyond the loss of a child. This is an amazing group of people who we love dearly.

Tomorrow I ride for Griffin, who is now beginning his cancer journey.  This is not a journey that anyone explores ahead of time or studies up for.  It is something that is suddenly visited upon you, and which you must become an expert on instantly.  It takes your breath away, quite literally, and truly does feel like a punch in the gut.  We are there for you Griffin, and we will do whatever we can to help you through this journey.  I know you will emerge out the other side, having grown up more quickly than you expected and with your life changed, but you will dazzle us all along the way.  

As I come to the end of this, we’re driving from Blind River to Barrie, through the landscape of my childhood.  The beauty of granite, windswept pine, and brilliant colours of maple. To the east, there are heavy clouds and rain.  To the west there is brilliant sunshine.  And above us a complete double rainbow.  We all are smiling, especially Ulana as Taissa sends a greeting to Mom.

Reflections: Another partial day lost to rain but what is behind the clouds?  A bald eagle.  A brilliant double rainbow.  A moment of reflection sitting on a rock looking out over Lake Huron.  My family waiting at home for me. My silver linings are plentiful today.

Team 1: Sault Ste Marie to Blind River - Distance 143 km, Total 1,641 km, Climb 475 m, Total 7,450 m  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1650787

hello hello! so my ipod has spoken : 

opening credits: the naked and famous - young bloodwaking up: imagine dragons - it’s timefirst day at school: rooney - when did your heart go missingfalling in love: mel torme - comin’ home babyfight song: get cool - shawty got moves breaking up: the bravery- time won’t let me golife’s ok: justin timberlake -senorita getting back together: onerepublic - if i lose myselfwedding:  the beatles - all you need is lovebirth of child: neon trees- everybody talksfinal battle: two steps from hell - sanctuary is lostdeath scene: imagine dragons - demonsfuneral song: alex hepburn - underend credits: avicii vs nicky romero - i could be the one

Leave a “HEY” in my ask box

14. What are you going to spend money on next? tomorrow, on a birthday present

23. Are your eyes the same color as your dad’s? hahah i’m not suuure, but no i dont think so :)

48. Do you sing in the shower? sometimes

61. Wear a bath robe? yesss

69. Ever take dance lessons? once at school :)