Bike Trail Pictures – June 16, 2019

Hi All,

I hope you’re enjoying your Father’s Day.

My Dad died January 6, 2018 at 79 years old. He had lived a long life & after battling dementia for several years I know he’s in a better place.

I’ve decided to just keep living the best life I can & not dwell on the future too much. I can’t change it so I’ll do what I can to improve my overall health.

I remember Dad when I see a tower for transmitters & when I ride my pedal bike & remember how much he enjoyed a good 30 mile ride in a day. He enjoyed pushing himself & making his own way. He reminisced about riding in the country around Des Moines IA with his Grandpa Holt in his Model A Ford truck. Checking out the covered bridges & stopping at old wells, always priming the pump & leaving water for the next person to prime.

People used to live off the land then. They didn’t worry about what was in the water and they knew how to hunt, fish & farm. Grandpa was a wood worker before there were power tools. They didn’t live as long for the most part since there wasn’t much medicine and as you reach midlife the body needs some aids to keep performing well.

I’m glad to be born to my time. I’ve needed medicine most of my life for asthma & chronic sinusitis. Weight has always been a factor too. So I battle on but gain strength in knowing my best is good enough and all things worth having needs some work.

I went 4.5 miles, I imagine with the spirit of Dad with me, this Father’s Day. My average pulse rate down from 113 last week to 107 this week with average of 6 miles an hour.

Dad’s bring peace, answers and wisdom. By their example they keep us on the right path. I write about my experience & have been blessed with many beautiful Father figures in my life, Grandpa Paul D Blanchard, Grandpa Clarence Collins, Great Grandpa Holt, and, Great Great Uncle Harvey E Holt. Uncle Harvey lived long enough that I have several cherished moments. He took care of the horses in WWI & he painted railroad bridges when he came home. A great man that enjoyed “Perry Mason” tv show & reading Earl Stanley Gardner, Zane Grey, Louis LAmour, and Rex Beach. He liked a nice hat, a good cigarette holder and a quiet walk to the grocery store.

Here’s some pictures from my bike ride today. I hope you find some joy along the way.

Here’s some pictures from yesterday of my peony in my little garden by my terrace.