October 22, 2012

• Alone

  

  I got in some great bike riding this weekend. I rode on the Wabash in Iowa and stayed in a little farm house in the country. I got caught on the trail long after dark. This is not something I would plan, but it was unbelievably fun. There was a small slice of a moon through the tree branches. The temperature was dropping. The woodland critters were everywhere. I could hear them scurrying off the trail and into the brush on the side of the trail as I came upon them. The town lights were a welcome sight and so was the cheeseburger and fries that I inhaled at the diner on main street.

  The farm house is not used very often. The land around it is rented out and the farm house owners live in Omaha. It is outside of a little town on a gravel road behind a stand of trees. It is as adorable as you can imagine. It has become a respite for me. My friend who owns the house recognized how restorative the place is for me. He gave me an open invitation and a key to use the farm anytime I needed it. "Wealth is access," he said. I took some time to enjoy the stars and then went to bed and slept the way I do when there is no man made sound or light. (Last time I was there I mentioned the yard light to my friend. He showed me how to turn it off so that I can have complete darkness. It's like a blanket.) I slept nearly twelve hours. That seems crazy, but then I think about my week and my wild bike ride, and it makes sense.

  I went to a fun group bike ride with friends in midtown Omaha. I do love Omaha. It has a great personality. We rode as a group from the area known as Aksarben (Nebraska spelled backwards - haha!) through the big downtown park by the University and then to Dundee (cute, historic neighborhood) for beer and then to Benson (cute, historic neighborhood) to meet up at the bike shop that sponsored the ride for more (!) beer.  I won a gift certificate for my costume (really I think it was just their appreciation for me coming to Omaha for a bike ride).  It is fun to be part of a big group that literally stops traffic.  People looked a little dazed as we rode by dressed in tweed - the men wore ties, the women wore skirts and there were a couple of folks in knickers.  We rang bells and waved.  The folks in the pub we stopped at cheered when we walked in.  I felt buoyed by the energy from the ride and the group.

  I had some deep disappointments last week. I am frustrated that I can be lonely despite being surrounded by people. When I am careening down the trail by myself and staying in the dark countryside I do not feel lonely. I think a big difference is choosing to be alone and wanting to have a partner and being alone.

  • 11:30 am
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