Yesterday I hit the gym for the last time in 2012. It’s been a good year, an exceptional one, actually.
I planned to ride 30 minutes, a few minute warmup and a five minute cool down. I hit just 7.8 miles, but I am still pleased with that. I walked a bit (it’s been almost a month since I hit a saddle), then hit the weights–upper body. I felt good afterwards, refreshed.
I have enjoyed lifting weights since my buddy Jone and I started lifting in the 8th or 9th grade. Mind you, we were the only girls lifting weights. That was the 1970s–Title Nine was brand new. My friend Jone and I even pushed the limits and went out for the 9th grade football team. Coach told us no because all of their coaching sessions took place in the boys’ locker room. I suppose we could have sued, but we just wanted to be difficult–and maybe even play a little football. Instead, to my grandmother’s chagrin, I lettered in wrestling my Senior Year.
I never bothered to tell her it was for being the team manager. She died thinking it was for actually wrestling.
Maybe it didn’t bother her. In the 1920s when she was in high school, she played basketball, even playing a (as she called it) a professional women’s team and giving them quite a game. Tough as nails, that woman, right up to the end. Dad didn’t get his compassion from her.
I can only hope I inherited some of Dad’s compassion . . .
I certainly inherited his love of nature, being outside, and animals. Speaking of which, we are all very tired this morning. It was a f*^#%ing war zone last night. Fireworks are illegal here, but everyone seems to forget we are a nation founded on the rule of law. Sigh. My little pup was scared shitless. I gave her an herbal remedy (smeared on her chest, smells like patchouli), then a Stress Away tablet. Then her Thundershirt. Her shaking so violent I worried about her pulling muscles. She stayed hidden away in a kennel she only enters when there are scary noises. We are all very tired today.
So, today I am taking in NU v. Georgia (should be more of a rout, but we’re hanging in there for some reason). Then a three mile run on the treadmill, submitting some hopefully life-changing paperwork (more on that later), the dinner and Christmas with mom this evening!
I wish you all as perfect a New Year as is possible. Keep blogging, my friends. And thank you for following A Promise to Dad!
Poor dog looks embarrassed to be wearing a sweater, LOL
It’s a Thundershirt that hugs her. I had to pull her tail out to get it on her, she had it tucked so tight to her belly she was so scared. Hunched over, shaking. The only reason she came upstairs from a kennel is that she heard the popcorn popping! Poor baby.
LOL… poor girl! She’s adorable… does she love popcorn? I know mine does!
Oh boy does she!!!!!
Haha. So funny about lettering in wrestling.
I know, i am such a rebel!
Our dogs used to hide when we had thunderstorms…one time I found Abby, our border collie stuck behind the washing machine in the basement…she couldn’t get out. Dogs are funny…
and you wrestling…I laughed out-loud! too funny,
Yup, once driving down the highway, our windshield got hit by what seemed like a five gallon bucket of rocks as a truck passed on a windy day. Dulce (also part border collie) got stuck under the seat and broke her tail. She was terrified to ride in that truck for more than a year. We never take her on trips any more because it’s too traumatic.
. We may try again. She’d be a great camping pup.
And I am glad I could make you laugh!