Cheryl Runs to The Sun and Moon.

Down the Kewash Trail

Evening in Westchester

The Weekend is almost over, and Cheryl has been doing a bit of running.  The heat has forced us to become a bit more flexible for our runs.   And by that, I mean:  running shorter but more often.   Basically, we have been running in the morning AND evening.   Which is great for me....  I actually like the evenings better.

Mornings in Muscatine

Down to the Fountain!

That does not mean we skip out on the mornings.   on weekends, we usually head to Muscatine for some water therapy.   Cheryl runs somewhere between 7-10 miles ( depending on heat and fatigue) and then she plays in the fountain there.

Cheryl's New favorite part of running.

The perfect place for a cool-down.

 Since she discovered the fountain, (And now that it is  operational...) Cheryl has been looking forward to going there and frolicking in the water.   It is also always fun to run along the river.

And photo opportunity....

Back to Kewash.

However, we have also been taking a break from Iowa City as of late.   The Kewash Trail has been fun to visit after such a long hiatus. ( basically, we have taken all of this winter and spring off from there.)   So now that summer is upon us... and the berries are out in full swing, we have a renewed interest.

Some recent trail improvements!

We also discovered that they have been making improvements!   Remember that "mud pit" on the other side of West Chester?  

Even Non-skid mats on the ends!

Well, the authorities have decided to pave over that area and make it passable!   They even pit little rubber nubs on the ends to keep people from slipping!   How awesome is that!  I'm now curious if any other improvements have been made as we get closer to Washington.

Chasing Raccons.

And evening rabbits sometimes.

It is also noteworthy that the evening runs provide a new experience from time to time.   Raccoons come out in the twilight.   And the heat is much more tolerable in the evening.

Chasing the Moon as it rises.

Chasing the Sun as it sets.

Sometimes you are treated to a wonderful sun set followed by a moon rising.   Add in fireflies and the evening rabbits and it is just a peaceful time to be out there.  I'm actually looking forward to going back out there tonight.   Maybe a little earlier so we will have time to stop and pick blackberries (they are now out in full force now,  Would hate to miss them!)

Enjoying the cool (-er) scenes of Iowa.

Hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend.  And if you can enjoy the evenings as the sun sets,   all the better!

Seven Years and a Day.

Celebrating seven years of capture.

As mentioned in the previous post,   Yesterday was the 4th of July.   (Just in case anyone did not know that.)  In addition to that fact,  I also mentioned that we have been in Iowa for over 7 years now.  (7 Years and one day to be exact!)  But this is not about that.

Cheryl and Ethan in Iowa.  I think the picture says it all...

This posting is about the fireworks last night.   You see, I think Iowa celebrates our capture every year with fireworks.  It makes sense.   We are highly valuable human beings after all. (At least to ourselves anyway...)  And although I am not particularly fond of being an Iowa captive,  I can at least respect that they value my presence here...  More so than in Michigan anyway.

At least they know we are valuable.

But mostly I wanted to post the pictures of last nights celebration...  the celebration of Cheryl and Ethan coming to Iowa.   On my new Motorola camera/phone.  ( Seriously!  It is a camera with a phone attached.  Not the other way around.  I never use the phone.)  I used a program in addition to the one provided with the device to "animate our sad story." (Hetalia Reference)

In addition to the fireworks, I thought I would post some of the animations of Cheryl's race yesterday.  Enjoy!

Three Elvises.  (One still on his way...From the Port-a-Jon) 

Cheryl is in there somewhere.... If you can find her,  you're better than me. 

Masked Patriot running with Flags.  He also doubles as a WWF Wrestler.  I was thinking "Flag Man" Or "The Patriot!"

One Hail Of A Good Time In Iowa.

Torrent Hail Storm!

In the middle of the day

For the third time this year....  there has been hail.   This time it just sprung up in the middle of the day (Today) and left small piles of pea-sized hail all around the yard.

Enough to make a snow cone.

  Now,  I know most people would ask, "What's the Big Deal?"   And I can see that unless the hail is baseball sized or larger, it simply does not make it onto the Weather Channel feed.   (Not that I EVER want to see that sized hail here in Iowa)

10 minutes later, sun is shining....

But  for someone growing up in Michigan,  Hail is kind of like seeing snow for the first time.   You hear about it.  Read about it.   Even watch videos about it...but I have never seen it in the flesh.   Until now.

Check out the neighbor's Pile of Ice...

40 minutes later!   Still here!

Moving to Iowa has brought several other "Firsts",  But seeing Hail fall with such ferocity is quite awesome.   Seeing Ice fall from the sky in the middle of summer is simply miraculous!   Like something biblical....like frogs or something.

Cool summer day

Muscatine. 

But like someone who does see snow for the first time,  I do not hope to happen onto a Blizzard.   Seeing small bouts of ice slightly larger than a peanut is enough for me.

Kewash Trail under gloomy skies.

The weather has been pleasant lately.   With cooler temps making for better running.   The clouds also help keep the sun in check for most of the time.  It is unfortunate that Cheryl and I are still suffering from this blasted cold.   Nothing dangerous...just annoying.   A cough and runny nose that irritates more than incapacitates.  ( blowing you nose and coughing randomly is just so bothersome.)

Ready for her reward after 10 miles.

Sundae Pictures

Cheryl continues to work on her shop and I have written a little over 1000 words on the novel ( over 6000 words currently!)  I admit that the writing is a trickle.   I have also been working on some origami cats.   I'm not sure where I will go with them, but I wanted to at least work on perfecting the model.

More Swag

Congrats!  You are Awesome!

So that is all for today.  Hail!   Cold temps, Running, Writing, Designing, and Fighting colds.   Who knew Summer in Iowa could be so exciting?

4th place awesome...to be exact.

I almost forgot Cheryl's latest trophy.    She placed 4th in the master division at the Madtown Half Marathon.   Check out her latest medal.  

Freakishly sexy legs

Still a work in Progress.

Cheryl's eventual goal.   (Dean Karnazes's legs)

And her Sexy legs.    She hopes to have them eventually look like other famous runners.  We shall see.

Singing, and running in the rain.

Oh Lovely Rain!

Bundled Up

 Another rainy morning in Iowa.   But Cheryl did not let that hold her back.   Today was one of those rare days where we started scoring later in the day ( noon) and had a few extra hours to run a bit longer.   No measly downpour  was going to keep her from that!

Diving in.

In addition to the rain, the temps have fallen almost 20 degrees.  Making for a rather wet AND cold run.  But that is the Runner's Favorite Running weather.  If only I could say the same about biking alongside her.

Rain picks up

The Flowers seem to stand out in the rain

Luckily I had my Goretex.  And a change of clothes for after the run.  I still managed to get my shoes and socks completely soaked.

She's Singin' 

And Dancin' .... in the rain.

The rain helped point out a few flowers that Cheryl noted.  I'm not sure why the sun seems to keep them hidden,  but I thought I would at  least stop and take a few pics of them.


All this rain made me think about one of my  favorite Movie.   Gene Kelly Singing in the Rain.   This is one of those ICON movies that define a time for me.   Call me a romantic...but I love Musicals.  I manage to track down this clip. ( my favorite)  Enjoy!

Windy Run in Iowa..With Eagles and Hawks.

Out at the Kewash Trail

14 miles in pleasant weather

Very windy day today.   For this reason, Cheryl suggested we squeeze our long run in yesterday.  Today we traveled to Coralville and braved the usual 7 miles on the Clear Creek trail next to the Mall.

Today!   Colder...windier!

Find the Eagle.

  Nothing unusual to report, other than there were lots of Hawks and even an Eagle!   Eagles are not rare there, but are not usual.   Normally, they are way up high and impossible to capture with a camera.   But this one landed close enough for me to snap a pic of him.

Beautiful Canadian Geese making friends.

While taking his pic and trying to get closer,  the Hawks were not very happy with his presents.  It's a funny hierarchy of avian social status.   The Hawks hate the Eagles and bother them.  The Crows hate the Hawks and bother them.   The Canadian Geese hate everyone. Blue and White Herons are usually loners, but willing to tolerate most other birds.  Possibly for some ulterior reason.

This looks suspicious.

But the poor Eagle, with their stately appearance and powerful beaks and talons are harassed constantly by Gulls, Crows, and now Hawks.  About the only ones who seem to show them mutual respect are the Turkey Vultures whenever they are rarely seen together.  ( Vultures head south for the winter,   Eagles arrive in mid fall.)

Better picture...with a Hawk "friend"

Highlighted.   Smart Phone only zooms so much. 

I was so thrilled to finally have an opportunity to take this Eagles pic because I was not in a car traveling down a narrow rural road.  On our way home,  there were about 5 Eagles out in the middle of a green field on what looked like a deer carcass.   If only I had a place to pull off, it would have made a better photo.   Ah well,  I have to take what I can get when the opportunity allows.

Needle Threader Issue.

Small Medal part catching the threader

Needle nose pliers to the rescue!

In other news,  We sewed up a single stocking today;  And I finally had enough time to fix the needle threader on my embroidery Machine.   After taking it apart several times,  I finally figured out that a piece of medal was catching on the spring.   It looks like the piece is a "just fit" and must have been dirty or damaged during our busy stocking season.   I quick bend with a needle nose pliers and everything is back to new!

Cheryl is currently working on Government stuff and requires my computer....because it is faster and hopefully untraceable by the IRS.  ( Just kidding....They already have cameras and listening devices in our apartment...I just KNOW IT!)   So I better log off and figure out the red tape that is our government "easy" form.   Thanks for checking in and enjoy the windy Iowa weather.