Somewhere along the line I decided I was fit enough to enter one of these mountain climb races. I mean I could get up Gulf Road in Northfield. I came across the Mt. Washington Race and was going to enter but it was already full. I knew nothing about these races. I just figured they could not much could be worse than Gulf Road. I have been educated. Gulf Road is maybe an average of 6% grade for a mile. The steepest section is maybe 10% for 40 yards. Mt. Washington averages 12% for 7.4 miles. Who knew? In retrospect, I am glad they were sold out. Most biking veterans consider Washington one of ..read more

Many folks experience a despair when considering the Ukraine war. We can only watch or read. But each of us in contributing to this effort in ways we may not realize. Some folks have contacts in the Ukraine and are sending money. It is a complex process to do so. Others are sending funds to relief agencies. The governor of Vermont proposed support from Vermont, the equivalent of a dollar for every citizen. Some people are in a position to contribute, others may not be so flush. But we need realize that we are all making a sacrifice to support the war effort through the higher costs we are payi ..read more

From an early age we get programmed. Do certain things and the parents are happy. Do well in school and the teacher is happy. Act a certain way and we have friends. Get the grades and there is college. Do well in college and there is the job. It goes on and on. We get programmed for success, for popularity for achievement. There is nothing inherently “wrong” with this. But it does imply we are “controlled” by the people around us. After a time you wonder who “you” are. “I” am conditioned by these programs. And I thought I was in control… Here is an example. I spoke with parents a time ago and ..read more

The woman believed God could heal her. Just let me touch his garment. Jesus said, your faith made you well. He taught – if your neighbor persists in asking you for food, you will give in and help out. Persist. Believe. Seek, ask, knock. He taught – three people get gifts. Two invest and are applauded. One hides the gift – plays it safe. He is chastised. Go, go, go. Believe you can. Trust in the potential God has given. We all have gifts. Seek God’s strength. Open the gifts. And Jesus saw the fellow sitting by the healing pool for 38 years and asked him, “Do you want to be well?” Emphasis on “w ..read more

This blog is not especially “active.” It is not from lack of interest in writing. Shortly after starting the blog, I started writing a daily column called “The Mindful Moment” for the local newspaper in Brattleboro – The Brattleboro Reformer. The column is listed under community news. I also send out daily emails via constant contact. They are different from the newspaper column. The daily emails are sent to those who have asked to be on that list as per the guidelines from constant contact. Those emails are designed to be “follow-ups” to the message from Sunday worship. The emails are based o ..read more

I was not running. I stepped off a ledge onto a sloped surface and rolled my ankle. It popped. I could feel it swelling (exploding is more like it.) Marsha get me a brace and crutches and insisted we go to the hospital. Broken. Lots of tissue damage. I suspect some nerve damage which will affect my foot. Way it is. Be grateful! I am enormously grateful that my wife has been so wonderful in caring for me. I am also grateful to realize I am more fragile than I am inclined to think. I am not so grateful for the ankle damage. I do not think that God “gave this to me,” nor do I think that this was ..read more

I was driving up to Mt. Greylock with a friend. One of his goals for the year was to bike up the mountain. He was successful. On the way home we contemplated the year ahead. What would our goals be? What was the vision for 2024? Most goals that are worthwhile take work. Sometimes we pick an easy goal – doesn’t take much and we feel good about it. The issue is to embrace a goal that seems just out of reach. It leaves us wondering if we can do it. As a result we push ourselves a bit, we get focused, perhaps even a bit obsessive – in a good way. With those kinds of goals we tap into the potential ..read more

For eons the traditional church has been anchored in cognition. It has emphasized doctrine, beliefs - the mind. And the history of Christianity is a history of disagreement over these kinds of issues. All that is well and good. But there is more to living by the Spirit of Christ than doctrine and the world of thoughts. If I do not do the good I want to do – a writing from Paul and I suggest astute psychology for all of us, what do I do? The kneejerk reaction is try harder. The traditional church response is – pray, read the bible, worship, find a supportive friend, etc. How about – eat well. V ..read more

I suppose when you contemplate an old guy (me) trying to bike up a mountain that can be somewhat inspirational for some folks. That we are old does not mean we are not able. And I suppose that when you think of an old, fat guy (me) losing a lot of weight, that also can be somewhat inspirational. Just because we are ancient that does not mean we cannot drop a pound or two. But all is not well. I train for this Mt. Washington ride (debacle?) by going to Mt. Ascutney which is the only tarmac around here which is of the same steepness. Usually the ride up Ascutney takes everything out of me. In fa ..read more

I am recovering from this ankle break, doing my exercises and trying to get motivated by a vision of what I would like to do this summer. My reach goal is another shot at the Mt. Washington Autoroad Bike race. I only have a few more years when I can hope to finish. Last year I set my best time. This year I would hope to be in that ballpark and finish. I have had 3 months of no exercise and I am getting older. Just getting to the starting line would be good. The physical therapists are not encouraging. But how many people do they work with who do this kind of thing…. Very few. I am trying to be ..read more