Random Human Stuff

My first Bike

2011-04-02T20:13:00.003-05:00

I did it. I am officially part of the bike movement in Glasgow. I am new to the biking world and I wanted to share my newbie experiences with all my peeps. Here's the scoop....

It all started several months ago when my neighbors Billy Ray and Dr. Travis could be seen riding around Glasgow to and from work and taking Sunday morning rides. I became curious, as I am always looking for a new adventure, the gears started to turn in my head. Would biking be something I might enjoy?

I used to ride a bike all the time as a kid, but after several major accidents,which involved blood and stitches, I kinda gave up the sport. Did I really want to pick it back up? After all, I'm not really into fast moving vehicles and I'm certainly opposed to blood and stitches. But my sense of adventure would not be quieted. Not to mention the fact that gas is currently $3.57 a gallon and I'm about sixty pounds overweight ....so, I did my Mary math(not to be used in accounting or any other class for that matter) and that equalled I should indeed buy a bike to ride for fitness, to save money on gas, to protest foreign oil, to ride to work, save the planet AND lose sixty pounds in the process! (also known as Mary Logic, which has been known to get me into trouble on occasion)

Being the savvy consumer that I am, I did all the appropriate research on bicycles via the Internet and consumers report. Then I promptly went to Howard's Cycle Shop in Bowling Green(thanks for the referral, Billy Ray) and let them know exactly what I wanted. The young man was very helpful and showed me several possible matches for my needs.

I knew what I didn't want. I did not want a "Corvette" bike. I'm old. I'm not into sports cars or sports bikes. I wanted something along the lines of a "Lexus"bike. Comfort, not speed, was a requirement. I will not be racing anyone. I will not ride a bike that has my center of gravity somewhere in the clouds, with my back all hunched over, not for me, thanks.(no offence road guys)

Then the nice young man at Howard's brought out a beautiful, retro-style, baby blue honey of a darling bike appropriately named "Jenny". It was love at first sight!

It had all the things I wanted;Low center of gravity, handle bars I could reach, a seat that fit and my feet could touch the ground(very important when you are five feet tall) and to top it all it is a Schwinn MADE IN THE USA! How cool is that? Goes along completely with my logic...what's a girl to do?

I proceeded to make a dent in the old checkbook(don't want the nursing home to get it, right?). Completed the transaction with a new helmet and bike lock.(with gas at almost $4 a gallon bikes will be a hot commodity...just a prediction)Tossed "Jenny" in the mini van and set off for Glasgow.

My knees were literally shaking when I pulled "Jenny" out of the mini van. Could I even remember HOW to ride a bike? I, however am not easily subdued. I strapped on my helmet, jumped on ol' "Jenny" and away we went....and it was...well, you know, just like riding a bike :)

Glasgow Vultures

2011-01-16T12:12:00.003-06:00

Take heart fellow Glasweigans! The vultures that circle our city are a good sign. According to Native Americans the vulture teaches the power of purification of the mind body and spirit. Vulture aids accomplishing tasks through great patience and vision, using you sense of smell and discernment, and how to glide and soar with your own energy. He teaches efficiency in actions and promises that changes are imminent. -taken from the Animal Spirit Totems Dictionary

Lessons learned down on the farm

2010-06-12T20:37:00.003-05:00

* air conditioning is mans greatest invention. * a turkey can fall in love with a tomcat... truelove know no bounds. * always wear your muck boots to the barn. * I'm not twenty anymore. * dairy cows like to be properly introduced before you go messing around down there... * an hour a day of weeding the garden is enough. * dairy farmers do not get paid enough....milk should cost twelve dollars a gallon! * chickens are just very small velosaraptors....vicious and barbaric. * the yipping,howling coyotes at night can scare the begebbers out of you and I don't care how tough you are.and I'm pretty sure there are a million in Park, Kentucky. * if everyone lived and worked on the farm we would have no need for gym memberships. * nine o'clock bedtime is late. * be prepared for anything * drive SLOWLY through the mud on the four wheeler * pace yourself, it all doesn't have to be done right now. * living a mile down a gravel drive gives you plenty of time to prepare for visitors. Wecolme or not. *

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T11:16:00.001-06:00

I always love the new year....clean slate...I LOVE beginnings. I'm not so good with middles and only recently become mature enough for ends. But I do love beginnings. Kinda like falling in love, you know, the romantic stage. Yeah..I know you know.
Let's see..2010...I've made just a few promises for the new year.
1) NO redecorating...we did enough in 2009, my marriage and sanity depend on this one.
2)More sex...see reason #1..the husband is happy with this one.

Those are the only ones. I like to keep things short and sweet. Let's just see what the year brings!

Beauty and Miss Piggy

2009-08-11T09:09:00.001-05:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.
- Miss Piggy

Don't ya just love Miss Piggy? With her self confidence and Mae West attitude...always comfortable with her body, loves herself over anyone else. I just need about a third of what she has and it has taken me this many years to get close.
I'll be thinking about her all day...

Another Sunday

2009-08-09T22:41:00.002-05:00

So much for writing everyday.

Time is impossible; there never seems to be enough time in a day. I actually wrote down all my to do stuff on my calender last week just to see where all my time goes and I have legitimate reasons for not being able to get it all done. I haven't figured out a solution...yet. Perhaps when school starts I will have more time...I don't know. Maybe it is a priority thing, I'm still trying to get a grip on it.

Sundays go especially fast. Even when I don't sleep in.

I'm really tired. I will write more tomorrow.,

Sunday, Sunday, so good to be

2009-08-02T14:20:00.005-05:00

What do I enjoy about my life?

I enjoy cuddling with my husband,reading the Sunday paper with a cup of hot tea early in the morning before the kids wake up. I enjoy reading a good book in my special reading corner, especially on a rainy day,and listening to my XM radio.

I enjoy hiking at Mammoth Cave, or better yet riding my horse. I enjoy going to horse camp, where I can focus on my horsemanship and not have to worry about feeding or caring for other people.

I enjoy helping people, whether it is at work finding parts to get people working again, or helping a neighbor. It makes me feel good.

I enjoy my canaries. I love their song and their antics.

I enjoy my horses, even if I could never ride again I would love spending time with them. They grace me with their presence.

I enjoy my girlfriends, eating sushi and going to the move theatre and eating popcorn,laughing together...

I enjoy writing, connecting with friends on facebook, planning parties and cooking.

I enjoy learning and stimulating my old grey matter in my brain. I love a challenge.

I enjoy kayaking down the Green River with my kids. I enjoy my dog Lucy.

I enjoy being creative, and having the time to be creative. I love the arts, particularly paintings, sculptures,music, and theatre.

I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures.

I enjoy the routines of my day. Waking up, showering, doing my chores, spending time with my family, playing with my horses then reading and or writing before bedtime.

I also enjoy breaking the routine...I love being spontaneous.

I enjoy gardening and digging in the dirt. I enjoy flowers and fresh veggies from the garden. I love the idea of being self sufficient.

I enjoy baking oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies, then sharing them with my husband and kids with a glass of milk. Yummmy!

I enjoy watching the stars at night, or the clouds during the day, but especially the sunrise and at the beach is exquisite.

I enjoy life and all it entails..the pain, the joy, the anticipation,the disappointments, the love that never goes away....

Autobiography

2009-08-01T08:42:00.004-05:00

If you had 15minutes to tell somebody who you are, what would you tell them?

Hi, my name is Mary Allway and I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I love horses and nature. I am a student of Pat Parelli and Carol Coppinger learning natural horsemanship. I am a level 2 graduate of their horse training program. I work for my father in the family business, which I consider a blessing , but sometimes a curse. (Let's call it a mixed blessing.) I work more than I play and I don't like that very much. I try to be a good daughter and feel the pressure of that yoke on my shoulders everyday.
I have been married three times. I am not ashamed what-so-ever of this fact. They were learning processes to get me where I am today ,both physically and emotionally and spiritually. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything...
I have two great kids and two great step kids. They teach me new things everyday.I like them as people.
My husband is my rock, I am the water. He is everything a girl could wish for in a prince charming. It took a great effort to educate myself on how to be healthy enough to be in such a wonderful, healthy marriage. I will live a long, happy, healthy life because of him.
I'm always looking to improve myself.I am on a neverending quest.
I'm emotional, cluttery, over extended, patient and kind.
I love being alive. I love life in my forties. I can't imagine going back and pretty sure it only gets better.

An examined life

2009-08-01T08:04:00.003-05:00

Okay, I will begin examining my life. I've been reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin and I see where, yes he was an exceptional human being, however a main difference between he and I is that he read and WROTE. I just read and then barely have time for that. But I want my children and grandchildren to know who I was and to leave some sort of mark on this world. I've accepted that fact that I will never cure cancer or do any one great thing on this earth. (I'm just passing through.) Perhaps if I write down my memories, then that will be the way I will be remembered...
I can try anyway, it might not turn as I think. Projects I begin seem to take on a life of their own, some better, some worse but always fun.

Friday night

2009-07-31T21:41:00.002-05:00

I read a article today about writing your own memoir. It basically challenged the reader to use prompts to write two pages a day in reflection of thier life. Something in the article clicked with me. I so want to write it all down...my life reflected. I just need to make the time and use prompts to help the flow of the words...I think I'll start tonight.

Good Saturday!

2009-06-27T15:41:00.003-05:00

A day off from work, only two a month. Grumpy twenty something living at home and trying to take it out on her mom. God help me get through this...
The kitchen stove died, the kitchen and living room remodel is a mess;won't be done for another month.
I bought two lamps and a table at a new consignment shop. Very happy. Will go great in the new living room...when it gets done.
Going to the movies with girlfriends tonight. The Proposal....love Sandra B.