some stories

The thing about biking to a church over four miles away is that you really get to experience the trip so much more personally. At the beginning of the year there was a lavender bed on the way that I absolutely loved passing because it smelled so good. Then came the smell of wood smoke floating in the chilly fall air. It made me feel cozy. Soon apples fell from the trees over the road and left little fruity reminders of the richness of harvest. The apple tree was right at the top of a hill too, so I had plenty of time to observe them as I downshifted and crawled over the hill. Then recently there were the unfortunate remnants of pumpkin-smashing expeditions left all over the bike lane. These are all cool little things that you would never notice all snuggled up and flying along in the backseat of a car.

A couple weeks ago I rode to church in gale-force winds. I almost turned around and attended the church right next to my school, but something about the challenge of the elements attracted me. Foolish, I know, but there it is. I made it, but it was grueling. I have only gone bicycling into a headwind once before, and it was miserable then too. But um... I guess it was a good workout?

But then there is today. As I walked into church I talked to several people, just about things. One older woman said that it was too bad I had to ride my bike in the rain. I assured her that it wasn't raining, and actually it wasn't too cold either. I remarked that I was very fortunate to have had such pleasant traveling weather all year long. I have only made two trips in a very light rain. Ha! On my way back today, it rained. I mean really rained. It wasn't quite a monsoon. I think it might have been a little worse. I bicycled back quite rapidly, under the mistaken impression that the faster I went, the drier I would be. Ha! As water dripped steadily off my helmet onto my already drenched dress pants, I felt the mud splattering off my back tire into the mid-back stripe so characteristic of bad-weather bikers. Really though, the ride was not bad at all. Fortunately it was still fairly warm so I was not chilled to the bone. Praise God for mittens and waterproof jackets, is all I have to say about that experience.

I reached campus in one soggy, happy piece. As I walked through the door of my dorm, I saw two of my roommate's friends excitedly chattering as they hurried down the stairs. I rolled my eyes. It would have to happen this way. Kristina had been excited all week long about her date this afternoon. She had particularly wanted me to meet this young man, and there they all were, through the doorway to my right. I stepped through the doorway, smiled, and shook hands with Kristina's date, just as though I was thoroughly accustomed to meeting new people looking as if I had recently been dragged from the middle of a very wet pond. After saying that I was indeed pleased to meet him and exchanging pleasant observations about the lovely weather we've been having lately, I sloshed away to fetch my umbrella for the couple to borrow.
I cannot help but laugh at my amazing social grace today. I have no idea what impression I made on Kristina's date, but hopefully he's partial to roommates whose dripping jackets leave small puddles wherever their inhabitants stand.