Pazza and me.


Over the barriers


Ted going up the run-up.


I caught this shot of Louie Fountain from Moscow





Racin'


After the start of the women's race last weekend near Coeur d'Alene.


A view from a recent mountain bike ride at Moscow Mountain.

Blueberry, the Bealls' old cat, died this morning. If you recall, a few months ago we all thought her time had come, so Mom and Dad drove her to the vet, only to have her suddenly revive. Home she went for a few more months. Over the past week, she had a massive down-turn, so an appointment was made for this afternoon. Crafty Blue decided to take care of things herself, dying this morning before she could be taken to the vet's. She had a long life - in cat years she was 102.

School has been brutal this semester, so I am already counting down the days to the end of the semester. I am becoming a trained wine panelist, so twice a week I attend training sessions. It's really pretty fun, though it takes more of the free time I do not have!

We have been attempting to stay fit in this off-season, so running has become a bigger part of our repertoire. It takes so much less time than riding, so it's better for me during the week. We are not taking cyclocross as seriously this season, only having done three races so far, though we are heading to Walla Walla this weekend for back-to-back races. I may be unable to race, as my back is once again gracing me with major pain. The culprit this time? I think it was my first weightlifting session a couple days ago, though running this morning probably didn't help it either. I'm crooked and bent, and trying to move as little as possible. Hopefully the massage tomorrow will help - usually they do.

We raced near Coeur d'Alene last Sunday, and the weather could not have been better. The A women's field was very small, with only 4 of us at the line. My road teammate, Jenni, took off from the rest of us on the first lap and rode to the win. I thought I might be able to hang for a little while, but then my lack of fitness became evident, and I couldn't do it. I had fun, though, and it felt good to ride really hard for the first time in a while. I'm still optimistic that I'll race this weekend too, but we'll see! If nothing else, we should have a good dinner!

Ted's race last weekend went really well, with him riding near the front for the whole race. He ended up feeling good and finished in the top 10. He has been running a lot more than I have... and I guess it's working!

We have yet to solve the Hitcher/garbage problem, though a solution may be on its way. Ironically, I was recently invited to test some pet products, and my survey answers qualified me to test a product designed to keep your pet out of areas where you do not want them to go. It sprays some sort of liquid at the pets when they approach the area. I should be getting it any day now, and I get to keep it at the end of the test period, so hopefully it works!