So..what is round at both ends and high in the middle?
OHIO!
Headed back to spend some time with family and hoping for nice fall weather complete with red and yellow leaves, apple cider, wearing sweaters and maybe even a corn maze.
Mom has already made lasagna for us!
Catch up with you all later! (Unless I can find time to get on my daughter's laptop some evening...)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Meet the Parents
My daughter has met a wonderful guy and they have been seeing each other for, well I would say over six months now. He's a Sophomore at the University of Arizona majoring in Pharmacy, plays baseball for the U of A club team and treats her well. He goes to the gym and is responsible and kind from what I have observed.
She has met his parents a few times but we hadn't until yesterday as we all went to a game to watch him play.
You know you are going to get along with someone when you are introduced and they start the conversation with:" Sorry, I can't shake your hand, but we found this stray, stinky dog and we ran up to the grocery store to buy him a collar and leash, and we plan to take him home as he's been wandering around the neighborhood all day. He really smells."
And he did. whew!
So after the game my daughter and I walked him back to our house (I actually carried him half way as he was really tired out from wandering) gave him a quick hose-down and shampoo and then fed him when boyfriend and parents and hubby arrived with things for dinner.
Boyfriend's parents have five kids between them and apparently have taken in a daughter's friend. They also have two other dogs and several cats at home. All the kids are involved in sports in some way and you know the kids have been raised "right" when their son cleared the table and he and my daughter cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes.
I love this kid.
But I also know it's probably just puppy love and won't last. They are in their early 20s and are both just figuring out the ups and downs of relationships, school, work, money and all the other stuff.
It turned out that boyfriend's dad had questions about our Alcatraz swims as we have a couple finish pictures hanging in our hallway. The talk briefly turned to triathlon and he said he knew a sponsored triathlete where he lives and said the guy rides over 100 miles to and from work every day, and on some of those days he stops at the fitness center and swims "five miles" or does some other type of workout before he rides the rest of the way home.
OK.
We changed topics quickly.
It's funny sometimes what others believe we are doing out there!
Love boyfriend's parents, but we really can't talk about triathlon. We'll stick to baseball and football in the future!
She has met his parents a few times but we hadn't until yesterday as we all went to a game to watch him play.
You know you are going to get along with someone when you are introduced and they start the conversation with:" Sorry, I can't shake your hand, but we found this stray, stinky dog and we ran up to the grocery store to buy him a collar and leash, and we plan to take him home as he's been wandering around the neighborhood all day. He really smells."
And he did. whew!
So after the game my daughter and I walked him back to our house (I actually carried him half way as he was really tired out from wandering) gave him a quick hose-down and shampoo and then fed him when boyfriend and parents and hubby arrived with things for dinner.
Boyfriend's parents have five kids between them and apparently have taken in a daughter's friend. They also have two other dogs and several cats at home. All the kids are involved in sports in some way and you know the kids have been raised "right" when their son cleared the table and he and my daughter cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes.
I love this kid.
But I also know it's probably just puppy love and won't last. They are in their early 20s and are both just figuring out the ups and downs of relationships, school, work, money and all the other stuff.
It turned out that boyfriend's dad had questions about our Alcatraz swims as we have a couple finish pictures hanging in our hallway. The talk briefly turned to triathlon and he said he knew a sponsored triathlete where he lives and said the guy rides over 100 miles to and from work every day, and on some of those days he stops at the fitness center and swims "five miles" or does some other type of workout before he rides the rest of the way home.
OK.
We changed topics quickly.
It's funny sometimes what others believe we are doing out there!
Love boyfriend's parents, but we really can't talk about triathlon. We'll stick to baseball and football in the future!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Theory of Mind
When working with children who are on the autism spectrum, it is important to understand the concept of "Theory of Mind".
This occurs quite young actually in normal developing children, where they begin to sense that others are apart from themselves, may express and feel different emotions and have thoughts of their own.
Many of "my" kids believe that cartoons are real, that I experience everything they do, and that I feel the same way about things that they do. (such as, if I HATE reading or PE then you should too!)
Children with autism have a difficult time developing theory of mind, if at all. They fail to recognize their own and other's false-beliefs (holding onto beliefs that conflict with reality). And when other people try to explain their own viewpoints, plans, beliefs and attitudes along with expressing their emotions, those with autism become angry and frustrated that other people cannot "see the obvious truth" of a situation.
I see and feel similar scenarios going on with both political parties in this election year.
Lack of Theory of Mind.
And if you have it, you can see my way of thinking, can't you? :-)
This occurs quite young actually in normal developing children, where they begin to sense that others are apart from themselves, may express and feel different emotions and have thoughts of their own.
Many of "my" kids believe that cartoons are real, that I experience everything they do, and that I feel the same way about things that they do. (such as, if I HATE reading or PE then you should too!)
Children with autism have a difficult time developing theory of mind, if at all. They fail to recognize their own and other's false-beliefs (holding onto beliefs that conflict with reality). And when other people try to explain their own viewpoints, plans, beliefs and attitudes along with expressing their emotions, those with autism become angry and frustrated that other people cannot "see the obvious truth" of a situation.
I see and feel similar scenarios going on with both political parties in this election year.
Lack of Theory of Mind.
And if you have it, you can see my way of thinking, can't you? :-)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Patience
I wasn't born with it.
But I guess I have learned it over the years.
Being an educator has helped. Being a runner/triathlete has helped somewhat too.
I ran for years before I ever considered entering a race. It was a 10K up in Phoenix.
For women. In 1977.
Bonne Bell sponsored it.
I finished in the top 100 just because I had a base.
Of years.
Of running.
The same holds true for my marathon runs and my triathlons.
I trained for years in each discipline before I ever felt "good" enough to toe the line.
It paid off time-wise with my finish times. They weren't lightning fast, but respectable and in some cases podium-worthy.
Today it seems that many people want to qualify for Boston with a year's worth of training under their belts.
Or Kona because they have completed one Ironman.
So they invest in expensive personal trainers and equipment only to find themselves either injured or mid-pack and wonder what happened.
Most running coaches of years past (at the college level) wouldn't even think of letting you on a track or cross-country team without several years of training background. I think the same holds true today.
Why are we so impatient?
What's the hurry?
Slow down.
Enjoy the ride.
You just might miss something good.
But I guess I have learned it over the years.
Being an educator has helped. Being a runner/triathlete has helped somewhat too.
I ran for years before I ever considered entering a race. It was a 10K up in Phoenix.
For women. In 1977.
Bonne Bell sponsored it.
I finished in the top 100 just because I had a base.
Of years.
Of running.
The same holds true for my marathon runs and my triathlons.
I trained for years in each discipline before I ever felt "good" enough to toe the line.
It paid off time-wise with my finish times. They weren't lightning fast, but respectable and in some cases podium-worthy.
Today it seems that many people want to qualify for Boston with a year's worth of training under their belts.
Or Kona because they have completed one Ironman.
So they invest in expensive personal trainers and equipment only to find themselves either injured or mid-pack and wonder what happened.
Most running coaches of years past (at the college level) wouldn't even think of letting you on a track or cross-country team without several years of training background. I think the same holds true today.
Why are we so impatient?
What's the hurry?
Slow down.
Enjoy the ride.
You just might miss something good.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Pay attention
I saw a butterfly yesterday as I was working in my back yard.
It fluttered from bush to bush, landing intermittently to rest or maybe find nutrition.
Upon closer inspection I noticed it was a monarch and half of it's lower right wing was completely missing.
It soared upward and away.
It fluttered from bush to bush, landing intermittently to rest or maybe find nutrition.
Upon closer inspection I noticed it was a monarch and half of it's lower right wing was completely missing.
It soared upward and away.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Season Finale
This triathlon season has been sparse.
A couple sprints. One half IM. One trip to watch the IM in which I should have been a participant and not just another spectator.
One half-marathon, a couple trail races, one open water swim and the mountain bike "tour" that finished somewhere in hell.
So yesterday was sweet. The storm and wind cleared out and the morning was crisp and starry as I loaded up the truck.
I had two long sleeve shirts on over my tri "uniform", plus a polar fleece jacket. Yes, it was really cold...a whole 47 degrees! (we are such wimps here!)
My swim wave was set to begin around 9:00, but of course bikes have to be racked and ready by six, so it meant standing around for three hours. Waiting and waiting...and waiting. Luckily I always find someone interesting to talk to, or meet up with old (and I mean OLD literally) friends, who have been participating in this particular race since the 80's. We are few and far between, but still alive and kicking.
The swim waves went from slow to fast, with the faster relays being in the second heat. It's so much fun to watch "real" swimmers knock out 825 yards in 9-10 min. They make it appear effortless. I can only dream.
By the time 9:00 rolled around, the sun was up and it felt good to be warm again. I warmed up in the pool with a quick 50 and found myself next to some college kid. Just great. Well, he made me work hard and I ended up lapping him eventually.
825 yd. Swim time 13:42.
Now, I sold my tri bike a while ago, and haven't had the notion nor the means to purchase a new one. Maybe I won't. I hopped on my road bike and tried to keep a low profile, and found myself really liking the ride yesterday. I ended up averaging 18.4 for the ride, which is probably faster than I have gone on that course in a long time. It all comes down to feeling comfortable on the bike, I am convinced of that.
12 mile Bike time 41:06 (includes both transitions)
This would be the first time I have raced without socks and with speed laces in my shoes with orthotics. They felt good the whole way except I should have tightened up the right shoe a little as I have a small blister from too much motion on my right arch.
3.1 mile run 28:54.
Age group finish- 1st (by ten min.) 1:23:43
The fast lady in my age group was in Kona, racing the big stuff. She had qualified at BLST and had a great swim and I guess really windy ride on Saturday, which left little for the run. But she finished in 14:55 and I congratulate Diane on a great effort at the IM Championships.
After the race I took a quick shower and we met good friends for brunch, I made plans to meet up with a friend to run Wed. morning and then we went home and read the Sunday paper and took a nap.
It was a pretty perfect Sunday.
A couple sprints. One half IM. One trip to watch the IM in which I should have been a participant and not just another spectator.
One half-marathon, a couple trail races, one open water swim and the mountain bike "tour" that finished somewhere in hell.
So yesterday was sweet. The storm and wind cleared out and the morning was crisp and starry as I loaded up the truck.
I had two long sleeve shirts on over my tri "uniform", plus a polar fleece jacket. Yes, it was really cold...a whole 47 degrees! (we are such wimps here!)
My swim wave was set to begin around 9:00, but of course bikes have to be racked and ready by six, so it meant standing around for three hours. Waiting and waiting...and waiting. Luckily I always find someone interesting to talk to, or meet up with old (and I mean OLD literally) friends, who have been participating in this particular race since the 80's. We are few and far between, but still alive and kicking.
The swim waves went from slow to fast, with the faster relays being in the second heat. It's so much fun to watch "real" swimmers knock out 825 yards in 9-10 min. They make it appear effortless. I can only dream.
By the time 9:00 rolled around, the sun was up and it felt good to be warm again. I warmed up in the pool with a quick 50 and found myself next to some college kid. Just great. Well, he made me work hard and I ended up lapping him eventually.
825 yd. Swim time 13:42.
Now, I sold my tri bike a while ago, and haven't had the notion nor the means to purchase a new one. Maybe I won't. I hopped on my road bike and tried to keep a low profile, and found myself really liking the ride yesterday. I ended up averaging 18.4 for the ride, which is probably faster than I have gone on that course in a long time. It all comes down to feeling comfortable on the bike, I am convinced of that.
12 mile Bike time 41:06 (includes both transitions)
This would be the first time I have raced without socks and with speed laces in my shoes with orthotics. They felt good the whole way except I should have tightened up the right shoe a little as I have a small blister from too much motion on my right arch.
3.1 mile run 28:54.
Age group finish- 1st (by ten min.) 1:23:43
The fast lady in my age group was in Kona, racing the big stuff. She had qualified at BLST and had a great swim and I guess really windy ride on Saturday, which left little for the run. But she finished in 14:55 and I congratulate Diane on a great effort at the IM Championships.
After the race I took a quick shower and we met good friends for brunch, I made plans to meet up with a friend to run Wed. morning and then we went home and read the Sunday paper and took a nap.
It was a pretty perfect Sunday.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Small Harvests
...are sometimes the sweetest and most appreciated.
As the weather cools here my pepper plants are getting more blossoms, the lettuce, spinach and cilantro I planted are just poking their little leaves through the moistened soil, and whatever was eating my basil seems to have found delicacies elsewhere.
I have written about her before, this wild child who is just learning to bond with people who care about her. My mind can't even fathom sometimes the conditions in the overseas orphanage where she spent the first five years of her life. I have heard from good and knowledgeable friends that we keep our unwanted animals in kinder conditions.
She tries to talk, but the neurological damage is too great. She understands simple commands and routines.
She smiles when spinning or swinging or rolling on the ground. Her happiness stems from places deep within and are very different from yours or mine. She is just beginning to see that we take great pleasure in seeing her learn new things, and laughter has erupted from her when seeing our joy at her choosing a correct picture or successfully navigating a counting game.
Last week she had a few episodes of anger where objects within grabbing distance fly, glasses if you are wearing them get knocked to the floor, and three adults are not able to keep this small but strong pre-pubescent girl from hurting others and herself. When at her most violent she has flung her head against a fully loaded filing cabinet, moved it a few inches and left a dent in it. She didn't have the slightest bump on her head when I checked later.
It's nerve wracking to participate in such a thing as restraining a student, but even more troubling is sitting back observing this, knowing there is SOME way to get to this kid and we haven't figured it out just yet. We are getting closer, but find ourselves skittish around her, never knowing what might set her off. (Sometimes contrary to popular belief, there IS no antecedent!)
I have been lucky as I have never been attacked (knock on wood).
Can this child feel somehow that I truly care for her? Does she somehow know the hours I spend awake thinking about how I can make her see how powerful language is, if she would just figure out how to use what we have supplied for her? Can she see the time and energy invested in the materials we have gathered, bought and made? Just for her? So that we can see that
she does have some skills and she is capable of learning.
Thursday she wanted me to sit by her and read. I gave her the choice of a photo book about Halloween I made which includes pictures of her and her classmates, or "The Jungle Book."
She pointed to the latter and I sat on a mat beside her and started to read. She lay back, her legs sprawled over me like some great dane who thinks he is a lap dog and just listened. I don't know how much she understood, but I think she liked the lull of the human voice, the closeness and the time together. We touched foreheads and I said her name and told her I loved her.
Small harvests...yes, they are sometimes the best.
As the weather cools here my pepper plants are getting more blossoms, the lettuce, spinach and cilantro I planted are just poking their little leaves through the moistened soil, and whatever was eating my basil seems to have found delicacies elsewhere.
I have written about her before, this wild child who is just learning to bond with people who care about her. My mind can't even fathom sometimes the conditions in the overseas orphanage where she spent the first five years of her life. I have heard from good and knowledgeable friends that we keep our unwanted animals in kinder conditions.
She tries to talk, but the neurological damage is too great. She understands simple commands and routines.
She smiles when spinning or swinging or rolling on the ground. Her happiness stems from places deep within and are very different from yours or mine. She is just beginning to see that we take great pleasure in seeing her learn new things, and laughter has erupted from her when seeing our joy at her choosing a correct picture or successfully navigating a counting game.
Last week she had a few episodes of anger where objects within grabbing distance fly, glasses if you are wearing them get knocked to the floor, and three adults are not able to keep this small but strong pre-pubescent girl from hurting others and herself. When at her most violent she has flung her head against a fully loaded filing cabinet, moved it a few inches and left a dent in it. She didn't have the slightest bump on her head when I checked later.
It's nerve wracking to participate in such a thing as restraining a student, but even more troubling is sitting back observing this, knowing there is SOME way to get to this kid and we haven't figured it out just yet. We are getting closer, but find ourselves skittish around her, never knowing what might set her off. (Sometimes contrary to popular belief, there IS no antecedent!)
I have been lucky as I have never been attacked (knock on wood).
Can this child feel somehow that I truly care for her? Does she somehow know the hours I spend awake thinking about how I can make her see how powerful language is, if she would just figure out how to use what we have supplied for her? Can she see the time and energy invested in the materials we have gathered, bought and made? Just for her? So that we can see that
she does have some skills and she is capable of learning.
Thursday she wanted me to sit by her and read. I gave her the choice of a photo book about Halloween I made which includes pictures of her and her classmates, or "The Jungle Book."
She pointed to the latter and I sat on a mat beside her and started to read. She lay back, her legs sprawled over me like some great dane who thinks he is a lap dog and just listened. I don't know how much she understood, but I think she liked the lull of the human voice, the closeness and the time together. We touched foreheads and I said her name and told her I loved her.
Small harvests...yes, they are sometimes the best.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Quiet Victories.
It was just a small article in our daily paper on Monday.
It should have been front page SPORTS , but then that's the mindset of our daily paper.
Haile Gebrselassie broke the world record (again) for the marathon. 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
Figure out what that pace is per mile and all I can say is "wow".
Damn fast.
And another woman has broken the 2:20 mark. Irina Mikitenko, or Germany ran 2:19:19.
Footnotes: There were 799 women in the 50-54 age group and 500 of them broke the five hour barrier. (First 50 year old
posted a 2:55!)
A handful of these women were from the US. Most were from Europe or Asia. Kinda makes you wonder.
It should have been front page SPORTS , but then that's the mindset of our daily paper.
Haile Gebrselassie broke the world record (again) for the marathon. 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
Figure out what that pace is per mile and all I can say is "wow".
Damn fast.
And another woman has broken the 2:20 mark. Irina Mikitenko, or Germany ran 2:19:19.
Footnotes: There were 799 women in the 50-54 age group and 500 of them broke the five hour barrier. (First 50 year old
posted a 2:55!)
A handful of these women were from the US. Most were from Europe or Asia. Kinda makes you wonder.
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