Pulling Weeds and Picking Stones

Last weekend, after a long ride (made longer by being lost half the day), I came home, did some wine-tasting at Sugar Mill, ate the innards of a veggie burger (and some fries!), and then tried (mostly unsuccesfully) to sleep, knowing that the clock was bumped ahead and no matter how long I tried to sleep, it would be one hour less than I'd tried for.

Sunday morning, bleary eyed and grumpy, I got up, made some yummy breakfast, and joined Emily and her dog Ripley on a walk. Then got home and went to work on the weeds that think of our recent rains as their own personal HGH. The backyard has created its own ecosystem while I have been inside hibernating.
At the end of the day, I had a pile that looked like this: And several other piles around the yard. I also cleared out a flower bed to try (again!) to grow California poppies. They're California poppies -- they should want to grow back there, they should thrive, and be thankful, and just sprout already! But they seem to be laughing in the face of their native lands. I've dutifully watered them every day (except Tuesday -- I wasn't home morning or evening when it was light out) and said a little prayer for them when the overnight temps settle down to 34 degrees.
Apparently March did not get the memo that it too is in California.

Saturday's ride was pretty fun -- even though I not only got lost in the first 2 miles, but guided about 8 other people into getting lost as well (adding about 4 miles to our ride). Then later missed another turn and rode all over the area, discovering that I could get myself (and my sidekick) out of the mess by continuing on. It turned out to be a successful ride. LOTS of hills -- including one hill that we rode last year and I had to stop on twice (probably because of that tape in my head that tells me I can't do it) -- this year I didn't stop at all! Hurray!

This weekend we're off to Napa for a really fun ride from Yountville to Calistoga and back. This is not a crazy hilly ride, which is good. The crazy hilly ride in Napa is coming up in a few weeks. I'm saving being nervous for that until we get closer. For now, I'm celebrating the time change even though I'm tired all the time. Last night I went out after work for a ride -- first time since the fall I think. Awesome (but cold).