Out from the Cave

Francine has always been somewhat tied to the natural rhythms of things. When winter starts rolling in she feels some primal need to begin preparing for hibernation, even though she's well aware that she'll have to be out and about on a fairly regular basis. Like all of us she slows down a bit, sleeps more...which wouldn't be such a bad thing if she'd keep her exercise rate up, but darn-it, she gets a little lax.

It starts in the fall. Temps start dropping, crud appears on the shoulders and the next thing I know those slim treads she's maintained all season get a little soft...and a little knobbly. She claims it allows her to stay upright better, but I think she's making excuses for the extra weight.

And in November when we got that rain, a little snow, and lots of warm (for our season, anyway) temperatures? Well, the big floppy rain gear came out. I told her Girlfriend, it makes you look dowdy. Show that great frame of yours! But she claimed utility, didn't want all that damned wet crud splashing onto everything, didn't care whether or not people thought she was fashion-conscious.

I granted her that one...my rain gear doesn't look all that spiffy, but it sure does keep me dry. And, she's right. Who cares about cute? We're both beyond that.

Yes we are.

So December and January. The months of the freeze-n-thaw and the frozen slush. December took away our streets and replaced them with ice rinks. January added some wet snow. Franci decided she'd go one better than Sorels. Crampons, man. You know, she was able to pull off the look. It worked. But damn, all that stuff is heavy. Slowed her down. OK, so cute doesn't matter, but the weight...your weight. She happily clomped-along, content to be out on the crisp days but I was concerned.

In February she slogged-out, stayed in, told me to head out on the skis if I really needed someone to go out with, I-need-my-beauty-sleep-go-'way. It was sub-zero some days. I skied when I could, ran when I had to, and hopped on the trainer in the basement a few times.

Finally, March temps started inching back toward the 50s. Francine stepped out squinting in the bright sun, but was more than ready to go. Wait! I need to get these damned CLODHOPPERS off first....

It felt like we were flying.

- B we both have a bit more energy these days