generations

my family's history is tucked in Illinois' countryside

horses run in our blood

galloping through generation to generation

my great-grandpa raised Thoroughbreds

a tradition passed on to his son

and his son's son

no wonder is my fondness for these creatures

ingrained

naturally beating

here is the next generation of race horses

the farm's yearling

born of Cactus Ridge and Irguns Star:

are there traditions coursing unavoidably through your veins too?

and the sky opened up

what a gift last night :

on my way home from doing my first lecture

(which was enjoyable. yay!)

i looked up from my commute...

having to stop immediately

clouds were moving quickly as was the sun

only minutes exist at this time of evening

it was pause or pass

obviously, i paused. got out of my car

breathed in deeply

the wind helped rush the cool air into my lungs

filling them up effortlessly

i wish for more moments like these

where i feel connected to natural elements

even in the city

xx,

Lynsey

missing my studio.

it's 97.8°F and humid today

July & August have been nearly the same forecast

with the exception of a few select days

wouldn't be so terrible... but my studio happens to be at nature's whim

[no temperature control there]

and so on these sweltering days, all i do is dream of firing the kiln

floating saw blades through metal

and bring pieces to life.

luckily i snagged the opportunity last week

when a slight break offered up 86-degree days (two in a row!)

these were born:

they remind me of the ocean's secret waters

perhaps in a cove

where visitors do not frequent

doesn't that sound refreshing?!

perhaps a creative mirage

but i'll take it!!

enough whining, lynsey.

how about you? ...are you keeping cool?

or is the entire continent boiling?

what about you... in another country?

xo,

Lynsey

p.s. no developments on my parents

we're all in limbo

but there's a lot of love here

to keep us safe

... thank you. for your thoughts, prayers, and words!

Walking Barefoot in the Grass : summer goodness

walking barefoot in the dirt and grass is something i long for

especially when i'm stuck in the city for too long

sometimes the will is so strong when i drive home from campus

i'll pull over to a remote road

open the doors and plop my feet onto the Midwest's floor

i'm not sure exactly what it is

but i feel more connected to myself

the world

and the people i love

so simple really

all it requires is a moderately picked up lawn or field

and your willingness to kick off those shoes

perhaps your sole will get dirty

but not your other one

if yours is like mine

it needs the soil

the tickle of grasslings

sunshine warmth

so thankful summer is here!

what's something you get the urge for in the summer?

xo,

Lyns

Century Bike Ride: 100 miles of storms and sun

i underestimated how difficult it would be to ride 100 miles though.

(thinking we both did)

we began pedaling around 7:40am...

made it about 10 miles when a wave of severe thunderstorms rolled in

we sought shelter beneath the cover of a local's barn

(thank you, kindest sir!)

after waiting half an hour for the storm to ease

lightning and thunder passed

Patrick and i seized the opportunity to ride through the rain

we made it another 10 miles

stopped for a rest... and noticed Patrick's tire had a slow leak

replaced the tube and were off again

through the Illinois countryside

my legs felt great! we were flying past other cyclists

another 10 miles (or so) down the road

my revolutions suddenly felt lagged

where was the strength?

maybe it was the headwind?

i pushed on... hoping to overcome this stretch

then i looked down and noticed my flat tire

(it was a relief to know it was the sagging rubber slowing me down, not any lack of strength so early in our 100 miles)

changed. and onward!!

luckily these were our only two flats.

we pressed forward together

through pain

through wind

and sun

i found it almost metaphorical when we traded pulling and drafting

we can always rely on each other

to be strong when one needs support

pulled through something difficult

going it together

we do have some nasty sunburns

we're tired

but boy-oh-boy do we feel wonderful!

any adventures you've done lately??

-Lyns