Abi and friends make rain memories

The day began with a heavy gray sky promising rain that would nourish the earth

The first droplets tapped gently on the window playing a soft symphony of nature

Abi pressed her face against the glass as she was eager to feel the cool drops on her skin

She was a curious little girl who loved to play and explore

She ran outside embracing the refreshing shower that kissed her cheeks

The scent of wet earth filled the air in an aromatic signal of awakening life

Puddles in the street formed mirrors reflecting the world above

Abi studied the images before splashing through them

Her laughter mingling with the sound of falling rain as she shattered the wet images

A group of children spotted Abi and quickly joined in

Their joyful shouts echoing through the neighborhood

They raced each other as they splashed in every puddle along the way

Each splash sent water flying in the air like tiny sparkling diamonds

The rain joined in the outdoor revelry and danced around them

A nearby old oak tree stood tall with its leaves rustling softly in the breeze

Abi ran to its sturdy trunk seeking shelter for a moment to catch her breath

She watched as the rain created a curtain of droplets at the edge of the canopy

A ladybug landed on her finger seeking refuge from the storm

Abi smiled as she marveled at its tiny red shell

Heavy rain was drumming against the roof of the old barn nearby 

She and her friends scurried inside to escape form the downpour

They were all laughing and shaking off the water like wet puppies

The barn was a treasure trove of forgotten memories and dusty hay

They built a fort out of bales as they settled in for a rain-soaked adventure

The storm raged on but they felt safe and warm inside

They played games and told stories of magical creatures that danced in the rain

The energy of the storm fed their imaginations and the tales got wilder

Eventually the rain began to lighten into a gentle patter

The sun peeked through the clouds casting a golden glow

They ventured outside once more to be greeted by vibrant rainbows arching across the sky

They splashed through puddles while squealing with delight

Abi twirled under the sky embracing the magic that had unfolded

The rain had brought them together to create a day filled with laughter and joy

The setting sun made everything glisten to heighten their awareness of the moment

They knew the memory of today would stay with them forever

Tour de France ghost rider

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The middle aged man walks the halls in banner painted lycra

Wheeling his bright red bicycle to the elevator

His clumpy cleated shoes tap dance on the tiled floor

Announcing his presence loudly

waiting for the elevator

Leaning on his two wheeled walking stick

This handicapped walker is like a fish out of water

Speeding downward in the elevator

Emerging at ground level into the parking lot

Checking his back pocket for keys and sugar laden snacks

A strong leg is thrown over the cross bar

Straddling the tamed beast for a ceremonial moment

Adjusting the visor on his helmeted head

Cranking the left pedal backwards

Until his foot is near the ground

A resounding click welds his shoe to the pedal

A slight backward crank primes his muscles for takeoff

The beast lunches forward as his right shoe clicks in

Man and bicycle are now welded together in unison

Hands push down on the odd shaped bars

Palms resting on the hoods of the infrequently used brake levers

Padded shorts rise skyward to meet the ridiculously high razor blade seat

Arms stretched out into the wind

A small computer on the handlebar displays his progress

Speed and heart rate rise in unison

While pedal rpms stay constant

Gear changes are fully electronic on this high tech machine

Every nut and bolt has been trimmed for weight

The featherlight carbon fibre frame mimics airplane wings

Slipping through the reluctant air softly

The middle aged man flies low at 25mph

His skin tight costume refuses to flap in the wind

It will be a short 30 mile ride today

The computer reminds him to hydrate every 15 minutes

And to eat something every hour

He obeys all the computer commands

Resembling an android caught up in an exercise video

At the end of the ride he hits finish on the bike computer

Now back in control of his own life he sighs in relief

The sweaty middle aged man walks back along the halls

Dripping perspiration along the corridor

Passing residents nod either in admiration or disapproval

Upon arrival back home he consults his home computer

Which has monitored every parameter of his ride

Via a link to his bike computer

It tells him is effort level is way too low

He needs to pedal harder and longer

He nods in acceptance of the computer instructions

Lycra goes in the washing machine for a tumble

While he naps and dreams of riding in the Tour de France

His computer wakes him up

He briefly questions why he rides this bike at all

The home computer reminds him he must try harder tomorrow 

He has had enough

The hammer pounds the home computer

Leaving debris allover the floor

Its a short walk to his beloved bike

The bike computer is switched off

Saved from the fate of the hammer

The next day

The middle aged man walks the halls in banner painted lycra

Wheeling his bright red bicycle to the elevator

He rides his usual path without data reporting instruments

Riding the rest of the day at his own pace

Stopping for lunch by a river

Dropping his bike computer into the deep water

Freedom at last

Coming home alone

No computer to interrogate him

No data analysis

No speed, cadence, distance, power and heart rate tracking

From now on its just him and his bike on the open road

Back to old school cycling

No more data driven decisions

Riding by instinct from now on

He rides in the Tour de France nightly in his dreams

The other riders are in awe of his riding style

As he speeds up the mountain

Leaving them for dust

They all ask their computers for instructions to catch him up

But their computers have no answers

They do not know how to compete with a non-data driven human

The middle aged ghost rider wins the Tour de France nightly

Making memories on a plate

Our nephew and his girlfriend flew in to visit us in Miami

It was almost midnight on a Friday

We went straight to Versailles to eat dinner

The most famous Cuban restaurant in the world

Opened more than fifty years ago

Still serving delicious Cuban food

The place was totally packed

Mostly locals with a few tourists

We ordered the Friday special dinner

Shredded chicken with rice and plantains

For the pricey sum of $10

Washed down by Mojitos

Consuming the meal while people watching

Well dressed Hispanics 

Trendy dressed Miamians

Badly dressed tourists

All checking each other out

While eating enormous quantities of food

Every table was engrossed in deep conversation

Nobody was eating in silence

The noise was deafening

It is the place to be seen

The pace to eat

The place to be seen eating

The place to meet, eat, be seen and talk

Cuban food

At midnight

An iconic restaurant

Friendly people

Terrific ambiance

The kids loved it

Afterwards we bought empanadas from the Versailles bakery next door

Took them home for breakfast

Making memories on a plate

I like

I like

chill music

relaxing time

greeting guests

strong hugs

big manhattans

more manhattans

light appetizers

good company

lively conversation

dinner party

jazz music

tasty food

paired wine

sweet desserts

funny speeches

old stories

reciprocal roastings

hearty laughs

strong hugs

reluctant goodbyes

clearing up

bed time

spa music

short read

long cuddle

sweet dreams

waking up

more cuddles

repeat repeat