No riding, some cooking

Three months post knee replacement and I'm still not riding except for a quick jaunt around the block on the tandem two weeks ago.

I am way behind on my rehab. First there was AIDS Lifecycle where I was a roadie. I was on my feet most of the day for a week, setting up and then serving lunches to riders. Immediately thereafter, I was headed to Oceanside CA to crew for Team4hivhope, a four-man relay team, three of whom are HIV+, competing in Race Across America. To read about our adventures go to our blog on thebody.com at: http://www.thebody.com/content/62386/race-across-america-team4hivhope-cycles-to-raise-a.html

I spent the week mostly sitting on my behind, driving or navigating one of our vehicles. I am proud to say our team came in fourth out of 32 four-person teams. At least two of the racers are planning to do it again next year. I am already working on getting sponsorships.

So now I am working very hard to get my quads strong and my legs in riding shape, and I'm almost there. Jerry and I will soon start on some short rides, but then we will be going to Balkan Music and Dance Camp back east in mid-August, but I am going to take my thera-band and bathing suit with me so I can keep up with my exercises.

I hope to ride in a fundraising ride for brain tumor research in October, and I want to be able to do that. I have known many people who have died from Gliablastoma Multiforme, and have a friend who has really beaten the odds by surviving more than five years. I want her to continue to live and thrive despite this always fatal diagnosis.

We're having a blissfully cool day today and I know how lucky we are. Most of the country is having sweltering temperatures. I'm going to take advantage of this lovely weather by doing some baking. I have a potluck to go to this weekend and my plan is to make a berry custard pie. It's an incredibly simple recipe, using eggs, yogurt, sugar and vanilla, and lots and lots of fruit. I've made this pie with apples, pears, plums and even bananas. I have some figs and I'm thinking of experimenting with a small fig custard pie to go along with the larger blueberry/strawberry pie.

I have done some cooking these past couple of weeks, as well. Nothing extraordinary, though did experiment with making a meat loaf out of ground turkey and chicken sausage. It was quite tasty, but a bit too firm. Next time I'll up the ratio of ground turkey to sausage and I think I'll be happier with the texture.

I've bought cherries with the plan of making a clafouti, but they have been so delicious I haven't wanted to use them for baking. Maybe the next batch.

Crewing for Riders

I'm not blogging that much these days, or at all, for that matter. At least not at this site. I have become very involved with a Race Across America Team-- Team4HIvHope. The team is a four-man relay team, three of whom are HIV Positive. They want to bring awareness, education, and, of course, hope. Hope for a cure, but awareness that with the right treatment, anything is possible, even racing in a cycling event that spans the United States.

The race begins June 18, but prep has been going on for much longer. The four riders have been training incredibly hard and the crew chief, Sandra, has been doing an amazing amount of organizing. It will take a crew of 12 and three vehicles, including an RV, to keep the team rolling down the road 24 hours a day.

My prep has been involved with getting volunteers to produce our website, writing and distributing press releases and updating a twitter page.

So for now, I probably will not be posting much here. But we will have a team blog on the website: The Body, and our twitter name is, you guessed it--@team4hivhope. We also have a Facebook page and would love it if you'd follow us.

AIDS Lifecycle is only two weeks away and I plan to let as many ALCers know about our team. Because we are not a nonprofit, we can't raise funds, so most of the race expenses are being paid for by two of the racers. It is their dream and they are willing to forgo a lot to make this happen.

I'd love it if you'd follow our progress on our website: www.team4hivhope.com or through Facebook or Twitter.

Sidelined and hot and sour soup

I don't think I realized how long it had been since I blogged. The last couple of months have been a long slog of dealing with the death of both of Jerry's parents and my own ordeal of having knee replacement.

I had my right knee replaced a little over a week ago and by all accounts, I am doing great. I wish I could convince myself of that. Having knee replacement, or perhaps any surgery, may very well be akin to having a baby. I had the left replaced five years ago and all I can remember is being a superstar-- walking unaided out of the hospital after four days and not taking any heavy-duty pain medication. I forgot all the difficulty which I surely had. I'm once again walking unaided, but I don't remember being in this much pain. Narcotics do not agree with me so I'm toughing it out with Tylenol and Celebrex. I am five years older, but I'm in better shape than I was five years ago. So, we'll see.

I am not doing any cooking, but Jerry is the king of opening packages and take-out. We've had several nights of Tasty-Bite Indian food, and memorable take-out Chinese. The hot and sour soup from our local Chinese place really is wonderful. Just the right combination of heat and pungency. Lots of various mushrooms floating around and strips of tofu. To me, when my stomach is a little off kilter, it is the perfect comfort food. Even better than macaroni and cheese with a crisp crust. Though I do love really good mac and cheese. A week before the surgery Jerry and I went to the City to look at a used Audi TT-- my latest obsession, and we followed that with a trip to Luna Park. Their mac and cheese with broccoli is damn good, though I would have liked a little more crunch. When I'm up to it, I'm going to make some in a shallow pan so there will be lots of top. I'll get out my creme brulee torch and make sure it's perfect.

Being on the couch with the laptop has left me time to work on my latest project. I am crewing for a Race Across America (RAAM) team. It is a four-man relay team with three HIV positive members. Team4HIVHope is a testament to what the right treatment for HIV can do. I have been sending out press releases about them, and my friends Victoria Magbilang and Aaron Calhoun put together a kick-ass website for the team. Check it out: www.team4hivhope.com

Because I can't train for AIDS Lifecycle I am going to be a roadie this year. I am part of the lunch crew. Long days and lots of work, but I couldn't imagine a year without ALC. I love that I will get to see all the riders as they stop by for yet another turkey sandwich. Lunch is by far the most boring meal of the day, but not one to skip, so I'll get to see all my friends. Jerry will be riding his half-bike, and I'm excited that he will get to ride with the big boys. He is a fast and skilled rider, and I know this will be fun for him.

Monday I get the staples out of the knee and I can't wait to be able to get into a swimming pool, though that will not likely be for a bit after that. The wound has to be totally healed before I can submerge it. But the water really is a friend to healing. I will be able to do more exercises and get my stamina up. And taking a shower without wrapping my leg in plastic will be a joy as well.

Poor Pitiful Pearl and Peppermint Bark

The Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore may have been the first enclosed mall; I think I read that somewhere. Anyway, it was the place we went to when I was a little girl. It had two floors of shops and everything anyone, at that time, could want.

My favorite shop was Roger's Toy Store. It was on the first level, tucked in the back. I can still remember how I felt as we'd approach. Right near the entrance was a life-size stuffed giraffe. There were games, stuffed animals, and my favorite: dolls.

One year, near Channukah, I remember looking longingly at a doll in the window: Poor Pitiful Pearl. Pearl was a woebegone girl: she had a shabby dress and a headscarf. She had big sad eyes, a button nose and no hint of a smile. Every time we went to the mall I had to spend at least a few minutes looking at her. And without fail, my mother would tell me she was too expensive. And my response, without fail, was always, "I'm just looking."

Jerry's mother, Judy, passed away last week. She had survived three lung cancer treatments over the last ten years, so by anyone's estimation, her life was a miracle. Judy was a collector: paintings, first-edition books, Lladro figures and dolls. She had Shirley Temples, Barbies, and a host of rare and collector-coveted specimens.

Several years ago when Judy was at the house, I pulled out my Whimsey Doll. Tillie The Talker certainly showed her age and the effects of a little girl's own whimsy. She had her hair cut and her ears pierced. But I loved her, and I still do. We got to talking about dolls and I told Judy the Poor Pitiful Pearl story.

The next Christmas, we were at Judy's house. She still lived in Dayna Point at the time, and we flew down, hauling presents for the family. Christmases at Judy's were known for their excess. Lots of stuff; not all of it something you really wanted, but the philosophy seemed to be more is more.

We had a nice dinner and then moved on to opening presents. Because of the multitude, we each took turns, opening one present at a time. There were t-shirts and tool kits from trade shows; there were flamingo socks. And then there was a big box for me from Judy.
Poor Pitiful Pearl, in her patched red dress and headscarf looking up at me with those sad eyes.

It may have been the best present I have ever received, and I still get teary thinking about it.

To call this year's Christmas subdued would hardly describe it. Jerry and I are pretty much ignoring the holiday. Four months ago his father in Southern California died, and now, just days ago, his mother, in northeast Texas went to sleep and didn't wake up. Fortunately Jerry had been there just the week before when they could still talk and tell each each other of their mutual love. I had been there in November, so I got to see Judy when she still had hope that she was going to once again, beat this thing. I am so thankful for Hospice coming in and telling her if she didn't feel like getting out of bed that was just fine, and letting her know it was okay to go.

The one holiday tradition I did not give up this year was baking and making candy. Every year I make a couple of batches of peppermint bark and I sell it to raise money for AIDS Lifecycle. I didn't hawk it as heavily as I usually do, but I sold five or six pounds, so raised some money for the cause closest to my heart. I also baked two different kinds of biscotti and as usual, toffee bars, which are Jerry's favorite.

This has been one hell of a year. And I am so looking forward to it being over. Jerry and I plan to make New Year's resolutions for the first time: we resolve to have a happy 2011, full of fun and travel.
God bless us all.

Point Reyes and the Death of Velma and Earl

The weather here in Marin is what summer was supposed to be like. It's sunny, in the high 60s, low 70s and perfect for cycling.

Jerry and I had not been on our tandem in weeks, so this weekend we ventured out for a short ride-- only about 20 miles-- from Nicasio to Pt. Reyes Station.

Despite having not ridden much lately, the bike felt great and we averaged around 15 mph. Granted, we didn't take on any major hills, but we rode well and it did feel good. Next weekend, maybe we'll ride a little further.

I haven't been on my single bike in a couple of weeks, but I don't think I've lost my nerve. I still need to ride up and down hills; I haven't done that yet, but it will come. I need to be patient. But due to my lack of nerve, I don't get much of a workout on the single, so tandem riding keeps my muscles going and chest heaving, so more tandem, less single until I'm ready.

Velma, my chicken that is strapped to my handlebars lost her cluck some time ago. The stress of all that air pressure was just too much for her. I knew I had to retire her sooner or later, but the later came sooner, as this week, Earl, Jerry's handlebar chicken, almost lost his head. The sun beating on his little rubber neck was just too much, and it finally got the best of him. We are considering burying them in a shoe box in the back yard. For now, they have been freed from the bike and are lying in state on the hood of my car.

My Week of Meat

Part of why we have not ridden much lately was due to our week-long trip to northeast Texas, more specifically, Lone Star, where Jerry's mother lives with her husband.

Judy has not been doing all that well lately, so we thought we'd visit. She has successfully battled lung cancer for longer than anyone I've ever known or even heard of, but it has now spread to her other lung and it has weakened her significantly. She's on oxygen and using a walker, and occasionally a wheel chair.

Judy and Dee have help come in every day and friends and relatives bring over casseroles. Judy is not eating much, so I decided my assignment for the week was to make things she liked in hopes of getting her to eat more. And I know what Judy likes: meat. People who know me know I will eat most anything, but what I don't eat is beef, but that wasn't going to stop me from cooking it, though I knew I had to ease into it.

The first night I made turkey meatloaf, mashed Yukon golds and sauteed zucchini and yellow squash. I folded eggs, mild salsa and breadcrumbs into the loaf. The potatoes were filled with milk and lots of butter, though no garlic. I did use some garlic in the squash, though not a lot. These are two folks in their 80s who are not all that fond of highly spiced foods. I even found out a few days into the visit that Dee does not like garlic or squash, so they weren't in much of the menu for the rest of the week.

Deciding that I had waded in far enough, on night two I took a deep dive with steak. Here's where I admit that I let Jerry grill the steaks. The kitchen has a small GE grill-- sort of like one of the George Foreman type of things, so I marinated the steaks in some oil and vinegar, and yes, garlic (I hadn't received the news about Dee yet) and Jerry grilled them up. I roasted brussel sprouts and potatoes. The potatoes were a hit; the brussel sprouts, not so much. Jerry and I love them, but again, the traditionalists would have rather had them boiled.

Next came boneless pork chops. I took a chance on a mustard sauce, and it indeed, went over well.

I ended the week with beef stew that was also gratefully accepted. I made enough so there were a couple more meals to freeze.

As the week went on, Judy seemed to be eating a little better and got a little stronger. She had a setback when she stumbled and tripped while using her walker, and while she wasn't hurt, it blew a big hole in her confidence.

For me, while it was a big cooking week, it was not an eating highlight for me. It's just not my kind of food, particularly the beef. On those nights I had leftovers of things I did eat.

The highlight of my week, eating-wise, actually came shortly after we arrived in Texas. After we left Love Field in our rental car, we went in search of dinner before our long drive. Not far from the airport, we stumbled upon a little diner. Lucky's looked like your usual greasy spoon, except it had a full bar. And my gaydar immediately went off loudly: the place was full of gay men. And there was fried okra on the menu. So all in all, a wonderful dining experience.

And miles to go...

before I eat. Actually it's just too early for dinner, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about it.

Jerry and I just took an eeny weeny ride around the neighborhood on our singles. I'm slowly getting the seat to the proper height and every now and then even take a hand off the handlebars to signal. I'm getting there, slowly. But getting there. If the weather holds we'll take the singles to the bike path in Sausalito this weekend, and I will try at least a small hill.

Halloween is Sunday, and I'm looking forward to our cul de sac party. We sit outside with big bowls of candy and eat turkey chili that Vicki makes, cornbread that Joan makes, and drink wine that Rita brings. This year I made bat cookies for dessert.

I found a nice brown sugar cookie recipe on Epicurious. It had nutmeg in it, and I added a little cinnamon. I overdecorated the bats and they are hideously lovely. Lots of sprinkles and black and orange gel. I've never used this gel before and I sure as hell hope it firms up. I'd like to toss the cookies in the freezer so I don't eat them before Sunday.

Tonight we'll probably have beans and rice leftovers that I made in the slow cooker last evening. I sure do love my slow cooker. It's not like I'm making anything different; I just love not having to deal with things like stews and spaghetti sauce. No burning on the bottom: no trying to adjust the flame to low enough to not scorch whatever it is I'm cooking.

And I've already started planning Thanksgiving. For the first time, I may actually stuff the bird. or not. Decisions, decisions.

Half Bike, Noodles and Beer

Anyone who knows me knows I am a tandem rider. What they might not know is why I pretty much stick to the tandem.

Two years ago, I took my newly acquired used single bike, a Bianchi Boardwalk, out for a ride around my neighborhood. I left with my garage door opener in my back pocket. No ID or anything else with me.

The next thing I remember is waking up at Marin General, Jerry by my side, a cut on my head and double vision. Somewhere, somehow, just a few blocks from home I crashed. I don't know what actually happened, though I can surely speculate.

Riding as a stoker on a tandem takes strength, but not much skill other than to be in tune with your captain. I don't steer; I don't shift gears; I sightsee and keep an eye on the cyclometer so I can kick a little harder when our speed is down.

What I think might have happened on that day I crashed is, I was paying far too much attention to my cyclometer and not enough to the road. Crash. I had a concussion and I damaged a cranial nerve, forcing me to wear prism glasses for six months until I'm thankful to say, it fixed itself without surgery.

Since then, I have taken two cycling classes but the fear has not left. But I really did not want to give up. So, once again, I signed up for a class-- this time with the Marin Bicycling Coalition.

The positive part: there were only two students in the class; the downside: the area in which we had to practice was far too small, due to Biketoberfest taking over much of Fairfax. We did run through drills and while I was shaky, I gained a bit of confidence. Then we went for a road ride. We rode for an hour, making our way through Fairfax, San Anselmo and a bit beyond.

And it felt great. I had a few wobbly moments, but I was comfortable in the traffic. I stopped at stop signs, signaled for turns and felt good. I'm not sure of my speed because I took my cyclometer off the bike, so no temptation to look at it.

Jerry had taken out his single, so we met up at Biketoberfest after my class. This event is a combination bike fair and beer tasting. Jerry and I are not much in the way of beer drinkers, but we had fun looking at bicycles, and everything that goes with them. Once again, we drooled over a Calfee tandem and got a kick out of seeing a bicycle powered blender. If you wanted a smoothee, you had to pedal for it.

Knowing we were going to ride today, last evening I thought about making a noodle dish for dinner, though I wasn't feeling particularly inspired. I had made a large pot of spaghetti sauce earlier in the week and we had already had that, so I wanted something different. But what, but what...

I dug in the pantry and found a box of Chinese noodles with black bean sauce. I didn't remember buying it and had never had it before, but that didn't stop me from figuring out an improv dish. I steamed some broccoli and snow peas, sauteed some spring onions and garlic while the noodles were boiling. I also threw some pieces of cooked chicken breast in with the onions and garlic to heat it up. With that, I added some grated ginger and hoped for the best.

While it won't win any prizes, it wasn't bad. Next time I will add some heat with some cayenne and add even more ginger.

So as not to lose my nerve, Jerry and I are going to take our single bikes out again tomorrow. We'll ride around the neighborhood, continuing my progress on the flats, and perhaps sometime soon, I'll actually attempt a bit of a hill.

But as my friend Diane said when I posted on Facebook that I had ridden.. one pedal stroke at a time.