12-18-07: Down the metaphorical road...

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I can tell you where to look out for potentially dangerous ruts, cracks and precipitous shoulders in a 40-mile radius of roads around Modesto... as one must notice when riding on two skinny tires -vs- four high-speed, shock-absorbing tires. And there are rules for all those roads implemented to promote safe travel. Staying safe on a two-wheeler, between road surfaces and road widths, is the lesser part of the challenge. It's staying out of the way of the much larger, heavier and much faster four-wheeler... because they may or may not be paying attention to slower, lighter forms of transportation hugging the side of the road.

The road I travel these days is a metaphorical one. And there are metaphorical speed limit signs that must be obeyed. If I go too fast, I might get in a wreck, causing further damage that would prevent or delay me from reaching the end of the road. It's tempting, though, to want to go faster... to reach my destination sooner. Sometimes this road can be boring and tedious, the kind that seems to go on forever with nothing much to see along the way. But my journey is being patrolled by family, friends, doctors and therapists who are making sure I'm following the rules of the road to recovery.

This road is as much mental and psychological as physical. I must maintain what the NomelliMan has advocated for years with the students we teach: mental toughness. Reaching the end of the road to achieve certain goals can seem daunting at times. I have spent the better part of my life honing my body and mind to extend and go beyond my physical limits on the literal road: marathons, triathlons, 200-mile-single-day and across the U.S. bicycle rides, and high-elevation hikes with my formidable wife. How much of these kinds of endeavors I'll be able to do again is the physical and mental road I now take.

Water. It's what the doctor recommended. So Peggy and I went to investigate an hour-long class offered for "stroke" victims three times a week at the YMCA. The class is free. After wheeling through the front door, past the lap pool to the warmer therapy pool, I told the instructor that I didn't have a stroke, but could benefit from the underwater movement she was leading in the class. She assured us that having a stroke was not required. The doctor was right. Although difficult at first, the kicking, stroking and, yes, walking through the water helps. With the viscosity of water added to my exercise regimen, which now also includes a stationary, recumbent bicycle, my road to recovery is further assured.

More x-rays and the next doctor's appointment late this month... I hope to be walking on a real road soon.

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Other news... today is the eve of the second preliminary hearing for my assailant. Peggy and I will be in attendance. I still maintain and have the same perspectives and questions from my 11-20-07 entry.

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And on another note... It has been an interesting year for Peggy and me. We had to abort a cross-country trip in Lake Charles, Louisiana and return abruptly back to California because the city of Modesto backed up the sewer into our house. It was an accident, but at least the city took responsibility. Since July, our lower level has been jackhammered, gutted, and stripped to the foundation... and is now close to being rebuilt. Then there was my own accident...

Peggy. She has been traveling her own difficult road, and has not only had to oversee the demolition and reconstruction of our house, but continues to see to my enormous needs through my own recovery. Peggy also continues to teach and provide a high quality of education to her students. I do not know if I could continue down my road without her. I am eternally grateful and, as always and more, she is in my heart and soul...

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And thank you to AB and friends for keeping us fed in these trying times, and to everyone who has visited and contacted me/us with their concerns and encouragement. It makes our road traveled easier.

Oh, and can't forget some thank youz to Garrett, Jackson, Jake, Jeanah, John, Kailani, Kenneth, Matthew, Mrs. B, Mrs. K, Mr. and Mrs. L, Mrs. N, Nicole and Theo for raking our leaves.

Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and productive New Year everyone...

B____M--