9 minutes

It was hot yesterday. Mid-nineties which these days feels like 100 plus. I texted the kids from work saying we really need ice cream. We've been eating a lot of ice cream. It's like our new butter. Put it on everything and you'll feel better.

It was about 7 pm and I thought I should just bike. I texted my neighbor friends (I am so lucky to have good neighbor friends!). No one could join but I decided to go anyways. 

It was a warm night where the air feels sucked in. I could see a pink glow on the horizon and things closer to me just starting to chill.  Dusk, the in between of day and night.

Whenever I ride my bike which is not often enough, I feel like a kid again. There is also deeper connection to where I live - a feeling that always delights me. 

There are two major grocery stores close by and after twelve years of living here it's the first time I got there on two wheels. 

Bike lanes abound and there were people out walking their dogs and going for an evening run. 

When I turned into the parking lot I checked my Apple watch and it registered 9 minutes. That is all it took to leave the car and move my body and spirit. A very small but significant choice. 

I plan to buy a new road bike in the new year. I want baskets for the back to fill with whatever sundries I get. I want to ride to the farmers market and up big hills. It's a new dream in the making, just nine minutes old. 

Until then one ride a week instead of revving up the gas guzzler.  One turn at a time, around and around until I am somewhere different.