Back on the Mountain

It looks like it's going to be a happy new year indeed - I'm back on the mountain less than one year after surgery. While I was particularly nervous my first time out, more about the other people buzzing by me as I slowly snaked my way down. But I'm out there and I love it.

4 months post-surgery

Four months post-surgery and I am back on the bike - in France! After meeting our friends in Paris, we walked miles all over the city doing the usual tourist stuff. We are staying in an apartment in Montmarte - I feel like we are having a real neighborhood experience buying fresh bread, cheese and wine each day. We then travelled by TGV down to Annecy where we are now cycling the Piste around the lake. These folks take their cycling seriously here. This is my first time back on the bike since surgery in February and I am one slow poke in comparison (probably because I am nervous about falling off or doing something really stupid). But the scenery is breathtaking and the path is paved so it is a good introduciton back to the saddle. I could never have done this trip without having surgery.

My Book is Out

There is nothing more exciting for a writer than to publish that ever-elusive first book. Mine is finally out! Images of America: Bozeman (Arcadia Publishing 2008) is finally in bookstores. An ISBN number to finally call my own. The Pioneer Museum hosted my first book signing event which was quite the success. My partner in crime, Ann, the assistant director, made the whole process nothing short of wonderful. Nothing like that 15 minutes of fame.

You gotta love kids

It's Mother's Day and my youngest, age 10, woke me up "Good morning, mom. Happy Mother's Day! Can you get me something to eat?" How perfect is that?

Today was also my debut as a Chronicle columnist on the Sunday Op/Ed page. I have to admit, it was quite exciting to see it really happen.

Exhausted!

I am not one to nap during the day but today I was completely exhaused. I actually just gave up, laid down and took a nap. I don't knwo whether to think I am overdoing it or that this is the rogue tiredness they warned me about.

Ten weeks out yesterday. Hard to believe. It would be nice to be able to walk outside again but it is still snowing and I'm nervous about slipping on the ice. Things are going to well to screw them up now.