Today I received one of the best compliments I have ever received. However-it was meant to be critical-but criticism from those ignorant of purpose and meaning can, and often does, contradict its own original intention.

Anyways, a student informed me today that another student remarked that he did not like my class-because I made the class think, discuss and provide input.

How can one ask for a better compliment than that? I am officially doing my job-whoo hoo!

On another note, I realized earlier this week-when the temperature moved from "fall chill" to "God-forsaken cold"-that is was time to put my trainer tire on my bike, and bring him inside to ride in the luxury of my sunroom.

This is a sad change for me. I miss riding SO much, and while I am thankful that I have my trainer so I can keep spinning all winter, it's no match for the feeling of getting out-that feeling of freedom-just me & Hannibal, and the pavement under his tires.

I think back to last winter, when I couldn't ride, and also when life was, well, rough, due to the circumstances of that semester. I remember "dark"-because when I got to school, and when I left school, it was dark. I remember cold...both inside and out.

My life is so much calmer now. It's funny, I know there is no causality between the two-but my life began to get better about at the time I started riding again. Now, riding weather coincided with school ending, so it makes logical sense those two events would link up. But, somewhere in my psyche, the acknowledgement of riding season being "over" triggers a fear...kinda like Pavlov's dog responding to the bell.

However, I can either fear the inevitable season change, or find a way to work with it. Thus the trainer-and the realization that if time and weather permits, Hannibal and I will brave the elements. Then, riding season never really ends.

But I fear the cold...I just don't want what's outside to seep in again...