INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (9756,1,'2012-02-22 19:46:19','2012-02-23 02:46:19','[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-6','','','2012-02-22 19:46:19','2012-02-23 02:46:19','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(9757,1,'2012-02-22 19:46:50','2012-02-23 02:46:50','[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-7','','','2012-02-22 19:46:50','2012-02-23 02:46:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(9760,1,'2012-02-22 19:49:50','2012-02-23 02:49:50','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Revelation du Jour for all\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-9','','','2012-02-22 19:49:50','2012-02-23 02:49:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(9759,1,'2012-02-22 19:48:23','2012-02-23 02:48:23','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-698','','','2012-02-22 19:48:23','2012-02-23 02:48:23','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9758,1,'2012-02-22 19:47:46','2012-02-23 02:47:46','[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-8','','','2012-02-22 19:47:46','2012-02-23 02:47:46','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9761,1,'2012-02-22 19:50:31','2012-02-23 02:50:31','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Revelation du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-10','','','2012-02-22 19:50:31','2012-02-23 02:50:31','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(9762,1,'2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at Vincent\'s Bistro taste identical to those that I had eaten in France only one week prior.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-11','','','2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(9763,1,'2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at Vincent\'s Bistro taste identical to those that I had eaten in France only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-12','','','2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(9764,1,'2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at Vincent\'s Bistro taste identical to those that I had eaten in France only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-13','','','2012-02-22 19:51:50','2012-02-23 02:51:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(9766,1,'2012-02-22 19:52:50','2012-02-23 02:52:50','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at Vincent\'s Bistro taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-15','','','2012-02-22 19:52:50','2012-02-23 02:52:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(9765,1,'2012-02-22 19:52:47','2012-02-23 02:52:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at Vincent\'s Bistro taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-14','','','2012-02-22 19:52:47','2012-02-23 02:52:47','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(9768,1,'2012-02-22 19:53:50','2012-02-23 02:53:50','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-17','','','2012-02-22 19:53:50','2012-02-23 02:53:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(9767,1,'2012-02-22 19:53:35','2012-02-23 02:53:35','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-16','','','2012-02-22 19:53:35','2012-02-23 02:53:35','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(9769,1,'2012-02-22 19:54:08','2012-02-23 02:54:08','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-18','','','2012-02-22 19:54:08','2012-02-23 02:54:08','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9770,1,'2012-02-22 19:54:08','2012-02-23 02:54:08','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-19','','','2012-02-22 19:54:08','2012-02-23 02:54:08','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(9771,1,'2012-02-22 19:54:14','2012-02-23 02:54:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-20','','','2012-02-22 19:54:14','2012-02-23 02:54:14','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(9772,1,'2012-02-22 19:54:14','2012-02-23 02:54:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-21','','','2012-02-22 19:54:14','2012-02-23 02:54:14','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(9773,1,'2012-02-22 19:55:55','2012-02-23 02:55:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-22','','','2012-02-22 19:55:55','2012-02-23 02:55:55','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(9774,1,'2012-02-22 19:55:55','2012-02-23 02:55:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-23','','','2012-02-22 19:55:55','2012-02-23 02:55:55','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(9775,1,'2012-02-22 19:56:16','2012-02-23 02:56:16','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-24','','','2012-02-22 19:56:16','2012-02-23 02:56:16','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(9776,1,'2012-02-23 19:11:40','2012-02-24 02:11:40','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-699','','','2012-02-23 19:11:40','2012-02-24 02:11:40','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9777,1,'2012-02-23 19:13:26','2012-02-24 02:13:26','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-700','','','2012-02-23 19:13:26','2012-02-24 02:13:26','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9778,1,'2012-02-23 19:39:39','2012-02-24 02:39:39','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes where you are is warmer and much less expensive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of where you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look like <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-25','','','2012-02-23 19:39:39','2012-02-24 02:39:39','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(9780,1,'2012-02-23 19:42:39','2012-02-24 02:42:39','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look like <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-27','','','2012-02-23 19:42:39','2012-02-24 02:42:39','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(9779,1,'2012-02-23 19:40:08','2012-02-24 02:40:08','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you are is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of where you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look like <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-26','','','2012-02-23 19:40:08','2012-02-24 02:40:08','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(9781,1,'2012-02-23 19:42:47','2012-02-24 02:42:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-28','','','2012-02-23 19:42:47','2012-02-24 02:42:47','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(9782,1,'2012-02-23 19:42:47','2012-02-24 02:42:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-29','','','2012-02-23 19:42:47','2012-02-24 02:42:47','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(9783,1,'2012-02-23 19:44:05','2012-02-24 02:44:05','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-30','','','2012-02-23 19:44:05','2012-02-24 02:44:05','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(9784,1,'2012-02-23 19:44:05','2012-02-24 02:44:05','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-31','','','2012-02-23 19:44:05','2012-02-24 02:44:05','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(9785,1,'2012-02-23 19:44:39','2012-02-24 02:44:39','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9750\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9777\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-32','','','2012-02-23 19:44:39','2012-02-24 02:44:39','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(9786,1,'2012-02-23 19:44:39','2012-02-24 02:44:39','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-33','','','2012-02-23 19:44:39','2012-02-24 02:44:39','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(9787,1,'2012-02-23 19:45:38','2012-02-24 02:45:38','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>picked myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-34','','','2012-02-23 19:45:38','2012-02-24 02:45:38','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(9788,1,'2012-02-23 19:45:38','2012-02-24 02:45:38','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>picked myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-35','','','2012-02-23 19:45:38','2012-02-24 02:45:38','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(9789,1,'2012-02-23 19:46:45','2012-02-24 02:46:45','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-36','','','2012-02-23 19:46:45','2012-02-24 02:46:45','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(9790,1,'2012-02-23 19:46:45','2012-02-24 02:46:45','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-37','','','2012-02-23 19:46:45','2012-02-24 02:46:45','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(9791,1,'2012-02-23 19:47:40','2012-02-24 02:47:40','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-38','','','2012-02-23 19:47:40','2012-02-24 02:47:40','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(9792,1,'2012-02-23 19:47:40','2012-02-24 02:47:40','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-39','','','2012-02-23 19:47:40','2012-02-24 02:47:40','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(9793,1,'2012-02-23 19:48:17','2012-02-24 02:48:17','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-40','','','2012-02-23 19:48:17','2012-02-24 02:48:17','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(9794,1,'2012-02-23 19:48:17','2012-02-24 02:48:17','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-41','','','2012-02-23 19:48:17','2012-02-24 02:48:17','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(9795,1,'2012-02-23 19:49:22','2012-02-24 02:49:22','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-42','','','2012-02-23 19:49:22','2012-02-24 02:49:22','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(9796,1,'2012-02-23 19:49:22','2012-02-24 02:49:22','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will look evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-43','','','2012-02-23 19:49:22','2012-02-24 02:49:22','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(9797,1,'2012-02-23 19:53:24','2012-02-24 02:53:24','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-44','','','2012-02-23 19:53:24','2012-02-24 02:53:24','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(9798,1,'2012-02-23 19:53:25','2012-02-24 02:53:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-45','','','2012-02-23 19:53:25','2012-02-24 02:53:25','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(9799,1,'2012-02-23 19:54:44','2012-02-24 02:54:44','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-46','','','2012-02-23 19:54:44','2012-02-24 02:54:44','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(9800,1,'2012-02-23 19:54:44','2012-02-24 02:54:44','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-47','','','2012-02-23 19:54:44','2012-02-24 02:54:44','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(9801,1,'2012-02-23 19:55:25','2012-02-24 02:55:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-48','','','2012-02-23 19:55:25','2012-02-24 02:55:25','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(9802,1,'2012-02-23 19:57:44','2012-02-24 02:57:44','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-autosave','','','2012-02-23 19:57:44','2012-02-24 02:57:44','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(9803,1,'2012-02-23 19:55:25','2012-02-24 02:55:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-49','','','2012-02-23 19:55:25','2012-02-24 02:55:25','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(9804,1,'2012-02-23 19:57:48','2012-02-24 02:57:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-50','','','2012-02-23 19:57:48','2012-02-24 02:57:48','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(9805,1,'2012-02-23 19:57:48','2012-02-24 02:57:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-51','','','2012-02-23 19:57:48','2012-02-24 02:57:48','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(9806,1,'2012-02-23 19:58:49','2012-02-24 02:58:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-52','','','2012-02-23 19:58:49','2012-02-24 02:58:49','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(9807,1,'2012-02-23 19:58:50','2012-02-24 02:58:50','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that these croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-53','','','2012-02-23 19:58:50','2012-02-24 02:58:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(9808,1,'2012-02-23 20:00:48','2012-02-24 03:00:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-54','','','2012-02-23 20:00:48','2012-02-24 03:00:48','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(9809,1,'2012-02-23 20:00:48','2012-02-24 03:00:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal.  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-55','','','2012-02-23 20:00:48','2012-02-24 03:00:48','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(9810,1,'2012-02-23 20:02:03','2012-02-24 03:02:03','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-56','','','2012-02-23 20:02:03','2012-02-24 03:02:03','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(9811,1,'2012-02-23 20:02:03','2012-02-24 03:02:03','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-57','','','2012-02-23 20:02:03','2012-02-24 03:02:03','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(9812,1,'2012-02-23 20:03:11','2012-02-24 03:03:11','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes wherever you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-58','','','2012-02-23 20:03:11','2012-02-24 03:03:11','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(9813,1,'2012-02-23 20:03:11','2012-02-24 03:03:11','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for 8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes wherever you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-59','','','2012-02-23 20:03:11','2012-02-24 03:03:11','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(9814,1,'2012-02-23 20:03:35','2012-02-24 03:03:35','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for $8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes wherever you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-60','','','2012-02-23 20:03:35','2012-02-24 03:03:35','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(9815,1,'2012-02-23 20:03:36','2012-02-24 03:03:36','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for $8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes wherever you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-61','','','2012-02-23 20:03:36','2012-02-24 03:03:36','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(9816,1,'2012-02-23 20:05:19','2012-02-24 03:05:19','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-698/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9759\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9759\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>You may recall my recent history with bicycling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\">I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and rode all over again</a> </strong>after the accident.  Once.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShortly after I returned home, a friend of mine who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS! -- was nipped by a car while cycling.  She was knocked unconscious and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike since I\'ve been back home.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is NO THREAT OF DEATH while I\'m working out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, except that Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.  Darn.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah had been itching for a bike riding playdate in order to better enjoy our stunning \"winter\" weather.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDeep breaths.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and My Birthday Twin. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-697/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9750\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCarpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Happy Discovery du Jour for all of my peeps who happen to reside in my fair city:  The croissants at <a href=\"https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/bistro/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vincent\'s Market Bistro</strong> </a>taste identical to <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/07/photo-du-jour-petit-dejeuner/\" target=\"_blank\">those that I had eaten in France</a></strong> only one week prior.  Oo la la!  Vive la Phoenix!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-699/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9776\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9776\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/playdate-7-bicycling-to-the-bistro/olympus-digital-camera-700/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9777\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9777\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe only difference was that Vincent\'s croissants were free of charge.  A complimentary surprise before the meal!  After the meal you receive yet another surprise:  a gratis petite dessert.  All for $8.50.  God Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes wherever you go is warmer and much less expensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd sometimes you are so wrapped up in the excitement of wherever you are that you forget to change the macro/super macro settings on your camera and your photos come out blurry.  Your blog readers are too kind to say anything, but you know deep down that you probably should explore the possibility of a photography class and a better camera so that your food photos will eventually evolve into <strong><a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/pots-de-creme-a-lorange/\" target=\"_blank\">this.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotography class.  Hmmm . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMethinks I smell a future blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-62','','','2012-02-23 20:05:19','2012-02-24 03:05:19','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/23/9749-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(9817,1,'2010-12-12 21:35:40','2010-12-13 04:35:40','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30: Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-43','','','2010-12-12 21:35:40','2010-12-13 04:35:40','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/12/1309-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(9821,1,'2012-02-27 20:21:44','2012-02-28 03:21:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my procrastination problem dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting these linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-2','','','2012-02-27 20:21:44','2012-02-28 03:21:44','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(9822,1,'2012-02-27 20:21:45','2012-02-28 03:21:45','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my procrastination problem dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting these linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-3','','','2012-02-27 20:21:45','2012-02-28 03:21:45','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(9826,1,'2012-02-27 20:23:21','2012-02-28 03:23:21','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting these linger through March.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-7','','','2012-02-27 20:23:21','2012-02-28 03:23:21','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(9823,1,'2012-02-27 20:22:16','2012-02-28 03:22:16','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting these linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-4','','','2012-02-27 20:22:16','2012-02-28 03:22:16','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(9824,1,'2012-02-27 20:22:16','2012-02-28 03:22:16','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting these linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-5','','','2012-02-27 20:22:16','2012-02-28 03:22:16','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(9825,1,'2012-02-27 20:23:15','2012-02-28 03:23:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-6','','','2012-02-27 20:23:15','2012-02-28 03:23:15','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(9827,1,'2012-02-27 20:23:34','2012-02-28 03:23:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9819\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-8','','','2012-02-27 20:23:34','2012-02-28 03:23:34','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9835,1,'2012-02-27 20:26:56','2012-02-28 03:26:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-15','','','2012-02-27 20:26:56','2012-02-28 03:26:56','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(9828,1,'2012-02-27 20:23:34','2012-02-28 03:23:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-9','','','2012-02-27 20:23:34','2012-02-28 03:23:34','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(9829,1,'2012-02-27 20:24:32','2012-02-28 03:24:32','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you a Christmas straggler, too?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-10','','','2012-02-27 20:24:32','2012-02-28 03:24:32','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(9830,1,'2012-02-27 20:29:03','2012-02-28 03:29:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-autosave','','','2012-02-27 20:29:03','2012-02-28 03:29:03','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(9831,1,'2012-02-27 20:24:32','2012-02-28 03:24:32','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but now it\'s time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you a Christmas straggler, too?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-11','','','2012-02-27 20:24:32','2012-02-28 03:24:32','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(9834,1,'2012-02-27 20:26:56','2012-02-28 03:26:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-14','','','2012-02-27 20:26:56','2012-02-28 03:26:56','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(9832,1,'2012-02-27 20:25:56','2012-02-28 03:25:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-12','','','2012-02-27 20:25:56','2012-02-28 03:25:56','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(9833,1,'2012-02-27 20:25:56','2012-02-28 03:25:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-there-any-other-christmas-stragglers-out-there/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are there any other Christmas stragglers out there?  ','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-13','','','2012-02-27 20:25:56','2012-02-28 03:25:56','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(9836,1,'2012-02-27 20:27:59','2012-02-28 03:27:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-16','','','2012-02-27 20:27:59','2012-02-28 03:27:59','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(9837,1,'2012-02-27 20:27:59','2012-02-28 03:27:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited France at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-17','','','2012-02-27 20:27:59','2012-02-28 03:27:59','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(9838,1,'2012-02-27 20:29:22','2012-02-28 03:29:22','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/17/playdate-5-a-week-in-the-french-alps/\" target=\"_blank\">France</a></strong> at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-18','','','2012-02-27 20:29:22','2012-02-28 03:29:22','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9839,1,'2012-02-27 20:29:22','2012-02-28 03:29:22','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/17/playdate-5-a-week-in-the-french-alps/\" target=\"_blank\">France</a></strong> at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-19','','','2012-02-27 20:29:22','2012-02-28 03:29:22','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(9840,1,'2012-02-27 20:30:06','2012-02-28 03:30:06','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/img00045-20120226-1701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9819\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9819\" title=\"IMG00045-20120226-1701\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00045-20120226-1701.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease tell me that I\'m not alone in my <del>procrastination</del> <del>problem</del> dirty little secret.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI actually felt understood when I visited <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/17/playdate-5-a-week-in-the-french-alps/\" target=\"_blank\">France</a></strong> at the end of January/early February.  The French still had holly and wreaths everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s now February 28th, peeps.  I suppose I\'ve enjoyed the Christmas cheer these past few weeks, but it\'s now time to let go.  I will not embarrass myself by letting this linger through March.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank goodness it\'s Leap Year.  I get an extra day!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Fess up, sisters!  Who has Christmas decor that just won\'t go away?  I know you\'re out there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are You a Christmas Straggler, Too?','','inherit','open','open','','9818-revision-20','','','2012-02-27 20:30:06','2012-02-28 03:30:06','',9818,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/27/9818-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(9841,1,'2011-01-30 17:22:36','2011-01-31 00:22:36','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3671\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trading Spaces 2006\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Trading-Spaces-034.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3671\" title=\"Trading Spaces 034\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Trading-Spaces-034-300x224.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A few days ago, a friend emailed and asked if I would be interested in applying for a TV show spot. Here\'s her note:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Hi, friends,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have a friend that has an intergrity-based tv show he wants to produce that involves divorced or soon-to-be divorced women’s perspectives.  He is looking for people to interview as possible guests or material.  ..especially if you were “raked through the fire”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Would you be interested in sharing your story?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you are, we need name, age, times married, reason for divorce, occupation, a little bio if you have it, picture.  They are putting together a questionnaire, but this will get them started.  This is a group that is more interested in making a positive impact on the world than putting out the trash we see on the networks…I trust that this project will be one of integrity and good taste!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thanks for your help!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Katherine</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ffcc00;\">Golden Fortune Interiors, LLC</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.goldenfortuneinteriors.com/\"><span style=\"color: #ffcc00;\">www.goldenfortuneinteriors.com</span></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Good Design Brings Good Fortune!</span></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>[Katherine is one of my most eclectically cool friends.  We\'ll explore her world more at another time in another blog post.  :-) ]</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Wow.  It\'s been awhile since my 15 minutes of fame on </strong></span></span><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Trading Spaces. </strong></span></span><span style=\"font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>I\'m game! </strong></span></span></span></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wow again.  I\'m not a \"past\" person.  I learn the lesson and then move on.  I\'m a \"future\" person who strives to live fully in the present.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Newer friends in my life are always surprised when they hear that I was married long, long ago because my marriage/divorce/ex-husband just don\'t resurface in my present life.  So why would I delve into the muck of ten years ago for a TV gig?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Precisely because my past does not affect my present.  I\'ve never thought of this before (although my friend, Sarah, has suggested it), but I suppose I am somewhat of an example of hope for women who are presently or recently in the muck.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Here\'s what I submitted to the TV Powers-That-Be aka \"Joe\":</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Hello, there.  Thanks for the opportunity to share my story with you.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here are the details you asked for below:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Name:</strong> Michelle DeSpain</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Age: </strong><em>Very early</em> fortysomething.  Ahem.  41.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Times married:</strong> Once</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reason for the divorce:  The cliché.  (He cheated.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But we all know that the marriage is broken before it gets to that point.  So again, it was the cliché – I was young, naïve, and felt pressure to marry before 30.  I fell for looks and charm.  I saw the red flags flying high long before the wedding and turned my head the other way. <strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I dreamed of a soulmate, and I was told that I’ve always kept my head in the clouds…the hopeless romantic…soulmates don’t exist.  I settled.</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Fast forward to present day –</span></span></strong> <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I don’t believe that there is one soulmate for everyone, but I do believe that we resonate with kindred spirits. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For me, that means that we share many common interests, values, dreams and a positive disposition and outlook on life.  Sadly, I didn’t share these with my ex-husband.  It now seems like a lifetime ago that we were together (we divorced in early 2001), so I look back and wonder, “What was I thinking?!?!?”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The divorce was crushing to me.  Divorce was foreign to me.  My parents are still together and <em>still love each other</em>.  Go figure!  My sister is married to her high school sweetheart and best friend.  I was beyond devastated.  It took time, but I healed.  Completely.  I feel no residual negative feelings from the divorce.  (It helped that I could detach completely from my ex since we never had children.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am proud of the strong woman that I evolved into through my experiences.  I am no longer naïve.  I will always be a <em>hopeful</em> romantic.  It’s my nature.  I feel no pressure to rush into relationships for the wrong reasons.  I don’t settle.  I am serial single, and I am perfectly content in staying that way until Mr. Right-for-Me (and vice-versa) shows up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Occupation:</strong> sales (paid), blogger (unpaid -- darn it), former teacher (lifetime achievement award)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Bio: </strong>Please visit here: <strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\"><strong>http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Another reason why I’m serial single:  I don’t have time to date unless he’s a <em>really good sport</em> and want join me in my shenanigans.  :-)  Find out why here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\"><strong>http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thanks again!  What is the next step in this process?  I look forward to hearing from you.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Best,</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>*******************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you live in my fair city and would like to submit your story to Joe, please let me know, and I will send the information to you.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 123:  Spontaneous TV Show \"Audition\"','','inherit','open','open','','3667-revision-18','','','2011-01-30 17:22:36','2011-01-31 00:22:36','',3667,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/30/3667-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9846,1,'2012-02-29 19:26:29','2012-03-01 02:26:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-2','','','2012-02-29 19:26:29','2012-03-01 02:26:29','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(9847,1,'2012-02-29 19:26:29','2012-03-01 02:26:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-3','','','2012-02-29 19:26:29','2012-03-01 02:26:29','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(9848,1,'2012-02-29 19:26:36','2012-03-01 02:26:36','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-4','','','2012-02-29 19:26:36','2012-03-01 02:26:36','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(9849,1,'2012-02-29 19:26:36','2012-03-01 02:26:36','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-5','','','2012-02-29 19:26:36','2012-03-01 02:26:36','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(9850,1,'2012-02-29 19:29:18','2012-03-01 02:29:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-6','','','2012-02-29 19:29:18','2012-03-01 02:29:18','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(9851,1,'2012-02-29 19:29:18','2012-03-01 02:29:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-7','','','2012-02-29 19:29:18','2012-03-01 02:29:18','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(9852,1,'2012-02-29 19:51:33','2012-03-01 02:51:33','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I was trying to make sense of an unfortunate discovery.  Previously, I thought schmuckiness was limited to the men of my fair city.  While visiting France, I learned that schmuckiness is apparently a global problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirror cracks, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong>Franciscan Renewal Center</strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the center in passing, and I recalled a visit years ago.  I was compelled to look them up on their website.  I was immediately drawn to The Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-8','','','2012-02-29 19:51:33','2012-03-01 02:51:33','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9853,1,'2012-02-29 19:51:33','2012-03-01 02:51:33','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I was trying to make sense of an unfortunate discovery.  Previously, I thought schmuckiness was limited to the men of my fair city.  While visiting France, I learned that schmuckiness is apparently a global problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirror cracks, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong>Franciscan Renewal Center</strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the center in passing, and I recalled a visit years ago.  I was compelled to look them up on their website.  I was immediately drawn to The Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-9','','','2012-02-29 19:51:33','2012-03-01 02:51:33','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(9856,1,'2012-02-29 19:58:34','2012-03-01 02:58:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-12','','','2012-02-29 19:58:34','2012-03-01 02:58:34','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(9854,1,'2012-02-29 19:57:02','2012-03-01 02:57:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I was trying to make sense of an unfortunate discovery.  Previously, I thought schmuckiness was limited to the men of my fair city.  While visiting France, I learned that schmuckiness is apparently a global problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-10','','','2012-02-29 19:57:02','2012-03-01 02:57:02','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(9855,1,'2012-02-29 19:57:02','2012-03-01 02:57:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I was trying to make sense of an unfortunate discovery.  Previously, I thought schmuckiness was limited to the men of my fair city.  While visiting France, I learned that schmuckiness is apparently a global problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-11','','','2012-02-29 19:57:02','2012-03-01 02:57:02','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(9857,1,'2012-02-29 19:58:34','2012-03-01 02:58:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-13','','','2012-02-29 19:58:34','2012-03-01 02:58:34','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(9858,1,'2012-02-29 19:58:42','2012-03-01 02:58:42','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-14','','','2012-02-29 19:58:42','2012-03-01 02:58:42','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(9859,1,'2012-02-29 19:58:42','2012-03-01 02:58:42','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Renewal Center.  I was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-15','','','2012-02-29 19:58:42','2012-03-01 02:58:42','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(9860,1,'2012-02-29 20:01:08','2012-03-01 03:01:08','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing recently.  What better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-16','','','2012-02-29 20:01:08','2012-03-01 03:01:08','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(9861,1,'2012-03-01 20:09:07','2012-03-02 03:09:07','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-702','','','2012-03-01 20:09:07','2012-03-02 03:09:07','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9862,1,'2012-02-29 20:01:08','2012-03-01 03:01:08','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those bloody cock-eyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing recently.  What better place to restore dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-17','','','2012-02-29 20:01:08','2012-03-01 03:01:08','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/29/9842-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(9863,1,'2012-03-01 20:15:10','2012-03-02 03:15:10','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-18','','','2012-03-01 20:15:10','2012-03-02 03:15:10','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9864,1,'2012-03-01 20:15:10','2012-03-02 03:15:10','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-19','','','2012-03-01 20:15:10','2012-03-02 03:15:10','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(9867,1,'2012-03-01 20:17:24','2012-03-02 03:17:24','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-22','','','2012-03-01 20:17:24','2012-03-02 03:17:24','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(9865,1,'2012-03-01 20:16:39','2012-03-02 03:16:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-20','','','2012-03-01 20:16:39','2012-03-02 03:16:39','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(9866,1,'2012-03-01 20:16:39','2012-03-02 03:16:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-21','','','2012-03-01 20:16:39','2012-03-02 03:16:39','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(9868,1,'2012-03-01 20:17:24','2012-03-02 03:17:24','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-23','','','2012-03-01 20:17:24','2012-03-02 03:17:24','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(9869,1,'2012-03-01 20:20:32','2012-03-02 03:20:32','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9843\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9861\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-24','','','2012-03-01 20:20:32','2012-03-02 03:20:32','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(9929,1,'2012-03-09 01:11:19','2012-03-09 08:11:19','[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m really into these photo gallery posts lately.  Forgive me.  I\'ll return to my normal posts with a photo or two or three soon.  How could I <em>not</em> post a gallery of photos after returning from a real live Dog Show?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you already know, I\'m a big fan of dogs.  I\'m particularly fond of <strong><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\">this dog</a></strong>, but I love all dogs.  When Megan invited me to the biggest dog show in Arizona, I immediately accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had been to a dog show a looooooong time ago.  In fact, it was so long ago that I forgot about it until my mother reminded me.  That\'s right, my 60-something mother has a better memory than I do.  Scary.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow I <em>do</em> remember watching the National Dog Show after the Macy\'s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year.   <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/28/day-62-pie-for-breakfast-its-good-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\">It\'s an honored tradition.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut this Arizona dog show was even more special.  One of the contestants was featured in one of my favorite blog posts of all time:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/day-29-puppy-breath/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Puppy Breath.</strong> </a>  (I may love all dogs, but I absolutely fall to pieces over puppies.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat little floppy-eared bunny look-alike in the Puppy Breath photos is all grown up and pictured in the top row of today\'s photo gallery!  Can you stand it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRory performed well for his group, but he didn\'t advance to Best in Show.  Obviously, there would have been a very different outcome had I been asked to judge.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t stay until the end of the day to see who won the grand prize.  I didn\'t need to.  They\'re all Best in Show to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>Photo Gallery Glossary pictured left to right and top to bottom:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRory all grown up\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRory posing for the judge\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe floppy-eared bunny boy returns!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you like my pre-show hairdo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIbizan hound and Italian Greyhound (I\'m partial to sighthounds.  Remember my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/01/day-126-an-odd-mix-of-puppy-power-mr-anal-retentive-hiker-guy/\" target=\"_blank\">Woofie</a></strong>?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPoodle spa day\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I vant to be alone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nfor my fam:  The Whippets!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nfor the fam again:  Memories of our sweet Griffin the Whippet\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4068228/The-Artist-Film-star-dog-Uggie-was-nearly-put-down.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Celebrity doppelganger </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTalk about a hairdo!  This Afghan Hound is a therapy dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA happy and bouncy Portuguese Water Dog (rescued and newly adopted!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIrish Wolfhound -- the Gentle Giants of the Dog World\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne pooped pooch\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid I say I was partial to <strong><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighthound\" target=\"_blank\">sighthounds</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #10:  They\'re All Best in Show to Me','','publish','open','open','','playdate-10-theyre-all-best-in-show-to-me','','','2012-03-08 22:12:20','2012-03-09 05:12:20','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=9929',0,'post','',1),(9871,1,'2012-03-01 20:20:32','2012-03-02 03:20:32','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look them up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-25','','','2012-03-01 20:20:32','2012-03-02 03:20:32','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(9872,1,'2012-03-01 20:22:02','2012-03-02 03:22:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-26','','','2012-03-01 20:22:02','2012-03-02 03:22:02','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(9873,1,'2012-03-01 20:22:03','2012-03-02 03:22:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-27','','','2012-03-01 20:22:03','2012-03-02 03:22:03','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(9874,1,'2012-03-01 20:24:18','2012-03-02 03:24:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever entered a Labyrinth?  If you feel open to it, please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-28','','','2012-03-01 20:24:18','2012-03-02 03:24:18','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(9875,1,'2012-03-01 20:24:18','2012-03-02 03:24:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever entered a Labyrinth?  If you feel open to it, please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-29','','','2012-03-01 20:24:18','2012-03-02 03:24:18','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(9876,1,'2012-03-01 20:25:13','2012-03-02 03:25:13','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a>!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever entered a Labyrinth?  If you feel open to it, please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','inherit','open','open','','9842-revision-30','','','2012-03-01 20:25:13','2012-03-02 03:25:13','',9842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/01/9842-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(9877,1,'2012-03-03 10:35:56','2012-03-03 17:35:56','','sf_participant_100x100','','inherit','open','open','','sf_participant_100x100','','','2012-03-03 10:35:56','2012-03-03 17:35:56','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sf_participant_100x100.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(9878,1,'2012-03-07 01:11:22','2012-03-07 08:11:22','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>Peachy Keen Photo Gallery Glossary pictured left to right and top to bottom:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>(I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.)</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','publish','open','open','','playdate-9-just-peachy','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/','2012-03-06 19:49:50','2012-03-07 02:49:50','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=9878',0,'post','',7),(9879,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:13','2012-03-06 02:56:13','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-7','','','2012-03-05 19:56:13','2012-03-06 02:56:13','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',2),(9880,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:20','2012-03-06 02:56:20','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-8','','','2012-03-05 19:56:20','2012-03-06 02:56:20','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9881,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:26','2012-03-06 02:56:26','','IMG00042-20120225-1554','','inherit','open','open','','img00042-20120225-1554','','','2012-03-05 19:56:26','2012-03-06 02:56:26','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00042-20120225-1554.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9882,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:33','2012-03-06 02:56:33','','IMG00041-20120225-1544','','inherit','open','open','','img00041-20120225-1544','','','2012-03-05 19:56:33','2012-03-06 02:56:33','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00041-20120225-1544.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9883,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:39','2012-03-06 02:56:39','','IMG00040-20120225-1541','','inherit','open','open','','img00040-20120225-1541','','','2012-03-05 19:56:39','2012-03-06 02:56:39','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00040-20120225-1541.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9884,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:46','2012-03-06 02:56:46','','IMG00039-20120225-1524','','inherit','open','open','','img00039-20120225-1524','','','2012-03-05 19:56:46','2012-03-06 02:56:46','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00039-20120225-1524.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9885,1,'2012-03-05 19:56:53','2012-03-06 02:56:53','','IMG00030-20120225-1443','','inherit','open','open','','img00030-20120225-1443','','','2012-03-05 19:56:53','2012-03-06 02:56:53','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00030-20120225-1443.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9886,1,'2012-03-05 19:57:00','2012-03-06 02:57:00','','IMG00031-20120225-1443','','inherit','open','open','','img00031-20120225-1443','','','2012-03-05 19:57:00','2012-03-06 02:57:00','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00031-20120225-1443.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9887,1,'2012-03-05 19:57:07','2012-03-06 02:57:07','','IMG00034-20120225-1447','','inherit','open','open','','img00034-20120225-1447','','','2012-03-05 19:57:07','2012-03-06 02:57:07','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00034-20120225-1447.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9888,1,'2012-03-05 20:00:10','2012-03-06 03:00:10','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-9','','','2012-03-05 20:00:10','2012-03-06 03:00:10','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9889,1,'2012-03-05 20:00:16','2012-03-06 03:00:16','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-10','','','2012-03-05 20:00:16','2012-03-06 03:00:16','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9890,1,'2012-03-05 20:00:46','2012-03-06 03:00:46','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-11','','','2012-03-05 20:00:46','2012-03-06 03:00:46','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9891,1,'2012-03-05 20:00:53','2012-03-06 03:00:53','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-12','','','2012-03-05 20:00:53','2012-03-06 03:00:53','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9892,1,'2012-03-05 20:01:16','2012-03-06 03:01:16','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-13','','','2012-03-05 20:01:16','2012-03-06 03:01:16','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo6.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9893,1,'2012-03-05 20:09:45','2012-03-06 03:09:45','','IMG00021-20120225-1428','','inherit','open','open','','img00021-20120225-1428','','','2012-03-05 20:09:45','2012-03-06 03:09:45','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG00021-20120225-1428.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9980,1,'2012-03-15 01:11:06','2012-03-15 08:11:06','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6185/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10008\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-10008 alignleft\" title=\"DSCF6185\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6185-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Groupon, I can hardly remember life without you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWithout you, I would have never <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/27/day-300-climb-every-mountain-or-every-rock-gym-wall-if-its-112-degrees-outside/\" target=\"_blank\">felt the fear and climbed that rock gym wall anyway.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWithout you, I would have never <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/05/189-urban-scavenger-hunt/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>challenged myself in the concrete jungle</strong>.</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWithout you, I would have never learned that biscotti means \"twice baked\".  (Even though biscotti is actually thrice baked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNor would I have ever been taught how to bake biscotti in the comfort of my own home by Phoenix\'s Best Biscotti Bakeress.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroupon, if you were a man, I would immediately and shamelessly solicit an invitation for a hot date.  (Although I\'m kinda sorta not dating until after April 30th because I\'ve taken on yet another <a href=\"http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>extreme \"project\"</strong>.</a>  If you stick around until May 1st, I\'m worth the wait.  But you\'re not a man, you\'re a cyber-coupon, so why am I even waxing on about this?  It\'s embarrassing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroupon, enough of the man talk.  Thank you for introducing me to Regina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRegina is a real live Italian-American woman.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRegina was a biscotti apprentice of her grandmother who is a real live Italian woman.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis translates into Regina knowing how to bake one heck of a biscotti!  (Not once, not twice, but thrice!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd since she also happens to be a savvy businesswoman, she has transformed her skill and passion into<strong> <a href=\"http://sweetitaliano.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Sweet Italiano</a></strong> -- a culinary adventure for the masses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what you can expect when you invite the dynamo that is Regina into your kitchen to work her magic.  And mark my words, you will solicit her services pronto!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live outside of my fair city, fret not!  Regina will bake biscotti of almost any flavor imaginable and<a href=\"http://sweetitaliano.com/revieworder-desserts.html\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>mail it fresh to your doorstep</strong></a> for an insanely reasonable fee!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRegina enters your kitchen with cartons of culinary goodies including pre-measured ingredients, recipes, utensils, aprons, chef hats, Italian mood music, photos from Italia, an espresso service, homemade vanilla &amp; anise extracts and 12 year-old parmesan cheese.  (As for the cheese, it\'s a long story.  Every party needs a conversation piece.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that I think of it, Regina is The Mary Poppins of Baking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6174/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9984\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9984\" title=\"DSCF6174\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6174-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRegina also plays the role of Official Photographer for your event.  All you have to do is sit back, relax, and stir.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6177/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9985\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9985\" title=\"DSCF6177\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6177-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd chop.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6184/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9986\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9986\" title=\"DSCF6184\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6184-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd mold the edges of the dough using an Ancient Italian Secret Technique passed down by Regina\'s Nonna.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6191/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9987\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9987\" title=\"DSCF6191\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6191-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVery good, bellas!  Now it\'s time to place the logs into the oven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6195/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9992\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9992\" title=\"DSCF6195\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6195-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how many times are we going to cook those logs of delectableness, ladies and 3 token gents?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot once, not twice, but THRICE!  (I\'m obviously infatuated with that word.  It\'s exceedingly fun to say, and how often do we ever get to use it?  Shakespearean actors?  All the time.  Contemporary peeps in our fair cities?  Never.  Until now!  Huzzah!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter the first baking, you cut the logs of delectableness with an Ancient Italian Secret Technique passed down to Regina by her Padre (who just so happens to be a real live Professional Chef).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6198/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9997\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9997\" title=\"DSCF6198\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6198-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then bake twice, THRICE, and presto!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/dscf6205/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9998\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9998\" title=\"DSCF6205\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSCF6205-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor the perfect finishing touch . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/15/playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class/olympus-digital-camera-717/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9999\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9999\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/P3110006-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe espresso is ordered online and shipped from Italy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone who knows me would tell you that I am very . . .  <em>particular</em> about my espresso.  I would just tell you straight out that I am an espresso snob.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPreviously, I purchased only Illy.  Now, I will turn over half my paycheck to a <a href=\"http://www.espressovero.com/attibassi_products.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>company in Bologna</strong> </a>because their espresso is <em>orgasmic</em>.  And since I\'m currently not dating, I need to get my kicks somehow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  Hey, Mom -- We all sampled the raw dough and no one contracted salmonella!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever baked biscotti?  How did yours turn out?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you need the tutelage of Regina aka Phoenix\'s Best Biscotti Bakeress aka The Mary Poppins of Baking, you can reach her at 708.927.7803.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCiao, miei amici!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #11:  In-Home Biscotti Baking Class','','publish','open','open','','playdate-11-in-home-biscotti-baking-class','','','2012-03-14 20:34:25','2012-03-15 03:34:25','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=9980',0,'post','',7),(9895,1,'2012-03-05 19:51:06','2012-03-06 02:51:06','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision','','','2012-03-05 19:51:06','2012-03-06 02:51:06','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(9896,1,'2012-03-05 20:29:18','2012-03-06 03:29:18','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was homemade peach pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach Blossom Festival\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-2','','','2012-03-05 20:29:18','2012-03-06 03:29:18','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(9897,1,'2012-03-05 20:35:18','2012-03-06 03:35:18','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was homemade peach pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-3','','','2012-03-05 20:35:18','2012-03-06 03:35:18','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(9898,1,'2012-03-05 20:38:18','2012-03-06 03:38:18','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was homemade peach pie at .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-4','','','2012-03-05 20:38:18','2012-03-06 03:38:18','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(9899,1,'2012-03-05 20:39:54','2012-03-06 03:39:54','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-5','','','2012-03-05 20:39:54','2012-03-06 03:39:54','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(9900,1,'2012-03-05 20:45:03','2012-03-06 03:45:03','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-6','','','2012-03-05 20:45:03','2012-03-06 03:45:03','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(9901,1,'2012-03-05 20:46:59','2012-03-06 03:46:59','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-7','','','2012-03-05 20:46:59','2012-03-06 03:46:59','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(9902,1,'2012-03-05 20:59:21','2012-03-06 03:59:21','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\nU Pick Garden at Schnepf Farms.  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-8','','','2012-03-05 20:59:21','2012-03-06 03:59:21','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9903,1,'2012-03-05 21:02:22','2012-03-06 04:02:22','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\nU Pick Garden at Schnepf Farms.  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-9','','','2012-03-05 21:02:22','2012-03-06 04:02:22','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(9904,1,'2012-03-05 21:02:28','2012-03-06 04:02:28','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely Schnepf Farms canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at Schnepf Farms.  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-10','','','2012-03-05 21:02:28','2012-03-06 04:02:28','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(9905,1,'2012-03-05 21:07:17','2012-03-06 04:07:17','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-11','','','2012-03-05 21:07:17','2012-03-06 04:07:17','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(9906,1,'2012-03-05 21:07:23','2012-03-06 04:07:23','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>When the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-12','','','2012-03-05 21:07:23','2012-03-06 04:07:23','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(9907,1,'2012-03-05 21:09:07','2012-03-06 04:09:07','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp 50 minutes out to the country with me to celebrate the mighty peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-13','','','2012-03-05 21:09:07','2012-03-06 04:09:07','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/05/9878-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(9909,1,'2012-03-06 19:34:26','2012-03-07 02:34:26','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies an hour away to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-15','','','2012-03-06 19:34:26','2012-03-07 02:34:26','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(9908,1,'2012-03-06 19:32:34','2012-03-07 02:32:34','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person asked skeptically about the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies 50 minutes out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-14','','','2012-03-06 19:32:34','2012-03-07 02:32:34','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(9910,1,'2012-03-06 19:35:47','2012-03-07 02:35:47','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it is sort of befitting for a blogger who has \"Bloom\" in her title to attend a Blossom Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Apricot.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And not romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (Trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-16','','','2012-03-06 19:35:47','2012-03-07 02:35:47','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(9911,1,'2012-03-06 19:38:28','2012-03-07 02:38:28','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\"><strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong></a>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two.  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-17','','','2012-03-06 19:38:28','2012-03-07 02:38:28','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(9913,1,'2012-03-06 19:41:22','2012-03-07 02:41:22','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI could almost taste the pie.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\"><strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong></a>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-autosave','','','2012-03-06 19:41:22','2012-03-07 02:41:22','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(9912,1,'2012-03-06 19:39:20','2012-03-07 02:39:20','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\"><strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong></a>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-18','','','2012-03-06 19:39:20','2012-03-07 02:39:20','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9914,1,'2012-03-06 19:40:17','2012-03-07 02:40:17','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\"><strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong></a>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-19','','','2012-03-06 19:40:17','2012-03-07 02:40:17','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(9915,1,'2012-03-06 19:43:04','2012-03-07 02:43:04','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\"><strong>I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.</strong></a>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-20','','','2012-03-06 19:43:04','2012-03-07 02:43:04','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(9916,1,'2012-03-06 19:44:01','2012-03-07 02:44:01','Not too long ago I passed a sign for a peach festival while driving to an olive oil mill just outside of Phoenix.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes any of this make sense to you?  An olive oil mill in the middle of the desert?  And (apparently) a peach orchard right next door?  Who woulda thunk it?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe olive oil mill visit was<em> fabulous</em>, and I made a note in my Crackberry (am I the only one in the world without an iPhone or Android at this point?) to return to the peach festival in late February.  Katie Ann agreed to schlepp an hour out to the country with me to celebrate the delectable peach.  For weeks, all I could think about was eating homemade peach pie at the festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff9900; font-size: medium;\"><strong>As the weekend of the festival approached, friends and my mother began to ask, \"Are peaches in season this time of year?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy standard reply:  \"Well, you know, it\'s Arizona.  The weather right now is a perfect 70 degrees.  I\'m sure that all that warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could almost taste the pie.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff9900;\"><strong>When the umpteenth person skeptically questioned the early peach season in Arizona, I consulted my Crackberry notepad.  There it was:  \"Peach <em>Blossom</em> Festival -- Schnepf Farms -- end of February\".</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo this meant Katie Ann and I were hauling our cookies all the way out to the country to look at blossoms?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know, I suppose it <em>is</em> sort of befitting for a blogger who has <em>Bloom</em> in her title to attend a <em>Blossom</em> Festival.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd surely <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms</a></strong> canned last season\'s peaches for pie.  Surely????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery order=\"DESC\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured left to right and top to bottom:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBlossoms.  Of the apricot variety.  (Not peach.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA Late Bloomer picking cabbage.  (Not peaches.  And <em>not</em> romaine, Katie Ann.)  (Inside joke.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeach buds.  (Not yet ready to be picked.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHay ride.  (Because that\'s what you do on a farm.  Yee haw!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSilly pig photo.  (Ditto above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOld farmhouse with Christmas wreath still up.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/28/are-you-a-christmas-straggler-too/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>(I was not alone in my Christmas straggling.)</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThings that make me go Awwwww.  (Farm animals that are one week old.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen animals attack!  (This one attacked trees and not humans, thankfully.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoat Gone Wild Part Two!  (Yes, he had escaped from his pen.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPEACH BLOSSOM!!!!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve joined the Green Smoothie Revolution.  (And kale is my green of choice.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nU Pick Garden at <strong><a href=\"http://schnepffarms.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Schnepf Farms.</a></strong>  (100% organic family farm = cool peeps = you should visit soon!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKatie Ann\'s harvest.  (I\'ve enlisted her and her boyfriend in the Green Smoothie Revolution.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t totally off about the early peach season.  (Whew!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomemade peach cinnamon roll.  (Yes, there was pie.  I forgot to take a picture of the pie, if you can believe it.  Humbug.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nP.S.  The pie was everything I dreamed it would be and MORE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich means I\'m off to the <em>other</em> Peach Festival (the one where you pick peaches) in May!  So that I can bake my own pie!  Who\'s coming with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #9:  Just Peachy','','inherit','open','open','','9878-revision-21','','','2012-03-06 19:44:01','2012-03-07 02:44:01','',9878,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/06/9878-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),