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<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.

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If 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>

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I 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.

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Shortly 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.

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Call 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.

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My 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.

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Sarah'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.

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Deep breaths.

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I chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .

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<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>

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. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this.

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[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]

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Carpe Diem, sisters!   (And token brothers!)

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My 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!

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<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>

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The 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.

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What did I learn from all of this?  Wherever you go there you are.

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And sometimes where you go is warmer and much less expensive.

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And 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>

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Photography class.  Hmmm...Methinks I smell a future blog post.

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