Got started on the book again today…

…and it feels good!

I have finally worked out the big thing that was blocking me–how to manage multiple riders over multiple days/years of riding–and am now happily at work on the chapter about why people ride. So far I’ve just started telling one story, that of a man whose brother died of AIDS (and whose partner recently became HIV+), but I like it. I’m still not quite sure how to handle Days 1-7, but I *feel* good about the book for the first time ever–I think I’ll be able to handle it. It makes a HUGE difference having been back on the Ride.

I’m having trouble figuring out how to fit everything I want into my busy schedule. I want to go to the gym three days a week, spend three days a week with B., do two bike rides on weekends, and incidentally write the book. I don’t think there’s enough time for all of these, so I may have to get creative/miss some days at the gym…the book takes priority over athletic prep for now. I want to see if I can get into a rhythm of writing…maybe half an hour every morning or something like that. I do my best creative work in the AM.

Meanwhile, I have a busy social calendar for the month of July, which doesn’t make things any easier. I have a party to go to on the 8th, a wedding on the 15th, another party on the 22nd, all of which cut into my ability to do long rides. I still plan to go up Page Mill regularly, though–I’ll just have to use my day “off” to do it, I guess. I liked riding Page Mill, I’d like to maintain my ability to do it.

This afternoon B. and I are making jam. We bought a half-flat (that’s six baskets) of strawberries and an entire box (about 12 pounds) of apricots at the farmer’s market yesterday, and are making strawberry preserves and apricot jam. My favorite recipe for apricot jam involves only apricots and a little bit of orange blossom honey–although I keep meaning to try it with a little bit of jasmine tea thrown in–but I’m going to let B. pick out a recipe for the strawberry jam. It’s just a pity I can’t use my recipe for sun-cooked strawberry jam, which is fantastic–it’s not sunny enough in the city to pull it off. But it should still be delicious.