By "found" he means "bought"

New wheels
Originally uploaded by average lavender

Friday Liz called me at work and clearly stated it was the day I was going to get a new bike. I stayed pretty skeptical until we started calling around SF bike shops searching for the right one: the Surly Long Haul Trucker. After being referred to three other shops the fourth, San Francisco Cyclery, came through: yes, they had a LHT, size 52 - in fact they had a whole bike and just a frame set. We hurriedly consulted George, jumped up and down, deposited a paycheck and set out. The girl who helped me was confident that the 52 was going to be too big and I believed her but felt growing panic and disappointment because there's no way they'd have any others in stock. Ooooh ye of little faith: they just *happened* to have a 50 hiding in the top row! Now there are plans for new handle bars - either the ones from my old bike (same drop style, just wider) or something a little more classic like the Albatross bars from Rivendell (of course.) I look forward to taking all the stickers off and some day getting a new stem that isn't as clunky and fat as the one it came with. This morning I took a little ride down to Mill Valley and back and it impressed upon me how out of shape I am.

We've also planted the beginning of our tiny potted garden: basil, parsley from Liz, one sun gold tomato plant from one of the women I work with, another sun gold because one just wasn't going to cut it, snap peas because George loves them, and lettuce to somehow inspire us to eat more salads. The tomatoes each have their own big pot and living across the driveway in front of the neighbors house because they get way more sun. Here's hoping it doesn't all die.