the doctors visit prayer

I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. My last visit was three years ago in 2008. I feel the need for a prayer.
Dear Jesus, It's the needles you know. I see them and I get nervous. Like my momma, I have a very low tolerance for pain. Please help me to stay calm and think happy, relaxing thoughts, like water-skiing down the river in my underwear.  
I know that You are the Great Physician of us all. You guide the doctors to diagnose and keep us healthy, just like You use the angels to protect us. Thank you for keeping me healthy. 

five miles

Not alot going on today. I walked five miles in our neighborhood, early, because I wanted to avoid the heat. I was able to shave three minutes off of my time and I even carried a water bottle with me. When I walk in the "hood" I always do a couple of miles on the middle school track. There are usually other people on the track walking but this morning I was the only one. It's a very nice school with a big parking lot. I may ride my bike over there later.

earthquake

A 4.2 earthquake woke me up early this morning. It was centered in Southeast Missouri but it still rumbled the house and scared me. Hubby, who is a very sound sleeper and can sleep through an earthquake, did. They say to expect aftershocks.
Besides that, because we are a river town, we are expected to flood in the days and weeks ahead. We are a hilly little city; our house is at the bottom of one hill  but at the top of an even larger hill. Even so, it might wipe out the KATY, my favorite bike trail. I don't want that to happen.
I managed to tear myself away from the Casey Anthony murder trial and dodge the cicadas to walk 5.17 miles both today and yesterday. It is typical Missouri weather, steamy hot! 

book review

The Robert Redford book turned out to be a snooze but I finished it anyway because I had the time. I am now into The Man Who Ate His Boots by Anthony Brandt, which is the story of the search for the Northwest Passage. I am also reading through the Bible and I am now on 2 Kings.

The hot weather is making my clematis bloom like crazy!

bike rack

This is my fourth bike rack. The first one was made for an SUV. The second one disappeared. The third one (a cheapie from Target) was very hard for me to snap the straps. So being practical, I asked for this as a Christmas present and no one one in the family really thought I was serious about it so I bought it myself. I like it and guess what else, I've decided to buy a new bike to go alone with it. Can you believe I've been riding a hand-me-down bike all these years!!

salad recipe

This is a yummy salad recipe that was served a a catered family gathering over the week-end. I liked it so much I had to hunt down the recipe.

Mexican Corn Salad

2 cans yellow kernel corn, drained well
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced and chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced and chopped
1/2 purple onion, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
5 or 6 ounces of chili cheese flavor Frito corn chips

Mix all ingredients except the corn chips. Break up and add the chips before serving otherwise they will get soggy.

robert redford

I picked up the book Robert Redford The Biography by Michael Feeney Callan. I plan to get into it today as a commitment later this afternoon is keeping me away from the KATY, my favorite bike trail. The thirteen year cicadas have made their appearance so sitting outside on my porch swing makes me feel like I live on the prairie.