Want!

Today I rode my bike for just the second time this year. Tomorrow, I am going to run for the first time since last fall. I'm a little nervous, but mostly just looking forward to being in motion again.

Big Week

Yesterday, I got on my bicycle for the first time since probably Fall. I say probably because it has been so long, I honestly can't remember the last time I rode. The Physical Therapist greenlighted me to get back on board my bike a week and a half ago and I finally made the time. I would love to tell you about the roads, the traffic, the wind in my hair, the crispness of the day, but it was raining pretty much all day, so I rode on Sunday night...on the trainer. Clearly, this is not the kind of ride I had in mind, but the fact that I was in the saddle, pedaling, was a really good sign. I even had a little leg soreness when I woke up, but nothing debilitating.

The cool thing is that I am going to run/jog/walk some intervals tomorrow. I have missed being in motion for so long, I am beyond happy. The hardest part for me has been listening to the doctors/therapists and taking things slllloooooowwwwllllly. Hopefully I am wise enough (God knows I am old enough) to listen to that advice. Still, it has its frustrations, to be sure.

Fish or Cut Bait Stew

My church had a Souper Slurpoff Soup cooking competition to raise money for the youth activities and some missions trips they are taking. My contribution was, naturally, Fish or Cut Bait Stew. And, it's still cold enough outside to enjoy it.

2 tbs Olive Oil
1 stalk of celery, finely diced
Half large onion, finely diced
2 Containers of Nature's Promise Organic Chicken Broth (Low Sodium)
16 oz. can of diced plum tomatoes
1/2 stick of pepperoni, cut in half lengthwise, then cut into thin half moons
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 bouquet garni
1 pound cod, pollock, hake or similar whitefish
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 can of whole baby clams
Any other fresh fish/seafood you might have lying around
Salt and pepper

Heat soup pot over medium high heat and add olive oil, onion and celery. Stir constantly until transluscent, about 3 minutes. Pour in broth and tomatoes and bring to a simmer, then add white wine and pepperoni. Bring it back to a boil and add the bouquet garni, then turn down heat to a low simmer. Let the flavors mingle (the longer the better).

This is a good time to throw a good, crusty French bread in the oven so it's nice and warm and ready for dunking. Add the fish and seafood to the pot and stir gently until they are cooked all the way through. The fish should break into beautiful chunks, the shrimp will turn pink and your belly will begin to grumble.

You're almost there. Salt and pepper to taste. Note: Do this after the seafood is added and cooked through. Seafood is naturally salty, as is the pepperoni, so it's going to settle into the soup as it cooks.

Ladle the mixture into bowls and serve with the bread.

Barracuda Stew: To give my stew a little bite, sometimes I add a little Cayenne Pepper or Tabasco to the bowl.

Watch This...

Lorica of Saint Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

St. Patrick (ca. 377)

MEEP!

According to Li'l Fish, this is the sound all those fool birds are making at 5.00 in the morning around here. I think she may actually have it right.

MEEEEEEEEEP!

Fight Me, I'm Irish!

In the spirit of my people, I just picked a fight with cancer...AGAIN. I thought if I got an early start this year, more people might be able to join us. So, here is the link to JOIN TEAM FISH OR CUT BAIT. If you can be in Philadelphia in August, we would love to have you ride with us!

This is my fourth year riding the LiveSTRONG Challenge, and what started as me and my brother riding and a handful of people supporting our ride is now nearly 100 people joining me in support of my fight with cancer by riding with us, offering donations, giving their encouragement and doing a hundred behind-the-scenes things. I continue to be touched and humbled by the kindness of your generosity, and my words of thanks pale in comparison to the gratitude I feel for each and every one of you. Thank you for your continued encouragement and support, and for being a part of Team Fish.

Watch This....

Blindness from Jerod Chambers on Vimeo.