I thought about writing about the Jason Alden foolishness, but decided against it. I’ve posted a couple of things on social media and watched people jump all over things.

#humanssuckrightnow

I thought about writing about the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, better known as RAGRBAI, but then I get feeling disappointed we aren’t on it. This is the first year we could have gone, but just did make it priority, so we are sitting inside as it’s typical Iowa July, hot and humid.

#hotsweatyriding

I thought about writing just about getting back into shape, but I’ve made too many excuses and just haven’t. My wife’s having knee issues, so is struggling to run outside. I feel guilty about wanting to run, yet, feel guilty about not running either. Ugh.

#lifeisharddude

You are telling me.

I thought about writing about the fair. I posted that we are suckers for dust, the smell of manure, and organized chaos. My wife and I are actually in the ring, showing cattle, which is a first for me. I got the “b*tchy one” in terms of heifers. My elbow hurts from holding her a certain way.

Then, I looked at my hands. Every summer, my hands go through a transformation. School time, I have “teacher hands” (my wife’s term). They are pretty soft because I’m in the classroom. Then, spring shows up. I’m outside, a lot. Whether it’s planting or weeding or working on something outside, a change begins.

Usually it starts with me getting blisters. Soft hands put to work don’t always work too well. Next, those heal over, and then, they get stained. Weeds, dirt, just general work, they are a little different color for a while.

As I get older, I appreciate the season, the things they bring for all of us. I appreciate the teacher hands because they are working in a spot they I love. I appreciate the summer handed for they work they do too. They are dry, chaffed, and a little dirty.

I wish I could find the good right now, but I see the good that my hands do, and that’s enough for today.

❤