PEDALS AND PRAYERS

NO ONE FROM THE MANOR took part, but yesterday 7.5 miles of Los Angeles streets were closed for a few hours and turned over to people riding bikes, skateboards, roller skates, what have you. It was known as cicLAvia 2011. Our son, Tim, decided to take part, although he'd not trained for such a lengthy ride on his vintage bicycle. In addition to riding along the prescribed route he had to get to the starting point, so it was quite a workout. He enjoyed it and reported today this his nose is blistered because he'd forgotten his sunblock.

There were plenty of places to stop along the way and things to do.
Great possibilities for family fun.

Meanwhile, as Tim pedaled through the streets of Los Angeles, his pious mother was going to church, invited by our next door neighbor and driven by the man who I want to do my memorial service when the time comes. The service took place

in North Hollywood which is beyond my driving range and I enjoyed the whole hour of worship, but best of all was when a tiny girl was baptized with extended families present at the blessing, after which the co-minister took little Lily in her arms and walked her down the aisle to introduce her to the church members and then to the choir. Note the expression on the faces of the onlookers.

The music was unusually modern, but not in a noisy, disturbing way, the sermon was succinct and inspiring, the people were friendly and genuinely welcoming. 

Mr. Bob stayed at home snugly in his comfort zone and I never in my life learned to ride a bike. Everyone was in his right place last Sunday.

"For instance, the bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created:  Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon."  ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist