On the way to The Ride to Conquer Cancer

I signed up for this ride because I am firmly of the belief that cancer does not stop at the US/Canada border. The cause is near and dear to my heart, but this event more so because it does not focus on one exclusive form of cancer – it doesn’t single out the trendy cause or the plight of the moment. The Princess Margaret Hospital is an all cancer facility, with departments or whole floors that specialize in one type or another. Something like this may have helped my father-in-law, who in his 70s passed of a pediatric cancer because no one knew how to handle it. I don’t know, but I’d like to think so.

The extra benefit of the event is the one that has me very excited to be on the plane today. I will finally get to see parts of a country I love and am thinking of expanding my business to.Cycling from Toronto to Niagara will certainly allow me to see a beautiful place and maybe let me know a little more about Ontario.

I’ve hit some snags in the transportation from the city to the event and back again. I think things have been ironed out but we’ll see. It turned out to be a good diversion yesterday, allowing me to go into “Manager Mode” and not stress too much about the event. I had thought that I would be going to the event with Richard and tossing my gear into his truck. Not only am I not doing that but I should have wondered how I was going to get back because he is leaving Niagara earlier than I am and I knew that! No worries, but because I am cycling to the event from the hotel I’m limited on what I can carry as I ride. I’ll have my sleeping bag inside a back pack with whatever clothes may fit. I had to leave my blanket and ground mat at home – we’ll see how I fair the second day. I’m not too worried, it just may give me a few good stories to tell and a badge of honour to go with it.

A not too minor concern is the food/drink powder I’ve packed. As a diabetic who is so far staying off the insulin, I can not afford to reply on the SAG stops for my meals and as anyone knows, your food is your fuel. I’m hoping that all those little bags of powder, nuts and cliff bars will fit in the pack. I’ve done a ride without and walked 17 miles because I bonked. I will make it fit. Lawrd knows, I am NOT tossing the sleeping bag too!  Oh, and to top it off, it’s “that time” – I’m thinking of stuffing the pads into my bra for storage. Who knows, I might make a few friends

Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

Tuesday, June 17th was a historic day for same sex couples all over California, but for us (Dave and I) we were priviledged to be invited to a very special joining of two people who were able to finally able to commit legally after a 15 year wait.

Am I saying this wasn’t historic? Hell, no! What I am saying is that admit all the political hoopla, media and photo ops that the day invited, Paul Waters and Kevin Voecks very clearly showed us that two people who love each other can share their union amid their family, friends and more cakes then my hips can handle.

The event took place at a quiet, corporate setting, beneath the trees with the river nearby. The grooms invited us into their lives by sharing stories. We learned who they loved and laughed with and that so many small things had special meaning. I wiped tears out of my eyes, as my 4″ heels sunk into the grass, thankful to be a part of their historic day.

A Times reporter is there when, capping a day of last-minute bustle, two men are wed after 15 years together. (The auto slide show is fabulous!)