Running with the cows

Lately, Sunday has been my favorite day of the week. Sunday offers a time to recharge. (However, I can't wait to be able to spend a Sunday afternoon with Jenn. The weeks are counting down to the new job starts in Lafayette.) I have written about Sundays in past blog posts so feel free to move on in your web-browsing. However, today, I had two special experiences.

The day started out like a typical Sunday. I reluctantly rolled out of bed around nine and worked on my management homework. The financial statement assignment ended up being fun. It was exciting to already have a bit of a background in accounting from classes over the past year. I also enjoyed the library assignment and am getting excited about doing some literature research again.

Mom called and invited me out to the farm for lunch. Of course, it is hard for me to say no to a meal. After letting the food digest for a bit, it was time to for the Sunday run. Sunday is almost always my "long" run day. I put long in quotes because it is long for me, but I have some friends who would consider this relatively short. Anyway, around mile 10, some clinking noises reached my ears. Turning my head, I was surprised to see an entire herd of cattle angling across the field to meet and run along beside me. I'm pretty sure that there were 30 to 40 in all, and it was almost overwhelming to see them running across the green pasture right towards me. Having the opportunity to get outside and run and bike on Sundays has been such a blessing this summer.

This evening, I was reclining on the porch and herd someone say, "What are you doing?" Looking up, I saw Donna on her bike. This is not the first Sunday evening that Donna has been on her bike and stopped to talk for a few minutes. These have been wonderful times, and I am thankful for them. Our paths crossed most significantly last summer on the retreat to Vermont. Donna has been like another aunt, and I'm so thankful for our conversations and her wisdom.