Shane and I went up the Parkway this morning. It was only misting when we set out. We were about 1/2 a mile along when I spotted two deer on the grassy median.  They had seen us.  Shane was fooling around, jumping at the leash and pushing my glove to try to get some treats. He hadn’t seen them yet. I was wondering what was about to happen. A car was approaching.  Suddenly a third deer farther up, high tailed it across the road in front of us.  The other two, closest to us, were still standing dead still. 

The deer were bound to make a break for it in our direction because on the other side of the road, there are houses lining the Parkway and in back of them are other neighborhoods filled with more homes.  The side Shane and I were on is lined with houses, but there are wooded areas behind and beside those homes.  

The first car to pass saw the deer and slowed way down.  Another approached, the deer made a break for it. Shane saw them and lunged forward.  The deer cleared the car and I, luckily, was able to stay on my feet during the fiasco.  It would have completely ruined my week if I had to witness the collision of animal and car.  Everybody made it to their destinations safely this morning. God Bless.

The Workout

Legs today.   Warm up was 30 minutes of elliptical. 

• 4 sets x 20 reps of leg presses.
• 4 sets x 12 reps of squats.
• 4 sets x 12 reps dead lifts
• 4 set x 15 reps extensions.
• 4 sets x 15 reps curls
• 4 sets x 20 reps seated calf raises.

Followed up the weight work out with a 3.3 mile run.

The Breakfast

VPX Vanilla protein with 1 TBS Powdered Chocolate Peanut butter.

Bob’s red mill steel cut oats with raisins, cinnamon, and a TBS of homemade peanut butter.

1/2 a grapefruit.

It’s a little early so I am off to do the daily crossword puzzle. Ted and I finished all the puzzles yesterday, then we had to talk to each other at dinner .  Actually, it’s amazing how we always have such great conversations about ….mostly nothing. But the talks are fun and interesting.  Is that what makes a good marriage?  It probably counts for a lot, anyway.

Have a super Tuesday!

A GOOD MARRIAGE (1982)

Directed by: Eric Rohmer

Starring: Beatrice Romand, Andre Dussolier, Arielle Dombasle

Where: Busan Cinematheque

When: February 20 at 13:00, February 25 at 17:20

I’ve already gushed over Eric Rohmer enough in the past two weeks (see previous posts), so I’ll try to keep this relatively brief. Like most of the other films in the “Comedies and Proverbs” cycle, “A Good Marriage” is a charming reflection on the precarious nature of male-female relationships.

After swearing off married men, Sabine (Beatrice Romand) gets it in her head to wed her best friend’s cousin, Edmond (Andre Dussolier). As a handsome and successful lawyer, he has all of the characteristics of a perfect husband. The only problem is he doesn’t know about the protagonist’s hasty plan for their future together. The film follows her unwavering courtship of what increasingly seems to be a lost cause.

“A Good Marriage” is much more character-driven than any of Rohmer’s other works. The person in question here is a veritable princess who has to have everything her way. If not, she doesn’t hesitate to make a scene. In the middle of her 25th birthday party, Sabine resorts to locking herself up in her room to cry, and just barely falls short of shouting “it’s my birthday, I can do what I want to” – all because her crush didn’t show up in time. In her view, once she’s established that she wants something, there’s no reason for anybody to prevent her from getting it. Her stubborn behavior is only one of many unattractive qualities that eventually come to light.

The protagonist doesn’t beat around the bush, and on multiple occasions, she acknowledges her own straitforward attitude. What could be perceived as a strength, however, is really her biggest weakness. She’s glaringly obvious and overly persistent in her advances from the get-go, frequently making Edmond uncomfortable. These awkward exchanges make up the film’s most entertaining moments.

While Sabine sometimes comes off as bratty, immature and garrulous, she isn’t repulsive. Despite her flaws, there’s a lot of appeal in this sassy, opinionated woman, and the audience ultimately cheers her on. Maybe it’s just because she’s an underdog. It becomes pretty clear she doesn’t stand much of chance, but she sticks to the same strategy unflinchingly. It’s hard not to commend such a strong-willed trooper for her valiant efforts.

The combination of all these traits along with an unshakeable confidence and determination are at the root of the main character’s impetuous decision to get hitched, which pushes the story forward. Yet, “A Good Marriage” isn’t really about marriage at all – the movie is a fun-filled game of seduction that will get you laughing (mostly at the protagonist instead of with her).

Rating: 71/100

“A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short.”

One phrase that has stuck with me through the years, is the idea that in a good marriage we become custodians of each other’s solitude. As unromantic as this may sound, with age it seems to be oh so true!

Every time I travel with Mike, my husband of close to 3 years now, I am reminded of the amazing bond we share. We both can find no greater joy than to be out in the middle of nowhere, exploring areas we have never seen before. The scenery doesn’t have to be fantastic, just something previously unexplored.

Driving across the parched northeastern plains of New Mexico the other day, we shared this excitement. Most might not enjoy the process of arriving at some destination, but we love the simple adventure of being on the road together.

Part of the reason we enjoy each others company so much, is the fact that we both come to this relationship from spending most of our adult lives alone. I realized on this most recent trip, that Mike and I are really just a couple of very well-matched loners. In other words, we are both quite comfortable spending time alone with ourselves, but presently prefer each others company.

We both seem to like doing similar things, and come to the same conclusions about much of what we observe together. Then there are those things that fascinate him, like the tour we took of Conchas Dam, which doesn’t exactly get me going. But I love to observe how excited he can get about understanding the internal workings of things like dams and cars, etc. Mike is no writer, but he loves to see me get excited about some project I’m working on.

Why does our marriage work? From my perspective, it is because I have never felt so well taken care of. I feel all of those qualities discussed in How to be an adult in relationships. I feel healthy amounts of attention, full acceptance, great appreciation, endless affection and I am allowed to be myself in all ways.

And if you would like my opinion, a human being can’t ask for much more than that!