Sedulously Posting

Rob, Sonya and I went out for the Crystal Ridge Hill Run this morning, with an additional challenge. Instead of turning at mile 5, we continued up the Pierce College hill - another long and steep one. We kept going to add to our mileage, bringing our total to 7.87. (I guess I could round that up.) Rob was giving me instructions as to what I should mention (or not) in my post today. I'm not supposed to mention that he asked me when the walk beeper was going to go off when we were on the last hill. I didn't mention that, did I? I am supposed to mention that he was running about 10 feet ahead of us at that point. I'm also supposed to mention that on the road into my neighborhood, there is a crack in the asphalt that I consider my finish line, and that I have to cross it in order to complete my run and turn off my watch. (A little compulsive, you say?) I've been instructed to inform you that he was ahead of us and crossed the finish line first. I think he was feeling a little competitive this morning!

I learned a new word today - I'm reading a book by Earl Emerson, The Fire Trap, and he used the word sedulously. I had to get up and get out the dictionary (yes, I used a real book, rather than going online) to find out what it meant. I love it when that happens! I will admit I love words, and I love good writing - writing that takes you into the story, or fully develops an idea. In fiction, I prefer to read stories written in the first person, but really, I will read almost anything if it is done well. When I was expecting Web, I felt very nervous about reading aloud to my future child. I decided I needed to practice, so I'd lay on the couch and read children's books out loud. When he was three, we moved on to chapter books - I discovered that there were words that I knew the meaning of, but did not know how to pronounce. The word alacrity comes to mind. (It means "quickly" and is pronounced pretty much like it looks: uh-lack-ruh-tee.) The boys got used to me picking up the dictionary and checking meaning or pronunciation. I like to find out what a word means, then try to use it occasionally. Anyway, back to sedulously. Should I just tell you what it means? Or make everyone take a guess? Of course you don't have context to give you a clue. Plus, you could just look it up in google. I'll just tell: it means to work hard or diligently. It is pronounced sej-uh-lus.

Wow, that turned out to be a little side trip into my mind! On to other things. Tofu jerky. Maybe it's an acquired taste - after all I caught Riley eating it last week and Riley is the pickiest eater in our family (bear in mind, I don't consider eating vegetarian to be a picky eater, but others might). I think the texture is kind of like a really dry smoked salmon - or at least my memory of what that is like since I don't eat fish either. As for the recipe - google "tofu jerky recipe" and it is the first to pop up.

I've been sedulous about getting some posts out this week to make up for the lack of posting during the next week. I'll probably get one more out tomorrow, then you will be on your own!