Working from Home

Teri's been feeling a sore throat coming on since this past weekend. She worked from home today and really kept at it too. Every time I passed by she was very focused on her tasks. Sitting at a regular table or desk wears her out physically so she'd rather stand, or in this case kneel to work. I was very happy to hear she ordered a new stand up desk for here at home. Even though we both go about our regular week day routines with very little interaction it's nice to "bump into her near the cooler" now and then.

In Cahoots

I managed to capture a totally candid moment between Freja & her very best buddy. I've been watching these two since they bonded two years ago. It's so rewarding to see how well they compliment each others' personalities. I took this as they reviewed the comic strip series they're designing and producing here at home. Naturally the main characters are ones that were intended to bait ME into protesting their very nature. I mean, "Flying Fart Girl" as a hero? Really? *I just tell myself, "Ron, you did a LOT worse to irritate your parents, just ride it out...*

Playing in the Mississippi

It's a cold winter day and after a brisk walk around the block I was very happy to sit down next to my warm computer. As I opened my browser I happened upon a photo I'd taken in June of 2014. It was a warm spring afternoon. Freja had just finished 1st grade and summer vacation had begun. We went for a camping trip to Wyalusing State Park. We were able to play in the Mississippi River at Glenn Lake boat landing. The kid chased minnows through the shallow waters and eventually ended up soaked. Of course, that was not surprising. On frigid days like this it's nice to recall that it's not always going to be this way. We will be able to play freely outdoors in the water once more!

#mississippieriver #wyalusingstatepark #wyalusing #spring #thinkspring #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #midwest #travelwi #travelwisconsin #hiking #hikingtrail #midwestliving #midwestmoment #themidwestival #discoverwisconsin #conquer_wi #midwestisbest #onwisconsin #goplayoutside #greatnorthcollective #wildernessculture #letsgosomewhere #keepitwild #confluence #river

America's Dairyland

After a very hectic day of both training in BJJ & running errands to two "big box stores" (on a SATURDAY! UGHHH!) I thought I'd opt for an easy photo practice shot. I've a number of locations ear marked for certain times of the day/season for easy to catch shots. While they're not all stunning, as this typical "barn shot" demonstrates, they offer a chance to at least help me keep my photographic wheels greased...

#wisconsin #wisconsinlife #midwest #travelwi #travelwisconsin #dairy #dairyland #barn #rustic #midwestliving #farm #farmland #agriculture #dairyusa #gotmilk #wisconsindairy #midwestmoment #themidwestival #discoverwisconsin #conquer_wi #mounthoreb #madisonwi #midwestisbest #danecounty #onwisconsin #goplayoutside #greatnorthcollective #wildernessculture #letsgosomewhere #keepitwild

Earned My Blue Belt!

Last night I was awarded my Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Thales Blaso, a 2nd Degree Black Belt under Luiz Claudio. While I am very proud to have earned this and left the White Belt behind, I truly feel I am just beginning this process. There is so much I still don't KNOW how to do. So many techniques elude me, and I am not reacting to opponents quickly enough to always take the lead in sparring. During the drills last night I left myself open to attack a number of times. I was taken down over and over by upper-belts, and I mismanaged my energy levels. My situational awareness was really spotty, especially as I began to fatigue. I have to keep in mind that it's just the BEGINNING. By earning this Blue Belt I've been able to prove to myself that I can indeed remember techniques. That I can survive sparring. That I do have the willingness to step out onto the mats. First, I was lucky to have Infusion MMA prepare me for almost two years. Master Instructor Brandon Tracy really "knocked the burs off" me as I transformed from an overweight, untrained ape. Now he and Thales are helping me "file off the edges." How fortunate I am to be able to train in as pure, old school Gracie BJJ as can be found up here in the icy North? Rickson Gracie>Luiz Claudio>Thales Blaso> and then there's me learning as a 4th generation of this lineage! My goal is to be a sharp Black Belt.

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #bluebeltproblems #bluebelt #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #infusionmma

Emptying the Tank

As I write this having just come home from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under @thalesblaso I'm having a difficult time summing up my experience. It wasn't a large class tonight, only seven of us, but it had a great range of skilled martial artists. From a beginner all the way to experienced, well trained fighters. I think the drills tonight were the most unique I've experienced. We worked on transitions from a "stand up" fight, with one person being the striker and the other attempting to take it to the ground. Each drill built on the other, adding a new element. By the end we'd transitioned from one person trying to touch the other's head while that person attempted to block and close in for a take-down, to things like the "dominate" person could only use one hand, or had to keep their eyes closed. By the end of the night I was completely, 100% spent. The last drill I kept my eyes closed the whole time so I wouldn't have to think about whether or not I was supposed to and just tried to stay in a safe position and not get tapped out. It looks like it's going to be an interesting training rotation for the next three months. Hopefully my body won't break down. I think I will start looking into how to train my endurance so I can keep up with all these tough, young dudes... I'm too old for this stuff...

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #bluebeltproblems #bluebelt #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts

Prairie Moraine County Park

On my way to train @mmawisconsin I dropped into Prairie Moraine Park and took a short hike along the Ice Age National Scenic trail. It wasn't a long hike as I only had about 15 minutes. Plus, the subzero arctic air was kind of rough on the hands...

#wisconsin #wisconsinlife #midwest #travelwi #travelwisconsin #prairiemoraine #prairiemorainepark #hiking #hikingtrail #midwestliving #prairie #prairieland #naturalarea #natural #oaksavannah #grassland #midwestmoment #themidwestival #discoverwisconsin #conquer_wi #IceAgeTrail #Iceage #midwestisbest #veronawi #onwisconsin #goplayoutside #greatnorthcollective #wildernessculture #letsgosomewhere #keepitwild