The Long Game for Gingerbread
Discipline Has Never Tasted Better
It had been years. Actual years. The kind of gap where you start to wonder if the friendship still holds its shape or if it’s just a nice memory you carry around like a worn-out wallet photo. But then the invite came, and we drove over, and the second I walked through that door, it all hit at once. Voices layered on voices, laughter crashing into half-finished sentences, hugs from people I hadn’t touched in five years. Total chaos. Beautiful, overwhelming chaos. I sat back and let it wash over me, trying to keep my ears open and my heart wider. These are my people. I genuinely love being with them.
And there was the usual stuff, the catching up, the “what are you doing now,” the stories that start with “remember when.” I was soaking it in, being present, really trying. But then Julie’s cake appeared. Gingerbread. Molasses whipped topping. The kind of thing that makes your whole nervous system lean forward. And my fasting window had closed hours ago. Closed, locked, deadbolted. I sat there watching people eat this cake like it was a nature documentary I couldn’t participate in.
So I did what any reasonable person would do. I found a piece of aluminum foil, wrapped up that last slice like contraband, and slipped it into the take-home bag. Nobody questioned it. Or if they did, I didn’t care.
The next morning I had my protein breakfast, waited for noon like a civilized human, brewed a decaf, sat down at the table, and told the world I was unavailable. Just me, a coffee, and Julie’s gingerbread cake in the quiet of my own kitchen. It was perfect. Not party perfect, not surrounded-by-friends perfect. A different kind. The kind where you did it right, on your own terms, and every crumb landed exactly when it was supposed to.
On This Day
February 14 has shown up 14 times since 2001. The day reveals a pattern of ditching romance for snow adventures, midnight rambling, and the occasional existential crisis... with some actual Valentine’s reflection mixed in.
2001: Quiet Embrace of Sorrow – Today’s vibe? It’s a tough one, folks. Life’s been throwing curveballs like it’s the major leagues, and here I am, trying to swing with a heart that’s feeling a tad too heavy. Sometimes, words just...
2002: My Emotional Profile – Here’s my emotional profile:
2002: Paul and Lucy in Glen Falls – JUst us having funHeading up to Glens Falls today to catch up with my buddy Paul Bardis for the weekend. Can’t wait—it’s gonna be a blast! Got a few spots on my hit list like Muddy Waters in...
2005: Cant Sleep – Added later by DALL-EOh boy, where do I even start? Here I am, flat on the floor, wide awake and trying to catch some z’s without a bed. And in my mind’s eye, there you are, all snug and grinning in...
2008: To Deer Creek and Back – Morning on a snowy Deer Creek SneakMy training plan tonight was for an endurance cross-training workout off the bike, but I couldn’t resist. Once home, I grabbed my bike and headed to Pattee Canyon,...
2008: Deer Creek Snow Sneak – Ditch the dress-up this year, lovebirds! Tonight, I’m trading chocolates for powder and heading up Deer Creek on my trusty snow bike.
2009: Ghost Town Idea – Hold yer horses, partner! I ain’t no G-man, but I do dig the “Counting Sheep” loop – wouldn’t catch me dead in a 24-hour race, though!
2010: Half Ass – Yesterday was one of those days where, despite the best laid plans, things just didn’t pan out the way I’d hoped.
2012: The madness of valentines day – At 39, biking in Bridger Foothills, I reminisce. As a kid, Valentine’s Day was tough. School was a show-off fest: fancy cards, treats, a popularity contest. I was the odd one out, handing out cheap...
2014: Meetup – This morning much like yesterday I leaped out of bed to get cracking. I needed to get the house ready for a friend that was visiting from afar. It feels kind of like those group rides. Your excited...
2018: Good Crust – The crust is primo right now. And I am not talking about the local pizza shop either. Since moving to Bozeman I have never had good crust this time of year. And usually, it is a spring fat bike...
2023: Pattee Canyon – Sun sets on Crazy Canyon RoadStrava map, starting at Le Petit Outre, riding untill sunet, watching the sun, then bombing down the MoZ.On this day in history, a stroll down memory lane2018: Social...
2024: Pedals of Love and the Valentine’s Day Odyssey – Ah, Valentine’s Day, that annual spectacle of love and last-minute scrambles for meaningful gestures. It’s a day when even the most seasoned adventurers, like yours truly, can find themselves caught...
2025: Ensuring Privacy and Security – Using Brave Search in a Private Tab