What my husband and daughter gave me:
Breakfast, including a kitchen decorated with balloons
A card
A big bar of dark chocolate (72% cocoa–swoon)
Two hours to go biking

What I gave myself:
I made myself climb Sherman Road between Chagrin River Road and County Line Road in Gates Mills, OH. It’s four climbs over 1.1 miles–two short, steepish inclines, one long and steep climb (I’m told it’s a 16% grade), and a last, long, long climb that isn’t quite as steep. I climb it at least once a season to keep myself honest and always feel better for the effort.

What Mother Nature gave me:
A blue heron that stood sentry by our pond, checking out the lunch buffet. Watching one of those take off and gain enough altitude to clear the trees and houses makes you realize why some birds just said “Forget it” and went flightless.