Reading this has me breathless, like my knob knees are pumping up the hill. Like I'm almost about to slip off the ice heave into a ditch, but I know how to wield all 70 pounds of me and escape the road burn with a tiny shift. My heart is literally burning with the freedom of escaping a big, lonesome house and a dark father on that teal/ pink Huffy (tassels, too!). I wish I'd had the confidence to name her. My chariot, my freedom, my safety. I'll circle back with more comments because I need to read this again and again. But for now--wow. I've never seen anybody else articulate how a bicycle can be the vehicle for a person's spirit.
Ah! Isabel!!! What a comment!!! Thank you 🥹 I love that you had tassels. "My chariot, my freedom, my safety." YES. And you can still name her! Time isn't real, somewhere out there little versions of us are out there pedaling to freedom with all our might. 💘
You’ve told me this story before but some how reading it gathered and with all the fixins (Danny McBride in Eastbound n Down) has completely hit different. I feel transported by reading it. I love reading your words. Reading this story makes me feel like I messed up by not buying you a bike for your upcoming birthday. We gotta get you a bike for our home! Also the bubble gum slushies and baseball mitt icecream with the bubble gum ball part served as a port key to my own childhood adventure memories. Good times! Happy Valentine’s Day my love. Excited for our day together!
Happy Valentine's Day my love! Thank you for being the best cheerleader. If we can find something close to the magnificence as Towanda, you might have me sold on a bike for beach life. 💋
What a delicious edition today, Jenovia! Your story of Towanda transports me right back to my own pink Huffy in the mid 80s. So many freewheeling adventures.
I found myself feeling a mix of sorrow again for your tragic losses, yet also gratitude for your sister and for the chance for you to just be a child. It’s so hard to comprehend as an adult that there could be beauty and joy so soon after such unthinkable tragedy. But we sometimes forget how resilient children are in many ways.
Loved the rest of the goodies here too. Luther is MY FAVE. Please tell me where you watched this documentary?
Excited too for White Lotus. Still soaking in all the goodness of the current season of Severance. And so many pieces to the SNL 50th season that are happening this weekend.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and that sweetheart Joe 💕
Thank you, Amy 💕🥹 I love that it transported you to your Huffy days. That’s exactly what I wanted. I didn’t always get to be just a child a lot of the time growing up but the moments I was able to, I held them tight and close. Sometimes all one needs are moments to get through all the rest waiting beyond. And yes, my sister Ang is my goddess divine sister-mom that I worship. We have an incredible relationship.
You can watch the Luther doc on Max (HBO—still hate the name change). You are going to love it.
I really need to give Severance another try! Everyone whose taste I love, loves it! Gotta tune into the SNL extravaganzas!
Severance: you really have to give it like halfway through the first season. So many people don’t connect with the first few episodes. But it really is brilliant conceptually and the acting is out of this world.
I did that with Slow Horses, gave up on it, then revisited it and fell in love! Going to give Severance another go! 😍
Ang lives in Topeka—our hometown in Kansas but I try to visit her often. There have been times in between cross country moves where I’d stay with her for months at a time and it’s always so cozy!
Extraordinary offering Jenovia. Such unimaginable loss and spirited freedom all in one summer breath. I want to reach my arms around that young you and whisper, “Oh how beautiful you will become!” And I could feel your young legs pushing those pedals all over town, almost as if each rotation was grounding you more and more into your commitment to never be captive, to become the author of your own life, riding free.
I’m thrilled to hear you’ll be sharing more memoir-ish pieces! I adore your voice and experience so much transcendent wisdom in everything you express. Happy love day beauty!
Thank you, Kimberly! That bike taught me so much about life and about myself. I think of Towanda and that summer when I need a little extra bravery in my life. In times when I feel scared or uneasy, I remind myself if little girl Jenovia could survive through all of that, I got whatever may come as an adult.
I never watched Luther the series although I had a friend who was on an episode. I remember she played a cop.
I love your fun facts! I kind of learned late in childhood, or what felt like it was late. I was 8 years old and I taught myself. Anything with wheels was fun to me. I loved to roller-skate too. 🛼
Oh how I love your bicycle love story and the freedom you experienced! And I love her name! Bicycles truly are a wonderful means to exploration and freedom… and they make you feel like a kid again, even at our age. 😉
I always love your bike stories on Insta, Heather!! I need to get one for the beach boardwalk that is down the street from our home!! We have some beach cruisers but my heart remains faithful to mountain bikes.
Beautiful words, Jenovia! Your description of riding your bike — the freedom, the wind in your hair, how empowering it was — reminded me of my early days riding my skateboard. That youthful freedom granted by our rolling stead’s is simply divine. Great great piece. :)
Thank you, Michael!! Anything with wheels creates such magic in life, doesn't it?! I've always been partial to anyone who bikes, roller-skates, skateboards. One of the best activities one can do.
And there is something especially magically about biking, roller-skating, and skateboarding in that you’re so close to that spot where the wheels and the road merge — which, for me, is electrifying. :)
I love that it was yellow! Such a great color! Thank you so much, Holly! I'm so glad Towanda and I found each other too. She will always have a special place in my heart. 💞
My gal…this is my favorite of yours. Truly!! I swear I could see you on Towanda — wild and free! I’m so so moved. Happy valentines lil love bug 💗🫂✨
Happy Valentine's Day sugar plum!! I'm so happy you liked it! 💘 Towanda forever owns a piece of my heart.
Reading this has me breathless, like my knob knees are pumping up the hill. Like I'm almost about to slip off the ice heave into a ditch, but I know how to wield all 70 pounds of me and escape the road burn with a tiny shift. My heart is literally burning with the freedom of escaping a big, lonesome house and a dark father on that teal/ pink Huffy (tassels, too!). I wish I'd had the confidence to name her. My chariot, my freedom, my safety. I'll circle back with more comments because I need to read this again and again. But for now--wow. I've never seen anybody else articulate how a bicycle can be the vehicle for a person's spirit.
Ah! Isabel!!! What a comment!!! Thank you 🥹 I love that you had tassels. "My chariot, my freedom, my safety." YES. And you can still name her! Time isn't real, somewhere out there little versions of us are out there pedaling to freedom with all our might. 💘
Also would LOVE to hear more about your bicycle adventures! I hope you write about them one day!
Towanda! What a beautiful Valentine!
Thank you, Amelia! She was my savior. 💘
What a moving story. Bowing to Towanda!!! - Links are as great as ever. The AI boyfriend one is top tier.
Thank you so much, Sara! 💗 The AI boyfriend had me mouth agape and wide eyed! 😮
You’ve told me this story before but some how reading it gathered and with all the fixins (Danny McBride in Eastbound n Down) has completely hit different. I feel transported by reading it. I love reading your words. Reading this story makes me feel like I messed up by not buying you a bike for your upcoming birthday. We gotta get you a bike for our home! Also the bubble gum slushies and baseball mitt icecream with the bubble gum ball part served as a port key to my own childhood adventure memories. Good times! Happy Valentine’s Day my love. Excited for our day together!
Happy Valentine's Day my love! Thank you for being the best cheerleader. If we can find something close to the magnificence as Towanda, you might have me sold on a bike for beach life. 💋
What a delicious edition today, Jenovia! Your story of Towanda transports me right back to my own pink Huffy in the mid 80s. So many freewheeling adventures.
I found myself feeling a mix of sorrow again for your tragic losses, yet also gratitude for your sister and for the chance for you to just be a child. It’s so hard to comprehend as an adult that there could be beauty and joy so soon after such unthinkable tragedy. But we sometimes forget how resilient children are in many ways.
Loved the rest of the goodies here too. Luther is MY FAVE. Please tell me where you watched this documentary?
Excited too for White Lotus. Still soaking in all the goodness of the current season of Severance. And so many pieces to the SNL 50th season that are happening this weekend.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and that sweetheart Joe 💕
Thank you, Amy 💕🥹 I love that it transported you to your Huffy days. That’s exactly what I wanted. I didn’t always get to be just a child a lot of the time growing up but the moments I was able to, I held them tight and close. Sometimes all one needs are moments to get through all the rest waiting beyond. And yes, my sister Ang is my goddess divine sister-mom that I worship. We have an incredible relationship.
You can watch the Luther doc on Max (HBO—still hate the name change). You are going to love it.
I really need to give Severance another try! Everyone whose taste I love, loves it! Gotta tune into the SNL extravaganzas!
Happy Valentine’s Amy from me and Joe! 💘💌💕
Love it. Does Ang live near you?
Luther on Max - got it!
Severance: you really have to give it like halfway through the first season. So many people don’t connect with the first few episodes. But it really is brilliant conceptually and the acting is out of this world.
I did that with Slow Horses, gave up on it, then revisited it and fell in love! Going to give Severance another go! 😍
Ang lives in Topeka—our hometown in Kansas but I try to visit her often. There have been times in between cross country moves where I’d stay with her for months at a time and it’s always so cozy!
Love that ☺️
Extraordinary offering Jenovia. Such unimaginable loss and spirited freedom all in one summer breath. I want to reach my arms around that young you and whisper, “Oh how beautiful you will become!” And I could feel your young legs pushing those pedals all over town, almost as if each rotation was grounding you more and more into your commitment to never be captive, to become the author of your own life, riding free.
I’m thrilled to hear you’ll be sharing more memoir-ish pieces! I adore your voice and experience so much transcendent wisdom in everything you express. Happy love day beauty!
Thank you, Kimberly! That bike taught me so much about life and about myself. I think of Towanda and that summer when I need a little extra bravery in my life. In times when I feel scared or uneasy, I remind myself if little girl Jenovia could survive through all of that, I got whatever may come as an adult.
Happy Love day to you! Hope it was a cozy one ❤️
I got really excited for a second that there was a new season of Luther. But that documentary sounds great too!
Fun fact: I never learned how to ride a bike. Well that's not completely true, I was able to do it a few times but not consistently.
I never watched Luther the series although I had a friend who was on an episode. I remember she played a cop.
I love your fun facts! I kind of learned late in childhood, or what felt like it was late. I was 8 years old and I taught myself. Anything with wheels was fun to me. I loved to roller-skate too. 🛼
I didn't do well with anything that involved wheels.
Whatttt your friend was in a Luther episode? That's so cool. It was a great show but lost steam towards the end.
Oh how I love your bicycle love story and the freedom you experienced! And I love her name! Bicycles truly are a wonderful means to exploration and freedom… and they make you feel like a kid again, even at our age. 😉
I always love your bike stories on Insta, Heather!! I need to get one for the beach boardwalk that is down the street from our home!! We have some beach cruisers but my heart remains faithful to mountain bikes.
Beautiful words, Jenovia! Your description of riding your bike — the freedom, the wind in your hair, how empowering it was — reminded me of my early days riding my skateboard. That youthful freedom granted by our rolling stead’s is simply divine. Great great piece. :)
Thank you, Michael!! Anything with wheels creates such magic in life, doesn't it?! I've always been partial to anyone who bikes, roller-skates, skateboards. One of the best activities one can do.
I totally agree — anything with wheels is magic.
And there is something especially magically about biking, roller-skating, and skateboarding in that you’re so close to that spot where the wheels and the road merge — which, for me, is electrifying. :)
💫🙏💪
💥❤️
Yes!!! I remember the first bike I fell in love with. She was yellow. She was freedom.
I can just see it — Towanda, the proudest of steeds, you, hair flying!
This is among my favorite of your posts, and that’s saying a lot. Beautifully told. And I’m so so glad Towanda was in your life.
I love that it was yellow! Such a great color! Thank you so much, Holly! I'm so glad Towanda and I found each other too. She will always have a special place in my heart. 💞