Pressing and Burning

Turkey Tetrazzini Pete & Celerina
Descending Mt. Langley
08/24/2006

That was a good day, that day we climbed Mt. Langley, a good day to lean on my hiking poles and suck air, a good day to let the sun and the wind dry the sweat off my face, a good day, as my cross-country coach used to say before the big races, to "press and burn." Yes, he would say, I want you to "press and burn."

The first time I heard my coach bark these instructions before a race, however, I misunderstood. I thought he had said, "I want you to caress and churn." No wonder I finished poorly in that race. I thought my coach had given me a riddle to solve. Caress? Caress what? Caress my hamstring? That's weird. And churn? Churn what? Where's the butter? I remember stopping mid course and scratching my head in total befuddlement. "Out of the way, you idiot!" a runner from the other team bellowed.


I walked across the finish line in last place with my coach standing there, arms in angry akimbo, whistle 'round his neck, staring me down. It was a long ride home.

Now, years later, I press and burn in all my endeavors, whether I'm making cookies, ironing or doing the Sunday Jumble.