Here it is the end of another month and rush, rush, rush is all I think I've been doing. I'm don't know what has happened to all the days that occupy an entire month but they are flashing by like train cars at full throttle. Don't blink or you will miss them and such are these past month of days.
I must be blinking too much. Or someone needs to slow down this train.
Pull the break and start up again. Whoa there, Nelly, figure this out. It's time to stop letting everything whoosh by leaving me in the dust and wind. That ain't feeling so good. Time to manage this rush and take it under control. Slowing up will give me the edge if I'm able to keep consistent. Time to keep it low and slow with a constant bubble. No great feats need to be accomplished just a regular doing of what needs to be done. And we will see how it goes.
TT
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Where 'ya been?
I've been called out. Where 'ya been, whatcha been doin'? Whats takin' so long? It don't take so long to buy bread...whatcha haveta do? Grind da wheat? Bake it your own self? Wait for it ta cool? Wrap it tall up? No internet at the Piggly Higgly or Wiggly Digitty?
No. I've been here. Not thinking I had anything to put down. Nothing came to mind and if it did, it didn't seem like anything to hail about. So I didn't. And then I didn't some more and it was easier to didn't. Funny how that works.
If you get too used to didn't, you don't. Until you do again. Or someone calls 'ya out. But now I've got bread. Enough for a while. And I have a short story on the brink of being finished to boot. Maybe I'll lay down some chapters here. It isn't long...but not quite finished. Why? 'Cause I was out gettin' bread!
Till I was called out.
TT
No. I've been here. Not thinking I had anything to put down. Nothing came to mind and if it did, it didn't seem like anything to hail about. So I didn't. And then I didn't some more and it was easier to didn't. Funny how that works.
If you get too used to didn't, you don't. Until you do again. Or someone calls 'ya out. But now I've got bread. Enough for a while. And I have a short story on the brink of being finished to boot. Maybe I'll lay down some chapters here. It isn't long...but not quite finished. Why? 'Cause I was out gettin' bread!
Till I was called out.
TT
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Runners run
It's been a tough week starting with Monday afternoon. I received a text from Selma while I sat at my desk during work. It simply stated: News: explosion at Boston Marathon.
If you've seen any of the reports you already know how this story progressed. I do. I've been heartbroken. I still am. It's already been called all the things I could possibly think to call it. A tragedy, disgusting, awful, terrorists...I've read articles written by journalists that are runners. One wrote about reacting to the news as a runner and not a journalist. All of it unfolded as I read article after article about runners, about tragedy, about violence.
Terrorists want to terrify, to send you back inside your home to hide. As that journalist put it...they want you to run...away. I couldn't. I wouldn't. After all the initial sadness I had to do something. I had to do something for Boston, for runners, for everyone. Most especially I had to do something for myself. I had to run. The Boston Marathon is the granddaddy of marathons but any marathon or race of any distance is always an achievement, a celebration, a place where people on both sides of the finish line are filled with pride and adrenaline charged happiness, together. They can't take that away!
I decided to make my own pledge. I'm not fit enough to do any long distances right now but I decided I would run whatever miles I could consistently, every day, with no rest day until I completed the full 26.2 total miles of the marathon. I'm over half way there and after this long, tough week it has helped.
I read another article this morning about the London Marathon taking place tomorrow. It has not been cancelled. Runners are not pulling out but anxious to get out there and pound out their miles. There will be 30 seconds of silence right before the start in solidarity for Boston and the runners are encouraged to wear black ribbons. According to this article on NBCNews.com by A. Pavlovski, "British running organization SPAT is urging competitors to cross the finish line with their hands over their hearts as a sign of respect and compassion to those affected by the explosions."
Respect and compassion...Boston, runners, everyone. We all do what we can when things are tough. And when things are tough, runners run.
TT
If you've seen any of the reports you already know how this story progressed. I do. I've been heartbroken. I still am. It's already been called all the things I could possibly think to call it. A tragedy, disgusting, awful, terrorists...I've read articles written by journalists that are runners. One wrote about reacting to the news as a runner and not a journalist. All of it unfolded as I read article after article about runners, about tragedy, about violence.
Terrorists want to terrify, to send you back inside your home to hide. As that journalist put it...they want you to run...away. I couldn't. I wouldn't. After all the initial sadness I had to do something. I had to do something for Boston, for runners, for everyone. Most especially I had to do something for myself. I had to run. The Boston Marathon is the granddaddy of marathons but any marathon or race of any distance is always an achievement, a celebration, a place where people on both sides of the finish line are filled with pride and adrenaline charged happiness, together. They can't take that away!
I decided to make my own pledge. I'm not fit enough to do any long distances right now but I decided I would run whatever miles I could consistently, every day, with no rest day until I completed the full 26.2 total miles of the marathon. I'm over half way there and after this long, tough week it has helped.
I read another article this morning about the London Marathon taking place tomorrow. It has not been cancelled. Runners are not pulling out but anxious to get out there and pound out their miles. There will be 30 seconds of silence right before the start in solidarity for Boston and the runners are encouraged to wear black ribbons. According to this article on NBCNews.com by A. Pavlovski, "British running organization SPAT is urging competitors to cross the finish line with their hands over their hearts as a sign of respect and compassion to those affected by the explosions."
Respect and compassion...Boston, runners, everyone. We all do what we can when things are tough. And when things are tough, runners run.
TT
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Nothing like a good book
I finished reading another book and would normally already be searching down my next to open and start turning the pages of the first chapter. I've been plowing through books faster than a speeding bullet, like I'm being timed and time is running short. It's almost as if I'm at this really exciting spot in the book but I know the house is on fire and I need to get out quick but I can't seem to put the book down. The only thing is that the house isn't on fire, there is no reason to be hurrying but I can't seem to slow the pace on the massive amounts of finished books I've read lately. If they hadn't been all downloaded they would be stacked very high on the floor beside my nightstand. Toppling over would probably be a better way to describe them. But I can't describe them that way because there aren't a stack of books because they are all invisibly and neatly stored away in my reading device. Although, it makes a much better picture when you say it's a large stacks of books so piled high they topple over.
I will begin to search out my next book. I just needed a quick breather after the one I just finished. It was a short series, only six, but, oh my, what can I say, they packed. I read the first four and then needed to take a break if you call reading 8 books in between taking a break and then I went back to the series.
So the series ended. Whap, bang...the author hit me upside the head! I know with writing that you sometimes need to keep a thought in mind of, 'what else can go wrong,' to make things interesting. But so many things had gone wrong for these characters that it was the reason I had to stop after the first four. Don't get me wrong. The books were good but lot's of things don't go well for these people. And then I returned and read the last two books knowing another wasn't waiting yet. I have caught up on reading other series before and have had to wait for the next book but not this time! I don't think the author is writing another of this particular series. The author surely made sure that things went very, very wrong by the end of this sixth book. Whap, bang! I'm still reeling. The author certainly ended that series.
But okay, now. Good one.
I should probably find something frivolous to read next. A silly humorous book that is all's well that ends well. Gosh - can I stomach that now? Maybe something more in between. Maybe another eight books. Maybe I should turn on the TV. Dang. Good one. Never expected that!
TT
I will begin to search out my next book. I just needed a quick breather after the one I just finished. It was a short series, only six, but, oh my, what can I say, they packed. I read the first four and then needed to take a break if you call reading 8 books in between taking a break and then I went back to the series.
So the series ended. Whap, bang...the author hit me upside the head! I know with writing that you sometimes need to keep a thought in mind of, 'what else can go wrong,' to make things interesting. But so many things had gone wrong for these characters that it was the reason I had to stop after the first four. Don't get me wrong. The books were good but lot's of things don't go well for these people. And then I returned and read the last two books knowing another wasn't waiting yet. I have caught up on reading other series before and have had to wait for the next book but not this time! I don't think the author is writing another of this particular series. The author surely made sure that things went very, very wrong by the end of this sixth book. Whap, bang! I'm still reeling. The author certainly ended that series.
But okay, now. Good one.
I should probably find something frivolous to read next. A silly humorous book that is all's well that ends well. Gosh - can I stomach that now? Maybe something more in between. Maybe another eight books. Maybe I should turn on the TV. Dang. Good one. Never expected that!
TT
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Bright side
Things can get to you if you let them. You are more susceptible to getting pulled into life's little frustrations if you are already busy or distracted. It happens when you are trying to fit one more thing in when you don't really have the time but it's something that should get done. You think you will save yourself some anxiety by squeezing one more chore in while trying to juggle the other two or twelve.
Most of the time these unexpected frustrations would crop up at some point anyway. Like trying to get the kitchen in some semblance of order when you are trying to rush off to work. You get the dishes rinsed and put into the dishwasher but then you can't figure out why you are standing in a puddle of water by the sink. You think, where is that water coming from? You know, of course, it is leaking underneath as you pull the bottom cabinet doors open to see a small drip coming from that loopy pipe underneath. There you go. Trying to do one thing and then you get the added bonus of having to take everything out and mop up the water. Squeeze another chore into the mix of three or thirteen.
The leak would have happened at some point anyway. It would have been something to have been dealt with at another time if not now when so much is going on. So it didn't happen at the most opportune moment. Things like this never do but you shouldn't let it get you any more down or frustrated. You have enough going on already to let that happen. And besides, you need to look at the bright side.
The kitchen is cleaned up for the when the plumber has to come by.
TT
Most of the time these unexpected frustrations would crop up at some point anyway. Like trying to get the kitchen in some semblance of order when you are trying to rush off to work. You get the dishes rinsed and put into the dishwasher but then you can't figure out why you are standing in a puddle of water by the sink. You think, where is that water coming from? You know, of course, it is leaking underneath as you pull the bottom cabinet doors open to see a small drip coming from that loopy pipe underneath. There you go. Trying to do one thing and then you get the added bonus of having to take everything out and mop up the water. Squeeze another chore into the mix of three or thirteen.
The leak would have happened at some point anyway. It would have been something to have been dealt with at another time if not now when so much is going on. So it didn't happen at the most opportune moment. Things like this never do but you shouldn't let it get you any more down or frustrated. You have enough going on already to let that happen. And besides, you need to look at the bright side.
The kitchen is cleaned up for the when the plumber has to come by.
TT
Monday, April 8, 2013
Benches
The weekend went too quickly but it was another winner. Too bad I don't have more time like that but I'll take it as it comes. A small portion of Sunday was used to re-furbish our old bench. Jay decided we needed a new bench for the front of the house and we had looked at several places and never found anything. It didn't stop him from looking. He kept right along even though I told him we could wait and he finally got one that is rather nice. We promptly took the old bench and put it in the back and have the new one in the front.
It's nice. Take a look to the left.
So then the old bench looked really old. So I thought anything I did to it would only help...or would it?
I would have chosen a different color but I went with everything that we already had on hand so I didn't spend any money on it. Zero. None.
I guess it's better than before. Here is the before:
And then here is the after:
It might work and since it didn't cost anything, I guess we got two for the price of one.
TT
So then the old bench looked really old. So I thought anything I did to it would only help...or would it?
I would have chosen a different color but I went with everything that we already had on hand so I didn't spend any money on it. Zero. None.
I guess it's better than before. Here is the before:
TT
Friday, April 5, 2013
What to expect
I just got an e-mail with the subject line: "What to expect for tomorrow."
I signed up for the Race for the Cure. Selma, my daughter-in-law, said we should so I did. It's a 5K and I have done this particular run at least 8 or 9 times dating back as far as when there were only 4 to 5000 participants. According to the e-mail I just got they are expecting 30,000 this year. That's a lot of people crammed together toe-ing the edge of a starting line.
It also takes place in the heart of downtown so you need to arrive early enough to park and walk a portion of the way. Streets close at 6:30am so you need to maneuver around the already confusing one-way streets to find your way through the traffic (of 30,000 or so). After you park you need to walk and wait with the gathering crowds since you had to arrive early. When it is finally time to line up for the race it takes at least 10 to 20 minutes since the participants span an entire street length. It doesn't sound like a very good way to start a Saturday.
Ah - but it is a good way. This is one charity run that captures the feel of the people that are there. The people you see with banners and posters and pictures of those close to them that have survived or not surround you. You can't help but get swept up into the feelings of love and hope and pressing on in the faces of the relatives that are so easily recognizable in the faces on their posters. They are all family and this one race has always been at the top of being able to accept everyone as part of that family. The entire 30,000 or more all get up early, drive down into massive traffic, hope for a parking spot and make their way to that starting line. Not a one of them does it for themselves. They all do it for someone, for family, for friends. And whether you are related or not, you become part of that family. This is one 5K that isn't about the race.
Who said it wasn't sounding like a good way to start a Saturday?
TT
I signed up for the Race for the Cure. Selma, my daughter-in-law, said we should so I did. It's a 5K and I have done this particular run at least 8 or 9 times dating back as far as when there were only 4 to 5000 participants. According to the e-mail I just got they are expecting 30,000 this year. That's a lot of people crammed together toe-ing the edge of a starting line.
It also takes place in the heart of downtown so you need to arrive early enough to park and walk a portion of the way. Streets close at 6:30am so you need to maneuver around the already confusing one-way streets to find your way through the traffic (of 30,000 or so). After you park you need to walk and wait with the gathering crowds since you had to arrive early. When it is finally time to line up for the race it takes at least 10 to 20 minutes since the participants span an entire street length. It doesn't sound like a very good way to start a Saturday.
Ah - but it is a good way. This is one charity run that captures the feel of the people that are there. The people you see with banners and posters and pictures of those close to them that have survived or not surround you. You can't help but get swept up into the feelings of love and hope and pressing on in the faces of the relatives that are so easily recognizable in the faces on their posters. They are all family and this one race has always been at the top of being able to accept everyone as part of that family. The entire 30,000 or more all get up early, drive down into massive traffic, hope for a parking spot and make their way to that starting line. Not a one of them does it for themselves. They all do it for someone, for family, for friends. And whether you are related or not, you become part of that family. This is one 5K that isn't about the race.
Who said it wasn't sounding like a good way to start a Saturday?
TT
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Not a lot
Today is Jay's birthday. April 4th. He doesn't want a lot of hoopla and since it's a Thursday he also doesn't want to change up his regular routine to do anything out of that normal range of activities. I could say he pretty much doesn't want to change up any of his activities on any given day if he doesn't have to. But wait, does he have any activities to change up? I'm trying to think what those might be.
I'll put the kidding aside. (for a minute, maybe).
No big plans tonight. The rain storm from yesterday seems to have passed and the temperatures might come up a little higher. The sun might come out and it might warm up a bit which is good. That bit of cooler air we got with all the rain wasn't very welcome around here but as long as it has packed up and about ready to go it will be a nice April 4th.
Even if there isn't a lot of hoopla.
TT
I'll put the kidding aside. (for a minute, maybe).
No big plans tonight. The rain storm from yesterday seems to have passed and the temperatures might come up a little higher. The sun might come out and it might warm up a bit which is good. That bit of cooler air we got with all the rain wasn't very welcome around here but as long as it has packed up and about ready to go it will be a nice April 4th.
Even if there isn't a lot of hoopla.
TT
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Go now
I didn't pause for more than a moment when I got home from work to immediately change and head out for a run. I knew if I waited more than an instant I would find an excuse to not go out. I also knew I had to beat the rain. I did just that. No thinking, no waiting, no excuses.
I got my run in and I'm still waiting for the rain. It hasn't even started yet. Imagine what a rotten excuse it would have been if that was why I decided not to go out to run.
It's a good thing I didn't think about waiting.
TT
I got my run in and I'm still waiting for the rain. It hasn't even started yet. Imagine what a rotten excuse it would have been if that was why I decided not to go out to run.
It's a good thing I didn't think about waiting.
TT
April fool
Yesterday was April 1st and I didn't play a single fool's joke. I had my head down working the entire day from the moment I got up until finally I decided I was tired and needed to call it a day. It was a day, all right. Busy. Lot's of work with a report deadline, then coming home and getting the laundry put away and all the ironing done. I'm not sure why I thought I needed to get it all done yesterday but I managed to work on through and do it. Talk about a fool.
Smile. That was a joke.
TT
Smile. That was a joke.
TT
Monday, April 1, 2013
Easter spread
The Angel Food cake was just right with the fresh fruit and whipped cream. It came after the grilled spread of beef, corn, potatoes and broccoli with all the toppings.
It was a great day with the right people and lots of food.
TT
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