Once Upon A Time I Ran A Race

Once upon a time I ran a race. A running race. Like last Saturday. It was cold. So very cold and windy. Three days earlier it had been 90 degrees and I was square baling hay. Hot, sweaty, gritty, dirty work. But can I tell you about my pipes? My muscles on my arms? Anyone? Okay, maybe another time.

Back to my story. It was cold, windy.....very, very windy. Maybe 50 degrees. I didn't know what to wear for such a cold morning of running. I borrowed Yooper Jr.'s Under Armor baseball shirt. Wore my favorite baseball cap, which is so faded and fraying I may have to retire it. Sniff, sniff. Love that hat.

My sister ran the race with me. My dad too. A family event just about. My sister is a seasoned runner and so is my dad. They talked running before the race began and I wondered what the heck I was doing there.

I was about to embark on 3.1 miles of running in 50 degree temps, gusting winds of up to 25 miles an hour and did I mention I have to run?

I hadn't run a race since my high school cross country days. So long ago. Like 20 years ago. A long, long, long, very long, long, long time ago.

But back up a bit. Like nearly two months ago. I began running. Ha! Jogging at first. I felt good. I began to crave it. Hope became my little running compadre. She motivated me. My life motivated me. Anger sometimes. Angry at the world. Cancer too. Angry at cancer. When I ran those miles, my mind went into this zone. Auto pilot it seemed. My mind discussed my day, what was happening in my life. Emotions flying over family and friends and especially Yooper. My head spinned in circles contemplating moving my photography passionate hobby into a professional setting eventually convincing me to "Just Do It!". And I did. And am liking very much.

When the race began I knew I was going to run like I usually do and not prove anything. Go with the flow. Set a good pace for myself. Relax and not worry. It was just a running race.

Except I fretted I would have to stop and not finish, run off the course and hide, suck my thumb behind a bush and cry.

Well not really. So what if I couldn't finish. Who was I trying to impress? Oh that's right, my worst critique. ME!

My sister took off like a bat out of heck when we began the race. There was no way I could keep up with her at her pace.

But by the first mile she slowed down, waited for me and we ran together for a bit then I gradually found a faster pace and got in my zone. Auto pilot mode.

But I knew my sister was not far behind me by the two mile mark. A loud belch erupted from her and I started laughing.

Just to remind me where she was. To remind me to have fun.

And I was having fun. I was running fast. I felt great. And I thought about Tim. All he is fighting for. All that he has won with his cancer battle. I needed those thoughts because the last mile to the finish line was brutal. Head into the gusting winds with no relief. My pace slowed down but I continued on. I passed a few people that last mile too. I began to feel my lungs work harder, my breathing losing it's controlled rhythm and my legs growing tired. And that made me mad because I am not the one with cancer. I haven't been the sick one. I wasn't going to slow down because of the wind or feeling tired. So what. I will finish this race.

And I did. I finished strong. I sprinted into the finish line as fast as I could.

I looked behind me as I came into the shoot searching for my sister. She came charging in as well. So what if I had beat her. She got over that part later....like the next day. Kidding.

She is another reason why I began running. I watched her do a race in July and wished I could run like her. And here I was, two months later running with her.

We ran this race together. We placed in our age groups. The best part is our dad raced with us. He was so proud. I think a bit shocked to see us both racing, especially me. It made his day I do know this. My mom too. She is the one who took pictures of her family doing a running race together.

I ran a race. I finished it. I achieved another goal. I want to race again.

And after the race my sister and I took our daughter's out for some therapy.....shopping!

Thee end......for today anyway.

Read more...

How Patient She Is

I know I have shared quite a few pictures of Merry, our wonderfully adopted kitty cat, and have even blogged about her here and there. She is a fun cat. Interesting. Loves the camera. Okay, my camera loves her and her great big green eyes.

She is a patient cat withstanding numerous scratches behind her ears. Belly rubbing. Carried around like a baby or slung over Yooper Jr.'s shoulder. She is a sweet cat. Except for our other kitty, Miley, who lives in the same jurisdiction, who completely loathes her. Merry is a pretty cool cat but not real famous with the other felines living under our roof.

As I mentioned, she is very patient and willing to be handled like a sack of potatoes by the kids. Not many cats will put up with a 9 1/2 year old girl's minutes and minutes of endless doting.

She puts up with it.

"You want me to play dead little girl?"

"How is this angle for your camera?"

"Talk to the paw. I recently buried this morning's breakfast with it."

"I was a super cat hero in one of my nine lives. I could fly. Now I use my claws to leap back and forth from your antique cloth chairs."

"Little girl is teaching me the Macarena or was it the Pee Wee Herman dance. Either way, I am so easily thrilled to death."

"Oohh scratch a little higher but release the choke hold giggly girl."

"Ahhh this is the life. Love me. Hold me. Pet me. Yeah feed me too while you're at it."

Read more...

Boys To Camp Equals Sister's Weekend

How I love this picture of my sister. Shows her silly, fun side!

Before school starts. Before summer officially ends next week. Before these last lazy days of sunshine come to an end, I am looking forward to a fun sister's weekend. And daughters. Retail therapy perhaps, for the little girls anyway. You know, some new school clothes and shoes. Shoes? Did I just type the word shoes? Yes I love new and different shoes. And purses. Oh and earrings. Addicted to earrings. My sister is too. She had her ears re-pierced this summer and her earring buying addiction is now worse than mine.

My cute and oh so pretty niece!

The boys are headed up to camp. I am looking forward to the break. Some time for me. A breather from Yooper. He is looking forward to seeing his camp. Some good 'ole boys time. Mini Me is looking forward to some time away from her big brother. The one who patiently puts up with her and she with him. Which leaves me in the middle of their battle ground. Oh some of the wars that ensue!

This weekend is certainly going to be such a nice reprieve.

My cute niece will be visiting too, keeping her cousin busy and vice versa. She and Mini Me are a good match and complement each other very well. Kind of like their moms. Except I sort of feel bad they may fall prey to their mom's absolute silliness. Well just a little! Because when the sisters are together, we are awfully goofy. But oh how we have so much fun!

Oh happy weekend!

Read more...