IN MY BACK YARD!

Look what is blooming in my back yard! Every January, in Louisiana, we get a preview of what is coming in the spring. The narcissus bloom. You first notice the green stalks coming out of the deep bed of leaves sometime in early January, depending upon the weather. I looked in the back today and saw the blooms had opened. It is as if God is giving you a reminder of the beautiful spring that is just around the corner. We have a VERY short winter dormant period here. The violas are in my bed, but they don't really reach their "Peak Pretty" until it is about time to plant the spring flowers. I will barely get all of the leaves cleaned from the beds before everything begins to bloom. We have an early Easter this year, so the dogwoods should be perfect. Many times they have passed their peak before the day arrives. What a beautiful reminder of what we are celebrating when you look into the woods and the white blooms are so thick you would think the tree had snow on it. Indeed Spring is coming-swiftly approaching! I am ready!

For today, it is cold and wet! I have a fire burning, thanks to Mr. C and a large pot of soup simmering on the stove. If we must endure winter, then this is the way to survive. I LOVE SOUP! BC likes it ok, but I could eat it every night when it is cold. They had an entire page of recipes in the paper today, but I pretty much fly by the seat of my pants when it comes to soup. I like all kinds-with corn bread, crackers, hard rolls, all kinds of sopping material. YUMMY! I have a blogging buddy that is a gourmet cook. I enjoy reading her blog and hearing about her culinary adventures. I am ready and willing to try new foods and recipes anytime, but you just cannot beat "old time cooking". Since I do not come from a long line of wonderful cooks, I have self taught myself a lot and even taken some cooking classes. BC may regret that I don't have a marathon to focus on if I get on a cooking jag. I can cook and just have a taste, he on the other hand loves to eat and often returns for seconds. I told two of my running buddies yesterday that I lost over 10% of my body weight training for this marathon (1st time this has happened-I usually gain) and needed to put some weight back on. One of them told me they would love to be able to say I need to gain weight. They think I am lucky-but when I look at the marathon pictures-well bones running down the road are not flattering!

I am looking for inspiration for a story. Have any good ideas of a topic? I just need that little spark to be lit, but for now I cannot seem to come up with the flint stone. HMMMMMM!

I did see in the newspaper that Paris Hilton will be given the "Harvard Lampoon" Hastiest Pudding of the Lampoon Award. GIVE ME A BREAK! Why would anyone pay ANY attention to this untalented ditsy dimwit? OH YES-SHE COMES FROM MONEY! I guess money can buy lots of things after all, but it can not buy brains as she has proven!

Final thought for today-if you know Ivory and would like to see what a hero she is-do the following: Go to Houston Marathon Results, on that page you will see a spot to click to see runners coming across the finish line, put her last name in, and right side, you will see her dragging her leg across the finish line. WHAT A WOMAN! As I have said before, to finish is something, but to finish in that much pain is unreal!

DON'T TRY TALKING THE TALK IF YOU ARE NOT WALKING THE WALK

I really get amazed during campaigning time at the politicians trying to convince us of their spirituality. Personally I think if you are truly spiritual and have a personal relationship with our Lord, then you don't have to tell anyone else how spiritual you are-it shows. If you have to stand before your fellow citizens and persuade them of your deep spiritual convictions, well-I am not swayed. I have more admiration for those that don't pretend to be something they are not. They are not spiritual and don't try to even give any indication that they are. Don't begin "attending" church to garner votes, just before announcing you are running for office as one of our local officials did. Just tell it like it is and then you will not trip up when you try to speak the foreign language of "spirituality."

I went to my dermatologist this AM for my 6 month check. The good news is I only had one spot to freeze off after about 10 in June, including 3 biopsies. The bad news, Ladies, is you cannot do anything about "chicken skin". All the men out in blogging land probably don't have a clue what I am talking about, but you women-YOU GET IT. We are about 2 years off from having a solution for that. Who knows in 2 years, I might not even care anymore!

The old legs are really in pretty good shape. Probably the best shape they have been in for the 3 marathons I have run. They are sore-don't' get me wrong, but not that bad. We actually took a slow 30 minute stroll today. The only twinge I had was when I had to run across the road-WHOAAA! Did I remember to tell you that for running the marathon you got a really ugly short sleeve tee shirt. For finishing you got a "finisher's shirt" from under armor, a medal, and an engraved mug. All that and you only had to pay a $80 entry fee. You have really got to wonder about someone who will PAY to run 26.2 miles. CRAZINESS!!!!

The bad news for all of you out there is that now I have plenty of time. Pray that you do not become one of my projects. When I get on a tangent or take someone or something on as a project-well I can go a little bit over the edge. I am looking for the next project-duck if you see me coming your way!

OH- BY THE WAY!

GEORGE & BARBARA BUSH WERE AT ABOUT MILE 18. MY BUDS ALL SAW THEM! LEAVE IT TO ME-I SAW THE SECRET SERVICE CARS AND WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE HOUSTON POLICE HAD BLACK VEHICLES LIKE THAT AT THE MARATHON. NEVER SAW THE BUSHES. I AM SUCH A DUMBIE!
I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY STOPPED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH. BC'S ENVY WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL WORTH THE ADDED TIME!

I'M BACK!!!!!

Camille's "Ghost Runner"-Note Name on Bib

Night Before "Final Pasta Dinner"

14 Ruston Runners-HOW GREAT!

Sandra Finishing- 3rd in her age group!

Susan Finishing (2nd runner)


"The Old Lady-FINISHING! (Green Top)

Well we are home and EVERYONE finished! My time was my best time I have had, but only by a little. The first 20 miles were great, but the last six were TOUGH! A great deal of the course was concrete and I have a HATE relationship with concrete. The hard surface managed to kick off my IT Band syndrome, which I have not had a problem with for quite a few years. It can take some time to get well, but I've had it before, so know what I need to do. I have "tight" legs and a few sore spots, but over all am in pretty good shape after 26.2 miles.

I was running along at a record pace for me, until about mile 20. I saw Ivory on the side of the road between mile 18 and 19 and stopped to see what I could do. SHE WAS IN BAD SHAPE! She was literally having to drag her bad leg along. I talked with her and convinced her to run along with me and we would run slow. So for the next couple of miles we jogged and walked alternately. For some reason, once I started walking, it went downhill fast. My IT band began hurting and I was having a tough time getting it going again. We made a brief stop in a medical tent and stopped to stretch a couple of times, but after mile 22, I could not get my legs running again. I walked the next four miles, and ran the last .2. Thank goodness Sandra had suggested walking during our training. I was able to walk a sub 15 minute miles, even with lead legs. That is what saved me from having an even slower time. My overall "chip" time was 5hours 14 minutes which was a minute faster than my last marathon when I walked the last 3 miles. I am relieved I finished and ready to think about something else other than a marathon. We did discuss, on our way home today, what we would run next. No consensus, but that lets you know we will be up for training again, in the future.

Could I tell you what sights you see in a marathon??????Belly dancers, flamingo dancers, cloggers, bands, "The Blues Brothers"-including car, Boom boxes, radio station vans broadcasting, everything, but a circus. It is unbelievable. Every neighborhood you go through had people up and down the course rooting you on. Screaming and call out your name (on your bib) and encouraging you on. It is really something! And the characters you see running-including "Superman", "The Flash", a guy in a grass skirt, a guy in a kilt with his knee socks. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING!

Ivory gets the "Bravery" award. It is quite something to finish-at all-but to have a REALLY bad injury and keep on going. Well I can't tell you the guts that takes. She is really something. There is nothing I would like more than to see her get well and finish in the fashion that she is capable of. She is really disappointed, but all of her "running buds" will group around and encourage her as she recovers and we begin to go again.

We had a wonderful time. Laughing and talking and cutting up. Encouraging each other. Talking running. IT WAS A GREAT 3 DAYS! The next 2 weeks involve recovery including slow and easy walks and runs. After the recovery-back in the saddle, but not the long miles we had been doing. That actually sounds pretty good!

WHITE COAT

Our favorite son-in-law, Adam, will recieve his "white coat" this weekend in a "White Coat Ceremony". WE ARE PROUD! Adam is quite the student. I have always thought I was so disciplined, but HE SETS THE RECORD for discipline. Adam gets up REALLY early and he isn't going out for a run with his buddies, he is getting up to study. He also studies in the evening and on the weekend. Medical school is a really big challenge, but Adam is up for the challenge. We are proud and wish we could be in PA with them for this important day. The good news is that Adam's sweet Mom and Dad will be there. They are flying to Erie today and going home Sunday. Camille was really excited about seeing them and them being there for this important milestone. We will be there in spirit and he is uppermost in our thoughts on this proud day!

When I was in school, I always enjoyed and learned from the comments or criticism that my teachers gave me. I looked forward to turning in papers having them read and learning from their comments. Now there are times that I was not happy, initially, with their comments, but I always took them to heart and grew from those comments.

I have a counter on my blog that tells me how many "unique" hits I have everyday. I do not know who is looking, but I do know how many are looking. Yesterday I had 47 "unique" hits, which thrilled me. The down side is that of those 47 hits, I only had one comment. I have set my blog up so that you can comment even anonymously. You can say what you will and I will never know your identity. The only way my writing will ever get any better is if you are willing to help me and give me constructive criticism. I often go back and reread a blog and catch areas that can be improved. PLEASE FEEL FREE to make comments and do not worry about anyone knowing you are commenting. There is no way to trace the comment to you. I would love to know how to improve and what you like to read or don't like to read. We grow and improve from doing, but unless we know what we are doing wrong, it is difficult to improve. SO MUCH FOR MY SOAP BOX! Even if you never comment, thank you for reading!

We are leaving tomorrow at 6. I have everything packed and all is left to do is run the race. BC asked me tonight what I was feeling and I told him apprehensive. He asked did I always feel apprehensive. I told him yes, except for the first marathon, when you did not know to be apprehensive. At that time ignorance was bliss, but now I live with the knowledge of where I am going. It is daunting! Right, Wrong, or Indifferent-Sunday afternoon it will all be over, but the crying! I would appreciate a little prayer Sunday morning. Pray for my physical abilities and endurance and that I run "For His Good Pleasure". I am proud that He gave me the ability to last through the training and feel blessed that I am still able to run-even in my old age. It has been fun training, but I look forward to thinking of other-more important things next week.

COUNTDOWN

l (ONE- UNO) Day 21 Hours + Change Until M DAY

My stomach hurts Momma! Can I stay home from school today?????

ARE YOU A PIG OR A JEWELER?

Friend Helen and I were solving the world's problems when I went to visit yesterday and she told me, "You are casting your pearls before swine." I am sure you are all familiar with this scripture, but I have spent a lot of time today thinking it over.

Now personally I don't hate pigs, I even love a good pork chop or pork tenderloin. Well if I am totally honest, I only like pigs cooked and on the plate in front of me. I love animals and have been around quite a few varieties since my early childhood, but I am not interested in raising pigs. If you have never been to a hog farm, you have missed an experience. There are individuals around us that would tell you how clean a pig is. These individuals have never had to clean out the hog pen or looked at what the pigs eat. While a young girl, I had a friend that raised pigs for their 4H project. I would often go and visit "The Farm" where her Mammaw lived and the pigs were kept. THE ODOR WAS STAGGERING! Those animals loved to wallow in the mud and the nastier the mud the better. They would have it hanging from every square inch of their body and only their eyes escaped the coating. Even then there would be mud on their lashes around those eyes. The pigs were lazy animals lying around in the mud doing nothing until it came time to eat. The only action you ever saw was the stampede to the feed trough and the fights over the slop. NASTY ANIMALS-STINKY BIG TIME!

Now the jeweler on the other hand deals in fine gems and stones, including the beautiful pearl. Flawlessly white, without a blemish. God's creation from a grain of sand. TOTALLY AMAZING! Real Pearls are not found on every corner and the pure flawless pearls are a prized possession. You take these pearls and string them on a silk or gold thread with a golden clasp. You then wear these pearls close to your heart, always within your reach. It is such a joy to rub those pearls and feel their caress against your skin. Truly a possession of rich and lasting beauty.

Why then would you not cast your pearls before swine. The pig lives in the mud which is dark and dirty. He is always surrounded with this dirt and grime and stink. This is the pig's world and he likes it. If you threw your beautiful prized pearls into the pen with the pigs, it would be for naught. He would sniff around it, maybe for a second, but once he discovered it was not food nor mud, he would ignore it. The pearls would become trampled under the pigs' feet and covered with mud. The pearls would disappear and become part of the mud and stink of the pig's pen. You have thrown your valuable possession into the muck and mire of the pig's world and it has been cast aside and lost.

I plan to keep my pearls close to my heart and carefully guard them. I will share the pearls and show the pearls, but only to those that understand the value of the pearls. It is my desire to gain more pearls and I plan to continue the search for those pearls. What a gift from God-the beautiful and precious pearls of His creation. I will honor and treasure the gift of the pearls and be thankful for the blessing of their possession. My pearl beyond price is surely my dearest possession. I am blessed!