After the Big Snow

December 11, historic blizzard in Minnesota, and we are running on indoor tracks.
Steps to the deck the morning after

FIVE (5) foot drift blocking our front door

Where the driveway meets the street

Closing blessing of a Christmas letter from another retired woman pastor:
"Peg Chemberlain challenged us at Plymouth Congregational on Sunday to live as a fractal of God, recreating God in all that we do. What a great ambition in a world that never needed God more. We wish you Light and Joy and Peace in the midst of Darkness, Grief, and War through the grace of God. Merry Christmas!"

From yet another retired woman pastor friend:
"We pray your waiting is also active and that with God's help you are strong of heart and staying prepared for all of life's surprises."

And from me for family Christmas gatherings: Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you."

Wishing you joy, good choices, holy energy, blessings,
Love & Prayers

Global Warming Winter Storm

Last Sunday we ran short races in the Bethel University field house in Arden Hills, north of Minneapolis.
We are running in a dome covered field house every week day.

This morning we have a snowy fantasy of blowing snow: Forecast of at least a foot and 30-40 mph wind gusts. We are near the blizzard warning area of Minnesota. The high (yes, high!) for Sunday and Monday: zero.

December 6 Newsweek, Sharon Begley's "A Climate Whodunit", reports on the progress of scientists to link extreme weather to greenhouse-induced climate change, human-caused. Believe it!

Meanwhile we are cozy, delighted with the snow bowl view from indoors. Enjoy!

PS Extra thanks to our resident computer expert for rescuing this computer from a mega-insidious virus this week.
Pictures for posting will be restored later today.

Route 66 Marathon/Half - Tulsa

November 20, 2010


My favorite shirt at the expo in Tulsa, where Sweet Pea and I ran the half marathon


Kids were making spectator signs at the expo.


Race course along the Arkansas River was a delight.


Running through neighborhoods, enjoying the fall color of maples and oaks. . .


I always like to see the big downtown churches in the city.



Early morning drive to the start, flags gave witness to the prevailing Tulsa wind.


We ran over the Arkansas River on one bridge and back on another.


"Up with trees" signs decorate Tulsa... along with planted trees.


Maple trees were glorious last week in Tulsa.


Multiple explosions of multi-colored confetti sent each coral of runners off on the races.


At the finish area, children everywhere. . . these events are a family affair.


Children cheering before they can walk


Food at the Finisher's Food tent was better before they ran out of the good chicken and vegetables and were left with plain white rice.


These great signs liberally marked out the race courses, guiding our pre-race day drive and the actual running of the races on race day.


The many delightful parks of Tulsa certainly changed my image of that city.


Don enjoyed running part way with a Team in Training runner. He is a multiple myeloma survivor and always greets Team in Training people with, "Thanks for helping to save my life."

Route 66 Marathon/Half

What a treat to be running in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just two days ago, while snow was happening at home!
The delightful course takes a tour of a part of downtown, past churches, meanders through several neighborhoods, crosses the Arkansas River twice. Tulsa is decorated with many parks, and last weekend the maples and oaks were in spectacular fall color.

Both marathon and half marathon courses finish with a pleasant stretch along the Arkansas River.

Volunteers were great as usual, race arrangements and plans were well thought out and executed.
More PICTURES soon.

SNOW !

Before the snow came, we had 5 glorious 50 degree days of training in the park.

Isn't the snow lovely though!

NYC Marathon

Remembering our running of the New York City Marathon

Yes We Can!

And I don't mean that twisted ridiculous "yes we can.... backwards" thing....

I mean "Yes we can"... forward and, let's say: for all the uninsured children?!

PLEASE PLEASE VOTE

Truman Presidential Library

Independence, Missouri

Our 6th presidential library in our travels to do marathons in 50 states.


The grounds around the buildings were spacious and lovely... Sorry that we neglected to get any good photos.
Maples were at their finest in Missouri last weekend.



"All Americans... are entitled to ... good medical care."


Truman's oval office in the White House during his presidency




The visitor's center


The Truman home in Indendendence


One of the street banners in Independence, honoring and remembering the former president, who daily walked in his home town.



My favorite presidential libraries, so far, are Clinton in Little Rock and Eisenhower in Abilene.
The rose garden at the Carter library was lovely, but we were not in Atlanta when the buildings were open, so maybe next time.
Each place provides interesting insights into each our presidents and terms in office.

Kansas City Half Marathon

At the expo:

IMAGES ALONG THE KANSAS CITY HALF MARATHON RACE COURSE

















Volunteers along the course were GREAT. Water stops were good; traffic control on all the cross streets was exceptional. Weather was nearly ideal, ranging from quite brisk to a bit hot.
Kansas City is HILLY. The course was laid out in a pretty manageable route.. with downtown, neighborhoods, parks, etc.: INTERESTING RACE.

Read a good report about the marathon on Make It A Masterpiece.

BUT THEY RAN OUT OF HALF MARATHON MEDALS!!
The finish area was chaotic. Volunteers seemed uninformed.
We had to ASK about medals. The excuse was that they had an unexpected number of last minute sign ups. Well, 3 hours after the race began, I think they might have prepared the finish area volunteers.

I think they should have quickly volunteered and instructed us.
The tent for signing up for medals was some distance outside the finish area.
"Maybe in 3 weeks", someone said.

"If I don't have my medal, what picture can I post tonight on my blog?" I asked one gracious volunteer. "I can think of a couple of pictures!" she said.

Some marathoners did not get their finishers' shirts, which were piled along a fence. No one was handing them out.

Until the finish, IT WAS A GREAT AND ENJOYABLE RACE!!