What Does it Really Mean?

You've heard the expression, “And then the wheels started coming off.” It is a metaphor most often referring to the falling apart of a plan. How about this one? “I'm going to drive it into the ground.” This is yet another metaphor for using something until there is nothing left to use, as in a car or a vacuum. (Spelled it correctly this time!)

Well, today I did both! As I was mowing our large and hilly lawn with my John Deere mower that has high miles and a rebuilt body, one wheel fell off! The drive wheel, however, was still engaged in its duty, continuing to propel the mower forward literally driving it into the ground! There is a lovely gouge in the hillside of my front lawn.

And I thought they were merely metaphors ...

Desktop

Dirty dusty documents deepening daily on my desk.

Do I dust, ditch, or determine direct destinations

Diminishing droves of data and debris?

Daydreams delay decision and divert the dread of debt.

Dynamite? Decomposition? Does dropping in the dumpster

Do dire damage or dispense delight?

Getting Help!

Three years after my first book publication, much hand wringing, and several (ok, lots) rejections on my novel, I have decided to join forces with other female writers.  The result is ...

Doesn't this cover make you smile?

This book will be released by Freundship Press on September 15.  You can expect reminders and event info to follow!  I am excited for A) the opportunity to be published again and B) the friendships I am making along the way, albeit mostly through cyberspace at present!

Visit the Facebook page here

P.S.  I am one of the "Carols" printed on the sunflower petals.

Dear Blog, I've missed you!

I've been neglecting my blog a bit. I won't blame it on writer's block this time.  I've just had other things on my mind as in:

• How many hoops will Spence have to jump through to obtain his Utah Residency status and have out of state tuition waived to the tune of $6000 per semester?
• How many times will I tell my married kids and granddaughter "Goodbye" before they actually leave for Pennsylvania?
• How sad will it be?
• How long before I hop a plane to Pennsylvania?
• How am I going to get through another year with a high school senior?
• How much money will it take to fix the pickup so the "Service Engine" light will go off and an emissions test can actually be performed?
• How many pints of beans will I can this year?
• Ditto for quarts of tomatoes.
• When does An Eclectic Collage: Volume II (A collaborative work on relationships by female authors) come out so I can tell all my friends?
• What's for dinner?

 Well, I have some answers and they are all good!

• As many as it takes.  Residency Awarded!  No more out of state tuition hanging over his head - nor mine!
• About three.
• Sad.  Very sad.
• Five and one half weeks until I make my first visit to Pennsylvania and welcome a new grandchild into the world.
• Hang on!  It's a wild ride!  However, I am wiser and more seasoned than the first two times I rode this attraction.
• $175
• Between 50 and 60.
• Who knows?  They are just coming on.
• September 15!  I am one of the authors of this book.  More info to come!
• Whole wheat waffles - or maybe BLT's.  After all, the tomatoes are ripening!

Another Running Lesson

Non-runners often wonder what makes runners want to run. Why do we do it? There isn't just one answer, and frankly, runners don't always know why they run. They can, however, tell you many things that running teaches them. This is just one lesson:

Walking is not an option.

Running is and always will be hard. The farther one can run, the farther he must push himself. The greater his condition, the faster he goes. He often wants to stop. What a luxury it would be just to stop and walk for a minute. He could catch his breath, work out a kink or two, and then run again when he felt stronger. During every run, and especially during every race, the thought crosses his mind, “I would really like to walk.”

Sometimes he does. When he does indulge in this luxury, he finds he feels better – for a moment. Then he must run again, and picking up the pace is difficult. He also finds that he is tempted more frequently to take a breather and walk. It is better to continue to run.

I sometimes find myself there, not on the road or the track, but in life. So many times it would feel good to just walk a bit – to rest. Unfortunately, when I feel the most like resting are the times it is critical to keep moving forward. A breather could prove costly!

“I would really like to walk,” but walking is not an option. It is better to continue to run.

How to Make Your Own Tribal Tattoo

Ever wanted to try one on for size, but were afraid of the pain and long term consequences of committing to the real thing?  Well, try this instead.
A-  Commit to joining some friends for a 22 mile hike.
B - Don a pair of capri length running pants, running shoes, and dorky crew socks.
C - Apply sunscreen.
D - Apply insect repellent.
E - Tromp around mountain trails for eight hours.
F - Remove shoes and socks.

Voila!  You now have a custom, semi permanent, tribal tattoo.  Yes, it washes off, but not without a fair amount of hot soapy water!  The same guarantee does not exist for running shoes.  I don't know if they will ever come clean!

Oops!

Okay, how embarrassing!  The last blog was much more than a photo - or at least I thought it was!  I told all about how we were prepared or unprepared, etc.  Then I decided to post a photo (from last year, no less) and apparently I erased the text!  Too bad.  Now I can't remember what fabulous words of insight I shared.  Alas!  I will have to do better next time!

Ready or Not!

Someday I’m going to write another book entirely about pain. In the meantime, I’ll share a few thoughts about the subject. I do not believe that life should be lived pain free. Rather, the goal is to live life in spite of pain.
I am a runner. This is a relatively new definition of me. I began running two and a half years ago. I don’t especially love running. Running loves me.
Why I run …
It is a cheap form of exercise. The only equipment needed is a good pair of shoes. No membership fees, no fuel expenses, nor any special gear is required. A few cute running shirts and pants are fun, but they are not critical to participation.
It is convenient. Just step out the front door.
It improves other parts of my life. I have greater endurance during other activities such as waterskiing and snow skiing. It makes me sweat and that has to be good. I have a great blood pressure reading.
I am afraid of age onset diabetes.
What I have learned …
Running hurts. As a non-runner I often supposed that running was easy for runners. It is not. If running were easy it would be called walking.
Injuries happen. They are mostly of the strain and tendonitis type, but injuries do happen.
RICE. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.
Vitamin I. (Ibuprofen)
Pain does not always mean “Stop!”
Pain sometimes means “STOP!”
Where the fun is …
Racing.
5Ks and 10Ks.
Sprint Triathlons.
It’s not about them (those real runners passing me) it’s about me.
Talking about the races. Wearing the goofy race t-shirts. Thinking about the next race. Cheering on fellow racers. Looking around and seeing how far you’ve come.
Mostly, the fun is, knowing you are doing something painful today that will help you stick around longer tomorrow.