Staycation - Day 2

Today was marathon Saturday!  Laura and I were up and out early  We parked at LP Field and walked over the pedestrian bridge to get to the start line.

Just us and 30,000 other runners......

We were in corral 37 - so there was no need to hurry.  We watched the first runners leave the start line

And then waited near the start line - enjoying the sights and sounds of Broadway along the way!  This girl brought her service dog

And Elvis was here!!!

It didn't take too long before we were at the start line

Because this is the Music City Marathon, there was live music all along the way.  Bands were set up everywhere and in every way imaginable.  There were bands on stages, on the ground, on the steps of buildings - adapting to whatever environment they were in.  They cheered on the participants and all looked to be having a great time.

We were even treated to the band at the 'Musica' statue (or what we refer to at the Penis de Milo) twice - because the course twists and turns through the city.

Somewhere along the way we saw this couple, dressed to the nines and having a champagne brunch   by the side of the road.  So cute.  They come out every year to cheer on the runners and are happy to have their picture taken with you.  So, of course we did!

The first few miles were fairly easy.  In fact when we got to the 5K point, it seemed like just another easy walk

And then the distance got real..... and I started documenting then mile signs.  You can see the variation in neighborhoods and crowds as we went along.

And then we saw it, Mile 13.  Almost there!!!

We did it!  We finished strong!!!

Here's what the finisher medal looks like

All in all - it was a great day.  We're both a little sore, but nothing that won't heal in the next day or two.  Would I do it again?  I don't think so.  Once is enough for me.  I'll stick to shorter walks!!

Staycation - Day 1

It's Friday!  Friday is good!!

Laura and Greg are here!!  Jim worked today, I worked from home so I could pick them up at the airport.  After work Laura and I went to the Music City Center to pick up our marathon gear.  Laura has partnered with St. Jude's and raised money for them, so she is a 'St. Jude's Hero'.  When we got inside the expo, there was a whole section for St. Jude's.  They were taking a promo photo with some kids lined up in front of giant letters.  Each of the kids had a sign to hold up - except for that lovely little girl sitting in the middle of the D.  I think the D stood for Dollface - she was lovely!

Behind them was a chalkboard wall and there were chalk markers so you write on it.  It was totally filled with graffiti and totally cool - but really hard to find an open spot!!

They also had a Nashville skyline that you you take a picture in front of.  So we did....

Tomorrow is it - Like the sign says, Music City Awaits.  What's a little rain and thunderstorms among 30,000 friends......

A Beautiful Morning Sky

Linking up with Chrisy at Living a Good North Coast Life for Reconnecting with Nature, one photograph at a time.

As I sat drinking my coffee this morning, I looked out the window and saw a beautiful pink sky behind our oak tree.  Because of the elevation of our back yard and the fact that I was pretty far away from the window, I could only see a small portion of the sky.  When I actually looked out the window, this is what I saw.  Usually the entire sky is pink, but this morning there were just these streaks of pink in an otherwise blue sky.  We've had a lot of rain and storms lately - and obviously more on the way - that this was a welcomed change.

It's beautiful isn't it.

It reminded me of that old saying:
Red sky in morning, sailors take warning
Red sky at night, sailors delight

And then I thought, what does that even mean.  So, thanks to "the google" I was able to find out the scientific explanation (broken down into terms I can actually understand.  Keeping in mind that here in the US, our prevailing winds are west to east - here is the reason:

The reddish glow of the morning or evening sky is caused by haze or clouds related to storms in the region.  If the morning skies are red, it is because clear skies over the horizon to the east permit the sun to light the undersides of moisture-bearing clouds. The saying assumes that more such clouds are coming in from the west. Conversely, in order to see red clouds in the evening, sunlight must have a clear path from the west, and therefore the prevailing westerly wind must be bringing clear skies.

There are occasions where a storm system might rain itself out before reaching the observer (who had seen the morning red sky). For ships at sea however, the wind and rough seas from an approaching storm system could still be a problem, even without rainfall.

So it does make scientific sense, and still gives us a beautiful sunrise, if only for the few minutes that it was out there.  

We are Boston Strong

This is my view when I'm on the treadmill.

This morning while I was walking I was thinking about the marathon bombing and was watching a couple of videos about bombing survivors on the History channel.  One was a 78 year old man who was right in front of the bomb when it exploded.  His picture was actually on the cover of SI

Another was a surgeon from Mass General who had run the marathon and had already crossed the finished line and was headed home when the bombs went off.  He went to the hospital and operated on many people that afternoon and evening.

The jury will begin deliberating tomorrow in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. What a difficult time they will have. They have been forbidden from speaking about the case and will undoubtedly discuss all aspects of the case as a group before forming any decisions on the 30 criminal counts in front of them. What a daunting task.

Whether you were born here, or raised here, or just recently moved here we are, like the sign says, Boston Strong. No matter the outcome of the trial, we know that we are stronger than the evil that was leveled on our city that day. Whether you agree or disagree with the verdict, be respectful of the jury and job they have done.

Stay strong - stay Boston Strong.

Currently

Watching - The Boston Bruins make a run at a playoff spot.  Go B's!!!

Reading - The Children Act by Ian McEwan.  It's about a judge who rules in a case about a 17 year old boy (3 months shy of his 18th birthday) who is a Jehovah's Witness and is refusing life-saving medical treatment.  I'm about halfway through and it's pretty good

Listening to - To Kill a Mockingbird

Sewing - Nothing at the moment.  I just bought a new serger, so stay tuned....

Looking forward to - Walking the half marathon with Laura at the end of the month and having her and Greg here for a week

Enjoying - SPRING!!  Warmer weather, trees in bloom and getting outside

Celebrating - SPRING!!

Wondering- Just how many cats do live next door with that crazy lady?  Jeesh - there's a bunch!

Wanting - A self-cleaning kitchen

Weather - sunny and warm - it was about 80 when I left work.  With that, come spring storms so it's sunny, but there's rain and storms in the area.  Just thunderstorms, but with lots of rain.

Favorite quote

Don't let perfect get in the way of better.

Happy Birthday Laura!

This little cutie patootie is all grown up.  Still battling the snow, and still smiling through it all.

Happy Birthday Laura!!

A Decade

Bump, it's hard to believe it's been 10 years.  You are thought of often, and missed every day.

We love you and miss you.