Sneaking up on 50!

What is the big deal about turning 50?

I guess, for me - it is the acknowledgement that:

a. my life is surely more than half over,
b. there are certain things a 50 year old body does not want to do
(and can no longer do!),
c. it is becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate RAP music,
d. we are responsible for our choices and their affects,
e. the majority of "stuff " we consider a big deal - is not big!,
f. people who think they know the only way to know GOD scare me,
g. the sun will come up tomorrow!

How about you - what do you think is the "big deal?"

Today I saved a life!

I am embarrassed it has been so long since I last posted a thought on my blog. To be honest with you - it is all about not making or taking the time to share a thought. I will do better - or at least try!

So much news to share:

a. My 1/2 marathon training with the Team in Training/Leukemia society is going pretty. I do some sort of training everyday...I either exercise, stretch, ,walk or jog. On Saturday I join the team in training crew at Whiterock Lake in Dallas...(at 7:00 am!)..the last 3 weeks we have circled the lake ..which is 9 miles. I will admit I do not jog the entire 9 miles..some of it is walking.I welcome your advice on battling blisters...I get them on the pad of my left foot, just below my big toe - ouch.

b. I have made my plans for the trip to Alaska for the run (June 21 in Anchorage). Well sorta - I am going up a little early - I hope to make it up to Denali and bond with nature. Your suggestions are welcome - I need a cheap place to stay for a night or two.

c. I am also getting close on finalizing my plans for my renewal leave - extended break from the church. My goal is to get some rest, renew my spirit and have a little fun.

d. We are exploring the idea of selling our house and moving to Plano - another suburb in the Dallas area. It would be a good idea IF it gets us closer to our work. Most of the decision awaits a major decision regarding my wife's job.

e. Regarding the title of this post: The life I saved today was that of a baby turtle who was laying on his back along side a jogging path at the lake. He caught my eye - at first I thought he was "passed," I picked him up and he moved his little head. I asked what he wanted- he told me to toss him gently in to the lake - so I did. Good luck little guy.

A lesson to us all..don't be so busy on your own trail that you fail to notice someone or something needing a hand!

Resurection is available to us all!

Here it is Easter morning..the time we Christians celebrate the resurrection - the rising of Christ from the dead.

That alone is great news...but did you know that - that great news is also available to you and to me?!

We can each experience a new birth in our own lives, in our relatiosnhips and in our thinking. We can choose to leave the past behind us, to move past the pain, the heartbreak, and the disappointments that we have allowed to hold us back. We can chose to live differently, to forgive, to make new plans, to embrace hope.

It is hard to let go of old ways of doing things - believe me, I know.
Many of you know I have commited to run a half-marathon June 21 in Anchorage, Alsaka as a part of my participation in the Leukemia Society team in training.

Some days have been - good others days not so good. Some mornings I choose to stay in bed, some I get out and walk-run. To be honest with you - it is a daily struggle, seems like I can always find something better to do than exercise, walk or run!

Today - I renew my comitment to this new way of living - eatting, and especially exercising!

How about it - why don't you join me in claiming a new beginning in your life - today!

What do you do when you hit the wall?

I need advice from some of my running - workout friends!

I have - I think- hit what runner-workout people call "hit the wall."

You may recall that for the last couple of weeks I have been restricted from running due to tendonitis in my left knee. While that was going on I developed a bad chest cold.

I was released to beging jogging again and my cold is much better but now it is cold and rainy!

I do not feel liek working out or running!

Here is where I need your advice...when this happens to you what do you do-say to yourself to get motivated!?

Help!

What ever happened to funeral procession etiquette?

I was in a funeral procession today - all the way from St. Andrew to Sparkman-Hillcrest cemetery (located across the street from Northpark Mall.)

I was stunned by the number of people - in the opposing lanes who just blew on by, who never made any effort to slow down or much less pull over out of respect. The procession was very long and crossed a number of busy Dallas sidestreets so there were a number of traffic cops on motorcycles zooming about. In a number of cases I was nervous for them as commuters tried to zoom past them so as to not get stopped or at least temporarily held up.

What is the deal?!?!

Are parents failing to teach their children this respectful gesture?

I hear this notion is non-existent in the North and West as well as non-existent in foregin countries.

I do believe I am now officially an "old-fart."

why do our bodies give out?!

As you know I am "trying" to train to run a half marathon June 21 as a part of my commitment to Team in Training. I say "trying" because over the last 2 weeks I have been battling severe knee pain every time I jog or squat. It feels fine when I walk around, sit or stand?!

I have an appointment in the morning with a local knee Dr. - surely he will give me some magic "elixir," tonic or snake oil to make things all better!

Valentine time

How do you tell the people you love - that you love them?
a card? a gift? a good deed?

I think it is important to let our "loved ones" know how we feel - but I am resistant to do it on command!

How do you feel about Valentines Day?