Saturday, December 31, 2016

December 31, 2016 BLUE AIN'T YOUR COLOR

Over the last 24 hours, I've signed up for the 1000 mile challenge and the Mystic half marathon. The 1000 mile challenge seems doable--I have a year to run/walk/exercise 1000 miles. The half marathon is more of a challenge because that will require long runs during the school year and they can be really hard to fit in. It's good for me to have goals for 2017 AND it's also a great way to stay motivated through the LLOONNGG winter.  I usually get through January without a problem--it's supposed to be cold. February isn't too bad as it's a short month and we have a break from school. Now March and April are a different story. March is the longest month ever and it's REALLY cold. My brain keeps telling me it's getting warmer but it doesn't happen. It gets to be a drag. Then fickle April comes around--AND--just when I think I've made it through another winter, I'm fooled again. That's why I have to stay focused and have goals for myself through the dense jungle known as winter--I could get lost--take a wrong turn--if I'm not careful. Hope you're setting some realistic goals this New Year's Eve and have a Happy 2017.
Nick Hornby wrote a great book a few years back that always pops into my head on New Year's Eve called A Long Way Down. I must confess that I am a big fan of Hornby--and went through a phase where I read all of his books. Many of them have even made it to the big screen-- High Fidelity, About a Boy and Fever Pitch to name a few. I'm a fan of British writers and find his writing to be both witty and intelligent.  A Long Way Down is a dark comedy about four strangers who find themselves together on the roof of Toppers' House contemplating suicide. Martin is a disgraced TV talk show host, JJ is a failed musician, Jess is a teenage girl with boyfriend problems, and Maureen is a lonely mother with a disabled child. After meeting on the roof and realizing their plan is ruined, the four strangers take turns telling their story to the group. Hornby does an excellent job here--Four very distinct characters told in first person. After getting to know each other, they resolve to wait 90 days. They also decide to help each other overcome their problems. Find out what ultimately happens to these quirky characters by reading this dark--but laugh out loud comedy. It's an easy read of 350 pages--about a 4 mile run--that will definitely make you feel better about your life.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

December 29, 2016 YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND

Habits. We all have them--some are great--and others--WELL--I'll leave it at that. They are something that just become part of our lives over time. Nothing makes me happier than going out for a run at 8:30 a.m.--it's become a habit over the years. I feel most ready to start the day when I get that morning run in--EVEN during vacation. It's crazy--I could sleep in a bit longer--run at 10:00--but I don't because it's my norm--I also had plans this morning to meet up with some old friends and was determined to squeeze a run in first. While running, I thought about my old friends and realized that they are like habits--good ones--people I've been lucky to  have in my life for almost 40 years. I learned at a young age that in order for me to survive and be successful, I needed to surround myself with whom I wanted to be--and this wasn't necessarily going to be found at home. Thankfully, I chose well or did they choose me?? Who knows but it's all good.  We don't get together often, but when we do, it's like time stands still. It's never awkward--we never run out of things to jabber on about. These are the people who have known me through good times and bad. They know where I've been and watched me grow and change over the years. Hopefully for the better. They are the people who have never judged me or competed with me. They just cheered me on and always wanted the best for me as much as I did them. I guess that's why the friendship has endured. We grow, change and continue to laugh A LOT. Thanks for the memories.
When I was in middle school, one of my best friends though was a book. That might sound strange but it's true. I never would have survived without Judy Blume's classic Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I must have taken this-- Times 100 best fiction books--out of the library at least 10 times in middle school. I felt such a deep connection to Margaret, the main character of the story. Middle school is a tough time for girls and Blume's character spoke to me. She is worried about puberty, buying bras and sanitary napkins--sounds so old fashioned. Margaret is also insecure because her parents haven't introduced  her to organized religion.  Margaret copes with the unknown and her insecurities by informally  praying to God on a regular basis on a variety of topics.  She also forms a secret club with a group of girls where they discuss exercises to increase their busts, kissing boys and other highly important topics. Seriously though, this is an excellent book for any middle school girl. They will appreciate and be able to relate to Margaret and she just might be able to get them through some tough years. It's about 150 pages or an easy 3 mile run that has stuck with me forever, like an old friend. It will do the same for you. Enjoy.

Monday, December 26, 2016

December 26, 2016 AULD LANG SYNE

The holidays are exhausting. Cooking, cleaning, wrapping, smiling, making conversation, making eye contact,  cooking, cleaning, wrapping........oh, I already said that.......and fitting in a few runs. No wonder I'm so tired. As much as I love the holiday, I am relieved that it's December 26th.  Ran about five miles on Christmas morning--No small feat after making TOO much  merry on Christmas Eve. Ran again this morning--OKAY--did a lot of walking this morning--THE AFTER EFFECTS OF TWO DAYS OF CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS. Seriously though, this smiling, making conversation and eye contact thing can really take a lot out of a person, especially, someone like me.  As much as I love being with family and friends, I really am kind of a loner. I enjoy  the peace and solitude of every day life--maybe it's because I am surrounded by constant noise and 100 or more different kids everyday at work.  Who knows? Anyways, looking forward to 2017 as my comrades and I plan to log 1000 miles--our New Year's resolution. Anyone care to join us on our adventure--let me know--the more the merrier. HO HO HO. By the way, I'm really not one to make New Year's resolutions, but at least my resolution seems more attainable than the main character of Helen Fielding's hilarious novel of 1996 Bridget Jones Diary. 
Poor Bridget is a thirty-something year old single woman working and living in London. She's facing another Christmas, alone, bombarded with the same old questions. So, Bridget decides to make some changes with the new year. Number one--lose weight. Number two-- cut down on cigarettes and alcohol. She also aims to be a better person, learn something new and improve her PATHETIC love life. Written in the form of a personal diary, the reader is treated to a year in the life of Bridget Jones. Bridget's life, family and friends are laugh-out-loud funny, especially, her mum. Throughout the year Bridget fights her weight, vices and tries to find her place in middle-class British society. She also get caught up in a love triangle of sorts between her playboy, double crossing boss and "The snooty lawyer" Mark Darcy--whom her parents want her to marry. Find out what ultimately happens to Bridget--does she lose weight--cut down on her vices--find her dream man--when you read this comedic story. This is the first installment of a three books series, that won the British Book Award in 1998 and has sold over 2 million copies. If you enjoy this book, than you will certainly love the others. At only 280 pages--or a 4 miler--you will have this finished in no time. Enjoy--and think long and hard before you make that New Year's resolution.

Friday, December 23, 2016

December 23, 2016 RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL

Saw the shirtless runner again yesterday--it was cold--about 34 and breezy, but he didn't seem to be fazed in the least bit. Shorts-socks-sneakers-NO Shirt OR Cape this time. His chest was really red--I'm thinking it's a mixture of wind burn and the cold. Some might find this odd, but we are all odd in our own way, and I actually pride myself on being different. Anyways,  I read about him in a book that a friend wrote 10 years ago.  I remember reading that he had had a tough childhood and continues to  deal with addiction and other mental health issues. He's just another runner trying to outrun his demons--I've seen him running or walking around the area for at least 25 years trying to EXORISE them--it's a life long battle. Life can be hard for many people, especially, during the holiday season. If you are blessed with health and surrounded by family this holiday season,  don't take it for granted. It is a gift, be thankful and remember many people aren't so lucky. This reminds me of a  book that I finished a few weeks ago, where the main character wasn't so lucky in life either called The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson.
Paula Vauss is a 35 year old successful divorce attorney living in Atlanta. For all appearances, she has the perfect life. People would never believe that she came from a broken home. She spent the first ten years of her life roaming the country with her mother, Kai, and her every changing boyfriends. After her mom went to jail, Paula spent several years in foster care before returning to her mom to finish out high school. She hasn't seen her mother in about fifteen years. No family, no connections. It's a sad, lonely world for Paula. Her personal life is a mess as she can't seem to let go of the demons that haunt her past. After receiving an odd letter from her mother, Paula decides it's time to find her.  She hires her ex-boyfriend private eye, Birdwine, to look into the case and learns a lot more than she bargained for. She actually has a brother and a sister who desperately need her help. Find out what happens to Paula as she tries to heal the past so that she can forge a new beginning. This is a great story of about 300 pages or a 4 mile run that will definitely make you feel thankful for all you have.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

December 21, 2016 MEMORIES

The  best part of Christmas vacation is that I have the luxury to run when I want to--which is especially important in the winter--when it's 20 degrees with a north wind of 5-7 mph at 8:00 a.m.  So yesterday, I decided to do a few errands and run later when it was supposed to be a balmy 31 degrees. I put on my running gear--so I couldn't change my mind--and jumped in the car for those last minute presents. While checking out at a local store, I had a moment. Not sure what else to call it. Behind me in line, I noticed a woman of about 28 with her elderly grandfather. They were chatting and laughing--enjoying each other's company--and all of a  sudden I was back. Schlepping around with my grandfather--we called him Ump--delivering eggs, fleaing--his lingo for going to flea markets or just following him around the farm. We spent a lot of time together AND he was my hero when I was a kid because he  always had time for me. He was also loud, demanding and extremely funny if he didn't embarrass you to death first. He was the type to make the waitress teach you how to fold a napkin properly even if you didn't want to learn. He was DEFINITELY one of a kind. I really wanted to talk to the woman and her grandfather--to tell them both how lucky they are to have each other--but I couldn't without tearing up. So I watched them and smiled.  I'm glad that I changed up my running schedule yesterday because it helped me remember my grandfather--who died 18 years ago.  I still miss him but I have wonderful memories of him that will last a lifetime--when it comes to grandfathers, I hit the jackpot and he is surely smiling down on me from heaven.
 I like to think of heaven much like Mitch Albom's thoughtful novel of  about ten years ago The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Wouldn't it be great if there were five levels of heaven, and on dying we were able to meet  five people whose lives we touched in some way, but perhaps never knew while we were alive. This is what happens to the main character of the novel named Eddie. Eddie has been a maintenance man for Ruby Pier Amusement Park forever. One day while trying to save a little girl from a ride that has malfunctioned, Eddie is killed and finds himself in heaven with the blue man, the first of the five people he needs to learn from before entering heaven. In addition to meeting the blue man, Eddie is reunited with the captain of his platoon during World War II, the former owner of Ruby Pier, his late wife and a young girl named Tala. Throughout his journey to heaven, Eddie finds out how he impacted their lives--both good and bad--but most important--he learns many valuable lessons about sacrifice-forgiveness-love-purpose-and how interconnected we all really are. I can't tell you enough how wonderful this story is-- I absolutely loved the ending too but you will have to read it yourself to find out why. It is only about 195 pages or a 3 mile run that will have you thinking about heaven in a whole new way. Enjoy.

Monday, December 19, 2016

December 19, 2016 COLD AS ICE

Woke up Saturday to 3-4 inches of snow. Called my comrade and we decided we would be better off at the gym--the roads weren't plowed and we would probably fall and break our necks. Get to the gym and it's really coming down hard--so we think we have made the right decision??? Get out of my car, and start trudging our way through the snow. Next thing I know, I'm up in the air- HORIZONTAL--I've slide tackled my comrade and we are both lying on the ground covered in snow. So much for going the safe route huh??  SOOO EMBARRASSING but even more than that--I gave myself a little whiplash when I hit my head. Fear not-- we got up, brushed ourselves off--laughed until we almost cried--and went into the gym- you see RAIN, SLEET, SNOW OR EVEN A SLIP ON THE ICE WON'T  KEEP US DOWN. Sure, I've had a headache for three days and I can barely move my neck, but it's all for a good cause right? We shall persevere. If Santa and the mailman can do it, so can we.
All this talk about snow and ice made me think of a true gem of a story by Pulitzer Prize winning author Edith Wharton called Ethan Frome.  One fall, while working in Starkfield, Massachusetts, an engineer tells the story of a man named Ethan Frome-- he has heard from villagers described as, "the ruin of a man." The engineer becomes curious about Frome whom he sees limping around the town and makes it his business to know him. He eventually hires Frome as his driver and is forced to spend a night at his house because of a serious snowstorm--end of prologue.  Wharton then takes us back 24 years--so we can learn all about Frome who was once, "the most striking figure in Starkfield." We learn that soon after Ethan's mother dies, he marries Zeena because he can't stand feeling lonely. They end up in a sad, loveless marriage as  Zeena  turns out to be a hypochondriac who needs constant attention. Zeena's cousin Mattie, who has no place to go, is eventually hired to stay with the Fromes to help take care of Zeena, cook and clean. Over time, Ethan and Mattie fall in love and Zeena, suspicious of the relationship, decides to send Mattie away. You will have to read the book to find out what happens next. All I will say is that the epilogue is quite a shock and you will not be disappointed. It's only 195 pages or about a 4 mile run that is beautifully written and unforgettable.

Friday, December 16, 2016

December 16, 2016 NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT

I saw a few die hards or crazies out running in sub zero temperatures yesterday. One was in shorts and the other shirtless with some type of cape on. Maybe he was a superhero. Who knows??  Anyways, after seeing the guy in shorts, I thought to myself--HHMM maybe I should brave the extreme elements too.  I'm sort of crazy like that-- luckily-- my slightly saner side won out and talked me into going to the gym. The extreme cold and wind are a killer on the skin and vanity always wins--as I figure I need all the help I can get keeping my skin in GLOWING condition. Many people don't have the luxury to worry about their skin though--and I saw that first hand while working at the soup kitchen last night. At least a hundred men, women and children braved the cold because they were in need of a decent meal. Many showed the effects of the cold and wind--red faced, disheveled and wind blown. Others lacked gloves, hats, scarves or even a decent coat to keep out the cold. We provided a nice, warm meal and I'm hoping they all found a warm place to rest their weary bodies for the night.
I know that my problems are really insignificant--merely jokes in the face of the harshness of the world and I am thankful for that, however, the three main characters in Marie-Helene Bertino's debut novel 2 A.M. At The Cat's Pajama are pretty down and out. It's Christmas Eve and 9 year old Madeleine has had a hard day. Everyone at school hates her and she's been sent home again with lice. Her grief stricken father is almost paralyzed with sadness at the recent death of her mom, and aspiring jazz singer Madeleine has never felt more alone. Meanwhile, her new fifth grade teacher, Sarina Greene, is also having a rough holiday season.  Recently divorced, Sarina has moved back to Philadelphia where she has reluctantly agreed to meet up with some old school friends including an old flame for dinner.  Across town, Lorca, the owner of the famous Jazz club, The Cat's Pajama, is up against a wall. If he can't raise 30,000 dollars by Christmas he will have to close his beloved bar forever.  Find out what happens to these three lost souls--each  searching for something different--music-love-hope when you read 2 A.M. At The Cat's Pajama.  The writing is good and the characters in this book are wonderfully written. You will root for all of them to find what they are searching for in this easy to read page turner of about 290 pages. It's about a 3 mile run-cold but not icy-that will warm your heart this holiday season.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

December 14, 2016 TAKE IT EASY

Feeling pretty stressed out this week mostly because I haven't been able to run--compound that with getting ready for Christmas, a list of presents I still need to buy,  midterm exams to administer and correct AND  grades are due--BREATHE. I really need a run but it's not going to happen until tomorrow. This is day three. It's bad.  It's really hard for me to go more than two days without a run because I start to feel anxious and my mind works overtime. Then I get sad--because many people are coping with all kinds of tragedies this holiday season and I can't help them.  Remember when your kids were little and they really thought a bandaid or kiss fixed every problem or boo boo?? How I long for those days again--but the reality is-- we have such little control-- life is complicated and most problems can't be fixed with a bandaid--we have to learn to live and cope with them. And that's the hard part. These days when people ask me what I want for Christmas--it's simple-- I just want everyone healthy and happy. What more is there in life?? So tomorrow when I finally get my run in--I will put everything back in perspective. I can't help those facing tragedy this holiday season, but I can try to be the best version of myself and be thankful for all that I have.
I think Antoine De Saint-Exupery's little book A Guide for Grown-ups Essential Wisdom from his collection of books really captures the meaning of life and puts everything in perspective. Saint-Exupery was a pilot, a patriot, and  an award winning writer of several books including The Little Prince, Wind, Sand and Stars and The Wisdom of the Sands. He had an interesting life including crashing a plane and wandering around the Sahara Desert in 1935, as a patriot during WWII leaving occupied France to seek aid from America and finally in 1944  disappearing over the Mediterranean on a reconnaissance mission--to name a few. What interested him most was the human condition which is a theme that appears in all of his novels. He wrote about friendship, duty, happiness, love,  responsibility, and fortitude. A Guide for Grown-ups is a collection of quotations from Saint-Exupery's body of work that are not only beautiful but inspirational. One that  always sticks with me is, "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." How true. Anyways, I read this book every once in a while and it makes me smile. It's a great gift for a college graduate because Saint-Exupery captures the essence of what is really important in life. This book is only about 60 pages--a 2 mile leisurely run--that will stick with you forever. Enjoy!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

December 11, 2016 ALL BY MYSELF

It's hard to psych yourself up to run ALONE in the COLD--it was 22 degrees when I went out this morning.  I know my comrade has a life outside of running--something about an anniversary blah blah blah---BUT GOING AWAY ON THE FIRST EXTREMELY COLD WEEKEND, PLEASE!! Don't worry--I forged ahead--have to keep  our reputation in check-- and it really wasn't that bad even though it gets hard to breath when it's really cold. We have had such great weather for so long that it is a shocking change to the system but  hey--it's already the middle of December and this is the first time I had to wear my winter running garb. Can't complain--just need my comrade to come back because there is no way I can run through the winter without her--it's a lonely world out there.
It's also a lonely world for Hig, the main character and narrator of Peter Heller's book The Dog Stars.
Set in the distant future, Hig is a pilot from Denver, Colorado, who somehow survives a virus that has wiped out 99% of the population. His wife and everyone he cares about is dead except his dog, Jasper.  He lives in an abandoned airfield with one other person, a gun toting maniac named Bangley. It's the Apocalypse--survival of the fittest. The trio spend most of their time searching for supplies, food and  protecting the perimeter of the airfield from undesirables. One day Hig hears a transmission pleading for help on his Cessna radio--outside the point of no return. It's a woman's voice. Hig starts to feel hopeful for a future. Maybe a different future, but a future at that--if he has the courage to follow the voice. Find out what happens to Hig, Jasper and Bangley in this frighteningly realistic look at a future that could happen.  It's a thought provoking book too--would you want to be a survivor? What happens to people that survive this type of tragedy? Not sure what I'd want to do. Anyway, it's a pretty easy read at about 320 pages or a 5 mile run--that will stick with you long after you finish the last page.

Friday, December 9, 2016

December 9, 2016 CITY OF BLINDING LIGHTS

It really is pitch black out at 5:00 p.m. Only know this fact because I went out for my first night run and it felt like midnight. It was very quiet--only a few cars on the road, some college kids scurrying to the cafeteria and the REAL DIEHARDS. The only saving grace for me was the street lights. Luckily, we are blessed with many street lights so I felt relatively safe out there. It's hard to run at night though--afraid to get hit by a car because vision is limited.   I also like to listen to music when I'm alone  so that's two senses compromised--can't hear or see well--it's dark AND I can't wear my glasses-- so I feel like I'm at the mercy of cars, coyotes, sidewalk cracks and the boogie man. Even though I know the Boogie isn't real, shadows lurk at night and set the mind in motion--coyotes are also known to walk down the middle of the street  so I'm hoping that I actually scare them away--and sidewalk cracks are the bane of my existence, hence, why I run in the road even at night. Not too smart I know, but it's either fall and break my neck or risk getting hit by a car. Anyways, while I was running and contemplating how dark it was out, I thought about the blind-- because without the street lights I literally would have been blind. It must be hard to go blind, especially, if you have had the sense of sight your entire life. This is the premise of Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago's  novel  Blindness.

In this timeless story, an epidemic has hit an unknown city in an unknown country. The epidemic is called "white blindness."  In an attempt to quarantine the sick,  authorities take the first 8 victims to an empty mental hospital. These 8 people become the main characters in the story. They do not have names other than-the doctor, his wife, the boy etc. as they represent everyman.  After spending a considerable amount of time together, they forge an unlikely  family unit. The hospital is eventually overwhelmed with victims of white blindness and chaos ensues. Rationed food is stolen, women are raped, filth and dead bodies take over the hallways--it is truly survival of the fittest. The 8 original people are lucky though--one of them is not really blind but couldn't bare to leave her spouse. This is the only person in the hospital of hundreds  not affected by white blindness.  Find out what happens next as an inept government tries to keep order in the face of disaster when you read this great--actually frightening story. Saramago makes us think about the nature of disaster, the human condition and begs the question--How would you handle a disaster??? This is a beautifully written book of about 350 pages or about a 6 miles run that you will never forget.   By the way, I am in the middle of the sequel--Seeing--and it is equally disturbing.


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

December 6, 2016 ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG

I had this kid in one of my classes who was a great runner. We talked about running and even joked about going for a run together sometime. That sometime never came though as I learned today that he died in a tragic accident. Death. It's  especially difficult when it's a kid. No proms, driver's license, the thrill of turning 21--things we all take for granted. Everyday we tell ourselves not to take things for granted but they are simply words we say or hear whose gravity can't be felt without a barometer. Life really is fragile though  and unfortunately it sometimes takes a tragedy like this to remind us. I've had many discussions with my students over the years where I have asked them why we need pain--either physical, emotional or mental. We always come to the same conclusion-- we  can't truly appreciate love, emotional well-being or even physical pain if we have never experienced its counterpart. Unfortunately, it's our barometer and today was a painful reminder of that lesson. When I think of this particular student though, I think of  his smile, wit and ability to think outside of the box. We read a great book together in seventh grade that he absolutely loved as much as I did because he got it on every level, so I'd like to review it today in remembrance of him.
 It's the classic The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster with great illustrations by Jules Feiffer. This is a great book for middle school students and adults because it is cleverly written. It's filled with complex humor including wordplay, puns, and idioms that are taken literally. Poor Milo, the main character, is bored with everything-school, friends, toys--you name it. One day he goes to his room and there waiting for him is a car and a magic tollbooth.  So, Milo gets in--quite bored with the situation--starts the car and travels through the tollbooth and finds himself in the Kingdom of Wisdom---where he is charged with  a quest to save Rhyme and Reason, two princesses in exile at the Castle in the Air.  It's a great adventure story as Milo travels through the doldrums, the island of conclusions, the mountains of ignorance, the foothills of confusion and several other towns where he meets an array of hilarious, strange characters who make the journey even more fun. This classic novel has sold over 3 million copies and can be read on so many levels. I read it as a kid and then as an adult and  loved it even more.  Jester not only tells a great story but teaches many lessons that are extremely important including the importance of education and questioning authority to name a few. Join Milo on his adventure--it's only about 250  fun filled pages or a 3 mile run you will never forget. RIP, friend.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

December 4, 2016 IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

 Today on my run I saw-- a cowboy snowman , a snowflake ferris wheel, a few angels, assorted figurines from the island of unwanted toys including the abominable snowman, a plethora of toy soldiers, giant noel candles, several reindeer and many Christmas inflatables deflated on the ground. Oh yeah, I didn't see a santa but I saw a pair of lions--I'm not sure they had anything to do with Christmas but you never know. Anyways,  can't wait to drive around at night to get the full effect! Some people have SOOO  much stuff that it's even difficult to  see their houses. I guess those are the REAL Christmas aficionados--Bless you-- the kids love it.  There are a few houses I look forward to seeing every year and I am happy to report that they were busy setting up this morning to add to the Christmas cheer. I just love admiring everyone's unique collection of outdoor Christmas decorations. It gets crazier every year--Last year I even saw an inflatable outhouse for Santa! I do have to wonder though--where do they keep all of their Christmas paraphernalia  when it is not on display--HHUUMM--maybe they rent out a storage facility?? This all reminds me of a great book I read a few years back about a couple who decided not to participate in the whole Christmas rigamarole called Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
In this hilarious story, Luther and Nora Krank--long standing Christmas aficionados in a neighborhood that even holds an annual decorating contest--decide to take the year off of Christmas. No cards, No tree, No presents--especially unwanted ones--No annual Christmas party--No hickory honey ham. A FULL BOYCOTT OF ANYTHING CHRISTMAS. Their daughter Blair is abroad working for the Peace Corps, so they decide to spend their money on a cruise instead. This plan sounds simple enough except that their home will be the only one in their tight knit neighborhood not decorated with a Frosty on the roof-- and their neighbors will not stand for it. There will be no BAH HUMBUG in their neighborhood. The pressure mounts as their neighbors rally against them in an effort to force them to celebrate Christmas. Just when the Kranks think they have escaped Christmas,  they get a last minute call from their daughter--she has decided to come home  to spend Christmas with her family. YIKES. Find out how the neighborhood rallies at the sixteenth hour to help  Blair come home to a traditional Christmas with friends and family. I really enjoyed reading this novel and laughed out loud several times. It's only about 250 pages or a 3 mile run that will put a smile on your face and help you through the rigamarole we call Christmas.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

December 1, 2016 DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND

Major decisions.  Run at 5:00 p.m.-- it's pitch black--or go to the gym. Next--factor in the rain. So-- I keep waiting.......rain gets worse. Run in the dark while it's raining or go to the gym??? Of course I wait until the last minute to decide--check the weather channel--one more time-- now there's a 90% chance of rain--I give up--go to the gym. Crazy--but that's how much I hate going to the gym.  I went--and it really wasn't that bad--I guess--but running outside seems so much easier to me. The gym can be a traumatic experience for me--Not sure why--let me reflect. HHUUMM--It's really hot at the gym--almost desert-like--have to wear shorts--did I shave my legs???  Running into people--I don't care what I look like when I run outside but being in a public place is different--remember my vanity. Making conversation with the people I run into at the gym-- when I just want to get to that damn machine and get it done. When I am out for a run, I can just wave and smile and it's all good.
Staying on  the machine for 45-55 minutes--it's really hard.   When I go for a run I know my route--I can't stop and get off before it's over. Thank you for tuning in for another episode of  the trials and tribulations of running after the time change. Believe me though-- I am fully aware most people have real decisions to make in life and I feel blessed that this is currently my biggest problem.
This is not true for most people, especially, a retired major living in a small village in England in Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Major Ernest Pettigrew lives a simple life in Edgecombe St. Mary. He is a man who values what any proper Englishman should--honor, duty, decorum, and a good cup of tea. After his brother suddenly dies, Pettigrew inherits a family heirloom--that everyone else wants. He also forms a friendship with the shopkeeper in town named Mrs. Jasmine Ali. They have both lost their spouses and enjoy getting together to share a nicely brewed cup of tea and discuss literature. Simple enough or so it would seem. Their friendship starts to blossom into something more which is unacceptable to English society and culture because she is from Pakistan--a foreigner. While this romance is budding, the story also revolves around Pettigrew's son Roger and his American girlfriend as they arrive on the scene eager to stop the shinanigans AND get a hold of the family heirloom because he needs the money.  Will Major Pettigrew overlook Mrs. Ali's heritage? Will he ignore social norms and  upset the whole village? Will his son abscond with the heirloom? Read this great debut novel that is quirky, funny but in many ways a reflection of our society even today, to find out more.  It's about 350 pages or a 5 mile run--that is beautifully written and hard to put down. Enjoy.