August 31, 2017 SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING

This getting back into the school GROOVE is a killer. It's been a whirlwind--running here/there--bombarded with  questions AND information that my brain  ACTUALLY HAS  TO PROCESS. AND I'm supposed to look professional too.  NO MORE SHORTS AND TEE SHIRTS. I Wore REAL shoes with a HEEL the other day and thought I would die. It was HELL. WHY Can't we just wear flip flops year round?? I swear my feet are getting WWWIIIDDDEERR--with each passing year. Must be all the running that somehow NOW has to get sandwiched in after school and preferably before dinner.  That's REALLY the worst part of going back to school. IT'S REALLY HARD TO RUN AFTER SCHOOL. My feet hurt, I'm dehydrated, hungry, bloated, tired AND JUST NOT IN THE MOOD. As I ran over these complaints in my mind yesterday-- WHILE RUNNING at 4:00--I had to remind myself to flip it around. I had to tell myself to be thankful that I can still run--regardless of the time of day. Just getting out there WILL HAVE TO BE present enough for now.

Britt-Marie the main character of Fredrik Backman's book Britt-Marie was Here has her hands full too. I first met the character Britt-Marie when I read Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry a while back. Britt-Marie is an odd duck. She's a neat freak, cleaning fanatic who can't stand the site of dirt or disorder. She also has difficulty in social situations because she has spent many years taking care of her husband without venturing out on her own.  In this book, Britt-Marie has left her husband, Ken, after she finds out he has been unfaithful to her. Britt-Marie is on her own trying to manage in a world she doesn't really understand.  She finds a job in the town of Borg taking care of a run down recreation center--her only prospect because her skills are limited. Borg is a rundown, sad town.  After a financial crisis, many  businesses have closed down and most people have moved away.  Britt-Marie finds herself surrounded by the left overs--several quirky characters who need her help. Britt-Marie has never been needed like this before. In order to help her new found friends, Britt-Marie must face her own ghosts, let down her guard and learn to love again. Find out what happens to this interesting, funny cast of characters when you read Backman's sequel of about 320 pages. This is an easy read--a 3.5 mile run--that will have you laughing one minute and teary-eyed the next. Enjoy.

August 27, 2017 SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY

It's not really Sunday's fault. It just happens to be the day that signals the end of the weekend. We either go back to SCHOOL the next day--or we don't.  Sunday is my FAVORITE day of the year when it signals summer vacation--AND THEN IT'S NOT--you get the picture. Had my last leisurely run of the summer this morning. Boy am I going to miss that--but it's all good. I have to remind myself that most people DON'T get summers off and be THANKFUL THAT I DO. One more day in DENIAL then I'll PLUNGE right in. That's generally how I operate.  Tomorrow I'll actually string together entire sentences --AND MAKE SENSE. Not sure how that's going to happen--but it will. I'm a soldier--preparing for battle.  I'll face parents, tired AND many times uninterested students--with STYLE. THAT'S WHAT I DO--I'm a teacher.  Hopefully, my students will learn a lot--laugh a lot--and become more competent, compassionate people along the way. That's my prayer!
The main character of Thrity Umrigar's new novel, Everybody's Son, has a lot more than school to worry about during the heat wave of 1991. He just wants to survive the day. Anton Vesper is a 10 year old African American who lives in the projects with his drug addicted mother, Juanita. Determined to find drugs one day, Juanita locks Anton in their apartment--with the intent to return in an hour, and never returns. Day Seven--Anton has no food, electricity or lights. It's 95 degrees in his apartment when he finally shatters a window with a chair and escapes his prison. He's rescued by a policeman and taken to child services. Anton later becomes a foster child to a white privileged family--David and Delores Coleman --after Anton's mother is sent to prison. Because the  Colemans  have experienced a huge loss,  they immediately fall in love with Anton and want to adopt him as their own. Desperate to keep Anton, David uses his political connections to make sure it happens. Anton grows up--becomes Harvard educated and is on his way up the political ladder when he receives a letter from his birth mother. Anton must come to grips with the truth about the family he loves as well as  whom he has become while living in a white world.  This exceptional book explores  many issues--race, class, culture and privilege to name a few-- All of which  are relevant in our world today. It's about 350 pages or a 4 mile run that will have you thinking long after the story is over.

August 23, 2017 FREE BIRD

It's bittersweet. The EMPTY NEST. As much as it's time for them to fly the coop--it's still really hard. Where did the time go? Eighteen years? In retrospect--it's the mere blink of an eye. As parents, we spend an enormous amount of time getting our kids ready for this day. It's our job to teach them how to make their own way in the world--Right?? When the time comes though-- IT'S HARD TO LET GO. Will they eat enough?? Make friends?? Laundry?? Do their homework?? Party too much?? It's really a stressful time because we have to give the CONTROL over to them. They have to figure it out and hopefully learn to navigate life on their own.  I remember when my son left for college-- I could barely breathe for the first few days. I walked around in a DAZE--worried about how he would fare. THAT WAS A WASTE OF TIME--he was born FOR college--it was the first time he actually loved school. Felt the same way when my daughter left too.  It never gets easier--with each child the challenges are just different--THIS PARENTING THING  is a lot of work--a double-edged sword. As much as we want to let go-- we lose a part of our identity--NO LONGER the day to day caretaker. Hopefully--we prepared them well. Abraham Lincoln wasn't so lucky with his son, Willie. Lincoln never got to prepare him for college as he died of Typhoid fever at a young age. George Saunders takes this moment in history and adds a dash of the supernatural in his first novel Lincoln in the Bardo. 

Saunders became interested in writing about Lincoln after he learned that Lincoln was so devastated by his son Willie's death that he actually visited his crypt on several occasions to hold his dead body. Sounds strange, but this is historically documented in the book as are other interesting tidbits that make this novel unique. Set in 1862 during the Civil War, the story takes place in one night and is mostly set in the Bardo. The Bardo is a type of purgatory--taken from Tibetan Buddhist tradition--a transitional state. Young Willie has died and he has not gone over to the other side. He is stuck in the Bardo with a plethora of ghosts who don't realize they're died. The live, argue, complain and even give penance for their sins.  They think that they are just sick and will return to Earth and their lives at some point. Poor Willie is only a child and doesn't belong in the Bardo so a struggle erupts over his soul. If the ghosts don't find a way to get his soul out of the Bardo,  he will be lost forever. What is equally interesting in this novel is that it is set against the Civil War. Lincoln has lost his son, but so have thousands of other parents--in a war that Lincoln's responsibility. So many young men dying. How can Lincoln reconcile that with the death of his own son? This book has many levels. We all live and love, knowing full well that everything must end and yet we do it anyways. Interesting.  If you get a chance, pick up this novel.  It's only about 350 pages--and easy 4 mile run--that packs a whole lot of punch.

August 16, 2017 GET THE PARTY STARTED

My daughter turned 21 today. AAAHHH 21. She has been counting down the minutes--literally-- to finally be "LEGAL".  While out running with my comrade today we started reminiscing about being young. We REALLY miss those days--even if we can't remember them anymore--IT'S ALL A BLUR.  We joked because we couldn't even remember what we did on the BIG 21--BUT--rest assured--we had a good time! HA! That's what life is all about when you're young.  Anyways, sometimes I find myself living vicariously through my daughter. SHE KNOWS HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.  She really loves life and lives it to the FULLEST.  Good for her. YOU GO GIRL. That's what she's supposed to do at this point in her life. Wish I could be 21 AGAIN-- for just a little while. No real responsibilities--YOUNG-WILD-FREE! I guess I SEE my younger self in my daughter--lets just say--the apple CERTAINLY doesn't fall far from the tree--AND  I miss it sometimes.

 A.J. Fikry the main character of Gabrielle Zevin's quirky novel The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry also misses his old life. A. J. is a depressed, unhappy even bitter bookstore owner living on Alice Island. He's despondent after the untimely death of his beloved wife. Because he's so unhappy, A. J.'s bookstore is going down the tubes. He can't manage to order books and keep the store up; in fact, he can barely get out of his own way. In addition to that, someone has stolen his prized  possession--a copy of Poe's poems. Believe it or not, things are about to get even worse for A. J. Someone has left a baby in his store. What's a man to do?  In A. J.'s case, it changes his life. The baby steals his heart and helps him get his life and store back on track. This book is a fun read because there are several interesting islanders who help A.J. transform his life too. They are eccentric and fun--you will love them. This is a great story about the power of books and how they helped A. J. live again. Find out who the abandoned child is and who stole A. J.'s prized possession when you read this great little gem. It's about 280 pages or a 3 mile read that will stick with you for a long time.

August 13, 2017 I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE

So when did people start celebrating Left-Handers' Day?? I've been left-handed my whole life and NO one has ever wished me well on this fine day! Seriously.  I wonder what THE LEFTIES do at their parties--stand around and WHINE about the injustice of SCISSORS, SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS and CAN OPENERS. You've got to be kidding. We live in a STRANGE world today where people CELEBRATE EVERYTHING. It's so weird. Yesterday, a good friend told me she was going to a "Reveal Party". I was like WTH--Let me get this straight. People actually have parties to announce the sex of their babies. Remember back in the olden days--we didn't EVEN know THAT until we POPPED the baby out. SHAKING MY HEAD. Did you know that women today EVEN get what's called a  PUSH GIFT. CRAZY--Women  actually get a REWARD for "pushing" out babies. WOW. So what happens if THEY have a Cesarean?? Do they still get a gift because technically speaking they don't actually push??? HHHUUMMMMM. What about the Bachelorette/Bachelor parties people are having these days? Serious parties-- weekend trips to Las Vegas-Martha's Vineyard-Miami. We were lucky if we went out one night for dinner and drinks right?? Did you know that engagements have also become family events??  Everyone within a 1000 mile radius actually watches the  engagement. THAT WOULD TOTALLY FREAK ME OUT. When I got engaged it was just the two of us--a private moment. IT'S ALL TOO MUCH FOR ME. I guess it's all part of the ME GENERATION.

If only Hester Prynne, the main character of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic The Scarlet Letter had only lived in 2017! Poor Hester! Written in 1850, this novel is considered by many to be the masterpiece of Hawthorne's career; therefore, a must for any seasoned reader. Set the 1640's in the Puritan Bay Colony, this is the tale of an ADULTERESS. The novel opens as Hester is released from prison for committing the criminal act of adultery.  As part of her sentence, she must submit to public humiliation by wearing the letter "A" on her dress for all to see--a spectacle.  While standing in front of a large crowd,  Hester see's her long lost husband, presumed lost at sea. After witnessing his wife's transgression,  her husband decides to change his name to Roger Chillingworth and imbed himself into the colony so that he can discover Hester's lover and revenge his misdeeds too.  The problem is that Hester refuses to name her lover. After her release from prison, Hester and her daughter, Pearl, live a life of solitude and penitence in order for Hester to regain her dignity. Tormented by guilt, Hester's lover finally exposes himself at the end of the novel. Will Roger make Hester's lover suffer the way Hester did at the beginning of the novel? Will Hester and her lover end up together at the end of the novel? Just who was Hester's lover?? Find out for yourself when you read this beautifully crafted piece of historical fiction. It's about 275 pages or a 4 mile run that explores sin, guilt, and loyalty at an interesting time in our history.

August 10,2017 DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT

Have you ever felt like you've been hit by a train?? Well, after the birth of my first child, I literally felt like I'd been run over NOT ONLY by a train--but also a tractor trailer and then a bus. NOT KIDDING.  They kicked me out of the hospital--bleeding like a river--broken blood vessels NOT only in my face but also both eyes-- I WAS A PRETTY SIGHT--with this newborn/alien to boot. What the hell was I supposed to do with him??  I felt totally INCOMPETENT in every way. MOTHERHOOD was a mystery and I didn't have a clue.  THIS WAS A TOUGH TIME FOR ME-- I felt like I'd lost my identity and was drowning in this foreign land. Some women are genetically geared to be selfless caretakers--NOT ME. When I think back now--I was probably depressed for the first year-- overwhelmed--by the AWESOME responsibility. I only wish I knew THEN what I know NOW--but some things can only be learned in hindsight. I definitely enjoyed my daughter--born two years later and ESPECIALLY my son--born nine years later--SO MUCH MORE. By then, I'd learned to appreciate every second with my precious newborns--it's a stage that's gone in the blink of an eye.

Talk about disappearing acts, several characters in Paula Hawkins newest thriller Into The Water disappeared in the blink of an eye too.

If you are interested in reading Hawkin's new book, I highly recommend a character map or you will be utterly confused. The story is told through several characters with each chapter only 2-4 pages long. This is probably intended to keep the reader off balance, but I found it hard to follow. I read at least 100 pages before I understood the the plot. Jules is the main character of this thriller. She grew up on a river--near the drowning pool--infamous for several mysterious deaths of women.  Jules is called back home after the suspicious drowning of her sister, Nel. After returning home, Jules has to confront her past--a past she would have rather left behind.  In doing so, she is forced to reevaluate many decisions she has made in her life including cutting her sister out of her life several years earlier. Nel's death and the investigation that ensues stirs up trouble in their close knit community and old buried questions come to light again regarding the other women who have  drown in the pool including Libby, Lauren, and  her niece's best friend Katie. How did these women really end up in the pool? Did they commit suicide or were they killed because they were "women who got in the way"? Find out when you read  this novel of 380 pages. FYI--I also had trouble getting into Hawkin's hugely successful book Girl on a Train so give this one a try and see what you think. It will probably be the next great movie so it's worth the read. The ending which is supposed to be a shocker,  seemed more like a  dud to me too.  Sorry.  This is an easy read so it's really only a 3.5 mile run. Let me know what you think.

August 7, 2017 THE CLIMB

Survived the Kelley Road Race AND  the weather was much better than I expected--no hail--or deadly winds. Cloudy-humid-rainy--Great conditions for this usually SCORCHING RACE--I was thankful. Feeling thankful for many things though:
1) Family--A supportive family who may think my pursuits are a BIT KOOKY. THANKS for letting me go AWOL many Saturday and Sunday mornings.
 2) Health--I am lucky enough to be physically able to run 13.1 miles. When I was younger I have to confess-- I took it all for granted. Yet another lesson I've learned over the years.
3) Mental Health--I know that's up FOR debate many times but when it comes to running--IT'S THE MIND GAME THAT'S HALF THE BATTLE. Thankfully I won the battle THIS time.
3) Friends--I am fortunate to have a great group of comrades who either ran the race or came out to help celebrate. Thanks for the memories AND your unconditional support.
4)  Community--So many people who volunteered their time in order to make the race possible.
5) Location--Grateful that I moved here 24 years ago and get to run in such a beautiful area!!

So--It's been two days. BLISTERS and LEGS are feeling better. Hope to get out for an EASY 4 tomorrow and then--on to the next race. Not sure if it's determination or lunacy--does it really matter??? When I think of determination, I am reminded of a man who had to overcome many problems in his life in order to be successful--Theodore Roosevelt.
I am a huge fan of biographies, especially those written by David McCullough. McCullough is an American writer and winner of numerous awards including two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Books awards, one for my favorite biography Mornings on Horseback. Not sure why, but I have always had a fascination with Teddy Roosevelt. McCullough's book is interesting because it covers Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and his family after their arrival to New York in the 1800's,  and ends when his son, Theodore Roosevelt, becomes engaged to Edith Carow after the death of first wife, Alice, in 1884. Just how did a sickly, near-sighted boy become a war hero and then the 26th President of the United States?  Find out when you read this fascinating book about his  relationship with his father, mother,  siblings and their family life that all shaped his life. Remember when people wrote letters? Well, McCullough literally read thousands of letters all housed at the Harvard library and written by members of the Roosevelt family before writing this book. One thing that is evident in his research,Theodore Sr. had the strongest influence over Teddy throughout is life, especially, when it came to public service--thankfully.   If you are interested in politics and the rise of the Republican party, New York society, or even the ideas associated with wealth at the time period, this is the book for you.  This 379 page book--or 5 mile run-- is well-worth your time and effort. Find out about this extraordinary man who gave of himself tirelessly and helped shape the world we live in--you won't regret one mile.

August 3, 2017 AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

Looks like we'll be battling the elements this weekend--thunderstorms--gusty winds--small hail. WTH??  I guess that's nothing compared to what Sir Edmund Hillary battled on his quest to summit Mount Everest right?? In order to psych myself up for the race--I've decided to pretend that I TOO am an explorer--MY QUEST-- not only to finish the Kelley Road Race but REACH THE SUMMIT--which in my case happens to be the THE GAM--for a celebratory cocktail. Even if I have to crawl-- inch by inch--I'll scale those STEEP--SLIPPERY-- STEPS--HELL--that's what Tenzing and Hillary had to do on the final summit. It was treacherous for them too as they were also-- exhausted--oxygen deprived -- dehydrated.  In order to reach their summit--they also had to inch over ice covered--slippery rock. See how the whole explorer thing fits--except at the very end.  Sadly, the only BAR at the top of Everest was the "Bar of Mint Cake" they shared to toast their success--a whole 15 minutes before they had to start their descent or  risk losing their way. No worries here--I'll be spending a lot more than 15 minutes celebrating--NOT worried about losing my way--UBER. This next review is about two families whose lives are dramatically changed when an unexpected visitor shows up at a Christening party with a bottle of Gin.

The book is Commonwealth and it's multi-award winning author Ann Patchett's seventh book. I am a huge fan of  Patchett and love all of her books, especially this one. The year is 1971, Bert Cousins, married father of four, decides to show up at a party uninvited, rather than spend time with his family. The party is for one year old Franny Keating. After too many drinks, Bert finds himself kissing Franny's mother, Beverly. The two eventually divorce their spouses in order to get married and relocate to another state--regardless of  the feelings of the  six children involved. The story then follows the step siblings over 50 years as the children become adults and the grown-ups become old. As an adult, Franny has an affair with a famous novelist, Leon Posen, and over time she tells him about her life. Her story becomes the basis for Posen's book which becomes a best-seller and movie. This attention forces the Cousins and Keatings to come to terms with the anger, loss and guilt they feel towards each other and their parents. This is a thought provoking book with deeply flawed characters who become family and develop life long bonds despite their differences.  Patchett is a wonderful writer with a keen sense of people. Her observations are spot on about life and the lies people tell themselves to make it all okay. I was  drawn to this book because I am a child of divorce. I was about three years old at the time, and I often wonder what my life would have been like if my parents had stayed together. It's a loss too many people feel. One that lasts a lifetime. Find out what ultimately happens to both families when you read this book for yourself. It's only about 300 pages--a 3 mile run-about divorce and its effects on the whole family.

August 1, 2017 WHAT HURTS THE MOST

I'm pretty sure I have a case of TMR--TOO MUCH RUNNING. My legs ache--I have a little tendinitis in my right foot--each calf muscle feels as tight as a fist. Not sure how it happened?? One day I was out enjoying my runs and the next--MY LEGS FELT LIKE TOTEM POLES. NOT GOOD-- the Kelley Road Race is Saturday so I need to get better quick! Seriously, the only reason I have TMR in the first place is because I've been getting ready for the race. It's another 13.1.  That means long runs on the weekend in addition to my usual runs which together EQUAL-- TMR. The only remedy I know of is REST--an INCREDIBLY hard thing for me to do. I HAVE to  force myself to take it EASY this week. Will only go out for a few easy runs AND then TRY TO STAY OFF MY FEET as much as possible. Will be glad when this race is over. It's really a tough run in the heat that I am NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO. I've been trying to ignore it--to stave off the stress and anxiety for as long as possible. Good Luck to all the runners who are CRAZY enough to run the race this weekend. Look forward to having a beer or two with you at the pub after the race. CHEERS. Beers and pubs made me think of Albert "Shoe" Horn the main character in Ron McLarty's excellent novel The Dropper.  He's overwhelmed with responsibilities because his father spends all of his time at the pub.

 If you loved McLarty's first novel Memory of Running, then you owe it to yourself to read The Dropper.  Set in England in 1922, Shoe Horn is a seventeen year old  plumber's apprentice by day and boxer, trying to make a name for himself, by night. Because his father is an abusive alcoholic,  Shoe has to care for his younger special needs brother, Bobby. Shoe is a determined young man who wants a better life, but he faces adversity at every turn. His boss drinks all day and sends Shoe to every dirty job in the city including the sewers. He also has a mishap while boxing and decides to hang up his gloves forever.  As his world changes, Shoe is forced to make some hard decisions. Although he loves his brother very much, Bobby is getting older and Shoe can not longer take care of him appropriately. Shoe is torn between his loyalty and love for his brother and his own need to succeed in life. Find out what happens in this often funny, but also heartbreaking tale of  a brother who is forced to make decisions that will change the future for both of them. Check out this book if you get a chance--it's about 290 pages--a 3.5 mile run that you will never forget. Guaranteed.