January 29, 2017 DON'T BLINK

Many of my running friends are lucky. They are lifers. They get to run by the houses and neighborhoods that they grew up in!  Isn't that cool.  So, on many a run, I have been treated to a grand tour of the old neighborhood. It's really great fun as I've learned all kinds of historical information and long forgotten gossip. Reminiscing is in many ways comforting --a time to reflect on where you came from--literally--and it can also be hysterically funny.  I love hearing the stories of yesteryear--whether sledding down the middle of the road or playing badminton in the giant  yard--that is actually the size of a postage stamp--these are the simple things that shape our lives. They are the things we miss the most when we think back to the good old days.  As kids we just live, we don't understand how much we are shaped by our neighborhood and we certainly  can't understand how much we will miss it when we grow up.  SO, it's great to run by, stop for a few minutes- check on the old homestead and share an old memory. By the way, NOT sure we really like the color you painted the front door. Ha! Don't blink, it really does go by so much faster than you think. Believe it or not, Ray Bradbury wrote a wonderful book reflecting back on his childhood in 1957 called Dandelion Wine. I know what you're  thinking--Ray Bradbury--master of science fiction, fantasy, dystopia--how could that be?? Well it is. 

Dandelion Wine is my all time favorite Bradbury book. It's a collection of short stories--semi autobiographical--of twelve  year old Douglas Spaulding's life while growing up in the fictional town of Green Town, Illinois, in 1928. The stories are loosely weaved together as Douglas spends time with neighbors, friends and family and recounts he many treasured adventures with them.  I LOVED this book, especially, the story of the Time Machine-- who is actually a colonel who witnessed the battle of Sumner during the Civil War, the hysterically funny story of the Green Machine and the heart wrenching story of The Swan. The writing is absolutely top notch--almost poetic. And the  descriptive writing is perfect of the town and all it's inhabitants.  His neighbors, family, and friends are richly portrayed--I really wanted to go to Green Town to meet them all. It is evident that Bradbury loved his childhood and his  reflections on the simple joys of yesterday will stay with you forever. This classic novel is only about 280 pages --or a 5 mile run--that will leave you feeling nostalgic too. 

January 25, 2017 GONNA MAKE YOU SWEAT

Decided to go to the gym last night ONLY because we were in the middle of a nor'easter.  I did contemplate running during a lull in the rain but decided against it as several limbs and trees had fallen and--WITH MY LUCK. Anyways,  I really had to talk myself into this gym thing because I HATE running on the treadmill. So after making myself drive to the gym, I parked my car and ran through the wind and pelting rain to the door. Can you believe it was locked!!  Because of the high winds, the side doors were deemed unsafe and  all members were asked to go to the main entrance. OKAY-- REALLY ANNOYED. So, I ran back to my car--soaked and completely windblown-- and drove around to the front and THEN couldn't find a place to park--that was WEIRD.  After parking a half a mile away and fighting my way through the storm--AGAIN--I walked into the gym and had to do a double take. It was PACKED with people--like sardines.   January--the New Year--oh yeah--New Year's Resolutions. I practically had to fight some newbie for a treadmill because THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL I WAS  GONNA WAIT--remember I had to talk myself into going in the first place.  I just wanted to get this thing DONE.  As I sweat through my run though, I thought about all the newbies at the gym. Getting in shape is a great resolution and I wish you all great success. ADVICE-- Take it one day at a time and set realistic goals -- so that you can succeed. Don't forget to find a buddy and have fun too. It really is a lifestyle change that you will never regret. By the way, why is it SOOO hot at the gym.................For some strange reason--a combination of  the heat at the gym and the hordes of people there-- reminded me of a tragic but important book I read several years back called The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy by Stewart O'Nan.
On a blistering hot day, seeking refuge from the heat and a distraction from the war, 9000 people attend Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford,  Connecticut. It was July 6, 1944. As the audience stared at the high wire act, a small fire began on the side wall of the tent. Within minutes, the entire tent was engulfed in flames. In the panic--167 people died and 487 people were injured. While researching this terrible tragedy,  O'Nan interviewed dozens of witnesses, reviewed old newspaper articles, police records and court documents in order to write this moving and sad account of an event that could have been prevented. Although it is still not known for sure how the fire started, it spread quickly because the tent had just been waterproofed with 6000 gallons of white gasoline and 18,000 pounds of paraffin. Sounds crazy but it's true, and it was a common method for waterproofing tents at that time. A recipe for disaster. Several people have never been identified, one in particular, Little Miss 1565-- a young girl who died in the fire. I think I read an article in the paper a while back where Little Miss 1565 may have finally been identified but when this book was published it was unknown. Intermixed in this book are not only great pictures from the time period but several snippets from survivors telling of great feats of bravery and heroism.  This is a compelling read of about 350 pages-- or a 4 mile run--that will stay with you forever.

January 23, 2016 THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME

The weather was incredible this weekend. Mild and great for running--less bulky without all those extra layers. I was in heaven--pared down to only the essential--it was wonderful.  I decided to give up on my running app this weekend because I really didn't like running with my iPhone strapped to my arm. It was bulky and uncomfortable--really annoying when I started shedding layers too. It was a huge pain in the butt-- like performing a delicate surgery every time I tried to take off my jacket. I can't imagine wearing it in the summer either. It will definitely be too hot to keep that strapped on my arm--and forget the really weird tan lines. So I'm back to manually logging my miles and listening to my old iPod. I thought it was a classic but I've been informed that it is a second generation NANO with one GB--a real dinosaur--but it feels like home to me. Speaking of dinosaurs, the main characters of Anne Tyler's latest novel A Spool of Blue Thread are definitely feeling their age.

First of all, Anne Tyler is an excellent writer and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. This is her twentieth novel and it is a beautifully written saga of three generations of the Whitshank family. Abbey and her husband Red have always lived in the family home that was originally built by Red's father Junior in 1920. It actually serves as the anchor for the entire family--with generations of family gathering on the spacious porch.  Abbey and Red are parents to four grown children and several grandchildren. They have two daughter and two sons. Denny is the "prodigal" son while Stem, the "adopted" son, is steady and reliable. This is the story of family secrets, jealousies, disappointment and resentment. It is also the story of parent/child relationships, forgiveness and understanding. Tyler's writing is flawless--the characters seem alive--the house seems alive--and their relationships, however complicated, are real. They could be any family as all families can be difficult to navigate--and the Whitshanks are no exception.  After tragedy strikes though, the family has to make decisions about the house they love, and how best to take care of aging parents. Read this story to find out what happens to Abbey, Red and their family--it's about 350 pages--or a 5 mile run--that you will thoroughly enjoy. You will actually feel as though you know the Whitshanks and miss them when you finish the book. 

January 21, 2016 THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

I hate my birthday. What kind of weirdo hates their birthday??  I'm pretty sure I've hated it for a long time for various reasons. Family problems for one. It was  hard to feel happy about my birthday when it wasn't even acknowledged by important family members. Hello, did you forget??  Was I really so unimportant?? That really put a damper on the day so it was better to ignore it as much as possible. Today, I still try to ignore it as much as possible for other reasons. I really don't like getting older--looking older--feeling older--the WHOLE SHEBANG-- and my birthday is just ONE more reminder that I REALLY AM getting older. How can that be??  CAN'T I JUST LIVE IN  DENIAL--that really is my modus operandi.  THAT'S HOW I SURVIVE. If I ignore it--it won't happen right?? I get the older wiser thing, but  I'd rather be dumber and younger--VANITY and all that nonsense. My poor family has even learned to keep it on the down low--no cake or celebration--for me. I did have a great run though--the weather was  beautiful--48 degrees and sunny--and that was birthday present enough for me. I am a pretty low maintenance person in many respects--very different in every way from Amy Chua the author of the best selling book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. 

First of all, I wish I were a little more like Amy Chua but that's never going to happen. Chua is a professor of law at Yale University who has written several books. She wrote Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother in 2011 in an effort to share her "authoritarian parenting style" to show why Asian children are so successful. Chua, herself, is a tiger mother of two very successful daughters. She and her husband raised their daughters to respect authority, in a strict household where the "pursuit of excellence" was expected. Chua demanded that her children excel because that was what they were supposed to do. Long practice sessions with respected teachers in music were the norm. Constant drill work and study sessions were necessary because mediocre grades were unacceptable. Chua believed that "western parents" were too indulgent and permissive and she would have none of that "tainting" her daughters. This book was highly entertaining--at times very funny--but also shocking. Read it yourself to find out why. Like I said before--I wish I had a quarter of Chua's personality as I am one of those "western parents" who can be too indulgent and permissive at times. Anyways, it's a pretty easy read of about 250 pages or a 3 mile run that might have you rethinking your parenting or maybe not?

January 18, 2016 HINDSIGHT'S TWENTY-TWENTY 1982

Today, I'm running away in a different sense. From a reality that's hard  to face. The sad fact is-- I ACTUALLY HAVE VERY LITTLE CONTROL.  When my kids were little though--I deluded myself into thinking I did. Sure, they were with me every waking hour, so in a sense I had control--albeit, over little things. It comforted me, though, to believe I was in control. Knowing everyone was safely in bed--had a bath--went to school--three meals a day-- kept my anxiety at bay. Everyone was safe and sound. Over the years--things have changed. Two of my kids have grown up-- and I've had to drop the illusion. I really don't have control--I really can't protect them.  I'm not SUPER MOM to them anymore. I can tell by the way they look at me that they have figured out I'm  just a person--flawed in many ways.  I really can't solve their problems or kiss their hurts away AND that gives me anxiety. It's hard to let go even though I REALLY NEED TO AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WANT TO. We think it's hard when our kids are young, but it's only hard physically--that's a piece of cake compared to the mental and emotional stress when they are older. I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have enjoyed my little ones more. I wouldn't have taken things so seriously.  That's the funny thing about life--maybe we should live it backward-- that way  we wouldn't  have to see everything in hindsight.  F. Scott Fitzgerald actually wrote a novella in 1922 called The Curious Case of Benjamin Button that explores this idea.

 Benjamin Button is born in 1860 in Baltimore to a very excited couple--Mr. & Mrs. Roger Button. They are thrilled beyond words until they learn that their baby boy is actually a 70 year old man capable of speech. Poor Benjamin, all wrinkles and worn, is quickly whisked away from the hospital to live with his family who never acknowledges his difference. At the age of 5--Benjamin is actually 65 and prefers the company of his grandfather to the play dates his father makes for him with neighborhood children. As the years roll by, Benjamin accepts his life--he goes to war, takes over his father's business, falls in love and even has children. Remember though--as Benjamin gets younger, everyone else gets older including his wife who is eventually 50 when her husband is 20 and starts to pal around with his own son, Roscoe.  Find out what ultimately happens to Benjamin and his family when you read this great story that was made into a movie about 10 years ago. It's not a huge commitment either--at about 60 pages or a 2 mile run--you will laugh out loud on one page and be moved to tears by Fitzgerald's wonderful writing on the next. Enjoy!

January 17, 2017 AIN'T NO STOPPIN' US NOW

It's a vicious cycle. Eat-drink-run-drink-run-eat-run-eat-drink. What a world-What a world. That's the problem with running--because I run-I eat more which some times leads to a cocktail or two, but there's no way for me to get  off this crazy treadmill I've created, especially, on the weekend before my birthday weekend. Not sure how the birthday weekend extended into two weekends this year--hence, why I need  the 1000 Mile Challenge.  I did get some good runs in this weekend even though it was REALLY cold--it snowed and the streets were covered in black ice on Sunday. That was a scary run, but I'm determined to get those runs in.  My goal is to run 20 miles a week and as of today, I've run 48 tough miles this month. It's not easy--besides the weather-- I'm really tired on the weekends.  I literally have to drag myself out of bed by 7:50 am  to hit the road by 8:30 am when all I really want to do is sleep. As much as I hate getting up early, I never regret it and count myself lucky that I am so resolute. It's innate. Thankfully, these personality traits have helped  me through many difficult years--and they will undoubtably help me meet this challenge too.

The main character in Colm Toibin's wonderful novel Brooklyn also faces many hardships with great fortitude as an immigrant to the United States from Ireland in the 1950's.   Eilis Lacey is a young woman living with her mother and sister Rose in an Ireland with no future. Her sister Rose organizes a meeting between Eilis and a Catholic priest named Father Flood who arranges passage and a future for Eilis in New York City. Upon arriving in the city, Eilis works at a department store, lives in a boardinghouse and goes to night school. Although she is thankful for this opportunity, Eilis is extremely homesick for Ireland, family and friends until she meets an Italian plumber named Tony.  They fall in love and just as she is finally settling into her life in America, Eilis learns that her sister has died and she must return to Ireland for the funeral.  Before setting off to Ireland though, Eilis and Tony secretly marry. Back in Ireland, Eilis easily settles into her old life--meeting with friends and caring for her clingy mother who wants her to stay in Ireland and marry her old flame Jim. Eilis feels torn between her old life in Ireland and her new life in America. Find out what ultimately happens when you read this wonderful love story that was made into a movie a few years ago.  It's about 260 pages or a 5 mile run that is beautifully written--it will definitely pull at your heart strings!
Enjoy.

January 13, 2017 TAKE A LOAD OFF ANNIE

So thankful it's Friday and I'm home from work. The day literally CRAWLED by--I hate when that happens. It's kind of like a bad run that just won't end. So thankful too that I don't run on Fridays because  I feel mentally and physically drained. My week is a whirlwind of activity that just won't stop. By Friday my brain feels like it can't possibly process one more piece of information or it will blow up. My head feels like its spinning and my ears actually hurt from all the noise they've had to endure all week. Every part of me is screaming leave me alone. This must all have to do with getting older because I'm pretty sure I had more energy when I was younger. I VAGUELY remember going to happy hour every Friday night and thinking nothing of it-- every Friday--I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Those were the days! What's happened to me--I USED TO BE ALL THAT. Everyone else is supposed to get older--NOT ME--oh to be young again.  Wouldn't it be interesting if we could go back and live those times again OR maybe not.  Before you make up your mind,  read Kate Atkinson's book Life After Life where the main character Ursula Todd has a problem--every time she dies she is reborn and lives her life again.
Ursula Todd has been born and reborn countless times. Her original birth is in the year 1910 to an upper-class family in England--she is stillborn. Each time she is reborn, she is born into the same loving family and she lives longer. In one version of her life, she drowns as a child, another influenza,  another she falls off a roof  and later when she lives longer, she is murdered, or commits suicide only to be reborn again. With each birth, she relives the same life-- except her interactions change and her decisions change-- which effect the outcome of each life. In one version she's married to an abusive man, in another she is in love with a German soldier, in yet another, a married man. The reader is continually looped back in time for another version of Ursula's life. The interesting thing is that Ursula has deja vu at times and some of the memories of her past lives seep into her present life. She eventually uses that knowledge to change the future, most importantly,  history--when she tries to kill Hitler in 1930. Find out what ultimately happens to Ursula-- does she succeed in killing Hitler--does she do anything else to alter to future--does she finally find a way to die?  Read  this great book yourself to find the answer to these questions and many more.  It is a bit of a commitment though--about 550 pages or a 6 mile run that is worth the read. Enjoy!