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.

July 29, 2017 CRAZY ON YOU

Step right up and get your tickets to the "CRAZIEST" show on earth--THE TRUMP CIRCUS.  As the ringmaster of this fine show, I'd like you to take a look at the spectacle in ring 5.  Trump ridiculing, humiliating and BULLYING his Chief of Staff  Priebus  into resigning.  OMG--Pay close attention people. Trump's actually  TWEETING-- the NEW YES man--John F. Kelly. If that's not enough then focus your attention to ring number 4--A wrestling match between Trump & Sessions. Trump's got the sleeper hold on Sessions--it's only a matter of time now. How dare he recuse himself from the Russian Shenanigans and appoint a special counsel to investigate!  Let's see how long Sessions can hold on..... In the meantime folks--Meet the New Communications Director in ring number 3--Anthony Scaramucci-- A MIRROR IMAGE OF TRUMP.  Just goes to show MONEY & CLASS are TWO completely different things. Hold your OOHHS and AAHHS until you see what we have on the screen above ring 2. Actual Tweets from our Dictator Trump--raging and whining about the Skinny Repeal--IT'S NOT HIS FAULT.  Now--what about the tweet banning the transgenders from the military. PEOPLE-- Don't fall for that old trick--TRUMP'S just trying to draw attention away from THE RUSSIAN MEDDLING THING. HUMMMM.  Last but certainly not least in ring 1--THE sexist comments to Brigitte Macron on the state of her body. HELLO--THINK WHAT YOU WANT BUT DON'T SAY IT OUT LOUD. AND what about the Boy Scouts??

 40,000 at the National Jamboree. First rule of public speaking--KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Oh yeah--any law enforcement people in the crowd tonight please be advised--POLICE BRUTALITY IS THE NEW NORM-- as Trump says, Let's not "Be too nice"to suspects who may be MS-13 gang members. IF WE ONLY HAD A WALL??   The list goes on and on--CRAZY--four years is a LONG TIME.  Seriously  though, I really think everyone is a little crazy in their own way--some more than others-- and this is certainly evident in Gail Honeyman's debut novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.  Eleanor is an odd duck. She is intelligent, but also childlike. She is  a thirty year old woman who works in the accounts payable department of a small company who has no friends.  She thrives on order and routine and speaks in an almost robotic manner that puts people off. Her life is very sad-- she merely exists--she doesn't know how to live because she's never been taught. After being traumatized as a child, she grew up "in care"--in foster families where she was never shown love. Eleanor seems to be on the Autism spectrum--but in her case I'm not sure if it's really NURTURE INSTEAD OF NATURE. Thankfully, all of this changes after she meets the new IT man in her office named Raymond. While leaving work one day, they save an elderly man named Sammy. He is so thankful that Raymond and Eleanor become honorary members of his family. This is when  Eleanor experiences many firsts--parties--family--unconditional love--friends. All of these feelings are wonderful, but they stir up old feelings and memories from her past that she has to face in order to truly live her life.  Believe it or not, this is a hilarious story--you will laugh out loud at times--but it is also a very touching story. I loved the book and could not put it down. This heartwarming  novel is about 300 pages-- an easy read-- maybe a 3 mile run. And you'll be rooting for Eleanor the whole way. Enjoy!

July 27, 017 IT'S MY LIFE

When is enough--enough?? This is a question my comrades and I often wrestle with on our long treks. I say--when I can't SEE--HEAR--WALK--PLEASE-- PUSH ME OVER THE BRIDGE. I know this is a morose topic but seriously..........When is enough--enough?? It's supposed to be about quality of life right? I get that quality of life can differ from person to person but I firmly believe a person should have the right to CALL IT A DAY. We live in a world where people live longer because of medical advancements which is great but when is it TOO LONG?? My grandfather NEVER sat still a day in his life until old age type 2 diabetes robbed him--first of his sight--then of his ability to walk. He begged me to help him end his life-- I really wanted to--he had NO quality of life--but I couldn't. In the end--he lost his DIGNITY--and DIED almost penniless after paying all of the medical expenses that  kept him alive?? HELP me understand this???  Our world makes NO sense. When a beloved pet gets old--can no longer see or walk--we are compassionate enough to put the pet down. As much as we love the pet--it's just time right?? Not sure why we can't be more compassionate with our human loved ones?? Don't worry though, after careful consideration and many discussions-- my comrades and I have made a pact. We're not going to let any of that other nonsense stand in the way-- AND WE'LL DECIDE WHEN! I guess I should just be glad that I didn't live in Depression era New York City like many of the unfortunate characters in Jami Attenberg's wonderful historical fiction novel of 2015 Saint Mazie. 

Interestingly enough, Attenberg's  book is loosely  based on a real woman who lived in New York City named Mazie Phillips Gordon. She was the subject of an article in the New Yorker written by Joseph Mitchell in 1940 because she spent the Depression helping poor men who lived on the street and begged for food and drink. Attenberg took the facts of her life-- then created a series of fictional interviews of old neighbors and friends--added a dash of diary entries--both real and fake--and WOOLAA-- a  recreation of Saint Mazie's life. Mazie leads an unconventional lifestyle for a woman at that time period. She is a real character--a tough talking--"loose" woman--with a heart of gold. After her mobster brother-in-law Louis dies, she inherits the Venice Theatre where she sits and sells tickets and watches from her booth--first the Jazz Age--Prohibition--and finally the lives of many of the people she knows and cares about during the Depression. The horrors of the Depression change her life forever as she spends her time and money helping the downtrodden live with a little dignity. Her acts of kindness eventually lead to the nickname Saint Mazie. This book is at time very funny, but it is also a heartfelt story that makes you feel like you have gone back in time--that's how good the writing is. Take some time to read this cleverly written book of 330 pages--only a 3 mile run--whose characters  will stay with you forever.

July 24, 2017 WHO LET THE DOGS OUT

Live in the moment. It sounds like such a simple thing--but it's actually hard to do. For some reason I always feel compelled to think ahead--tomorrow--next week--next month--next year.  I wish I could train my brain to appreciate the here and now instead of AGONIZING  over what could be.  Did you know that people actually SPEND between 5-6 years over the course of their lives worrying--ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. ALL WASTED ENERGY. Intellectually--I know this--but I HAVE TO constantly remind myself to let it go and--LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Just think about all the things we miss if  our minds are ELSEWHERE. The aroma of lavender and honeysuckle that has got to be inhaled deeply to appreciate--OR-- listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it rhythmically taps on the roof. We might even miss the lightening quick buzz of a hummingbird  at the bird feeder--NOW THAT WOULD REALLY BE A SHAME--all because we are too busy stressing about OTHER things. So next time worry and anxiety start to get the best of you--STOP--take a deep breath--and tell yourself to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Either that or get a dog--they always make everything better. Dogs do have a funny way of calming, relaxing and taking care of their people which I learned about first hand when I read A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.

If you are a dog lover--this is the book for you. Told from a dog's point of view, this is the story of one dog's many incarnations. When this wonderful dog is born the first time, he is is born into a feral family and is eventually euthanized, however, in his second life--he is reborn as a golden retriever and eventually finds his way into a  family with a boy named Ethan. Ethan names him Bailey and together they go on many adventures and grow up and in Bailey's case--grow old--together as Bailey is put down at the end of his long life. Next, the dog is a german shepherd named Elle who works as a rescue dog with a police department. In his final incarnation, he's as a black lab named Buddy. One of the interesting things about the book is that the dog remembers every life he has lived and the lessons he has learned over the course of his lives--most important-- the love between a boy and his dog. As Buddy, the dog learns his true purpose.  Find out Buddy's true purpose when you read this wonderful, heartwarming, funny, tear-jerker that reminds me that dogs love their owners just as much as owners love their dogs. It's only about 330 pages--or a 4 mile run. It's an easy read that will have you reminiscing about your dogs of yesterday and appreciating the ones you have today.

July 22, 2017 BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY

Whether it's a puppy, kitten, duckling or newborn baby girl --there's nothing quite like a baby. They are such a precious gift. I've actually figured out why babies are SO important in families. Unbeknownst to them, they actually help us cope with the ups and downs of life. They help everything make sense--especially when we are grieving. My first son came along at a difficult time. He was born about 6 months after my father-in-law died. His birth revived the family and although we were sad, the joy he and his cousins gave us--soothed our souls and brought us great joy. Two short years later, my daughter was born helping to bridge the loss of my grandfather--the love of my life--and idol for many years. Much later--our beloved dog Jennie died. We were all devastated by her loss--she was about 15 years old--had a great life BUT we missed her terribly.  I hated coming home after work --it was TOO quiet in the house without her. There was  NO one to greet me at the door--genuinely happy to see me. I'M REALLY NOT THAT EASY TO LIVE WITH BUT JENNIE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND.  I lasted about two weeks--before I started looking for another four-legged friend.  Ended up adopting two rescue dogs--Farrah and Maggie. Wonderful companions who immediately became part of the family. Babies, human or otherwise, bring great joy--many times

 when we need it most. I just finished reading a book where the main character developed amnesia and forgot ten year of her life including her three children. Interesting right? Anyways, I've never read Liane Moriarty before but I have to say I really enjoyed her novel of 2009 What Alice Forgot.

Alice Love is a 39 year old mother of three in the midst of a messy divorce from her husband Nick.  One day while  at a spinning class at her local gym, Alice falls off the bike, hits her head and develops amnesia. She wakes up and thinks she is a 29 year old newlywed. She has NO recollection of the last 10 years. She can't understand why her husband Nick won't visit her in the hospital or why her sister Elisabeth hardly speaks to her. And who is this Gina person everyone is whispering about??  Alice doesn't even really recognize herself either. She has become everything she despises. She is now extremely thin, obsessed with exercise--with a personal trainer to boot. She wears loads of make-up, expensive clothes and is the head of the PTA at school. She is also totally flabbergasted by motherhood and has no clue how to take care of her three children. It's a nightmare--or is it? Alice decides to put the pieces of her life back together in order to figure out how things went so terribly wrong in her marriage. Was her case of amnesia  really a blessing in disguise? Find out when you read this page-turner for yourself. I could honestly hardly put it down. It is an easy read--450 pages or only a 4 mile run--seriously. It begs the question--if you could forget 10 years of your life would you??