Reflections 2006

A wish for the New Year

A picture of beautiful girls celebrating the holidays… some of my “Rogue” running buddies here…completely different from our usual sweaty, red-nosed, smelly normal looks. Such great girls to hang with…clean or dirty!! I wish for everyone to have such super fun friends!!

One of the highlights of my holiday parties this weekend was having three xmas songs played on the piano for just me (complete with singing) while the other guests did a white elephant gift exchange (also quite funny.) The entertainer was confident and unafraid to be herself as she combined her angelic voice with the flow of well practiced notes. She was 7 years old. As I watched and listened, I couldn’t help but think of how wonderful it is to be just like my little maestro who played so unabashedly at the piano. Here she was, living in the moment, living in her music, and creating her own perfect world.

It seems as we get older that we get so afraid to just be ourselves. We try to hold up to society’s set standards on how we should think and behave. And, while some of those are good (no farting in an enclosed area when in company, for example) I find that often times adults are scared to think or act freely in so many situations. Often we are fearful of living life as we feel it…or even just feeling it.

So as I drive down the road today, singing “Joy to the World” at full volume with the windows down, I will look at the surprised person next to me and smile. And I will remember that I want to grow up to be just like a free spirited seven year old girl, who gave me the gift of courage to live life as I see it.

Happy New Year 2007 Everybody!

Sometimes ya gotta run with it...

Christmas a few years ago on Rick's boat... Oh yeah, the Lake Travis Christmas Boat Parade to be exact. The picture doesn't even do it justice... you don't see the flying reindeer, snow machine, or hoardes of elves, santas, or regulars dancing around the hot tub on the upper deck. You can't hear the BLARING xmas music in the back ground or the hoots and hollers of the wild bunch...sipping hot spiced cider in the cabin or drinking those little red shots of whatever that stuff was...

The friends in the picture (me, Nick, Kerry, Rick, & Pauline) are here gloating over our decorating job, Rick's awesome party boat driving job, and the fact that the judges thought that tonight belonged to us. Rick's boat was "Best of Parade." You can imagine the party down later at post parade party party up at Carlos and Charlies. Rick, all 6'4" of him, is stuffed inside of his santa suit which, beleive me, was quite a sight behind the wheel. Pauline and Kerry are totally adorable in matching Mrs. Clause outfits, Nick is dorky in his party hat, and me... I am completely off the charts in my outfit that I made out of a Wal-Mart tree skirt...

It is a fun picture of Christmas Past. Rick has gone on to other adventures in his life and the rest of us do not see him anymore... although Pauline and I do not forget who started us in on all this marathon running stuff! So...it is only fitting that in the year following this picture, Pauline and I dressed up in our same outfits (yeah, the tree skirt) and ran the Trail of Lights 5K at Zilker Park. And another great memory followed the first.

So perhaps this year I will head down to Zilker (less the tree skirt...I almost died of heat prostration) and run the Trail of Lights again. Maybe I will be a reindeer... Y'all coming???

Halloween Quadrille '06

Thriller...Adam's Family...Monster Mash...You just had to be there!

Dancin’ Dressage Divas… or something like that!!!

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” Angela Monet

So… a couple of Sundays ago, I was headed home from a lesson on the west side of town. It had been a long weekend and it was almost sunset. I didn’t really feel like driving so I zipped on over to The Oasis on Lake Travis so I could just watch the sun go down and relax. Come to find out… Sunday evenings are SALSA night (the dance, not the food.) I love salsa music (it is so vibrant!) so I just plunked down on a stool and enjoyed myself.

Well, I told the girls at the barn (and mentioned that salsa lessons were included and free!) and suddenly we were planning for a group trip to the Oasis for the following Sunday.

Sunday rolled around and the five of us in the photo op (Cara, me, Emily, Carrera, and Lauren) went out there and had a great time! Salsa dancing is so much fun! Even if you don’t have a clue what you are doing!! All of us girls danced together (almost Emily…) until we got brave enough to torture other people! I learned (thanks to a VERY patient man) that there is salsa, meringue, and cha cha dancing… and Lord knows what else! I got the steps down ok… as long as he didn’t ask me any questions! As soon as I tried to politely answer I would end up going the wrong direction!! It was pretty funny and a great time was had by all!

Latin music and dancing is so ALIVE! I certainly recommend trying it out! As for me, (and the girls??) I will definitely be heading out there again! Cha Cha Cha!!!

Running Pike's Peak '06

On the road in the cool early morning; This proud, regal mountain calls to you,

Some charge off to conquer the beast; And for a moment you think to do that too.

And the trail becomes gold granite earth; And the W’s head to the sky,

The throngs around you huff to battle; And for a moment you want to pass or try.

Your breathing will try to control you; And your legs will fiercely complain,

So you try to ignore, but then listen a bit; For there is a unique clarity in this pain.

And though the switchbacks seem forever; And the fever pitch around you is still there,

You understand you take this path for you alone; At the massive Rock Arch you are aware.

This mountain is not yours to dominate; She teaches you if you will take heed,

The undulating path on to Barr Camp; Gives you the thinking time you need.

Then she throws in some challenges to A-Frame; The sunlight, like the trail, dark and light,

Here you should learn to respect her; This is a deep relationship, not a fight.

After A-Frame the trees give way to the rock; The power of her peak is obvious to see,

Your companions now are the wind and the heavens; It is the mountain that shows you how to be.

Each step that you take here is golden; Such strength you see from her weathered skin,

With this respect you become more like her; She gives you all you need to push yourself in.

At the turn around you look down the trail; In this place you want to run with abandon,

But take this moment to walk in her beauty; Connect your soul to this glorious mountain.

The path back to A-Frame is much as before; The barren landscape almost surreal,

The peeps of the marmots, a raven at watch; The bond to God’s earth that you feel.

Soon you reach tree line and trek to Barr Camp; The trees around you play with your head,

You have to say good bye to your euphoria; And focus on this treachery instead.

And after Barr Camp your thoughts drift to home; The trail beckons you swiftly down,

The worn surface shows hundreds before you; At times you look out on the town.

The ending is steep, your pain is now screaming; The road that meets you seems it never ends,

And you struggle to the finish running on nothing; But the power of all your waiting friends.

And at some point later, in your own time; The truth will be easy to see,

This mountain gave you a lifelong gift; Of a wonderful memory.

Rogue Pike's Peak Group about to head to the race!

Moving Right Along...

Today I ate a duck egg. Of course, it was nothing heroic. I fried it and ate it on a sandwich.

Thing is, I have never eaten a duck egg before (that I know of.) And, while it may seem a bit silly to some, I have known this duck since she was a little, yellow duckling and that made it a bit weird somehow.

I guess my apprehension was slightly off the wall but I suppose it was a lot like denying that your kids are ready to date, or get married, or leave home. Yes, it was only a duck. But nevertheless, it was still a reminder that we all grow up (and old) and we are all still mortal.

Anyway, she was such a cute duckling but guess what? She is now a duck and she makes a mean egg! Life goes on… J

Rogue Hell Week at Pike's Peak 7/06

IMAGINE…

…a fourteen hour road trip with fellow Rogues. Laughs, gossip, ideas.

…reaching Manitou Springs, dead tired, full of dinner. And ya still go out in the dark for your 60 minute easy.

…happy, excited, and comfortable to follow coach Steve the next morning. First taste of the mountain.

…good food.

…seeing more Rogues alight at the Inn. More laughs, gossip, ideas, and BS stories. Ha ha.

…a rest day of jogging through Garden of the Gods with more Rogues. Shopping trip to Colorado Springs. Huge outdoor sporting store, swarms of Rogues. Anarchy in the running store, rowdy Rogues. Good food.

…getting up early. Talk of bodily functions. Rogues to the Barr Trail Mountain Race. We run. We pass each other, encourage. We pass locals, smile. We all make cut off… gold shirts all around. We eat pizza. We cheer. Texans are loud. Yee haw.

…20 packed and loaded Rogues, sardines on the Cog Railway. They dump us off at halfway. Tourists take pictures… crazy Rogues.

…Camp! Cool air, cozy cabin, great food, groovy hosts, clean potty… air on your butt.

…working Rogues, pumping and drinking cold mountain water.

…first morning. Dark but light. Big orange/red sun filtering in. Fresh air. Look at the mountain. The morning Peak is gold.

…a big breakfast. Bananas in the pancakes, peaches and nuts in the oatmeal. Short run, intoxicating views, roaring/gurgling stream, warm sun, puffy clouds.

…later on, hike back to the stream, get in, FREEZING cold, PAIN, numbness, no pain, no more cankles. Back toward camp, stop at Meditation Rock, climb up, lay down, warm rocks…threatening clouds, scurry back to camp.

…excitement about the next day…Hell Day…coach cooks, Rogues eat…and eat…happy bellies.

…1:23am. What was that? Was it Dan? “It’s not me.” What??? “Charles! Get the BEAR!” Stumbling, fumbling, there he goes! Very exciting! Several must pee now.

…the next morning. More bodily function talk. Excitement, packing, repacking, water, gels.

…all going out. 20 little Rogues go in a line, talk, laughter, plans…then breathing.

…we work, we sweat. We pass and meet with smiles…or eyes and grunts of struggle. We work through her labyrinth. We climb, respect her massiveness. We push. She does not give. We accept…and learn what our own relationship is with this granite beauty.

…back at camp. Food glorious food. Bless our hosts, ultra runners with appreciation of calorie intake.

…happy campers, runners. Games, jokes, guitar, singing, talk of silly things…and talk of Pike’s Peak.

…a somber morning. Hearty breakfast, packs no lighter or smaller… how did that happen? Hike down, very slow, a walk, a shuffle. Showers for all! The Keg, a last meal together for now…

…heading home. Feeling part of a family. Talk of those missing. Talk of those present. Talk of returning. And talk of the mountain.

Funny how one lonely, giant piece of granite can create such bonding, self-respect, and inspiration. Maybe she just brings out what is already inside the Rogue’s heart.

Frits

Frits the Transformer!! From February when we went to see him and then a few months later in April at his first show!! Hubba, hubba!!

Love to ASLAN 03/06

ASLAN died last week. He was 24 years old and had lived the last five years of his life in Leander with our buddy Jan. He was chit chatting with the ladies right to the end. How typical was that!

This picture is ASLAN, with my daughter Crystal, several years ago at our farm in Cedar Park. He was my soul mate and this is how I will remember him.

A Nice Day! 2006!

Today is gorgeous in Austin, Texas! It is the beginning of February and I am sitting on the outside deck at Mozart’s Coffee. Isn’t it a great life we are living in? I’m on my laptop, listening to the birds and watching them swoop in to the abandoned plates trying to grab a crumb or two. The sun is glistening across the water of Lake Austin and someone in a boat is making donuts in the water… just having fun… The place is packed but not overcrowded… everyone in their own element, either with friends or reading a book or just gazing out across the water. The common denominator though, is that the mood is just all over bright. No one is arguing or whining or being grumpy. The sun and the beauty around us has lulled everyone into a happy place. I am grateful for places and times like these. In a busy and over stressed world, these moments are perfect for recharging. It’s time to close the laptop. The dog at the table next to me is trying to get my attention.

Music, Sweet Music / 2006

Music! Right up there with red and gold sunsets on the beach and the smell of rain in the forest. Music is all about emotions... happy or dark, lively or somber... music is one of life's joys. I love music of all kinds (although I am sorry to say that I find heavy country rather suicidal.)

Singing, whether in the shower or cruising the karaoke bars (yes, I've done that... it's ok... really...) is great for your lungs (all that deep breathing to pelt out those tunes.) It is also a wonderful way to release any pent up emotion... far better than "road rage" don't ya think?

Playing music is great for coordination and working your brain (as I struggle to learn the piano.) Great way to keep that brain in gear if you are getting old (not that I would know about that) and a wonderful way to teach kids to think ahead and pay attention... much better than mind melting TV and computer games. And, of course, I am sure music is good for my piano teacher too... It lets him demonstrate and practice endless patience!!

Yeah, music is life. From my drum set, to the car stereo, to the iPod I run with, to the boom box we drag out by the arena... music enriches my life. Always wanted to play the guitar?? Just do it!

Whether the older man in Germany (above) who brightened up my stop at a roadside cafe in the beautiful German countryside or our little buddies the TNT brothers who are here rockin' away in the living room of my little house... This is livin' and it's for everybody!