Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.---Buddha.

            shared from Facebook, Come on the peace train 1 million members needed.

     Today there will be a blue moon....the 2nd full moon in a month.  The next one isn't until 2015, so enjoy.  Stay up late and howl.


     Dean is riding his bike to work today, 12 miles each way, despite 90+ degree temperatures, and having felt really crappy all week from the chemo.  It is a human need....to show people we can do more than anyone thinks we can....to defy all expectations, even our own....to prove to ourselves that we are still alive.
     Gotta go run.


              shared from Facebook, Dare to be Different

    Have a great holiday weekend.

I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.---John Bingham, author and runner

 
     I love the above photo.  My gym (nature) is free, has fresh air, birds, wildlife, and no deafening music. It leaves me with peace of mind and with my senses put back in order.
     I took the plunge and signed up for my next half marathon to keep me focused on working out over the winter.  I will be running the Austin Half Marathon (13.1 miles) on February 17, 2013.  Wish me luck in my training.  I'm still considering running a 10k this fall, as well, so I have near-term as well as long-term incentives.
     Yesterday I ran 3 miles in Deer Creek Canyon Park.  Soon it will be snowy and impassable so I need to take advantage of it while I can. I didn't go far as I have become worried about my safety from mountain lions and bears when there aren't a lot of people around.  I may have to adopt a big dog for a running partner.....just something for me to think about.  It would make me feel more secure as there is safety in numbers, plus a doggy running buddy would also get me out the door every morning.  I know that no dog could ever replace our Sadie-dog, though.  She was the absolute BEST running buddy and all-round companion ever!
      On my run I found this good-sized tree, rooted and growing in a large rock.  It is amazing in what inauspicious places and situations life can flourish if it needs to.  As the proverb says, grow where you are planted. (Is that too saccharine?  Sorry, but I take my motivation wherever I can find it).

"Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."---Robert Browning

   Love is a cloud that scatters pearls. ~ Rumi

                 Shared from Facebook, Rumi

Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love--- Rumi

          Shared from Facebook, Rumi


     Happy wedding anniversary to my Mom and Dad, and to Jason and Kuldeep.  May you live to be at least 100, and be happy together the entire time, as are the cute couples above.  Much happiness, always.

"For you wake one day, look around and say, somebody wonderful married me".
~ Fred Ebb ~

We are amazing, whimsical, transient amalgams.

              shared from Facebook, Come on the peace train.

     We are a temporary assortment of atoms that have been recycled and reassembled through-out time.  About 98% of our body's atoms are replaced every 3 years, yet our general appearance and sense of self is unchanged.  My atoms are new, but I am still me.
     Bacteria are the oldest living organisms on earth.  We think of ourselves as human, but we have 10 times more bacterial cells in or on our bodies at any given time than we do human cells.  We are 90% bacteria, and we need them to keep our 10% alive.  They help digest our food, make vitamins, and keep our immune system working.
   

“Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution and for life - weren’t created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way for them to get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode. So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today.”

― Lawrence M. Krauss
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Several trillion whimsical cells are choosing to be Alex and Sydney at this moment.  Have a great school year kids.  You are always new.

1st day of 4th grade.

1st day of 5th grade.

There are footprints on the moon.

     Shared from Facebook, Come on the peace train.

This is a great motto with which to start the week.

Why is this?

“A boo is a lot louder than a cheer. If you have 10 people cheering and one person booing, all you hear is the booing.”

— Lance Armstrong,

A thought for the weekend

              shared from Dare to be Different, on Facebook


     Dean is still unable to do much walking or any running per Dr's orders due to the foot neuropathy caused by his chemotherapy, but he has been biking lately, getting his strength up, and hopes to bike to work next Friday.  It is a 24 mile round-trip ride.  I really miss having him as a regular jogging partner....we are both around the same speed and can talk while we jog.  I am going to my run group this morning but pretty much run by myself due to my slowness factor. Dean goes, too, and walks a bit and then drinks coffee and visits with other runners.  It is a great way to start our weekend.
     I am contemplating running a 10k later this fall....I am still needing motivation and maybe paying an entry fee for something will help.


     This is for Syd and Alex:  (no groans, now, okay??)

                               shared from Facebook from George Takei

     When our Grandkids, Syd and Alex, were here earlier this month, they suggested we start a "bad pun jar" and  whoever shares a bad pun needs to put money in the jar.  They laughed when hearing the above pun, but Alex thought it deserved to have a dollar put in the jar!

"Massage is the study of anatomy in braille." Jack Meagher

     Dean had a massage yesterday thanks to a thoughtful gift from family members.  His back has been bothering him for quite a while causing an inability to sleep or to sit in a car for long periods of time.
     He was shocked to find out that he had to be absolutely naked under that sheet!  Once he got over that surprise, though, he really enjoyed the session.  It was a little uncomfortable during, but felt great after.  He did sleep much better last night.
     He will wait a week or so and try it again.  Thanks again Phil and Mary.

     A new study done by Emory University showed that there are sustained, cumulative beneficial biological effects from repeated massage therapy with the effects persisting from several days to a week.   There were measurable changes in immune and endocrine function.
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2011.0071?journalCode=acm

New maxims to get me going again...

I'm having trouble getting motivated this week.  This should help, if yesterday's blog about Jon Blais doesn't do the trick...."Life is not a dress rehearsal."


             shared from Facebook from I <3 to Run




          shared from Facebook from Run4Beer


Be a badass.  Be a runner.

    shared from Facebook from Run4Beer

We can't all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist and actor.

     I just completed Chrissie Wellington's autobiography: "A Life without Limits, a World Champion's Journey."  Chrissie Wellington, in case you don't recognize her name, is the British woman who has won four Hawaii Ironman championships (so far), and has broken multiple world record times.  She is an inspiration.

     She had a chapter in which she covered heroes of the Ironman.  She reminded me of Jon Blais, who I had watched complete the 2005 Ironman in a televised highlights show. Jon was diagnosed with ALS in May of '05, but completed the Hawaii Ironman later that year, a long-held dream.  His doctors had apparently told him he would have to be "rolled over the finish line."  After finishing in 16 1/2 hours (1/2 hour before the cut-off) he lay down on the pavement and rolled across the finish line, in what is now known as "Blazeman-style."  Jon's parents started the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in his name after his death.
     Jon was a teacher of special-needs children.  He called himself the ALS Warrior Poet and wrote this poem, "Westward Bound", as quoted in Chrissie's book and found on his website: http://www.alswarriorpoet.com/index1.html

Live...
More than your neighbors.
Unleash yourself upon the world and go places.
Go now.
Giggle, no, laugh.
No...stay out past dark,
And bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are.
Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal.
This is it...your life.
Face your fears and live your dreams.
Take it all in.
Yes, every chance you get...
come close.
And, by all means, whatever you do...
Get it on film.
 

     Jon Blais, we are all still clapping for you.

     To donate, the website for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS can be found at:  http://www.waronals.com/

"As you wish."

                     Photo shared from Pinterest

     We introduced our Grandkids to one of our favorite movies, "The Princess Bride," while they stayed with us the first two weeks of August.  You've got to love Fezzik, as played by Andre the Giant.  The book is by William Goldman.  If you haven't seen this movie lately, you should.

     We had a lot of:  "Hello.  My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father.  Prepare to die." during those two weeks.

     Another good quote:  "When I was your age, television was called books."

    "No more rhymes now I mean it."
    "Anybody want a peanut?"
    "AAHH!"

**********************************************************************
     I need to get back into being active after being lazy for a couple of weeks, so went for a jog Monday in the South Valley.  At the foot of our hill I saw 4 bucks eating crab-apples from the ground.  One was a big fella.  They still have the velvet on their antlers so I wasn't too afraid of them, but in a month that will change as their antlers harden.  Dean was most impressed with the size of the big one.  We took a stroll in the evening and the big one was still there eating the crab apples.  Why would anyone want to kill such beauty?

"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."---Edith Ann (Lily Tomlin)

     The school year starts today in my county.  Kids are out early, playing catch in the street, meeting friends......kind of like reverse zombies, they now gather in the daylight.
     In honor of this occasion, here are some quotes I love about education:


 The difference between school and life as shared from The Greatist.com
     

“The difference between school and life? In school you, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

— American author, actor, and radio personality Tom Bodett.

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school."---Albert Einstein

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."---Malcolm Forbes

"I cannot teach anybody anything.  I can only make them think."---Socrates

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."---Chinese Proverb

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."---Oliver Wendell Holmes



                 shared from Big Think

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      The Leadville 100 trail run was held this past weekend.  Tony Krupicka, a fellow Nebraskan, came in 4th. Way to go!
      Mike Arnstein, the Fruitarian, came in 8th.

2012 Leadville 100 Men’s Official Results

1. Thomas Lorblanchet (Salomon) – 16:29:28 (post-Leadville interview)
2. Zeke Tiernan – 16:44:20
3. Nick Clark (Pearl Izumi) – 17:11:16
4. Anton Krupicka (New Balance) – 17:21:09
5. Jay Aldous – 18:42:42
6. Andrew Catalano - 19:28:39
7. Brandon Stapanowich – 19:32:23
8. Mike Arnstein – 19:37:14
9. Craig Howie – 19:50:11
10. Tim “Lucho” Waggoner - 20:12:36 (2012 Leadman champ!)

2012 Leadville 100 Women’s Official Results

1. Tina Lewis – 19:33:45 (post-Leadville interview)
2. Liza Howard (New Balance) – 20:44:08
3. Ashley Nordell (Pearl Izumi) – 20:47:58
4. Aliza Lapierre (Salomon) – 21:14:32
5. Darcy Africa (Pearl Izumi) – 23:20:06
6. Jen Segger (Salomon) – 23:26:02
7. Alyssa Wildeboer - 24:03:05
8. Jaclyn Greenhill – 24:11:32
9. Carrie Stafford – 24:49:31
10. Valerie Wrenholt - 24:49:54

http://trailheads.runnersworld.com/2012/08/lorblanchet-and-lewis-win-leadville-trail-100/

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.---John Muir

 Hiking pictures from last weekend....

3 generations of Johnson men.

Our Grandson, Granddaughter, Son and Nephew

Alone, even doing nothing, you do not waste your time.

                  shared from I Love Books

     We had a wonderful hectic 2 weeks with lots of visitors.  Our Grandkids were here all 2 weeks....we miss you Syd and Alex!  Dean's family was here for a week and my family was here for a week including Syd and Alex's parents.  Their visits went much too quickly.  It is really quiet now and I should be doing lots of things to catch up, but all I want to do is read.  Why is that?
     My Mom brought us lots of veggies from their fabulous garden so I made tomato sauce with eggplant and zucchini a couple of times, and we had cantaloupe daily.  We still have several winter squash and some potatoes left to enjoy.  Thanks, Mom and Dad.
     All of the sudden there is a hint of autumn in the air.  Nighttime has become cool.  Kids are heading back to school.  Dean has chemo again tomorrow.  Where did the summer go?

"Alone, even doing nothing, you do not waste your time.....No encounter with yourself can be altogether sterile:  Something necessarily emerges, even if only the hope of someday  meeting yourself again."---E.M. Cioran

Where Did the Summer Go?

Print

By William Zinsser

Where did the summer go?

I thought it had just begun.

Somebody tell me I counted wrong

And it’s really still July.

Somebody tell me the sun

Isn’t really so low

In the sky.

Where did they all get lost,

The things that we somehow missed?

Somebody tell me it’s not too late

To cross them off our list.

Somebody tell me . . . but who am I kidding?

I feel that chill in the air.

Somebody tell me,

I’d like to know

Where

Did the summer go?

Perspective

                                         Shared from George Takei's blog

"May you live all the days of your life." ---Jonathan Swift

Happy Birthday to our son Jason, and many, many more.  It was great seeing all of you this week.  Celebrate......daily!

Did you run today?

"All I really needed to know about being vegan I learned in kindergarten."

Be kind to animals.

Eat your vegetables.

Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you.

Tell the truth.

You can make a lot of neat things with lentils and dried macaroni.

Offer help to those who need it.

Don’t pull the cat’s tail, she feels pain just like you.

Just because you want something doesn’t mean you should have it.

Pay attention.

Eat balanced meals. (Hint: french fries topped with Oreos is not a balanced meal.)

Take care of our earth.

Don’t be selfish: it’s not always about “you.”

Everyone dies, but it’s not right to kill.

Just because your friend does something doesn’t mean you should, too. (If your friend jumps off a bridge does that mean you should follow? )

Be a good citizen.

When you go out into the world, try to leave it a little better than it was when you found it.

Don’t be a bully: might doesn’t make right.

Vegan chocolate chip cookies and almond milk are good for you.

If you’re doing something  that hurts someone, stop and say you’re sorry.

Try not to hurt anyone in the first place.

Appreciate the beauty and mystery of life.

And always remember The Golden Rule.

Based on “All I Really Needed To Know I Learned in Kindergarten” byRobert Fulghum

 shared from This Vegan Life blog

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!"......William Shakespeare

     Our Granddaughter, Sydney, is taking horse-camp this week and loving it.  They need to have horse-camp for grownups.  I'd be the first in line to sign up.

     Meanwhile, Grandson Alex went with me to Freedom Service Dogs yesterday to help train dogs. He got to train a dog, Gander, by himself.  This morning he and Grandpa are doing some catch and release fishing.  I don't imagine they are having a lot of luck, but are having quality conversation and one-on-one Grandpa-Grandson time together.....the whole point.

Summer fun.

We are having lots of guests for a couple of weeks, including our wonderful Grandchildren. Here is a family photo of this weekend's guests.  Because of all of the company, I won't be blogging as much.

Health news:
     Popcorn has more polyphenols (a class of antioxidants) than many fruits and vegetables.  Most of the polyphenols are in those annoying popcorn hulls which get stuck in your teeth.  Also, popcorn is 100% unprocessed and a whole grain.  Of course, its health value is counteracted by drenching it in butter, and especially avoid the fake butter found on movie theater popcorn.  Try air-popping it.  Who doesn't love popcorn. (Source, Dr. Andrew Weil).
     Recent research found that the best way in increase a person's global mood is by eating a plant based diet  due to the tryptophan to protein ratios.  The best food group to get that ratio is seeds.  (Source, Nutritionfacts.org). Gotta love seeds....sunflower, pumpkin, butternut squash....mmmmm. This is another way that being vegan changes you for the better.

Running group this am....

I had great company running/walking at my run group today.  My grandson Alex is in the 2nd row, 4th from the right-hand side in the black shirt and with his arms crossed.  You go Alex.

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life. ~ Samuel Ullman (finest quotes)

                      (shared from Pinterest)


My birthday....#61.  Goal for the next year:

                 (photo shared from Run4Beer)