Three Things

Once again we find ourselves at the day of the week called Thursday (o jueves en espanol), which on this blog is the day dedicated to sharing three thoughts.  The randomer  more random the better, even if you spontaneously erupt into another language (como espanol).  However, if your three thoughts are related, nobody is going to fuss. This is a no fuss, no stress, no drama sort of blog.

Usually.

Since I can, I'll go first.

1.  Yesterday Mathews High School's boys and girls cross country teams beat Gloucester.  Mathews is a much smaller school than Gloucester, so this is quite an accomplishment.  Daughter ran her personal best, I believe she came in at 27:29 (give or take on the seconds).

2.  Speaking of running, I went for a six-mile jog near Bethel Beach yesterday.  There were no mad dashes from fiddler crabs coyotes, however I did almost run into a goat that had sprung free from his pen.

3.  Baby Sis and I are signed up for the Outer Banks Half Marathon in November.  If it is a fraction of the fun of last year's race, we'll have a blast. Yes, as strange as it sounds, it is possible to have fun jogging 13.1 miles--but only with the right people. Never underestimate the fun that accompanies an out-of-town adventure with Baby Sis.

4.  My three things seem to be related to running and aren't random enough for me.  Therefore I must toss in another thought for good measure. Remember that three is just a suggestion, one I rarely adhere to.

5.  The Guinea Jubilee is this weekend.  For reasons I can't explain, I've never been. It's not that I don't want to go; something always seems to prevent me from going.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) Daughter's birthday celebration is this weekend, and I feel confident that attending the Guinea Jubilee isn't going to be high on her list of ways to acknowledge turning 15. I'd like it noted for the record that in spite of thousands numerous inquiries as to how she does wish to celebrate, I do not have a solid answer yet.  Maybe if I threaten to take matters into my own hands and announce we're going to Guinea Jubilee, she'll come up with something.

That's it from me.

Now it's your turn to share three or more things. Whatever is on your mind.  Any language thing at all.

Nashville

Mental P Mama (aka Lauren) and Baby Sis

After a very rough week, I am now traveling to Tennessee with Baby Sister to run walk participate in another half marathon. We'll be running  walking  doing this with my blog friend Lauren, who traveled with us last year to the Outer Banks for 13.1 miles of misery bliss there.

Click here for that story.

We intend to have lots of fun.

Baby Sis's talents are many and diverse.
She's a graceful, enthusiastic dancer.

In fact, we are experts at having fun.

I'll fill you in on our jolly journey when I return.

Have a great weekend.

Old

This one is on the left side of Route 614.

Today we take a peek at a few old structures lurking in the woods on my jogging route. Now that winter has removed all the leaves and vegetation, they're much easier to spot and photograph.

Also on Route 614.

Speaking of jogging, but entirely unrelated to old structures, leaves, and vegetation, Baby Sister and I are officially registered for another half marathon, this time in Nashville. We'll be flying out the end of April to run it with blog friend Lauren.

I'm really looking forward to it.

Anyway, the building above and below was completely hidden from view until loggers recently removed most of the trees.  As I was running by one day, I asked the logger guy if he knew anything about the property.  He didn't but he did point out another very old house sitting further back that looked very interesting.  Since trespassing (and dodging logging equipment) would be required to get a picture of that, there are no shots of that house here, regrettably.  But it's very alluring.  One day I'll make it back there.

On the left as you head towards Bethel Beach.

Near Beaverlett post office.

Route 614 on the right after you turn from Rte. 14

I realize most people reading this couldn't care less about the route numbers.
But for posterity's sake I feel compelled to state the location.
There's very little in life I feel compelled to do, up to and including housework.
So when a rare compulsion strikes, I heed the urge.

Old windows and old doors.  Love them both.
(Yes, I am a bit odd.  No, I don't get out much.)

Before closing, I do have one last story pertaining to age and what is considered old.

Sunday my friend Alda had a Super Bowl party.  I asked Son and Daughter if they wanted to go since I knew there'd be lots of food and plenty of entertainment.  When I first asked them, there was no response.  (No response means no.)  I left it alone and revisited the topic a bit later.

CBW:  "So how about coming with me to the party, you won't believe all the food."

Son:  "Who's going to be there?"

CBW:  "My friends and some of their kids."

Son:  "I don't really want to go. It'll just be a bunch of old people."  

CBW:  "I don't really consider myself old, but point taken. There won't be any teenagers there, you're right.  You guys stay here and enjoy yourselves, I'll be back later on."

So where did Son and Daughter end up watching the Super Bowl?  Next door with my 71 year old parents.

Everyone was where they wanted to be, and a good time was had by all.

For the record, though, my friends and I are not old.

And We're Off!

Creekside Shack 

Here are a few random photos that coincidentally help illustrate a not-so-random blog post related to my feelings about attempting to complete a  half-marathon this weekend.  Above, we have the starting point: an old, weathered structure still standing but vulnerable.  I'm almost 48 years old, still standing and ready to collapse into the creek vulnerable. Although I've been jogging since the spring, the farthest I've ever jogged without stopping is nine miles.

This half-marathon?  It's 13.1 miles.  13.1 minus 9 = What was I thinking?

Ideally I'd like to be able to complete the whole thing without dying walking.  Realistically, though, I am shooting for 9 or 10 miles jogging and then crawling hitch hiking  walking as needed to carry me across the finish line, where I hope not to collapse into a heap of broken parts like the tree below.

Aarons Beach

Most of all I hope I don't break anything, tear anything, or otherwise come to pieces.

Like the basket below.

Remnants of a basket

As long as I can crawl across the finish line intact, 

even if there are barnacles on my back since I go so slowly, I"ll be just fine.

Horseshoe crab adorned with barnacles

I won't be posting until Tuesday assuming no major cardiac events injuries. Baby Sis and I leave Saturday and return Monday. We're meeting up with her and her.   The race is on Sunday morning at the crack of dawn.

(Everyone in this little party except me has completed 13.1 miles without the benefit of an automobile.)

Have a great weekend! See you next week.

(Hopefully.)

Oyster Festival

These were taken on the long (but enjoyable) walk from the parking lot to the Urbanna Oyster Festival this weekend.  I've never had a bad time at the Oyster Festival (is it even possible?), and this year was no different.  Good food, good fun, a little bit of dancing and lots of people watching--one of my favorite past times.

In other news completely unrelated, this morning my mother goes in for a cardioversion to hopefully correct her heart rate.  My daughter has basketball try outs this afternoon.  And I will begin psyching myself up for a trip to the Outer Banks this weekend to participate in 13.1 miles of sheer torture  my first and likely last half-marathon.

What's happening in your world?

Before and After

We interrupt all the focus on The Storm Called Sandy
to bring you a few pictures taken before the storm.

Remember that?  Life before the storm?

When the skies were blue and

people weren't stampeding to the grocery store 

talking about how this was going to be
  The Big One, Elizabeth! The Big One?

Before we started filling our tubs with bathwater

and cooking everything in sight
in anticipation of losing power--remember?

I barely do.

Guess what snuck up on us while we were so focused on The Storm Called Sandy:

1. Halloween. Today!
2. The month of November. Tomorrow!
3. The Oyster Festival. This weekend!
4. The half-marathon, also known as 13.1 miles of Sheer Torture. Next weekend!
5. Thanksgiving.  As soon as I blink!

The Christmas trees are up in Wal-Mart.

Happy New Year.

Busy Week

Last Thursday, a beautiful fall day, I drove down to Aaron's Beach and took a few pictures.  (The actual beach and the bay are behind me; this is facing west.) The normally lush, green swamp marsh grass is now autumnal in color.

This may mark the first time in my life I've used the word autumnal.  If you repeat it a few times, it starts to sound weird, sort of like someone is trying to say something else but can't because they've just come from the dentist and they're still loaded up with Novocaine. Or they have a severe speech impediment.

Or something.

Anyway, the colors were autumnal. Also, I hate dentists. And I did not intend this to be a free association sort of blog post, but it looks like that horse is already out of the gate.

The weekend here was equally gorgeous.  Saturday I ran seven slow miles down the quiet back roads that pass near this and Bethel Beach. It was a great day to be outside.  That evening I attended a birthday party (I'll try to post a few photos later in the week) and had my first taste of roasted oysters this year. I assure you it won't be my last.

This week will be busier than usual here.  At work I am helping to manage a 10K/5K run for charity--and I'm also running in it with a bet that I will beat The Big Boss.  Friday is my 30th high school reunion and the Mathews Homecoming parade and football game. (Both Son and Daughter will be in the parade.) Middle Sister flies in for a visit on Friday.  Baby Sister will join us at some point.

In between is the normal flurry of activity that is my life which includes long commutes, keeping squalor, spiders and crickets at bay, scratching pets, ridiculously expensive flea medications that don't work, the logistics of who needs to be where and when, preparing for the half-marathon that's breathing down my neck, and hopefully once and for all taking the three Hefty bags of empty plastic water bottles to the recycling bin at the dump.  I've only been carrying them around in the back of my car for three months, remembering to go to the dump--and driving all the way there--the one and only day it was closed: Wednesday.

In other words, the usual stuff.

Anything exciting going on with you?

Three Things

Once upon a time when life was a little more predictable, Thursdays were declared days to share three things, no matter how random. From what I can tell, I've not celebrated Three Thing Thursday on this blog since June! It's time to change that.

For those who can't remember aren't familiar with Three Thing Thursday, just spurt out the first three (or more, or less, we're not huge fans of rules or numbers on this blog) things that are on your mind.

I'll go first.

1. It's time to get serious about this half-marathon thing I'm signed up for in November. October is the month for me to kick it up a notch.  Although I'm not quite sure what "it" is to be kicked up, the good news for me is the only place to go is up a notch. Unless it's down, as in falling, due to calf muscle cramps. Or trying to run 13.1 miles at the ripe old age of 47 and 3/4.

2.  Friday night a few friends from high school are coming over to put the finishing touches on our 30th high school reunion, which will coincide with the Mathews High School Homecoming football game on October 26th.  An idea I had was to invite Mrs. Trusch to the game and honor her during halftime. Ours was the last class she taught before retiring. She's had such an enormous impact on so many people's lives, I think it's the least we can do.  Click here or here for previous blog posts about this inspirational teacher, who also taught my father.

3. The West Point Crab Carnival is this weekend. This year I missed Mathews Market Days because of my son's surgery, so I'm really excited about the possibility of  a carnival-like atmosphere that is separate and distinct from the three ring circus of my regular life an event dedicated to frivolity, filled with people who just might appreciate my crab hat.


Now it's your turn to share three things or more things.  Five things or four things.  Whatever happens to be on your mind at the moment.  Anything at all.

Windows

This building is on the road going down to Wayland Baptist Church,

which is where I sometimes park my car to go jogging.

By the way, I'd better start getting serious about the jogging. Baby Sis,  Mental P Mama, and I are signed up for a half-marathon (13-ish miles) in November.   Ann Marie is doing the full marathon! That's like more than  26 a thousand miles!  Since roller skating is an unacceptable means of participating (I checked), I really need to get serious about this running business.

Anyway.

After a recent four-mile jog, I stopped here to snap a few shots, even though I've taken this building's portrait many, many times before.

These days I'm way more paranoid than usual a little paranoid about buildings being torn down, since several of my favorites recently succumbed to a bulldozer.

As a matter of fact, a farmhouse right across Route 14 from this particular structure was razed shortly before I took these pictures.

Sherlock Holmes I figured out what was happening when, over the course of a week or so, I noticed the preparations, which included the removal of all the windows; trimming and removal of nearby trees; and the telltale sign:  a bulldozer precariously close to the house.

So, although I've previously posted pictures very similar of this very structure, I'm not ashamed to share more.

Because you just never know when this place will be gone for good.


*********

p.s. Please hold your applause while CBW trots to the stage to accept her award for "Blog Post Containing the Most Fragmented Sentences and/or Sentences Beginning with Conjunctions/Prepositions/Strikethroughs and/or Words Passed Off as Sentences, Such as Anyway."