on walking and not walkikng. . .

This past weekend, we headed north for a family wedding. I did head out for a walk Saturday - but not as long a walk as prescribed.








This golf course was on the grounds of Breezy Point, the resort we stayed at.

Yeah, these kinds of signs ARE normal in northern Minnesota! I walked along the trail on Saturday. Sunday, I went around the neighborhood, checking out all the cabins for sale.

Tuesday, I woke up with the best of intentions for getting back on track. I got up. I got dressed. I realized it was raining. I mean REALLY raining. The same was true Tuesday evening.

I did get some walking/running in on Tuesday, though. It started around 3:20 a.m., when I noticed Bubba, our oldest cat, was pacing on the bed. Not a good sign.

Those of you who have raised a child know that when a child is learning to use the bathroom, there are certain behaviors that can signal they'd just rather not, thank you. The same is true for cats that don't wish to use the litter box. Pacing, in our house, is a sign. I threw back the covers, jumped out of bed, and the dance began. Bubba ran into the hallway. I followed. Through the dining room, into the living room, around the coffee table and back to the dining room.

I dragged the little beast out from under the table by his tail, and put him into the litter box and waited. He used it. We went back to bed.

4:30 a.m. Another sign: the pawing of the quilt, like Bubba was an enraged bull. Out of bed. Into the hall. Through the dining room. This time, Bubba lept onto and over the fainting couch, down the radiator length, then into the dining room again. I had to move a chair and crawl under the table to get him and put him BACK in the litter box. He got out right away, as though the box didn't merit his time. I put him back in. He got back out.

6:00 a.m. I missed the pacing. I missed the pawing. I woke up as Mr. Pissypants was using my comfortor as a litter box. Enraged, I threw back the covers and lept out of bed. Grabed the little beast by the scruff of his neck and AGAIN put him in the litter box. The look of surprise on his face was priceless. It said, "Whatever am I doing in this litter box? Why would she put me here? I was perfectly comfortable relieving myself on the bed. . ."

That cat's days are numbered!

If you'd like to donate, please go here:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/TwinCitiesEvent?px=3237566&pg=personal&fr_id=1302


Thank you for your support.

super long walk

Yesterday I had a 17 mile walk scheduled. I woke up at 5:30 and was out the door by six.

The mighty Mississippi was calm and peaceful yesterday morning. There was no one in sight. Then the oddest thing happened. . .

A lone car came past me on the high bridge, slowed, braked, then pulled over and stopped about 50 feet in front of me. It was me and whomever was in the Bronco on that bridge and no one else in sight. . .

My thoughts immediately went to Butch, whom I knew back when I was interning at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility in 1987. Butch forced a woman into his van at knife point, drove her to an area sans people, and raped her six ways to Sunday. I debated my options: 1. cross to the other side of the bridge; 2. run like hell back up the high bridge; 3. do nothing. As I am deliberating, a woman in her 60's got out of the driver's side. She had on a beret, a loose jacket, and a long skirt. I, on the other hand, was wearing my black running skirt, a tank top, and my AAFS backpack, which held my water bottles, camera, and phone.

"I'm headed out of town," she said. "Do you need a lift?"

I resisted the urge to lecture her on the dangers of inviting strangers into her vehicle. For all she knew, I was a serial killer. . . I spent the next 4 miles ruminating over the encounter. The short version is that I concluded my job has made me twisted when it comes to interacting with strangers.

You may call me Monet. I didn't intend this effect - I was trying to take a picture of the falls by the Ford Plant. Of course, while I was preparing to take this shot, a guy pulled in to the parking lot. Again, (although it was 8 miles and 2 hours later) it was just him and me. If he chose to violate the social contract and attempt to force me into his car, there would be no witnesses. . . Guess I was in a hurry. I snapped the shot and took off!

At 16.78 miles, I came to this sign at the Farmer's Market. Whooo hooooo!!! A Romocky cheddar brat is a fine reward for a walk well walked.

Today, I am set to do 13 miles. However, an impromptu visit to Taste of Minnesota added 2 miles yesterday, so I'm calling it at 11.

If you'd like to donate to our walk, please go here:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/TwinCitiesEvent?px=3237566&pg=personal&fr_id=1302

Thank you for your support.

Thursday's walk and a new movie!

So on Thursday I took off for my walk sans camera. I didn't even realize this until I was about a mile into the walk.

I did take one pic with my cell phone.

Who knew the milkweed that fed the caterpillars of my childhood had blossoms? Not me. I'm just sayin. . .

As I was walking back over the Wabasha Bridge, I discovered the Taste of Minnesota on Harriet Island. I wandered through the booths, and one thing became crystal clear: There is a corndog in my near future. . .

Dina's sister Bonnie created this video for Mad and I. I can't quite figure out how to put it in as a link, so you'll just have to go and come back. It's hilarious!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090630123624132

Today is a cross training day. My original plan was to golf with an old friend. However (and this is why you shouldn't be friends with law enforcement types) he had to cancel because there was a shooting in Duluth. Seriously. He CLAIMS he will make it up to me next week. I am dubious.

Instead of golf, I'm gardening today. And don't roll your eyes at me. I have plenty of heavy lifting which should qualify for cross training - starting with gathering wood chips from piles in the Mpls parks. Which I am off to do RIGHT! NOW!

If you'd like to donate to our walk, please go here:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/TwinCitiesEvent?px=3237566&pg=personal&fr_id=1302

Thank you for your support.