Rain day

As the rain comes down this morning, melting the snow away, the running shoes are benched sitting on the new tile by the front door. Yesterday, I ran before sunrise, another first, 35 degrees on soft snow. Running the days before when it was 11 and 15 degrees, makes 35 degrees a warm day. An odd thing to think, but it is one of the realities of Minnesota living.

On a cruise ship, holding folded deck chairs Lucy says to Charlie, "Some people like to put their chair in the front to see where they are going. Others put their deck chair in back to see where they have been. Which are you Charlie?" Charlie replies, “I don’t know, I can’t figure out how to get my deck chair open.”

Aren’t some days like that? Everyone else seems to know where they are headed or grasping great wisdom from where they have been, but just opening the deck chair may be the biggest challenge of the day.

Tracks certainly aren’t anything like a cruise ship, but they do seem to create a curiosity for the future and a wondering of the past.

First Snow Run

Another first. With the first snow are the little memories such as that squeaking sound of stepping on settled snow. Steps were a bit cautious but the whole experience was much more refreshing than expected.

Thanksgiving

Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder, and to praise of the goodness of God. –Thomas Merton

All nature seems to speak… As for me, I cannot understand why everybody does not see it or feel it; nature or God does it for everyone who has eyes and ears and a heart to understand. –Vincent Van Gogh

It seems an odd Thanksgiving to be thankful. It may seem odder to recognize the goodness of God this year. Yet the journey I now travel seems to require a greater willingness to be thankful, a keener ability to recognize God working, and a humble readiness to accept the encouragement of both longtime and new friends.

So as I sit down to the feast this year I am thankful for what has been, thankful what will be, with nothing that can be taken for granted. Only knowing that there are new adventures, friendships, feelings, opportunities, and reasons to be constantly surprised by God’s grace.

Reality is now

Reality is now.
Everything else is either a dream or a memory.

-Randi (journal entry -1977)

Beginning the run

On August 18th, 2005 I woke up early, alone, and started walking.

A week later Nick, my 18 year old son had me out on roller blades.

A few days after that Tim, a neighbor stopped by and wanted to go biking.

Stuart, my friend and financial advisor invited me onto a sailboat and began teaching me the art and language of sailing.

It was Catherine, a colleague and Peer Ministry trainer who led me on a scenic and healing day hike on the Superior Trail.

Over coffee Pastor Randy, a wonderful dreamer shared with me the finer points of running.

Tonight AK, who I am privileged to share my daily thoughts, with the added bonus of being my personal food advisor, is coaching me on opening this Blog.

So with the help of many I begin this new journey.

Fox Vignette

The pond is still frozen. The pond has become my place to visit daily as I run. I was on the west side when a large red fox, with a full bushy tail trouted from the edge going across the lake. He was right in line with where the sun would be rising. At one point he slipped and fell but recovered quickly. As I made my way around to the east side I spotted him again sitting at the edge of one of the cattail covered islands. Where I was there is a large culvert that feeds the pond's water. Here the water does not freeze so some ducks stay for the winter. You get the picture. The fox was hidden from the open water hoping that one of those ducks might wander his way. I watched for a few minutes but he was very aware of me and I suspect the ducks were not going to move onto the ice. It was an awesome clip of nature to observe in the middle of our town.