Ocean City, NJ

Ally, Matt, Zach, David, Kris, Kevin, Mom, Daddy, and me...we are missing Tim and Patti here who had to go to the city to work...but we made the most out of the days I had with all of them.

We celebrated Kevin's birthday, saved the sand castles from the ocean, walked to church, walked to ice cream; we cycled in a surrey with the fringe on top, we gin and tonicked on the beach, we played rummikube, watched the kids (and MomMom) play Wii, we did the blankety blanks and then an 'a' and then two blankety blanks and then a 'c' and then a 'd' of the NY times on the beach ( we finished Sunday's NY Times crossword!) and we laughed and laughed.

On the walking front I did about 5.5 miles on Saturday and then 1.5 each on Sunday and Monday. Mostly I had fun with the kiddos and family. That is what it is all about!!!

Hot, Dry and 82

What a perfectly gorgeous late June afternoon! Tink and I walked 3.6 miles and the weather is perfect - low 80's with a slight breeze here in North Georgia.

I'm looking forward to purple lips (yes, stealing from your sister is not nice, but what a great visual) at the beach - the New Jersey shore will be chilly this time of year - your ankles will get slightly numb at first - but what a refreshing feeling! Sipping, shelling, sandcastles, sun, and silliness!

And if you were worried - I did unlock that final level on Link's Crossbow Training! Now I'm after my silver medals. But not until after I read about the Green Knight!

6 Miles Today!

Whew! Tink is a little bit tired after her six mile jaunt - she had to pull me up the hills. Just kidding - but it was wicked at the end. Can definitely feel the left arch. : ( Have you donated to the 3Day cause yet? You will spur me on when you do - I want to walk with you, too!

Headed out to get a little something to eat with Jenny, then shopping. Ally, my niece, has graduated from eighth grade! Where did the time go? Anyway, heading out to get her a little something I have in mind for her High School years. Also have other shopping to do - yuck. Then home to King Arthur, Gawain, and the rest of the gang. And I have to unlock that last level on Link's Crossbow Training! I love my Wii!

Tim Russert and Thankfulness

What sad news today - Tim Russert dies of a heart attack. Only 58. As Tink and I walked tonight I thought about thankfulness.

Thankfulness for the little girl I was who lived for the day we went to the library, so I could find another adventure with Cherry Ames, read another part of the world of Louisa May Alcott, or discover something new.

Thankfulness for the love of daughters and a son. Thankfulness for my children's partners - all people I'd be proud to claim as my own.

Thankfulness for tears and heartaches.

Thankfulness for friends. Within the past week I have talked to or emailed with or both with friends in Cape Cod, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, here in Marietta, and as far as India.

Thankfulness for herons, hawks, and butterflies.

Thankfulness for my birth family. Thankfulness for nieces and nephews - those I'm related to by heart and those I'm related to by heart and blood. Thankfulness for all my cousins.

Thankfulness for Addie and George, Art and Mil.

Thankfulness for the health of mind and body that allows me to walk the 3Day and pursue my studies.

Thankfulness for the stars and the ocean and dogs and life.

Fireflies, the Moon, & the Ocean

Tink and I split today's walk into two parts - before and after my church meeting on the Building Fund.

Our first 1.5 was brutal heat - I think it had to be upper 90's with whatever indexes they use. At 9:00 p.m. Part II blessed us with the shining moon, the shimmery dusk, and frolicking fireflies!
: ) I love fireflies!!

I am heading to OCNJ in a bit and am really looking forward to walking and the ocean.

Kate heads to Kauai in a shorter bit - lucky ducky our Katie!