Uh oh....

I knew it would happen--I just didn't know it would happen this fast. That's right kids--the big 40 is just around the corner for me. Two days to be exact. I've decided that I should maintain a low profile and let it be like any other day. In fact, I've scheduled in my "well woman exam" for my birthday. How much fun can that be!

I don't normally blog without some type of image to go along with it, however, I just don't have an image... well at least not one to portray my current train of thought.

40.... people say that's middle age. I have noticed a few more wrinkles and the desire to retire early... like tomorrow. But other than that--I just don't feel like 40. In fact, it's got me thinking about what I could do to keep feeling like I'm not 40. Rowing is keeping me active and has been inspirational. So many of my rowing friends are older than me and they look great. Into their late 40's, 50's 60's and going on 70's they defy the norm. For sure, I'm holding onto the sport. And maybe I might add a few more...

Consciousness... Now I'm even more intent on using plastic baggies more than 3 times and recycling as much as possible. Living lightly on the earth is a major goal and not doing so is a concern. I question those that need to have more things and I look up to and admire those that are simplifying.

Health... in my 20's and 30's I worked out to keep from buying larger pants. In my late 30's and soon to be 40's I'm working out because I've discovered it actually makes me both mentally and physically younger. I'm counting on my activities and sports to get me through what I've felt will happen at some point--being diagnosed. It's no secret in my family that the cancer gene runs rampant. Staying true to my sports gives me hope that I might outrun "it". And if I can't, then at least I'll be strong enough to fight it.

Family... I don't know that I should even want to continue on to 50, 60 and beyond without them. My first real loss was losing my grandparents within a year of each other. I still miss them dearly . And despite sometimes differing veiwpoints-I might crumble without the rest of my family.

Friends... I'm not always the best friend. Neglecting to write, e-mail or call. However, my friends understand and I understand them when they are to harried to keep in touch. We never lose track of each other in mind and spirit and when we reconnect--it's as if only a day or two had passed by. They've all turned 40 before me and I'm sure they're quite happy that I've caught up to them again.

Marriage... Many my age have found that the first one didn't work out for them by 40. I feel lucky to have married for the first and last time. My best buddy and my best friend--Matt keeps me young on a day to day basis with good humor and lots of support. Even when I don't make enough money--so he can quit his job--he forgives me and takes another smack from corporate america so we can live in relative comfort.

So my friends... 40 isn't so bad for "e". I've got a good attitude, good life and good health.

Here's to 40 and beyond!

Living in the "Hood"

The pictures below are the result of some vandals in our neighborhood on Saturday night or Sunday morning....
I suspect it's from rock slinging (with a sling-shot by the damage that was done). A peice of evidence was left for us.
Unfortunately, we have teenagers with friends in our neighborhood. My guess is that they have to much free time and a curfew that isn't enforced enough to keep them from getting bored. Nor have they learned consequences. Quite a bit of damage as they managed to dent the car as well as break the glass.

My neighbors Tom and Jan got a stray flying rock that broke a tile off their roof. Today I'll be making an insurance claim and likely a police report as well.


Likely this was the source of the damage.


The tempered glass is one tap away from shattering everywhere.


One impact point that dented the car.


Another impact point on the back of the hatchback.

Marathon Picture Page

As promised I've uploaded my rowing marathon pictures. CLICK HERE to view the page.

Natchitoches Rowing Marathon

I'm back in town after completion of my first on the water rowing marathon. We had a great time in this cool little town. The marathon was action packed with 24 crew eights competing. I think this may have been their biggest participation year yet as they ran out of T-shirts!

The Cane River made for an "attentive" row. Lots of winding curves and unfortunately some 20 mph (seemed like more in my scull) headwinds and at times crosswinds. The night before there was a big storm and the temperature dropped 20 degrees. Lots of tree limbs were hanging out in the river. I actually snagged one and afterwards was more cautious and tried to stay towards the middle of the river.

My goal was to finish the marathon in 4 hours, however, after fighting the wind for the first 10 miles, I decided finishing upright would be a more realistic goal. I finished in 4:43 minutes and I was unchallenged in my master's class. My boat number was #9 and so I thought the gal that started in front of me and had bow #8 was in my class. We went back and forth passing each other for the first 23 miles and then I realized that she looked really, really young for her age. Come to find out she was a college gal and not even in my class.

Kathy and Rebecca kicked some serious butt. They rowed so well that despite high winds--they still managed to set a course record in the Women's Master A class. I was so proud of them! During the course of the race there was a college men's 2X that stopped to take a rest when they caught up to me. I saw Kathy and Rebecca in the distance and told them that 2 girls were about to pass them up. That got them rowing! It's kinda fun to bring down those young kids huge egos for entertainment. I have no doubt that Kathy and Rebecca eventually passed them up.

Dave did great too. It's really hard to row a single in the wind and he took a beating from it. He jokingly said he should have quit at the 12 mile mark... but we know he wouldn't have. His family and friends were there and they were so wonderful. They whisked our boats away and unrigged them after the race and helped set up before. My M-I-L Wanda made the trip with me and was my "pit crew" so to speak. She drove me everywhere and knew the town like the back of her hand within a day. Plus she braved cold winds to shoot some pictures from the Front Street bridge. It certainly wouldn't have been as much fun without her. AND most importantly, she somehow tricked me into eating tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes! Anyone that knows me knows how I feel about raw tomatoes so this was a major breakthrough for me. I actually ordered them on my own the last night. However, I assure you all that I still do not like red tomatoes.

I'll upload all the pictures and add a link to the photo page soon. Also, I'm sure Rebecca--who is far more diligent with her blog than I-- will have lots of pictures as well. CLICK HERE for her blog Stained Glass. Also see pictures as the Arizona Outlaw blog is updated. There's some great pictures of the Hot Head that Rebecca took. CLICK HERE for Arizona Outlaw blog.


Sporting our gold medals... which look silver. We were assured that they were "Gold" in theory. Lots of people were looking at their "Gold" medals saying "These aren't Gold!" So we were content to sport them as is.


Rebecca posing for a picture with me while getting my scull ready to go.



Here's Dave finishing out the race.

Green Protest In the News... NOT!

While in London, Wanda and I came out of Lillywhites (sporting good store), to witness a protest march down Picadilly Street in London. I didn't have my camera so I ran all the way back to our hotel and then caught up with the protestors. Well at least some of the 10,000 or so marchers.

I'm sure this didn't even make the news in the U.S. Especially so close to an election here in the states...

I am somewhat of a "granola cruncher" and I think it's OK to actually care about our planet. I also would agree with these "Brits" that it's shameful for the U.S. to not take the Kyoto agreement seriously. And like them... I'm not very proud of our President and his anti-enviromental policies. Fortunately for me the protestors didn't mind me taking their pictures and I don't mind giving them a little press on my blog because I happen to agree them.