The Best Things in Life are Costly

We've all heard the The Beatles banging out the lyrics "The best things in life are free, But you can keep them for the birds and bees. Now, give me money. That's what I want!" And, who doesn't want money? A topic for another day.

The best things in life are free. Now, there's a subject!

Free typically is a ploy to draw you into a bargain that is going to cost you something. "BOGO"- See what I mean?

The best things in life are costly. Please keep reading. I'm not promoting lifestyles dripping with diamonds and custom Bentleys. If the stuff accumulated in my life were to melt away, what would be left? 

I am a believer in the living and loving God. Although free to me, that relationship would cost Him dearly. 

For God so loved the world

He gave His only son

And whoever believes in Him will not perish

But have eternal life.

John 3:16

I am an American living in the Land of the Free. It is quite sobering when acknowledging the cost of freedom. Men and women gave their lives for me to claim and enjoy this earthen right. From the first immigrant stepping on to our rich soil a couple of hundred years ago to the U.S. soldier stepping on an IED, yesterday, it cost dearly. 

Upon learning five brothers had been lost during the Civil War, it is reported President Abraham Lincoln sent these words of comfort to Mrs. Lydia Bixby...

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,--
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln

The best free things in my life are costly. Freedom and Salvation. Money could never afford those things. 

Smiling at 50: The Language

(My PR / PB as of 03.15.14)

When one embarks on a journey into foreign territory, she must learn (at least some of) the language. 

The running world has a vocabulary unto itself even with regional dialects. But, if one should find herself a little lost and humbly admits she needs direction, there's most always a friendly native to provide guidance. 

I've learned "PR" means Personal Record; however, I was informed by an online running friend, in Europe the term is "PB" for Personal Best. "Tempo Run" has many translations depending on who you ask. Treadmill is occasionally abbreviated to "TM," but almost always referred to as the "dreadmill." Shoes don't drop, they may or may not have a "drop." And, while I'm training for a 10K (6.2 USA miles) in 25 days, I have aspirations for an "HM" in the fall. 

(Discovery)

The more I venture out on my own or with my hubby to discover new routes, the more I hope for new and future destinations to snap a quick pic and mentally add to my list of adventures to check-off before they have had a chance to be added! Doesn't really make sense unless you're there.

Hanging out with the citizens of this new land, I am learning what the locals wear and eat and have slowly --I mean sloooowwwly-- moved beyond the Tourist status to something akin to having dual residency. Yay, me! I still stick out due in part to my constant questions, but I'm finding common ground and offer tips to new arrivals!

So, if you're considering a visit to this province, be sure to have another pair of shoes to alternate; matchy-matchy is a dead give-away you're new; gum keeps your mouth moist, make eye contact with all drivers before you cross the road; and give a low, almost undetectable, spread-fingers wave to runners coming toward you. It's kind of like a secret, colloquial code for "You belong."

**By the way, it is my request for a Sonic Route 44 Unsweet Iced Tea with Extra Cranberry to reward all future PRs and at the Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash 10K Finish Line on April 12, 2014!

Colorado Vacation

Sensing both of us needed a non-working related vacation, my hubby wanted me to explore options within an easy driving distance from Nashville. He knows I love the planning of the journey just as much as the journey itself!

The same day he tossed the beach ball idea into my head, we received word an uncle had passed away in Texas. With that, we adjusted our schedule and just thought, "Because of the funeral, we'll already be 12 hours closer to the Rocky Mountains. Why don't we see if anything's available in Colorado?" A friend suggested I check into Homeaway.com or VRBO.com to see if there may be any great lodging reservations on such short notice. I found a jewel at Keystone, Colorado!

No, this is not a commercial for those websites or even for the resort. I know there are other travel enthusiasts, like me, who love a great tip and to share an even greater tip with fellow travel-bugs! Here's the listing: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p103040vb. I wish I had saved the review I wrote which captured my thoughts exactly, because I was so refreshed! The pictures on the website were exactly what it looked like when we opened the door to Room 3065. HOLY COW! Provided: Baggage buggy from the private garage, Tide detergent for the stackable washer/dryer, kitchen utensils and cookware, dishwasher detergent, spa quality toiletries, K-cup coffee & cocoa. We felt Summit County lacked diversity in restaurants, but that didn't matter to us. With the gas appliances and grill in the condo, it was decided we could make delicious meals as a couple and not spending as much $$ eating out. It turned out great for our mostly-plant-based nutrition!

Keep in mind, we love to be outdoors on vacations and hiking is a cost-effective, stress-reducing pleasure! But, there were so many other activities in the mountains surrounding our condo, usually a haven for winter sports, they've managed to thrive in the summer! Temps: 75/43 degrees! We really wanted to mountain bike the ski trails and ride horses around Dillon, but we just didn't want to be with anyone else nor on someone else's time schedule. Face it--alone time and sleeping late is a treasure!

I thought I'd share a few of our fun pix from Keystone/Dillon/Silverthorne, Colorado, in beautiful Summit County! COLORADO IN THE SUMMER? IS THIS DONE? YES!

To Ourselves and Our Posterity!

I am an American. I am a citizen of the United States of America with certain inalienable rights.

I get a lump in my throat when our Olympians stand on the gold tier while our National Anthem is played. Blast it behind the concussion and spray of fireworks and my emotions spill every time. 

I remember while living in Great Britain as an elementary school child, standing to say The Pledge...but there wasn't one. Instead we started the class by singing "God Save the Queen," the British National Anthem. The tune is the same as "My Country Tis of Thee." A young, patriotic rebel, I sang our version under my breath.

My country tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died!
Land of the Pilgrim's pride!
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring!

I learned the Preamble to the Constitution --like all good 7th graders-- by watching School House Rock every Saturday morning during cartoons! In fact, during American History, the entire class quietly hummed the tune during a test. The teacher smiled.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

What does a 7th grader know about posterity? 

I can't explain why something fluttered inside my gut, but I am acutely aware of that day's memory at Bastrop Junior High - East Campus in Louisiana. The teacher explained: All of these rights are for you and your children and your children's children. All future generations.

The National Anthem of the United States is the ONLY anthem of any country which ends with a question.

Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I sincerely hope it does for our posterity.

#FoodiePenPals: January

Tripping around some blogs I started following over the holidays, I discovered a fun little program for Foodies like me!

What's a Foodie? Much debate --sometimes heated-- centers on the definition. Some feel the name describes one who is obsessed with researching and preparing fine or specific food. Others claim to be a foodie based on their enjoyment of good food. While there is a sect which debates that only those in the industry of creating gourmet food products can claim the title. 

The Foodies I follow fall into a familiar flock for the fervor of food! You're gonna try to say it 3 times as fast as you can. Aren't cha?

Here's how it went: I signed up at this website ---> click here to be matched with another Foodie for one month. I connected with her via email to see if she had any food allergies or preferences. By the middle of January, I mailed a box of fun food to my pen pal. But, at the same time, a different Foodie (who was matched to me) was doing the same! BAM! Two new Foodie Friends in one month from across the USA! 

So, here's the deal...Today, the last day of the month, is Reveal Day, when we publicly and social networkly (I know it's not a real word) thank our fellow #FoodiePenPals for taking the time and money to gather a surprise box of fun foods they feel represents us! I gotta tell ya, my pen pal was spot-on!

Charissa (a lovely, feminine name) Wylie packed a box full of plant-based snacks which will allow me to participate in a SuperBowl XVII festivity, this weekend, without kicking my nutrition goals out of the new year! THANK YOU, CHARISSA! I can't tell just how much that means to me!

While traveling in Montana, I sent my Foodie match, Allison Palestrini, a little box representing "The Last Best Place." Thanks, Alli, for thanking me in your blog: Time Machine Taste Tester.

And, thanks, Lindsay Livingston, for the great idea (and management) of Foodie Pen Pals!

If you're a Foodie like Charissa, Alli, Lindsay and me, YOU should come forward the fare with the rest of us #FoodiePenPals! Sign up at the website listed at the top of this post by early February 4.