Finishing Strong

Good evening from Blue Jay Drive! Yup. Bean Town is just a recent memory. But boy did my week there finish strong!

Today was the last day of learning. And fun.

Had a full schedule of speakers and even ran into my Aussie airplane mate! Small world.

Our final speaker of the conference was appropriately called the "headliner."

Yes. No joke. I shared space with No. 44! Along with 45,000 others.  But still... same room! It was soooo awesome!

President Obama was as gracious and articulate and eloquent, really,  as you'd expect.  Funny too. 

There was high security so among other rules, we were told not to take pictures. I wasn't about to get hauled away by Secret Service when I had a plane to catch. But some people did take pictures and I'm sharing theirs.

Just so awesome!!

Anyway,  we really did have a plane to catch so we had to cut out before the end of his chat. I think I'll be able access it somewhere. In general he was talking to a room full of marketers and encouraging us to build community where we can and be positive.  He also shared some stories about the queen!

Again, I was starstruck over the whole thing.  Well, the whole 3 days actually.  Boston appropriately sent me off with a beautiful sunset, too! 

Feels good to be back home though. Not sure what time zone I'm in anymore but I'm pretty sure it's bedtime!

Survivor Salute

Normally on Veterans' Day, I'd be posting photos of the Assumption High School Band performing at the courthouse ceremony. But not this year. The band did not play there. Only 5 members – including my son – did. But he didn't tell me until supper.

Tonight.

So I will use an image I took two years ago in Boston at a place called The Memorial Garden. This particular tribute honors those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But I have visited The Highground in Neillsville, where they honor all branches of service. And saw the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., way back when it was first erected.

I am moved by what I see, but don't have the deep personal connection the grieving parents, spouses, siblings and children do. I did not lose anyone.

My dad did not serve due to a heart murmur. My brother was in the Navy but did not see combat. My nephews, though, survived the Desert. And thank God I can use the word "survived."

As an "Earth person" – a non-veteran – I honestly can't begin to comprehend the horrors of war. What they saw. What they did. How they suffered. Every sacrifice made for us and our freedom back home.

I recently listened to two audio books that shed some light on the suffering of soldiers (Unbroken: The Louis Zamperini story about WWII and Japan, written by Laura Hildenbrand) and the suffering of Holocaust victims (The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult).

Wow. Just, wow.

Just fighting in a war would be too much for a softy like me. But to be imprisoned in some fashion? Wow. I just couldn't fathom having the personal strength to survive.

I have always appreciated, honored and thanked veterans, but I now have a special place in my heart for those who were prisoners of war – either physically or in some emotional way that has trapped them since their return.

God bless you all!

Running on Empty

For awhile this morning, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself as I dealt with aches and pains resulting from yesterday's trail run. On the way to work, I was even thinking about the Boston Marathon today and how my discomfort was nothing like they'd feel after 26.2 miles. Maybe close, but not quite as bad.

But now I know that nothing I have felt could compare to what they experienced at the finish line.

For some, it was pure elation. For others, so close to the end, it was surreal. And not in a good way. We don't even know the details of the "why" or "how" exactly, but we know the "what" is that there were two explosions near the finish line that ultimately killed 3 people (including a child) and injured around a hundred. Those are just the numbers at this moment.

How tragic! I can't even comprehend the reasoning behind this. I mean, whoever did this certainly couldn't be targeting runners, could they? I highly doubt it.

Let me tell you a little bit about the running community. We may be competitive but we are also very supportive. Cheering on friends and strangers until the last runner or walker crosses the finish line.

Take yesterday, for example. While struggling up one of the "mountains," I muttered (or expelled loudly) to myself, "I'm getting too old for this!" The woman running next to me asks my age. I say, "44." She says, "Well I'm 53. Come on. We can do this!"

That is how we roll, er, run.

Of all the races I have run -- from 5Ks to the long half-marathon -- never ever in my wildest dreams would I imagine I was in danger. Maybe slightly concerned about injury, but never ever would I think I could die or lose a limb due to a senseless act of violence. Never.

It was so stunning to hear this today. I have a friend who ran the Boston just last year. This year she didn't run it. All her memories are associated with a hot day last year and the thrill of crossing the finish line after miles and miles and miles of seeing and hearing supportive fans along the route.

I hope that authorities can uncover the motive to this tragedy today. I would hate for this to reflect negatively on Boston and its ability to host this world-renown event -- or on the running community as a whole.

We deserve to cross that finish line without any fear.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by today's events. Lord, please bless Boston.

Memorial Garden

Any day now my nephew Matthew will become a daddy for the first time. While the birth of a child is a miracle in itself, there is a bigger miracle at work here.

You see, Matthew is a veteran. A member of the Marines Special Forces, he was the one in our family who served tours in both Iraq (his unit saw the first action after 9/11) and Afghanistan. The fact that he survived both when many of his comrades were injured or died, is a miracle. To make it home, get married and have a family was not something everyone could do.

He is lucky and he is blessed.

We all are.

It brought to mind a memorial garden Jim and I saw when we were in Boston this fall. It was a touching tribute to the fallen soldiers of those conflicts.

The Memorial Garden is located between the Paul Revere statue and the Old North Church -- a highly visited area of Boston. A non-engraved dog tag is hung to represent each death.

That's just too many, if you ask me. And a stark reminder that our family -- between tours of duty by two nephews, Matt and Tony -- is extremely lucky we don't have to hang one there. Thank the Lord!

Extra Innings Fun

Woke up to a foggy morning in Boston. Went out on our balcony and could just make out the Harvard rowing team practicing on the Charles River below us. You don't see that every day!

You know what else you don't see? SNOW!

We weren't even out of bed yet and we were getting texts from back home in Wisconsin about the snow. Unreal. Normally we'd be thrilled we weren't home, but we felt bad for Carter who had to play in Pep Band before today's 11 a.m. homecoming game and then march at halftime. The snow melted but it didn't get too warm. He said he was freezing. I'm sure he got over it and is having a ball tonight at the homecoming dinner and dance.

Jim's sister sent us a photo of the boy all dressed up. That makes us miss him all the more... but, we are having fun.

Had breakfast this morning with two of the women that Jim knows through work. They're the ones who got us the tickets to the Red Sox game. It was their company tickets, which meant nice club seats with the rich and sometimes famous. So we hear. Anyway, Claire and Suzanne were a hoot and I'm glad I finally got to meet them.

After breakfast, we packed up, checked out and headed to Fenway Park. Our seats were indeed awesome. Not only a great view of the game behind home plate, but we actually did have a brush with the famous part of rich & famous.

My fellow gearhead fans will appreciate this one. NASCAR driver -- well, commentator now -- Michael Waltrip sat in our club seat area. Jim is the one who encouraged me to go say "hi." I did. And told him we were from Dick Trickle's hometown and asked about a photo. He was very accommodating and hugged me close. I mean, he was willing to let Jim take 3 pictures 'til I was sure one turned out right!

 

Who's luckier than me?

Back to the game... Fenway Park and the famous Green Monstah (as they say it in Boston) are celebrating 100 years. So much history. Very cool -- and quaint -- ballpark. Game went into extra innings and the Orioles ended up beating the Sox 9-6 in 12.

After that we headed northwest out of town, across New Hampshire and into Vermont. Ended up as far as Barre, near Montpelier. We are staying at a place called the Hollow Inn. Not worried about dreaming about Headless Horsemen and Sleepy Hollow tonight, though. Something tells me I'll be dreaming about racin'!

Sweet dreams!

Weekend in New England

It felt like our "weekend in New England" was accomplished in one day as we left Newport, close to the Canadian border, made our way south across the state of Vermont and part of New Hampshire and into Massachusetts and the Atlantic Ocean. Our final stop: Boston.

Well, technically, Cambridge, Mass.. More on that in a bit.

Our morning started late as we slept in past 8. Ha. We did the lakefront water walk and checked out the pretty scenery in Newport. Even got my picture with a  lighthouse. Sort of. A small one, built just for me, I believe.

From Newport, we headed southeast and crossed through the little state of Vermont and across part of the equally small state of New Hampshire. That was my first time there. Of course, I miss the welcome sign but I know the state motto is "Live Free or Die." Saw that on every license plate!

The one thing that surprised us about New Hampshire is that the White Mountains were even more impressive than Vermont's Green Mountain chain. Really cool. Took lots of pictures out the car window, traveling 65 mph on the interstate. I think some turned out. It only took me 10 tries to get a Moose Crossing sign in focus. I need more practice!

We also went by the New Hampshire speedway in Concord and realized the NASCAR race is there this Sunday. Our plans may have to change! You never know!

Jim's cousin was unable to get together with us today so we headed straight into Boston. We're actually staying on the north side in Cambridge, home of Harvard. Saw what we believe were the Harvard "kids" out practicing their sailing on the Charles River (which makes its way into Boston Harbor) outside our hotel window. I braved the balcony on the 12 floor and took some pictures. I just looked out, not down!

After we got settled in, we took a cab over to downtown Boston. After driving 4-lanes-wide into town, we weren't in the mood to even attempt it any further. So we cabbed it over to the north side and walked a tour of historic sites -- everything from Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church (where they hung the lanterns) to the Massachusetts State House and Cheers bar.

C'mon, that has to count!

We had dinner at the Bull & Finch, which was the inspiration for the television program, then shopped in the gift shop. I got a shirt and earlier, we already found Carter his gifts (hint: Boston Celtics). We still need to find something for Jim (besides cemetery pictures).

We cabbed it back to hotel and now we're just chilling out, enjoying the view of the cityline lights on the water. Gorgeous day all around. We got lucky.

Hope it continues!

Coming Together Nicely

I figured I better blog quick since this may be the only time this football season I can say the Vikings have a better record than the Packers! Tonight's showdown between the Pack and da Bears might already be under way. I won't have time to watch it, so I'll assume I can still keep an ounce of Purple Pride in me for a few hours yet.

Not much to report anyway. Just that our New England vacation plans are coming together nicely.

New England? Yes, we have officially expanded our scope.

Now we'll be in Vermont and Canada the first few days, then boogie down to Boston(only 3 hours away) to catch a Red Sox game at the famous Fenway Park, then head up to New York, through Vermont and the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, then cross the ferry back over to Vermont and the airport.

Somewhere in there I'll get to meet some really neat people, find some dead people (well, tombstones in our family tree research) and see some really pretty sights. Hope the weather holds but really, even if it's cold and rainy, we'll be able to do everything we planned. I just won't get a thousand pictures. Maybe I'll be reduced to 800.

Maybe we should do some side bets on just how many I will take. Ha.

After these unexpected Boston plans fell into place today, both hubby and I had a hard time concentrating on work. Now we just want to GO!

Lots going on between now and our departure, though. We've got football/pep band tomorrow, cross country Saturday and packing/planning on Sunday. Then work our butts off 2 days so we can leave guilt-free.

Mostly guilt-free. I still hate to miss Carter's first homecoming dinner/dance, but I am really looking forward to our weekend in New England (as Barry Manilow would say!).

Yup, it's all coming together nicely.