Friday, June 06, 2008

Humid

I had to get my long run in today because we are headed out to see the husband's grandparents this evening through tomorrow. I normally do the long runs with the group on Sat. It will be around 93 or so tonight, so this morning was the best time. I was going to try ten... well, I ran for 77 minutes, which was a little over 9 minutes per mile, so about 8 miles, again. The temp was 72, which wouldn't have been bad except for the 77% humidity! It felt like the air was so thick! Today's run was not fun. I did, however, see 5 different bunnies, two chirping robins, a bright bluebird and two sneaking cats. I also picked up three pennies in the early going of my run, and due to my exhaustion, I passed by twelve more cents. The three pennies jingling in my shoe were plenty, anyway.

My grandpa used to be a coin collector and I think of him every time I pick up coins. Some people think coins are insignificant... after all they cost more to make than they are worth, but they are worth memories to me. My grandpa was my mom's dad. Red hair, and the stereotypical "red-head's" temper that goes with it! :) He was also a gifted woodworker. He made us breadboxes for our weddings, hope chests for our graduations, jewelry boxes for each little girl, and for my daughters, he made baby doll cradles. In fact, he finished my youngest daughter's doll cradle the day before he died. His workshops always smelled like varnish or freshly cut wood. He has been gone for nine years, almost, and I miss him very much.

Yesterday I got to have a cuppa tea with a dear friend. It was a bittersweet tea-not the flavor, the feeling. It had been a while since we'd chatted and caught up, so it was great to catch up. She's the kind of friend that you can not see for a while, due to busy kids as well as our own schedules, and then when you get together, you just fall right back into place, chatting as though you'd never been apart. The sad part is that she's moving back to her home: England. Her family of four have been packing up or selling their items so they can move in July. With email and "snail mail" we'll be able to keep in close touch, and my husband said they were a great reason to visit England! :) Still a sad parting it will be when they move.

Today is the last Friday of the girls' schoolyear. They have two more school days. Hard to believe. As well as tonsil surgery being a week away! That's all for now! Hope your summer isn't too hot already!

3 comments:

Michael said...

Wow...sounds like you and Alili were running together! I'm going to have to get used to that humidity as I head East...hang in there!

molly said...

Glad you get to see so much wildlife on your runs. I'd certainly need something to distract me from pounding the pavement!
Those kind of friends are the best kind!

momo said...

big j has a silver dollar that his grandfather gave him, he carries it around in his pocket every day of the year. sometimes he says he rubs it when he wants good luck, but it always reminds him of his grandfather.

i'm sorry your friend is moving home. i know how that is, but you know, with the internet and all - the distance isn't so far anymore. :-)