Thunderstorms, trees and money ain't growin' on them!

I type this awaiting one of the incredible summer thunderstorms that approach North Florida in the late afternoons. WE have electricians rewiring the electrical source to our swimming pool that the tree surgeons unceremoniously and negligently dug up while grinding the tree stump of the magnificent water oak we murdered. This whole rewiring will exceed the cost of the actual tree fees. How can we spend so many thousands of dollars in one week?

I have blown off running and working out today. I just wasn't in the mood. My search continues for Bob's birth family, and I have access to sites dedicated to such that I get the privilege to read all of the reunion stories. It gives me hope that we will be successful. I get tearful.

I also had time to dig out some very funny photos of classmates from high school that I will submit to the reunion company, lol!!! How silly we were. Some folks are going to be VERY embarrassed.

I am running tomorrow morning, DAMN IT. I am running ten fantastic miles and my legs will thank me for it. I will go to River Road and get my fix. I will thank the heavens on Sunday that I have this wonderful man in my life. We will celebrate his 42nd birthday with friends and family.

Happy birthday, Roberto.

Ode to River Road

If you start reading from the first sunrise photo, then the post is more fluid. I am still trying to get the hang of this blogging and photos thing, so begin at the bottom and work your way up! Thanks for your patience:).

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The large oaks dripping with spanish moss are so much more brilliantly green in the morning. This is the return home, possibly mile 6-7. I have the sun reflecting off the St. John's straight to my back, and this is usually where it begins to get hot. I used to fry in the sun when I was younger, and my front was always much more tan than my back; not so much anymore, it is the opposite!

Shelby has her best friend coming over later so they may swim together. I may get crazy with the camera again!

I saw Bob at about mile 3-4. I still get lightheaded with the anticipation of seeing him. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have the bliss I experience five to six days a week...or the medals hanging on the wall in the family room...double the inspiration in this photo.

"And you run and you run to catch up to the sun, but it's sinking, and racing around to come up behind you again. The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older; shorter of breath, and one day closer to death."


See my lovely playground? It all belongs to me on Sunday mornings.

Bob and I set out for a 10 miler today. He left about 25 minutes before I did, so I knew that I would see him at some point. I am still sketchy about running when it is too dark because the potential of confronting of snakes is pretty high. I don't know what it is, but I have seen more snakes here in the last couple of weeks than I have in years. So I am going to be REALLY queer and post my run in pics. It was supposed to be a long, slow distance...but it actually ended up more of a moderated tempo run. It was fantastic, and I get to this warm and silky smooth place within my soul on mornings like these; when I feel so damned grateful to be alive to smell the jasmine that grows rampant along my route. The honeysuckle are on their way out for the season, so the overripe sweetness hangs in the air like a grandmother's perfume. It's all just so much in it's simplicity, that I can't fathom a greater emotion--but for the love I have for my husband and children.

Treadmill Blues

It's so horrifically hot and humid outside, that I am resigned to going into the gym in a couple of hours to do my run on the treadmill. I also have to do legs, chest and shoulders, so I will be there for awhile. I DESPISE the treadmill. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Have I mentioned how much I also despise Microsoft Vista???? But that is a whole other bitch session I won't subject you to.

I have the saddest of news. Bob and I did not get into the New York city marathon. Bummer. WE were going to defer it, and run it as my 40th birthday celebration in 2009. Who knows, maybe we will make in next year. Bob has done it several times, so I don't think he is quite as disappointed as I am. But oh well, it was only my first time applying.

Even sadder--we have to remove this gorgeous, majestic water oak tree in the backyard. We live on over half an acre, and this thing is so huge, it helps to shade the pool in the summer months when even the pool water is hot. It's root system is growing into the paving around the pool, and compromising the foundation of our house itself. The tree surgeon said that tree could be as old as 400 years old. I feel such incredible guilt about it, but I can't mess with the house. We are going to be here at least for the next 15 years.

I am going to have to remember to take the camera for my run this weekend so that I may post the beautiful St. John's river in all its pristine glory for this blog. If I can get my lazy ass up early enough to get there at sunrise--meaning I will have to run in the darkness for the several miles to the river...getting to the river at sunrise is a sight to behold. We shall see. My only fear is running into another black snake fiesta and not being able to visualize it until I am right there in it.

Kids are out of school, can't say if this is a good or bad thing yet.

Talked to Kathy about our high school reunion this year. I think we may just go.