New Year, Some Same and Some New Focus

I've already done year end retrospective, Looking Back on 2025, so this is a look towards the coming year. 2026 will be a full year of retirement for Rachel. It has been good for her. She's much less stressed, exercising regularly, taking better care of herself, more engaged with family and friends, and doesn't seem too annoyed with having to be around me more.

In looking ahead, I believe my focus will be:

1. Continuing to move. Hopefully by more running than in 2025. Movement is important for my physical, mental and spiritual health. This blog started as a way for me to express my experiences from running. Running has been a time for reflection, pondering, creating, introspection. As injuries and the mysterious aches of aging have reduced number of days per week I run and reduced the number of miles during those runs, I've discovered that walking can give me a similar experience. I miss the endorphin rush that running brings, but I have found that it's movement that is important for my overall well being.

 2. Find a hobby or activity that allows me to spend free time in a productive manner. I don't have much of a creative/artistic side. I have picked up and put down a guitar, never learning more an a couple of chords then forgetting them. I dabble with writing as you are witnessing now, but the inspiration hits infrequently, usually during a run or walk or a late night glass of bourbon. There's something out there, I just need to discover it.

3. Expand my purpose, (see the above Looking Back on 2025 link) to those in my community who are being threatened. I feel the need in the coming year to do more to oppose the blatant racism of detaining a person based on them standing at a bus stop, where or what they do for work, the language they speak, or their race.[1]  It is becoming more common for immigrants who have no criminal record to be arrested and held without due process.[2]  Even U.S. citizens are being detained.[3] The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution gives due process to all people in the country, "No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,..."[4] 

The 3 things from 2025 were for the most part successful. Running could have gone better, but that will be an annual ongoing pursuit that requires adjustments as my body dictates. This year's 3 things are about preparing for the future in a way I haven't much considered in years past. Either because I haven't been this close to retirement or I hadn't witnessed the threat that is posed by an authoritarian and racist administration on the freedom and rights of friends who are not white, who speak Spanish, ride the bus, shop or work at ethnic businesses. Times change, unfortunately sometimes they change back to a time when similar threats were happening.[5]

---

[1] Sept 2025 Supreme Court decision Noem v Vasquez Perdomo

[2] Oregonlive 12/6/2025 Nov. 25, 2025

[3] KOIN.com 11/25/2025

[4] Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States 

[5] A Fever in the Heartland, Timothy Egan

 

Marv's Fix It Shop

 

If I had started this blog years ago when I was able to run injury free I don't know if it would be a benefit to be able to look back, or a curse to be able to look back. You older runners like me know...back in our 20's, 30's, even 40's. Those were the days when we could run, not as fast as we once did, but at least with the feeling we had when we were faster. But is remembering them a positive?

I recently found a YouTube channel of a guy I grew up with in Geneva, Indiana. Marv's Fix It Shop. I chuckle when I watch his videos. My wife looks at me strange. But Marv talks like me...slow, thinking about what he's going to say, and when he doesn't think about what he's going to say it comes out as an honest expression of frustration, joy, delight or whatever.

Why am I talking about Marv's videos and my running? Excellent question. You see, in the days when I was running pain free, effortlessly, Marv was running his construction company in Geneva and the surrounding area. Pain free and effortlessly. 

Those miles and those pounding of nails took a toll. We are both finding our way in our advanced years, finding what motivates us, what excites us, what gets us out of bed in the mornings. Marv has found YouTube and showcasing his talent at fixing anything. If you can enjoy his Indiana dialect and Midwest "showmanship" you'll likely learn something, be entertained, or not. I'm entertained and in awe of his ability to fix anything.

As for me. I'm still exploring. My body isn't cooperating as well as it once did. I posted a couple of good days of run/walk activity on Strava a few days ago, but my feet reacted by becoming inflamed and painful. When I told my trainer I backed off and started riding my indoor trainer, she replied, "good to listen to your body." My response was, "my body needs to shut up!" 

Marv's wisdom prevails. Fixing things is trial and error and patience. Same with my training. I keep trying different walk, run, cycling patterns to see if I can get back to consistent running. It's frustrating, but patience is essential. I don't have a YouTube channel, only this blog. 

Marv is using his experience and embracing technology to motivate himself and to educate others. Check out his Hoosier Fix It Channel. Marv's Fix It Shop. It's much more informative than this blog. I'm still experimenting and exploring. It's an experiment of one, not as helpful as Marv's experiment. But I'll type in my slow Hoosier dialect and perhaps I'll find how to fix myself.

 

The Sermon on the Mount - Inspiration, Intimidation or Interpreation?

The Sermon on the Mount - Inspiration, Intimidation or Interpretation? One of the most recognized passages from the Bible and also likely one of the most controversial, showing we pick and choose from this book that was written decades after Jesus walked the earth and edited countless times by powerful men to preserve their status. I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and most importantly, compassion for all people.  

 

Matthew 5-7

New International Version

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[e] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[g]

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[h] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[j]
    but deliver us from the evil one.^[k]’

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[l] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[m] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[n]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
5. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
6. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
7. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
8. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
9. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
10. Matthew 6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.
11. Matthew 6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
12. Matthew 6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.
13. Matthew 6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.
14. Matthew 6:27 Or single cubit to your height

Death, political cowardice and rain

It's been a week of death, political cowardice and rain.

Bondi Beach in Australia, Brown University, the murder of the Reiners and those are only the ones that made national attention. Mike Johnson not willing to allow a vote on extensions of health insurance assistance for people who depend on affordable care act insurance. Too bad the Indiana Senate Republican conscience hasn't inspired national Republicans. Atmospheric river in Oregon causing flooding, my fire fighter daughter assisting in the rescue of homeless campers (news story)

I'll admit I grew up in a protected and privileged environment. But I also grew up in an environment that didn't advocate hate. Our President's response to the murder of the Reiners is simply disgusting. Anyone who thinks it's not a revolting response from our nation's leader is an emotionally empty as our President. A Muslim risked his life to take down a gunman murdering Jews celebrating one of their holiest times. Another senseless murdering of students. At least Australian leaders aren't afraid to respond.

Political cowardice: Our national leaders not willing to allow votes that the majority of citizens would support. A President who feels the need to place his name on an institution named in memorial of a former President who didn't need to self promote himself in such a disgusting way. Politicians who only take stands that are safe, not willing to acknowledge mistakes (yes, you Salem's current mayor). 

I wish I had optimism for our political future. People talk about the negative influence of money in politics. I agree. The need to raise money to campaign for an office is a barrier to electing good people to office. I've run for and won election to office, so I know the importance of seeking money from PACs, wealthy individuals, multiple small donors in order to fund a campaign. Unless you are independently wealthy you need to raise money. And if you are independently wealthy, and you really represent the majority of your constituents?

I think elections should be publicly funded with limits set on spending and equal access to media promotions. Take the monetary influence out of elections.

I think the current primary system is wrong, it's set up to nominate the extreme candidate. In Oregon we allow only registered Democrats or Republicans to vote in primary elections, thus nominating who will appear on the general election ballots. Both parties are a minority of eligible voters. More and more people are leaving the parties, leaving the extreme left and right of the parties to elect the nominees for the general election. No wonder our elected officials would rather pontificate than find solutions thru compromise.

I guess I should talk about the rain since that was one of my opening sentence items. It's been wet here this week. Record rainfall. It hasn't been heavy rain, but steady, continuous rain that has swollen the rivers and creeks that run through Salem and other communities in Oregon. I've lived here nearly 40 years. Though the Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being rainy and dreary during the winter, this excessive. prolong rain is out of the ordinary, but becoming ordinary. A result of denying the human impacts on climate and our inability to agree on how to change it. Science is real whether one accepts it or not.

 

A Book Report

As I continue the slow recovery of a stubborn calf injury, I'm reading a book about Indiana history, A Fever in the Heartland. It's a history of the Ku Kluz Klan in Indiana, once a strong hold of the racist group.

I know a bit about the history of the Klan in Indiana, but this book has enlightened me on the depth that it penetrated local and state government. Kinda scary to put it mildly. The book follows the rise of the Klan in the 1920's, essentially 1922-1925. 

There are references to places I'm familiar; Richmond, I've driven by the community countless times, where Louis Armstrong recorded his first jazz album; Evansville, my collegiate alma mater, where the Grand Dragon of Indiana got his start; Valparaiso University, where I earned my athletic letter at a conference track meet running for the University of Evansville, almost becoming the university owned by the KKK. 

What is interesting, scary and concerning is that much of the rhetoric of the Klan then, about Jews, Catholics, Blacks, Southern European immigrants, is similar to the anti-immigration rhetoric we hear today: "...but our immigrants now are from southern Europe and they have not our ideas, either religious or educational. They are idiots, insane, diseased criminals"* The only thing missing is calling it a shithole country.

As I read the book, it has made me wonder about my own family's history during this time. The area where I grew up, Adams County, Geneva, Berne, is not mentioned in the book. But with the proliferation of Klan members, men, women and Ku Klux Kiddies, there was surely members in the area. Were my grandparents members, activists opposed, quietly keeping their heads down? I don't know. 

My history: one grandparent was first generation born in the US, the other a county Democrat party official. My upbringing: conservative, family values, belief in God, respect for others, hard work, honesty. At this time, I trust my grandparents were not members, but either voiced their views against those of the KKK or remained quiet to protect their business. 

What would I think if I learned otherwise? It wouldn't change who I am, but it would likely change how I view my family history. And that's important, because I now have grandkids who may one day wonder about my involvement in current affairs. I don't want them to be ashamed that I sided with bigots.

*A Fever in the Heartland, Chapter 5, paperback version, p. 54-55. Speech by Daisy Douglas Barr.

 

  

My Younger Self Verses My Older Self

A text exchange with my trainer inspires this blog. I had gone for a run/walk this morning when my calf tightened up and the run/walk became a walk. I related this to her. We went back and forth in our usual sarcastic dialog about aging, breaking and avoiding both.

Aging is a learning process. Today's effort I thought would continue a series of good run/walks. I had experienced some tightness in my calf, but as a wizened old runner I took a couple of days off and my calf felt better, no pain or soreness. Today's run started out feeling like it would be a nice continuation of my progression. 

But about halfway into my first five minute run I felt my calf tighten. It was only a slight tighten so I continue on but at a slower pace. That worked only for several more meters. I slowed to a walk with the idea I'd walk the 4 miles I had planned on doing. That soon became a DNF as my calf gradually began to get more tight. Thus a defeated mile walk back home.

I'm slowing learning the nuisances of my aging body. My mind and body are not in sync. My mind wants to recover like a younger athlete. My body wants to recover like a soon to be 68 year old. Those are not compatible. 

I need to remember my body needs more time to not only heal, but to get stronger. Patience in training has not been my strength. I know that for my age, I'm in decent condition. But I see other people my age or older in better. 

My goal has always been to run for as long as I'm able. I'm still able, but it is slower and less far than it once was. I've come to realize that movement is what is important to me. Though walking is not my optimal movement, it does provide a level of stimulation I need. 

Swimming and cycling can do the same, but they are not as simplistic and natural as running. Running is play. Watch any child and running is effortless and enjoyable. 

When I first started running, not for fun, but for competition, it wasn't fun, but it was a challenge. I wanted to participate in a sport in high school. Football was not the sport for a skinny and timid kid. Cross country became the option. 

I spent the summer training to be able to run the 3 mile loop from my home around Rainbow Lake and back. I worn ankle weights and Adidas Cross Country shoes. By the time cross country season started I was one of our top 2 runners and finding that I enjoyed the longer runs we did. Thus began my journey of 50+ years of running.

I envy those high school and college days of running. They seem so effortless, but I know they weren't. But I could run through the aches and pains. Today I need to take a break when there are aches or pains. I don't like that. I want to increase my endurance, reduce my weight, but taking days off slows that progress. 

It's frustrating. Just as I feel I'm progressing, a set back. Fucking aging. Be more consistent in your stretching and strength workouts. I know. I'm stubborn. It's not what I trained on. My stubbornness is my weakness. 

I wish my younger self would take over my older self. Until then, I've got to do better. 

 

Looking Back on 2025

I began this year with 3 things: (New Year, New Expectations)

3 things for 2025:

1. As the new OR USATF Youth Committee chair, organize and execute a success 4 day, Jr Olympic Championship meet.

2. Get back to regular, injury free running.

3. Continue to keep those I love, from 3 - 80s, as my purpose.

 As 2025 comes to a close, about 6 weeks left, I'd say I accomplished 1.5 of those things. 

1. As the new OR USATF Youth Committee chair, organize and execute a success 4 day, Jr Olympic Championship meet. I chaired, organized, and executed a successful 4 day USATF Oregon Jr Olympic Championship meet. It left me exhausted and motivated to make it better for 2026. However, the organizational structure made it too frustrating to be able to organize the quality of meet I felt the youth athletes deserved. I resigned about a month ago and am much less stressed about it.

2. Get back to regular, injury free running. Define "regular, injury free running".  This is year 67/52 of "on earth/been running" years. "Injury free" doesn't have the same meaning as it did, 10, 20, 50 years ago. If my feet aren't sore and I can do a 3 mile walk with run breaks with limited aches, that is "injury free". "Regular", I wish my runs were as regular as my bowel movements. But there are days and weeks I don't run. Mysterious aches, swollen feet or ankles, cramps in my calf, gout in my toe flaring up. "Regular" has become, lace up my running shoes, get out the door and move as best you can on that particular day. Some days I feel like the 67 years I am, others I still have the illusion of being the athlete I once was...a much slower one, but still an athlete. The goals of running are ever changing. (The Ever Changing Goals of Running: An Update)

 3. Continue to keep those I love, from 3 - 80s, as my purpose. This one, this one is my north star. But just as following the North Star can be challenging on a cloudy night, following it in my life is challenging. Knowing what is the "right" decision to make for an elderly parent, navigating parenthood with adult children, supporting a spouse transitioning to a new after-career life style, supporting friends when I'm not really good at maintaining those connections. 

Reflecting on this year reminded me of the 2005 Yakima Marathon I ran with my best friend Marky and a mutual running friend from Vancouver, BC affectionately know as Runrick. The course was point-to-point following the Yakima River. The beginning was a flat stretch for about the first 19 miles. Some up and downs, but nothing taxing. Around mile 19 began a long, gradual uphill. It didn't seem intimidating, but after a couple of miles of climbing, it began to take a toll on my legs, lungs and heart rate. Then at around mile 23 the climb crested and it was downhill to the finish. 

That sounds wonderful, but by now my legs felt like logs, my breathing heavy, my heart pounding. The three miles of downhill running was a relief for my breathing and heart, but not my legs. Downhill running on tired legs only beats up those legs even more. My quads were toast by the end.

And I'm comparing this year to that race? Yeah, kinda. You see the race is a reflection of life. It can start easy, with a best friend and you're feeling great. Then life starts to happen. The hills of making decisions you never imagined you'd have to make. Adapting to life with kids with grandkids and kids who are the age you mostly see yourself. Respecting their independence, yet wondering if they still need a parent, or should I morph into something else? Hoping, praying, my parenting when they were dependent on me was enough to help them be strong enough for their own challenges. Wondering if there is more I can do? 

Entering a new stage in life where I have more time with my spouse. Finding new common interests to share. Not annoying her with the habits I've acquired while working at home. 

Finally, finishing the year/race. Exhausted, yet feeling I did the best I could at that moment, at that time. 

Each race, each year builds upon the previous training/experiences. A race can't be rerun, but you can learn from the training hopefully make the next one better. I can't redo my past years, but I can learn from them, and hopefully make the coming ones better for myself and those I love.

 

It isn't obvious

How does one downsize their parent's house when the parent though not living in the house doesn't want to let go of it? 

Mom has been in an assisted living facility for 2+ years. She will not be returning to the house. She just isn't able to live on her own and be safe. She thinks otherwise and regularly asks me what I think about her going back to the house. Each time I explain why she can't. 

I don't know what to do. I'm her Power of Attorney so I could arrange to sell the house, but that just isn't right. How can I get her to understand? Can I even get her to understand? 

There are nights I lie awake with this on my mind. There isn't a good answer, I'm convinced of that. 

I could move back and be her in home care provider so she could return to the house. But at what cost to my family? I live 3000+ miles away. I would miss my wife, kids and grandkids. But mom would be where she wants to be. Is that a solution or a guilt response?

There's no "right" solution. Mom will always want to be back at the house and believe she can live there. She doesn't see her limitations and the support she gets at her current home. She can't drive for shopping, she won't cook and prepare meals for herself, the house is too big for her to keep clean.

There are other concerns, finances, her spouse, other family members. What to do? That is my frequent thought. Being the "parent" of a parent sucks. I know I'm not alone with this dilemma. I sure it feels isolating for others who are experiencing it. 

Know you are not alone. Doing what's best isn't easy and isn't obvious.

 

The Portland Frog and John Prine - more ramblings

What do John Prine and the Portland Frog have in common?

I don't know. I'm listening to John Prine and watching videos of the Portland Frog and other brave cartoon blow ups harassing Noem and Trump's ICE masked desperadoes. 

I was brought up to respect authority. Don't talk back to your parents, don't disrupt a teacher, decision makers looked out for our best interests, preachers helped the down trodden (is that term even used now?). I wasn't encouraged to question whether those people/institutions deserved my respect. I learned that later.

I still struggle with my early indoctrination of acceptance to authority. I know what I believe, but there is a voice that remembers having the TV show All In The Family turned off because it was questioning the meaning of the American flag. Questioning authority was not allowed.

What changed? Leaving my comfort zone. First, away to college. Not following in the footsteps of those ahead of me. To the farthest place I could so I could continue my education academically and personally. I had to stay in state, so UE it was. From NE Indiana, to SW Indiana. On the banks of the Wabash, to the banks of the Ohio river. 

After graduating, moving to Colorado where I discovered not only the beauty and magic of mountains, but my ability to question what I had been taught, and learned that thoughtful meditation was important part of my evolution.

So what does this have to do with the Portland Frog and John Prine? 

The Frog is more obvious. He symbolizes the fight against repressive suppression of alternative ideas. We need the Frog to show the ridiculousness of armed and masked puppets here to stop a none existing threat. 

John Prine? I was listening to his song "When I Get to Heaven". It does not describe the heaven I was taught about in Sunday School or Sunday morning sermons. It challenges that each individual has their own view of heaven. 

My heaven includes people of all beliefs who showed their love for others rather than excluding them because of who they love, how the defined themself, whether they were "legal", who they worshiped. My heaven includes Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Native Americans murdered for the land we live on, Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was murdered by fascists for his faith in God, and others who may not have worshiped the God I grew up with but who have shown the Christian, Muslim, Bahia, Hindu, etc. love towards others that their prophets preached about.

 

Ankle Injury Ramblings

It would be nice to post something positive about running. Another ankle flare up. This time the left one was feeling neglected so decided to develop tendinitis due to some calcification along one of the tendons. The pain and swelling are finally, mostly gone, thanks to a daily mega dose of a NSAID drug and an ankle brace. If only there was a vaccine for aging ankles! 

So after pouting about it for a few days, okay, more than a few days, I'm back on an exercise routine. One that I hate, strength training. As I tell my beloved trainer, runners run. Her stupid reply is, yes and smart ones strength train. Sometimes I really hate her, but she is committed to my goal of running until I can't, and I think she's more determined than I am to see that the can't doesn't happen. 

So today was the first of that workout. I took it easy knowing that tomorrow and even more so the next day, I'd be sore. Build up gradually, same for building mileage. 

So, how about some fun stuff. 

Rachel and I spent the weekend RV camping at Kahneeta hot springs. Kasey and the grandkids came up for a night and we basically spent the weekend in the pool with breaks for mini golf.Too much fun spending time with those two. 

  Wonder what secrets they are telling Gramma?

I learned today that a childhood friend died earlier this week. I'm not close to many of my hometown or high school friends but he was someone I reconnected with on Facebook, like so many of us do, and he was as refreshing of a connection as he was a friend back in my early years. I hate it when the world loses good people.  

Sorry the fun ended so soon! 

I hate it when bad people exploit others, especially those whom Jesus would offer love and compassion.  This country is barely recognizable to the one I studied about and grew up with. It more and more resembles those we fought against. What has happened to the belief in the common good, when we support those in need, we all rise together.

 

I don't understand the hate that has permeated much of the country. I guess it always there, but suppressed? I see it in people who I've known my entire life, family members who I looked up to, but not now. I don't understand what caused it to surface. Why are people who are coming here to keep their families safe, have a better live, much like those on the Mayflower, so despised? They contribute to our economy more than they take from it. We accept automation taking jobs away, but hate that they take jobs away that we don't want to do, letting crops rot on the vines and in the fields. Oh, but lets go to other countries and spread the gospel that God loves you, only if you believe like us. Yet claim suppression of religious freedom when others want to believe in other ways here in our country. I don't understand it. It wasn't my upbringing, and I grew up in a conservative midwest small town.