Inaugural Staggered Start 5K

 I have been enjoying running and thought about signing up for a 10K event. I found one not far from here, but it would still involve getting up quite early and driving to the start, not to mention the entrance fee. The other thing I learned was that it was a hilly course so my time would be slower than on my usual flat-ish course. I was undecided and then D. said if it were a 5K that he would do it. That got me thinking and this is what I ended up with.

Ready for fun? Instead of a typical 5K when we start together, the plan is to start at different times and finish together. We will follow the Turkey Trot route (except for a start and finish in the same place on First St. - see photo below) and aim to finish at 8am on Sunday, March 6. The route will NOT be closed so as you consider what time you start please remember to allow time for safely crossing all intersections.

Q. When do I start?

A. That depends on how long it will take you to run the course. For example, if you think it will take you 26 minutes, plan to start at 7:34 a.m.

Q. May I use a timing device?

A. This is an unofficial event so you get to decide.

Q. Is this a USATF-certified course?

A. No. It might not even be exactly five kilometers.

Q. Will there be shirts and prizes?

A. No, but I would be happy to bring some bananas to enjoy afterward.

Do you have other questions? Feel free to ask and I’ll answer if I can.

My running partner and my swim partner both agreed to do it, along with D. and A., who was in town for spring break. I told a few other people, but I was not sure who would show up. I was the first one to leave and no idea how many people were behind me. 

I started just after 7:30 and finished a few seconds before 8am. Ta da!

Two people finished quite a bit ahead of me, A. finished just a few seconds before I did, and five people finished behind me. I think it was a success and I am sorry I won't be here for the second annual event on March 5, 2023.

Squeezing things in

I am so grateful that I decided to get out and about when I could. After visiting the Denison Library in the morning I had plans to meet up with friends and visit two small art museums in Ontario.

A. drove us to our first stop, the Ontario Museum of History & Art, where we met up with friends who live in Ontario. We loved walking around and seeing the beautiful pieces of furniture, but it was very, very hard not to reach out touch the wood, which looks so silky smooth. In addition to the furniture they had stories and drawings

including this one done for the
president's office at Harvey Mudd College

Across the street is Chaffey Community Museum of Art, which had an exhibit of art work inspired by Sam Maloof and a watercolor that he himself painted!

I loved these miniature versions of Maloof furniture
done by Mike Johnson, someone who worked with Sam Maloof.

I was also happy to see unrelated art from local artists,
especially this fabric art by Sumi Foley.

Here's a closeup.

After wandering the museums we walked over to Logan's Candies, 

which is known for the candy canes they make on site.

They did not have any special leap day candy but we found a few things to enjoy!

Our friends knew about a garden filled with kinetic sculptures
and public art including this tree (picture found on this public art site).

We said our goodbyes and then we headed home. A. drove on the freeway for the first time and we arrived home without a problem. Ta da!

College Sports

Supporting our local team involves cycling less than a mile and sauntering into whatever venue is hosting the event (pool, gym, track, etc.). Yesterday was a little different.

I drove to the end of the L Line (formerly known as the Gold Line), met up with a dear friend from grad school who got on in Pasadena, changed to the D Line (Purple), and then the E Line (Expo).

My map said it would let us off 0.1 miles from our destination, but I was still a little concerned since I had never been there. No problem since we could see the Galen Center from the stop. Just as exciting was seeing Felix right across the street.

I made it into the building with my clear bag. Serious fans had real bags with their team's logo but I just grabbed a newspaper bag. I was so tempted to walk around with a tube of hemorrhoid cream or tampons or other things that should not be in clear bags

but instead I just had my pocket-sized Constitution.

Tommy Trojan

I don't think my pictures can capture the difference between an unranked-Division lll team and the nation's third-best D1 team playing at USC. There were three sets of dancers plus people with flags, a live band, half-naked men with painted chests, a DJ, and a light show.

I don't know so many of today's players but I was happy
to see the names of people I followed in the '80's,

The best part was hanging out with my friend and watching great basketball players! I hope Oregon makes it to New Orleans for the Final Four!

Lucky Day

How lucky to have a generous friend who drives the same car we do and shares an extra set of mats she was sent!

Perfect for those people who go riding soon after a rain storm!

Another Day Off

Friday was a day off in observance of Veterans Day, but this time instead of entertaining A. I chose activities with other people. As I was sharing the list of plans with a friend she asked if I were planning to swim. What else would I be doing at 6 a.m.?

The next event was a hike, although we were surprised to see the police and ranger at the start and find the gate closed. The helicopters on the hillside and in the air should have been clues that there was a problem. We were sorry to hear about a medical evacuation. We took a different route and took it easy!

I changed and headed off to meet a friend at the annual Pilgrim Place Festival, which is one part an event to highlight crafts made by residents, another part yard sale, and a final part entertainment. I bought a shoe horn, greeting cards with art created by a resident, a book, and persimmons. Socializing was free.

I went on my own to the Friday Noon Concert Series. No one else seemed curious to hear tuba concertos. I think once was enough, but I don't regret going.

The rest of the day was spent cooking and cleaning before people came over for dinner.

Another day off and it was a good one!

Quick trip

I hadn't been to Cleveland in over a year and I went by myself for a little visit.

I always save space in my suitcase by borrowing my dad's t-shirts for running. I remember volunteering at this event with my Girl Scout troop. "If your t-shirt doesn't have a DD on the sleeve, it's just underwear."

I had originally been planning to visit in October when I thought I would be able to collect buckeyes. Only a couple blocs from my parents' house I found so many I had to go back at the end of my run and use the t-shirt to hold all that I collected!

I went to Cleveland in September because my friend since first grade (D. knew her in kindergarten) was getting married to guy from up the street (someone who was at Roxboro in the same grade as D.'s brother). The setting was beautiful, the weather was ideal, and ceremony was so sweet. I am so glad I got to be there.

On the way home I stopped in D.'s old neighborhood, which looked great.

On Sunday I got to be at Progressive Field ("It will always be The Jake," proclaimed one shirt I saw) when they raised the banner as AL Central Champions. I love that they use the toothbrush lights (isn't that what they look like to you?) as part of the design. The other shirt that I liked said, "Cleve LAND that I love."

Great view of Quicken Arena ("It will always be The Gund," I did not see on a shirt), Terminal Tower, and the beautiful Cuyahoga River.

Before I left Cleveland I stopped by my elementary school, which now has a gaga pit!

Neighbors near Tommy's Restaurant (where I bought a shake for my dad in memory of Emily), finally had an abandoned home removed and the neighbors replaced it with a multi-purpose gathering place.

I went to the deli (and did not buy a whole tongue) and grocery store and commented that it was too bad the mustard was not sold in three ounce bottles to take carry-on. I got to the airport and saw that they sold full-size bottles after security. This is enough to last us a while so if you come to visit I would be happy to share it.

My suitcase was heavier coming home (books, mail, buckeyes, mustard), but the good memories last a long time and add no extra weight. Maybe we should go to Ohio for our next sabbatical!

Four new things

One great thing about going away is that everything is a new experience. I am pleased to say that we are finding new things to do here, too.

I forgot to take a single picture so I am posting this one from their website.

The first new thing was to meet a friend at a new coffee place, not in the downtown area but close enough for both of us to cycle there. Sanctuary Coffee supports farmers, donates to food banks, and all profits are given to local charities. I would be happy to take you there when you come to visit.

It did not even cross my mind to take a picture so I am using this one from the school's newspaper site.

Maybe D. had previously been to a Levitt on the Lawn event but it was new to me. We cycled to the Scripps campus and took chairs and a picnic. We could have skipped both by buying from food trucks and spending the whole time dancing. I am slightly embarrassed to say we spent almost the whole time talking and not really listening to the music. Sorry, La Misa Negra. I enjoyed the vibe if not the actual performance.

Another photo not by me, but by A.

While we were at the concert A. went to the high school football game (free if you paid for the activity card at the beginning of the year). Even though there had been a big rally and A. wore the class color (black) it didn't help. Lucky for him he paid about as much attention to the game as I did to the concert!

Yes, another picture stolen from the web.

The final new thing was eating at Elvira's, the new Mexican restaurant in the Old School House at Foothill and Indian Hill. It was quite loud but people liked the chips and my vegetable fajita was great. They even had vegetarian beans, which not all places do. I would go back, but maybe not on a Saturday night.

Nice to return to a mix of familiar and new.

A good start

After celebrating on the last day of 2015 we all got off to a good start to 2016.

bicycle parking along the route

D. was the first out the door to meet a group that planned to cycle to Rose Parade. Even though it started at 8am the route was so long they were able to get good viewing spots and see a lot of it. Even though the floats and bands were fantastic, the most talked about event was the skywriting.

Anybody but Trump
funded by a Sen. Rubio supporter

It wasn't nearly as exciting, but I enjoyed a hike and swim on a beautiful day.  The other highlight was celebrating the birthday of a friend who had been in the paper for being the first baby of the year.  Rumor has it that her parents almost named her Missy since she missed the tax deduction deadline.

The youngest family member spent a good chunk of the day practicing tricks at the skatepark and on the campuses.  I am so grateful that we did not start the year with any broken bones.  Here's to another 365 days (leap year) of the same.

R. was able to celebrate finishing college applications. The party was also a nice chance to catch up with people home from college. It is great to live close enough to everything so R. could walk home when we decided we wanted to stay a bit longer.

The day wrapped up with a funny dinner, serving the food intended for company that did not materialize.  Appetizers make a great meal!

Best wishes for a good health and peace in the year ahead!

Vacation in L.A.

After a long day in L.A. with A. and his friends we were headed to the train when we saw the downtown outdoor ice rink.  We wanted so much to go but decided to put it off for another day.  This week that other day arrived.

We paid for an hour of skating and it was crowded initially.

The weather warmed up and most people left the ice long before the hour was up.

A. has a lot of confidence and no fear of falling so he was able to gain some speed as time went on.  I had some confidence and a significant fear of falling (fear of injury, fear of not being able to get up), but was also able to improve over the course of time.  Our friends enjoyed it, too, so we decided we will try some more skating closer to home.

Adventure with the tween

It was fun to wear the pedometer yesterday and watch the steps add up!

We walked to the train station, around Olvera Street (stopping to examine every trinket), and then to the bus stop.

We didn't have tickets but strolled around The Broad and through Disney Concert Hall.

We made our way over to Grand Park and past the Unlimited Delight exhibit,which is in town for only one week.

I did sit down while the kids ran around.

 Next we headed to Grand Central Market, separated, each got our own lunch, and met up again (thank goodness, I was a bit worried about losing someone).

We found the bus to get to Little Tokyo and walked around there.
We got a bit lost so we had a long way to get to the metro to get to the library.

Unfortunately we went out the wrong door and took another long walk to eventually get to the library!  We explored a bit before finding books to enjoy.

On our way to the metro we passed the ice rink and at least some of us were tempted to stop,
we decided to say something for next time.

I think a good time was had by all.  I would be happy to do it again.

Life

Meetings!  Meetings at the schools.  Meetings for League of Women Voters.  Meetings observing the school board on behalf of the League of Women Voters.  Time to find a new needlework project.

But parties happen, too!

We didn't do pumpkin relays yesterday, but otherwise the day looked like this.

Yesterday was the swim coach's birthday and he said if we had 31 swimmers at practice he would swim 31 lengths.  We had only sixteen but he was a good sport and got and swam for a bit (four lengths).

 The next birthday party was for a 100 year old!  Her son-in-law showed a video of her on a recent hike in her favorite woods and talking about helping future generations enjoy the same.

My favorite part of the party focused on her love of Scouting.  Some girls were there dressed in vintage uniforms, the badges Marilee had earned as a girl were on display, and woman dressed up as the founder of Girl Scouts was leading a sing-along.  There were also boxes and boxes of birthday cards sent from troops from all over the US and the world.  It was amazing showing of the power of the internet.

The final celebration was an anniversary party.  The original event had only twelve people in attendance, but this party was bigger.  The longest-married couple (68 years so far) were invited up to give advice and the maid of honor and best man said a few words, too.  Something to look forward to!

Now it is back to work, navigating the grocery store crowds and entertaining children who have the week off.