GIVING, GIVING, AND MORE GIVING.....


Last night on 20/20 they were doing a report on donations and the effect it has on a person. I have to tell you I couldn't agree with them more. Giving just makes you feel good. The great thing is you get to help someone else too.
Warren Buffett is going to donate 37 billion, yes that's billion with a B. Most of which will be going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Now since I don't have $37.00 to donate, let alone billions, I donate my time. I am willing to bet right here and now that I feel better then Mr. Buffett does. Helping to change someone's life through monetary means is one thing, but to actually see the people you are helping is completely different. And you know it doesn't take all that much time. Little things can make such a difference. Especially at this time of year, when everyone is shopping for the holidays. On your way into the mall take an extra second and wait for the person trailing behind you. Hold the door open for them and look at their face, you will instantly feel better and so will they. All it takes is a few seconds and you could change a life. It may sound like an over simplification, but you REALLY can change a life and the great thing is, that life could be yours!! Drop a dollar into the red kettle and if you can't, tell the person there Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, but make a point to say something. I never believed this before, but we really can change the world one person at a time and again the easiest place to start is that person in the mirror.


R.P.D.

P.S.
I need to start running again, it seems to inspire me to write and I miss my blog!!

BO KNOWS.....



On the eve of possibly the biggest game in school history, Bo Schembechler died while taping a talk so about what else but the Michigan Wolverines. Love 'em or hate 'em you would be hard pressed to find anyone who did not respect Bo and his love for the kids that played at UofM. As a kid there was always something magical about that Saturday in November, not so much that it was OhioSt. v Michigan as it was Bo vs Woody. That was a time for giants and they were the biggest of all.
As far as the game tomorrow all I have to say is GO BLUE!!!! and God bless Bo!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.....


Time to get back into the swing of things! Because of various reasons I haven't been running lately and boy do I miss it. So starting today I am re-committing myself to the task! It's time to bundle up and hit the road. As I have written in previous blogs I have been suffering from Nicotine cravings lately and I know they directly related to my lack of running and I will not give into the beast. Every part of me misses the miles, from my mind that get clogged with the daily junk mail it receives, to my body that needs to feel the ache of the day after a hard run. I really do miss that! It makes me feel alive.

I was thinking yesterday while driving how much life is like traffic. I will just touch a few points and save the details for a later blog. Have you ever noticed when you aren't in a hurry to get anywhere you get there much quicker. You make every green light, no traffic jams, accidents, but if you try to hurry because you're late or just impatient every possible thing goes wrong? Life is a lot like that I find. If you just take your time and let the natural order of things happen you get to where you want to go much quicker, but try to force it and before you know it you're mired down in quicksand.

Have you ever noticed when on a long drive you will pass and sometimes drive with another car, bus, or truck and not really pay too much attention to them. Then sometime later, after stopping for gas, restroom break, etc. You find yourself passing them again. Life is like that as well. Sometimes you have friends in your life that you just drive along with and then things happen that make it necessary for you to stop and they keep going. After a time you catch back up the them and realize how have stayed the same.

I just saw some friends that I haven't seen in close to 15 years and after a few minutes of catching up we were all right back where we were all those years ago. It is quite a comforting feeling. Even though I don't talk to them as often as I should, it's good to know that there are people out there driving along the same road as I am. Just in case I get a flat tire!

R.P.D.

"Just in case I don't see you in the morning here's a hug to start your day. I love you Daddy"

Rebeccah DeLisle

How cool is that!!!!!

BUSY WEEKEND, TURKEY TROT, CRAVINGS.....

How does it always work out that on weekends that I don't have to work I am the busiest? Just once in a while I would like to be able to relax, ya know!! Oh well, you know what hey say, idle hands are the devils workshop.

I signed up for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning today, woohoo! This is my first 10K race since the 80's, man I am getting old. The last 10K I ran in was down river in Allen Park. I don't have any lofty goals other than finishing in less than 60 minutes. I continue to get a kick out of the reaction I get from people when I tell them about races like this. "Why on earth do you want to get up so early and run in what will probably cold weather?" They wouldn't understand!!!

I am still getting some pretty severe craving on a daily basis. They don't seem to be getting any worse, but they aren't dimishing either. The only reason I can figure for this recent outbreak is the fact they I haven't been running as much. Running was a huge motivator for me when I quit, because I knew that if I smoked I wouldn't run, and I HAD to run.

Have a fantastic weekend!

R.P.D.

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon. Emil Zatopek

I know this quote is a repeat, but it is a favorite of mine a seems to fit my mood right at the moment.

POST MARATHON RUN #1



So this past Saturday I finally got that run in that I have been craving. A small group of TNTers got together at the Paint Creek Cider Mill. The run was exactly what my body and mind needed. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't caught the 'bug', but it's like a drug. I could feel my body relaxing and I just soaked the miles in! We did 5.5 miles at around 10 minute pace. This was my first time running on Paint Creek trail and I must say I enjoyed it. The trail was very easy to run on and running through the woods is always better than street running. Afterwards we got some cider and donuts, thanks Janet!! It was very cozy huddled in the corner trying to keep warm, outside!! All in all, the morning could not have been better. The run, the trail, the weather and the company. Especially the company, were perfect!!

R.P.D.

P.S. The pictures are of my marathon race shirt.

MAN I COULD USE A SMOKE!!!!!!


For some ungodly reason I woke up this morning absolutely craving a cigarette! The first hit, the rush of smoke into my lungs, the first long exhale. Yikes, it makes me want to scream!!! I decided the best therapy is writing, so here I am. The first thing I did was look up some pictures to go along with this post and wouldn't you know it I found one that reminded me why I quit. Even though you can't see much of it, look at the innocence in that face. So for now the craving is gone. For those of you trying to quit or who have quit and are struggling, remember the reasons!!!

Thanks for stopping by,
R.P.D.

P.S.
Have you ever gotten the feeling that you have made everyone around mad and you don't know why? It's really strange, but I feel like that right now. So, if I did and/or said anything please accept my apologies.

Have a great day!

TIME FOR A RUN......



Tonight, come hell or high water I am going to run. It has been 11 days since my marathon and I can't take it anymore!!!! I think I can squeeze 3, maybe 4 miles in tonight right after work, I'm so excited!!!


That's all for now, no preaching today!

R.P.D.

"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse." Ann Trason

WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE?......


As I stated in my last blog, I was in downtown Detroit on Sunday and there are a few observations I would like to make.

First, there are some very beautiful buildings downtown. This was the first time in a very long time that I spent time walking around down there and the architecture is pretty cool. Not one building stands out more than the rest, but it really worth a look if you have a free afternoon.

Second, where is everybody. It was Sunday at 1:00pm and the streets were empty. And this was no regular Sunday, some 15,000 people had just competed in a marathon through the city. Understanding most of the runners were someplace healing, but what about their friends and family? All of the businesses were closed, we couldn't even find someplace to get coffee!! It was very sad to see.

Now I am not one to talk because it has been a very long time since I've ventured into the city and that statement I think tends to explain things. I, like most people do not live in the city and because of my schedule it is difficult to find the time to make the trip. You know something, that's such a cop out!!! The oldest of my kids is 11 and we have never taken a field trip downtown, which is wrong. Time to change.

I think it would go a long way to help if we all did that. Take an afternoon out of our hectic lives and go see the city, some of us for the first time. Ride the people mover just to look at all the different styles of artwork at the stops. Walk around the Renaissance Center and check out the cars. Stop for a bite at Lafayette Coney Island. Or just take a stroll and look at the buildings. I think you might be surprised and who knows eventually we might be able to get a coffee on a Sunday afternoon.

Just a thought, have a fantastic day!!

R.P.D.