This was one of the sunflowers that the critters bent over and munched on, but it decided to keep going and bloom the most perfect li'l bloom! I feel like there's a metaphor here...

He's such a big helper!

I'm crying, even as I'm sitting here realizing it's been 8 years. The pain just never goes away. I miss her so much.

Not me getting judged at the Micky D's drive-thru by a...bunny?!

It's late, I'm starving, and I don't want to wash dishes. So there!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we have made the best friends through this sport. Today we went back up to Waterville Valley to hang out with them while celebrating the final finishers as they crossed the line. It was a great time filled with so many stories of adventures and so much laughter!

"I carried a watermelon."

Sometimes it doesn't matter how prepared we are, things can still go wrong. Very wrong. Ed stopped his race at the South Moat Mountain aid station, which is the turnaround point for the Jigger Johnson 100. Actually, he hadn't been "racing" for many hours, but rather just trying to survive and get there. The Whites will do that to you. There is no margin for error out there. He has no regrets about walking off the course. It was the only choice. 

When he was contemplating racing Jigger again after last year, he realized that many would see it as a questionable decision. He kept coming back to the fact that he enjoys the process and is willing to put in the work. It's a big challenge, but "Why not try?"

Looking at it from this side, the outcome is different than what we had envisioned, but I'm still so proud of him for doing it. We've adventured and learned so much together this past year. Once he's healed from these wounds - he'll use all that fitness he built to conquer another goal. I have no doubt. 

We are so grateful for everyone's help today. We couldn't have done this alone. Erin, Mindy, Jen, Greg, Bobi Jo, Jim - you all are the very best kind of humans! We felt so much support from everyone out there. The ultra running community is incredible!

We can never thank Mindy enough for helping him make his way to the aid station, and keeping his spirits up. He had fallen several times during the night, was disoriented, and ended up hiking The Moats more than once. He was a hot mess when she and Greg found him. Greg decided quickly that he should continue on ahead of them, and that Mindy should stay with Ed. They literally saved his life. Those mountains don't mess around. This picture that she took at the top of North Most Mountain is gorgeous, but also shows how much Ed was struggling. Regardless, he just kept putting one foot in front of the other. True grit.

Today is the start of the Higher Johnson 100! These intrepid souls are heading out to attempt to run approximately 108 miles through the White Mountain National Forest. Good luck to all the runners, but especially Ed(of course), and Conor and Lexie, both of whom are chasing the male and female course records. It's gonna be so fun to watch them over the next couple days!

Happy birthday Ed! ❤️

Just a quickie! 😉

This evening Ed headed to the track for the speed work he always does the weekend before a big race. I didn't feel like sitting there watching him go round and round, so I headed to Pawtuckaway to catch the sunset. On the way to the trailhead, I saw a couple of guys walking down the road. They flagged me down and asked if I had jumper cables. Sure thing! They hopped in and we drove back to their car. They had walked several miles out before they saw me, so they were really happy for the help. I'm wicked glad I happened to come along! They were worried that I'd miss my sunset, though. I'm sure they won't see this, but I want them to know that I didn't. I hiked a shorter trail, sat on my favorite boulder, and enjoyed a spectacular show! Wow!!

This is my favorite time of year - when every day I look out my living room window, and there's a new flower waiting to greet me!

One of my favorite nail techs here at the salon is leaving us. As a parting gift, she designed & painted my nails for me. She knows me so well! 

Every morning they sprint out the basement door as fast as they can! They rush to make their 'rounds' throughout our fenced in 4 acres, checking all their favorite spots, sniffing EVERYTHING, and terrorizing all the li'l critters because well, they're dogs, and that's what dogs do.  

Today they had a unique experience and I had to laugh at how flabbergasted they were. I heard a bit of a racket because they were trying to get at something under a pile of old metal roofing out in the woods. As I wandered over to see what was going on, each of them came up to me with a quizzical look on their face, and then trotted back over there as if to lead me. They wanted me to see what had them all so worried. It was a possum! And it was doing a fantastic job of 'playing dead', which baffled them 'cause they hadn't actually chased it and killed it. 🤣 I told them they were good dogs, "let's leave it, and go get some breakfast!" So, with a few concerned looks back they followed me to the house. While they were eating, I went back to check on the possum, and sure enough, it had disappeared. Smart possum!

Now we're on to the second part of our morning - they're snuggled up on the couch with me while I drink my coffee, dreaming of chipmunks and squirrels...critters they can chase because that run away like they're supposed to!

It was a gorgeous night to chase the sunset! Marie came along, and somehow she got me to go up to the second level of the tower to see the view. Ayiyi! I didn't like it, but y'all know I'll pretty much do anything for a picture.

 The last two were from the drive home when the sky just exploded with color!

I finally have insurance that will fix my crooked front teeth that keep getting more and more twisted and overlapping as time goes by. I started my Invisalign treatments today. I can't say it was pleasant to have the buttons attached or the teeth filled in places, but here we go!

Ike had to say goodbye to the bottle he got from the National Scout Jamboree so many years ago. That bottle has been with him every single day, and has accompanied him on so many adventures all around the World. Unfortunately, yesterday he set it down by a hornets' nest. They didn't appreciate that, so they attacked. Nate got stung multiple times, but fought back with Raid. The bottle got caught in the crossfire. RIP

As if he hadn't already captured my heart, then he went ahead and smiled at me! Oh my. This li'l guy just keeps getting cuter and cuter! Auntie Julie made him the most precious stuffed wolf. He's wearing overalls made from Mom & Dad's clothing. There's even a spot of barn red paint on the back. They loved that color best, and seeing it brings back so many memories!

On the way to our hike on Sunday, he had to drive through the Albany Covered Bridge. He was nervous, but he did it!

I might miss some of my old foods now that I'm allergic to dairy, but I'm also finding the alternatives delicious! Sweet potato meatballs with stir fried & veggies...mmm...

Mmmm...and so pretty, too!

Lawns are so boring...

What

A

Day!