Way back in February, when there was still snow on the ground here in Madison, I was walking on the treadmill after work one night and felt the urge to run. I did. It was not bad. I did it a few more times during the workout. My next workout I was intentional about the running. I had several times in the past five years started the Couch to 5k app and knew you started with walking a few minutes and then running for one. But I never got past week three. So many of life’s distractions, hurts, fears and even celebrations kept me form moving forward. To muster the courage to download the app one more time was huge. There were so many things that held me back. On the morning of February 7, I took a deep breath and once again downloaded. I had the words of a friend going over and over in my head” what you start, what you dream of, you make happen. ”
My daughter, Naomi had also told me in November of 2019 that she saw me as an fitness junky. I kind of laughed. I was not sure what she saw in me. I just wanted to loose weight and had started Weight Watchers in early October. Fitness junky could not have been me.
I honestly had to evaluate why it was so hard to download that app for the 5th time. As I looked inside I realized I was afraid of being strong or perhaps even defiant with my vision of self. I realized I was often seen as obedient or compliant. I don’t rock the boat. But taking charge of my fitness and running was so strong in me. Surrendering fear. Seeing what it might look like to move from strength to strength. Instead of always hanging on “in my weakness He is made strong” these things were compelling me to move forward.
With each walk/run I was enjoying the journey more and more. I liked getting stronger ( perhaps defiant, people like me don’t run) .
Then my the fitness center at Goodman Community Center closed. I didn’t think I could run on the road without the treadmill to hang onto. But I was not going to NOT finish couch to 5k again. So I kept running. Looking for a race became fruitless as we went into #saferathome. I made arrangements with my cousin to do a 5k with her when this was all done. And then I saw this post about running a Quarantine 5k to support a ministry in San Francisco. (Thanks Isabel!) After all of this running I actually hesitated to sign up. I hadn’t finished Couch to 5K. I still had a week to go on the race date and I had yet to clear 2 miles. I wouldn’t be able to run that. But I looked at all of the miles I have run, pulled out everything I had learned from finishing a marathon, thought of all the encouragement I have received over the past 5 weeks (Thanks my friends), thought of Naomi’s words and my friend’s as well. Yes. I can do this. I can still finish the app. I can raise money for Because Justice Matters (https://www.becausejusticematters.org/). I can pray. Pray for those in the Tenderloin who are testing positive for covid19. For those who are in unsafe places. Pray for peace where stress and tension is running high. I can run and pray. So today, I polished my nails ( because it’s race day and that’s what I do). I put on the beautiful headband that I received from from a friend in the mail yesterday, laced up my shoes and headed out the door.
I ran a 5k today! But this is probably just the beginning of the next journey. I’m sensing perhaps a little more defiance in my future. Defiance, because justice matters, and to change the status quo, we might just need to be a little defiant!
Posted in My Story | Tagged Running |
The children where dismissed
From grown-up church
She is always one of the first to go.
Today she was not with them.
Minutes pass.
Panic ensues
Where is she?
Did you check the bathrooms?
Where is her dad?
Over the speakers: “We are looking for Naomi, is she here?”
She emerges
coming out of her cocoon
she is surrounded by the concerned
no longer lost
Relief!
Wait…
another hug
a whispered word of exhortation
“There is something prophetic here…
don’t miss it!”
Not lost…
Safe on her daddy’s lap
Engaged
in worship.
She had chosen the better part.
Posted in My Story | Tagged family life, lost child, panic, sunday school |
I met Renae during a homeschool chat with Twitter. Upon reading her blog I felt like I had found a new friend. Her site is welcoming, and warm. Encouragement from Renae is truly that. For the past week she has been hosting guest bloggers from around the homeschool community. I have a post there today. Although I did not plan to post on Shakespeare’s birthday it has happened that way. Serendipity at it’s finest!
I hope that you enjoy spending some time there and continue to visit me as well. Please look for the link on the right to subscribe.
Posted in My Story |
Today I got the most lovely note from my mom. I walked to the mail box and I found the regulars, circulars, bills…and then I saw it. Something hand written and addressed to me. I savored the words over a cup of coffee. Just a short note and yet I felt like a queen.
I began to wonder who uses snail mail anymore? This year I received virtual birthday cards, have made friends on twitter, wrote on Facebook walls and “skyped” family at holidays. I’ve “IM’ed” my cousins who are in Italy. (My twelve year olds think this is hip, by the way)! I have been connecting…but I have not ventured into one of my most favorite haunts of old, a stationary store. I don’t even know of one in Madison and we have lived here almost 6 years. I have not lingered…longing to buy each pretty paper or a beautiful pen. I have not taken the opportunity to wonder who will get this lovely gift of paper and words straight from my heart. I regret that.
Before the age of technology, I wrote letters. Lots of letters. To my sweetheart studying in London, my sister in France or anyone I was thinking of…just because. I loved choosing stamps as much as I enjoyed finding beautiful stationery. But I have allowed connecting via cell phone and the internet to replace this simple pleasure.
My mom is so good at sending notes. She uses her computer. But honestly getting a note in the mail is a treasure! Thanks Mom.
I think I need to hunt down a Stationer. I need to choose that beautiful paper. And then I need to make a cup of tea and write a letter or two. Watch your mailbox because you might just get a love note from me.
Posted in My Story | Tagged cell phones, postage stamps, simplicity, snail mail, stationery, technology |
World Series Caramel Corn used to be called oven caramel pop corn. But that name just does not do justice to this special treat that we make especially during the World Series of Baseball. This is a recipe that came from my great-grandma. She used to make it at Christmas time and put it in personal treat boxes created just for the little people. I don’t remember the caramel corn that much but I do remember the 5 dollar bill that was always tucked in the box.
I first made this caramel corn during the world series when my twins were two. We were living with my husband’s grandma and I was frequently looking for entertaining things to do in the early evening. Dorothy, was 91 when we moved in with her. She kept a notebook of all her favorite recipes written in black Sharpie as her eyesight was waning.
That evening as Dorothy, the boys and I waited for Andy to make the long trek across the city from Chicago Vocational High School to our home on the North side we turned on the World Series. I popped the corn and started the baking. Periodically, Dorothy would ask what was smelling so good? When I finally filled the large wooden bowl with the caramel corn Dorothy could
not stop eating it. She loved it! And then she asked me to write the recipe in her special book. I was pretty honored because this was not just any book, these were the recipes that Dorothy had used for years, and now my humble caramel corn was being added to the collection.
I hope that you and yours enjoy World Series Caramel Corn!
World Series Caramel Corn
Grandma’s oven caramel corn.
6 quarts popped popcorn
2 Cups nut meats, if desired
2 Cups brown sugar
1/2 Cup butter (2 sticks)
1/2 Cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
- Combine sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in a sauce pan and boil for five minutes.
- Remove from heat and add 1 tsp of baking soda.
- Pour syrup mixture over the corn and stir well.
- Spread on large baking sheet.
- Bake at 200 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring at 15 minute intervals.
- After baking put immediately in storage containers and store until use in a cool place.
Enough for 1 game if serving a crowd! 😉
from Nicole Huebner Wetzel, October 29, 2008
Posted in My Story | Tagged Baseball, caramel corn, grandma, Traditions, World Series |
What is it about watching a ball game that seems to bring so many emotions to the surface? So much love, passion, disappointment, hopefulness. There is something electric about the ball and the bat making contact. CRACK! (…or PING! as the case may be). Something nostalgic about all of that bubble gum and sunflower seeds. Something timeless when fans wear their rally caps.
I am a latent baseball fan. I never watched baseball as a kid, played in gym class only once in a great while and did not marry my high-school crush who loves the game. (He later became my brother in law.) So my feelings are somewhat shocking. And I wonder if they can be real, or if you can only truly be affected by baseball if you never “grew up with it.”
My true love for the game came after seeing the Baseball exhibit at the Field Museum in the spring of 2003. What I thought was a history field trip for my boys turned out to be the flip of a switch that drew me in. That summer after moving to Madison my love continued to grow…I bought score sheets and read all kinds of books for novices like me. The book that was most influential was Wait Till Next Year by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. After reading that I knew I wanted baseball to be a part of my life and the life of my family. Continue reading “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”
Posted in My Story | Tagged Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Comisky Park, Family, Madison Mallards, Mom Life, Rite of Passage, Traditions, World Series |