Roadblock

At this time of the year, when the roadblocks come up with great regularity, I would like to share a personal experience with my closest friends about drinking and driving.

As you well know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from an occasional social session over the years.

A couple of nights ago, I was out for an evening with friends and had a couple of cocktails and some rather nice red wine.

Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before - I took a cab home. Sure enough, I passed a police road block, but since it was a cab, they waved it past.

I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise as I have never driven a cab before and am not sure where I got it or what to do with it now that it's in my garage.

 :)

*Found this fun little piece of suspenseful humor years ago and traditionally share it with friends this time of year. Be safe out there, folks!

We Did It!

We did it! With 33 sponsors and in just 20 days, we raised $2,414 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation!  I can't thank you enough for your generosity and encouragement as I have been training and fundraising for this big event — the Susan G. Komen 3-Day — in which I will walk 60 miles in three days.  Thank you for your support!

I'm also excited and honored to announce that the San-Diego-based team I joined on this adventure — TEAM: Powered By Optimism — has eclipsed the $250,000 mark in our fundraising efforts. QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, y'all!  If you donated to my campaign, then YOU personally helped make this happen.  We appreciate you! 

I leave Alaska this Thursday for San Diego, and Friday is when things get really serious — and fun.  Quite possibly, this will be one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done — but it will be worth it.  I look forward to sharing this journey with you.  

The Day of All Saints

Since losing my Mom in March, I have appreciated the gentle guidance of a page-a-day journal called "Healing After Loss." Today's meditation was on the topic of the "communion of saints" — the fellowship between the living and the departed. It was a fitting subject because today, the 1st of November, also happens to be All Saints' Day.

Admittedly, I never really paid much attention to this day of remembrance when I was growing up in the Deep South. It seems I was always recovering from the sugar high of Halloween or more focused on trading candy with my parents and my friends.

I'm thankful that today, my lovely friends, Jenny and Chelsea, introduced me to the tradition of All Saints' Day when they hosted a potluck in honor of the occasion.

Their invitation simply stated, "You are invited to bring anything to share which reminds you of those {saints} you love." I knew instantly what to contribute. That's right, you guessed it: Momma's peach cobbler. Other than that, I wasn't sure what else to expect for the evening.

As folks gathered together in the cozy space of my friends' home, we had a smorgasbord of memorial dishes laid before us — lasagna from a WWII recipe, mashed potatoes with a secret ingredient, broccoli and mayo, white chicken enchiladas, kielbasa in pumpkin porter, grandpa's pecan pie, grandma's peanut brittle, decadent chocolate sauce, and saucy finger lickin' good barbecue ribs.

We sat around eating and sharing our cherished memories and celebrating our Loved Ones. It was a deeply touching evening, one I hope to take part in again next year.

Here's to the blessing of shared memories, warm hugs, and the comforting presence of dear friends. May the memory of your Loved Ones be eternal.

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