Courage – “Time to Saddle Up”

Many, many of us have faced those life situations or questions  in which the outlook, or answer, looks dim and your gut is screaming for yesterday.

The situations may be as perilous as being off the trail in the woods and darkness is starting to cloak everything around you, or you are in the middle of a race (pick your sport) you are pushing as hard as you can, so hard in fact that you fear your heart will explode any second, or how about that request from your boss to meet later that day, and you know sales are not good and the company is struggling, and you think here it comes.

What do you do?

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway” – John Wayne

This is living

Finished shoveling snow for the third time,

placed my bright yellow snow removal tool (the shovel) on a hook (ready for the next time),

I step back onto the moist, lightly covered blacktop,

soft lights from warm windows pierce the darkness and create inviting shadows,

silent and snow laden trees watch as I tilt my head back,

light whispers of wind and a finishing tranquil falling snow kisses my face and massages my soul – this is living!

God is…

Stay away from politics and religion, they say, when in social settings.

While at a recent event, the chatter of topic discussions ranged impressively amongst the guests, I overheard the legality of marijuana, the weather (as is typical when more than two people gather), travel to foreign countries, and then, a vibrant and intellectual woman looked at me and asked, “What and who is God?” She knew I love conversation, and depending on who is in attendance will quickly enjoy a debate. This woman posed one of the taboo topics directly at me.

I paused and let a short silence reflect my desire to collect my thoughts prior to responding. Was I stepping into a trap? How was I going to answer this? There were many, many thoughts on how to answer this, but I wanted to be succinct.

Looking directly at her and with much confidence,
my answer to her was, “faith and passion“.

 

“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”

Friends,

You’ve received my first PMC email, my flyer in the mail and I’m back with 17 days to go till my 18th Pan Mass Challenge. Please consider this.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, you thought, or will think, about the loved ones who are fighting, or have lost their fight with cancer. I know I have, I do and I will, yesterday, today and tomorrow. These memories and thoughts drive me to train hard to be ready for three days of riding the PMC during the first weekend in August. This is what drives me to raise funds so the men and women at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute can continue with their great work.

Please remember those thoughts and feelings that you have had and will have, and consider a donation in their memory.

You can go online at: www.pmc.org/egifts/LG0036.

I ride with passion for many!

 

“Do you know these people?”

My 18th year participating in the Pan Mass Challenge is here. I have shared stories of many friends who have won and lost their battles against cancer. Friends, just like yours.
Do you know these people?

He’s the father, grandfather, or good friend who rides a Harley, likes his “Captain Morgan”, is strong in his political views, a real independent spirit. Family is very important to him and he takes his familial position seriously – don’t mess with his family! 

How about the friend who is always smiling, perpetually upbeat, and willing to assist friends in need? He enjoys family and the simple pleasures in life. You definitely want this person around when there is a gathering!

Then there is the friend who is a warrior.  The one who, in the midst of adversity, does not falter. Despite the external façade of sternness, he has a passion for life, family, friends and this great country.

Finally, there is the friend who is mild-manner and quick-witted with a dry sense of humor.  A person with a multitude of talents, and a huge heart, who is always willing to help out with any project. This friend may be quiet, but he is the thread of love running through a circle of friends. 

I know all these people. They are Norm, Craig, Kirk, and Hank. Craig and Kirk are currently fighting cancer.  While Hank is now delivering his quiet, simple jokes in God’s great ocean of love, AND, Norm, who is now taking his beloved wife Rose, for a ride on his Harley around heaven’s paradise.

I know that you also know these people for you have family and friends like these in your lives. These people are dear to you so keep them close to your hearts and be thankful for their good health.

Help me make this year a special one by remembering all our friends who are fighting, or have fought, this battle against cancer.  Please help me reach my goal of $10,000. I ride for your family and friends!

Live Life with Passion!

 

Many Years of Flying the PMC Colors!

Each year, riders get an event jersey. Below in order are my jerseys. I will tell you that I do have favorites (and ones that I don’t like). Which is your favorite? Looks like I need to update my page.

Live Life with Passion!

Please! – www.pmc.org/egifts/LG0036

Sweet 16

Sweet 16 has different connotations, such as, “sweet 16 and never been kissed” or “Sweet 16” as in the college basketball tournament; so why not recognize my 16^th year with the PMC with these 16 thought provoking  and ridiculous occurrences of the number 16.

1. Sweet 16 sounds good.
2. 16 is one less than my favorite number 17. Other than 17, I like prime numbers; this year is the 35th PMC! Oh yea, that’s not prime – oh well.
3. 16 years and counting, I plan on riding again, and again, and again. I will wear out 16 bikes before I stop.
4. 16 x 12 = 192. Approximate distance of the PMC Sturbridge-to-Provincetown route.
5. 16 fat grams in 2 slices of bologna, 16 calories in one cup of canned lemon juice; 16 years in PMC is much better than either of these.
6. Sweet 16 is an interpreted “byte code” language invented by Steve Wozniak. 16 years riding does not require any computer skills except to push the start and stop buttons on my cyclometer.
7. Sweet 16^th is a Nashville bakery. Never been there, but I love cookies and cookies are great calories when riding nearly 200 miles
8. Sweet 16 of BSA (Boy Scout of America) Safety. The 16 points identified in this guideline reflect good safety procedures for physical activity. All of these will be practiced, or will be in place, over the PMC weekend.
9. Sweet 16 is a stitching machine designed for quilters to tackle projects with a sit-down machine. I will be sitting down on my bike for 200 miles and I will tackle this cycling challenge with every pedal stroke.
10. Sweet 16 is a bowling center in Le Mars, Iowa. Bowling balls roll and so will the bikes of over 5,000 cyclists who will participate in the 35^th Pan Mass Challenge.
11. Sweet 16 is a songwriting app. No need for songwriting apps if you have the pleasure of riding aside Bud Dodge; his ditties are the best.
12. “Sweet 16” is a song by Green Day. Within this song, there are lines which state, “From California to Jane Street”, or “From Midwest to the beach”, in the PMC it will be “From Sturbridge to Provincetown”.
13. Did you know Dr. Phil had a “sweet 16” list of rules for winning in the real world? Now, here are my 16 things related to the PMC.
14. Sweet 16 Studio in Northern Arizona. Studios are all about producing audio or video projects. For 15 years, now my 16^th year, I will deliver on a physical, mental and emotional level.
15. Sweet Sixteen is a floor, wall, and glass tile system designed to transition from residential to commercial applications. OK, this one is tough; what can I say about how this relates to the PMC?
16. Because 16 years ago, I committed to make a difference!

Live Life with Passion!

Please help – http://www.pmc.org/egifts/LG0036

Less We Forget – Boston Strong Tunes

Less we forget, I am sharing these tunes with many. The lyrics below were written by one of the members of the Boston Marathon Medals Team volunteers.

To the tune of the M.T.A. song by the Kingston Trio:

Well let me tell you all a story about Marathon Monday, on a tragic and fateful day

runners pinned on their numbers, kissed their wives and families, left Hopkinton for Boston’s Back Bay

chorus: Well did they all cross the finish, no not all crossed the finish, and our lives are forever changed

people fell in the street less than a mile to the finish an act of terror ruined a bright and beautiful day

Through Natik and Newton and up Heartbreak Hill, runners raced to the Citgo and Fenway

thousands cheering, handing water and high five motivation on this bright, clear Patriots Day

chorus:…

Some runners got as far as the Kenmore Square Station, but were stopped at a quarter to three

if they had gotten to Boylston they’d they’d have seen bombs exploding with blood on the finish line street

chorus:

All day long runners cried for rhyme and reason to find what had happened and who

would blast this great city with such horror and carnage as the maimed and the suffering that day knew

chorus:

Now you citizens of Boston don’t you think it’s dreadful, we were under attack that day

fight this terror in our cities for the safety of our people, end this evil put on the U.S.A.

To the tune of This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie:

This land is your land,this land is my land from the Boston Marathon to the Ground Zero island

from Newtown Connecticut to the Aurora theater, good people must fight to be free.

As I was standing just past the finish line I heard to my left a bomb exploding

I saw above me the smoke was billowing, good people must fight to be free

Friends were running dazed from the blast as the sirens pierced like the nails and broken glass

Yet all around me life’s spirit was responding, good people must fight to be free

Runners had to quit running sights and sounds were numbing

as the smoke was clearing there was no understanding, still people came with open hands rebuilding

good people will fight to be free.

Again to the tune of This Land…

This run is your run, this run is my run from the start at Hopkinton to the finish in Boston

through the streets of Wellesley and up Heartbreak Hill, this run brings out the best in you an me

On Patriots Day nations run with each other; both genders, young and old in any kind of weather

building lives for themselves and many others, this run brings out the best in you and me

for over twenty six miles thousands are cheering giving out food and water and medals for finishing

helping people with their dreams they are fulfilling, this run brings out the best in you and me

when danger becomes real, fear is a choice and evil will not win as long as good men have a voice

bad always loses to good and people will rejoice

and finally :

4/18/75 – 4/15/13

There was no midnight ride of Paul Revere this time

to warn family and friends before the sirens whine

as thousands of runners approached the finish line

no lanterns, no lights only innocence of the coming fight

for our country’s peace and freedom from an evil plight 

the havoc and tragedy about to unwind

Some Things to Think About

Here are some things to think about.

• Trust Yourself – I know you know this, however it is imperative that you remind yourself daily that you are good, you are strong, you are the best you can be. You may be the only one that tells you this, so give yourself a big dose each and everyday.
• Challenges – There will be challenges. There is no easy path. Whether the challenge is self-imposed (a hard training session), or an unforeseen challenge, such as an injury; you must accept challenges, it is part of the journey. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is being one step closer to success.
• Negative – There are many out there who are quick to say, “you can’t“. I will tell you that they “can’t”! Remove yourself immediately from anyone and everyone who has negative energy, they are not part of your future, or your success.
• Work! – Hard work is a fact! You must remain focused and get the work done. I know you will do the work.
• Feel Good – Life is not all “do-or-die serious”. Smile along the way. Smile when you have a good training session. Smile at every opportunity you can. Help others; this will make you smile and feel good.

You knew all these things, right? If so, then this was just a reminder.

Live Life with Passion!

There’s a Lot Riding on This

Dear friends,

I am committed to raising a lot of money (and a lot of money) for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston by riding in the 2013 Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) – my 15th year! The event is the first weekend in August when I will join 5,500 cyclists in the 34th PMC. I hope I can count on your support.

The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, $375 million since 1980 and $37 million last year alone! This success is the result of a lot of people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to DFCI.

I’ve made a personal commitment to ride and raise $5,000. So I hope you can help me achieve this significant goal.

Please donate to my PMC ride at one of the following links:

Click here to make $25 donation

Click here to make a $50 donation

Click here to make a $100 donation

Click here to make a $250 donation

Click here to make a $500 donation

Click here to make a $1,000 donation

Click here to make a donation of any other amount

Every donation brings us closer by the mile – BELIEVE IT!

With all my heart – Thank you!

Your donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  To learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge, please visit www.pmc.org.