Gray skies hung like a huge, thick wool blanket over St.Louis—only there was no warmth.  Ironically it was the coldest day of this winter season.  Blustery wind gusts in combination with a fine mist made the day just lovely for an 8:30 AM  5K run.  What was I thinking when I committed to this?

Upon our arrival at the race site, my overactive, psychologically insecure bladder drove me indoors to a long line of now overheated, perspiring competitors, ALL the age of my children and grandchildren.  Oh the fun—NOT.

My youngest goddaughter and I finished at the end of the pack—my dear friend Laurie Beth was the clear winner of the group at 33+ minutes.  This is a woman who was annoyed when I told her that she needed to run when we played racquetball back in the ‘70’s.
My oldest goddaughter was stellar in her first race—I hope it is not her last.

Following in the footsteps of my AgingButDangerous cohort Jean, I am hanging up my competitive shoes and will return to my personally gratifying exercise regimen—no more races—BUT, I accomplished my goal.   Thank the Lord no one came forward with a live turkey—I was a big enough turkey for all involved.

‘TWAS THE MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS
By Robyn Hall

Do you want to commit Holiday Hari-Kari?  I used to until I discovered my own secret Santa stress reliever, a tradition which now takes place every year, once I have closed up the workshop around Dec. 15th.  Read on, in my Clement C. Moore-inspired poem!

‘Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the house
The only creature who was stirring
Was Mama and her mouse.

The stockings had to be ordered online with care
And the house and tree decorated with not an ornament to spare.
The presents were to be nestled
Wrapped in bold green and red

While tons of sweets needed baking
As well as the bread.
With Mama in her sweatpants
(And Papa in his paddle tennis cap)
No way could she settle her brain for a nap.

“Oh the gall”, you might say, or for Jean “oh the gall bladder.”   Jean lost hers last Friday, purposely, of course.  For many years she had been having painful, strange attacks and had never been able to determine the cause.  After the results of tests, conducted by her new doctor, the verdict was that the gall bladder was not functioning properly and should be removed.  They weren’t totally sure that this small pear-shaped organ, (that is connected to the liver, and dissolves all of the fat that we ingest), was the culprit, but all concerned felt that there was little downside to eliminating it from the equation.  The theory was that once the gallbladder was removed, the attacks would subside.  Actually, millions of Americans suffer from gallbladder issues every day—it is not unique.