Last Regatta

This weekend marked the final Regatta for my oldest.

He joined this Rowing Club several years back...and he has reached the year when all the hard work, time, and dedication to his sport has paid off.

It's funny- as your kids sign up for activities- especially ones that are new to you- you don't anticipate the work it will be.

The driving.

The costs.

The TIME.

The new language you'll have to learn to understand.....(crabs, doubles, quads, coxswain, sculling, rig, skeg, washing out...))

But eventually it all clicks- and you find yourself cheering at the sideline, and gasping when they "catch a crab".

He was lucky to have an Olympian Coach from Hungary training him this summer, and I think if he continues on with what was taught- he'll do quite well, and most importantly continue loving his sport. 

Even when there are days the wind blows in all directions.

I think I like the fact that he can Row in a Single- and challenge himself.

Or...row in a Double or Quad...and even times an Eight- and work as a team.

It's a great sport in teaching life lessons.....what you need to succeed as an individual or as a team.

Another bonus....it's outside.

On beautiful bodies of water.

(Although in a very scary, narrow looking boat!)

It's been a great year and I'm super proud of how far he has come!

Now...it's on to the Winter Schedule...

{did I mention one never thinks of the TIME involved when one signs up....}

~Congrats on a great year Bud!~

Strength of Character to Stand

(my kids and i)

This had to be my favorite day this week.

[It was Thanksgiving Day.]

I took the kids to the beach for some football throwing and a long walk.

It was quiet, uneventful, and perfect.

I enjoy being with them.

And as they get older I find it's even more fun....kind of like having friends along for a day out....

(as long as they get along;)

***

When I was younger....I had a poster hanging on my wall....and I would stare at it every day.

This picture had 50 white pencils, all facing with their points down. 

About the third of the way into the row- there stood one purple pencil-point facing upward.

Underneath was  a verse that read:

"Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

That has never left my memory.

Sadly I did get sucked in to things around me and yep- just wanted to fit in like everyone else.

I always found it hard to stand up and out and not conform to what everyone thought around me.

Deep down I wanted to be different, but who wants to Stand Out?? 

It's a lot easier to blend in.

Don't create waves.

Go with the flow.

Do the NORM.

Doesn't majority rule?

I wish I still had that poster.

Of course...it probably got thrown when I left home and cleaned off the walls.

A few months ago I gave an assignment to my kids.

I explained my poster to them, and we talked about what it meant to Stand Up.

For Truth.

And of course the saying..."Just because they do it doesn't mean you have to"...type of thing.

I wanted them to create pictures/posters of sort...along the same lines.

I wanted them to create Stand Up and Out pictures for themselves and each other.

Well...the posters/pictures are starting to land on my desk.

Here are some of their 

"Do not conform" works:

It's really a Simple concept.

I hope these pictures hang in their memory...and one day they can use them in situations that surround them.

There's nothing better than someone who can think and stand alone....even when the rest don't follow.

Strength of character is something to be desired.

It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do. 

                                                                                          ~Elbert Hubbard

*******

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

                       ~GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799) 

~The Present~

Yesterday is History

*******

Tomorrow is a Mystery

****

Today is a Gift

That is why it is called 

The Present.

***

"eye candy"

Oh Boy.

I love this time of year.

I know- I know.

Candy is not good for you.

But it's so good!

I am terrible around it.

Ask my friend.

On a short road trip I can consume an entire bag.

And when I'm at home when no one is looking...

(guess that is a confession right there!)

I try not to do it too often...but there are times when I just cannot help it.

And Candy Corn time of year doesn't help the situation.

Neither does Caramel Time of year.

********

My favorite is when you take these....

...unwrap them and melt them into this....

And then you take these.......

....and dip them into this.....

Then they get plunked onto here.....

....and call my name.

(I cannot help but respond.)

~Weekend Mountain Bike~

(early morning drive to the mountains)

I spent Sunday in the mountains, biking.

4 of us  drove out to Canmore, Alberta- 

hopped on our old (but working) bikes, 

and pedaled to Banff, Alberta.

It was a beautiful bike, easy trail, and amazing scenery.

The newly made trail runs between the Trans Canada Highway

and the CP Railway. 

When we arrived in Banff we stopped at the Coyotes Deli and Grill  (downtown) for lunch.

The food was wonderful and definitely not your "standard" fare. 

Bagels with Salmon, Shrimp and Goat Cheese Wraps, Smoked Chicken Quesidillas....it was nice  to eat something other than the usual burgers and fries!

The restaurant was across from this place....I just had to take a picture of this car:

The 40km round-trip consisted of views which I was in great need of.

The mountains were majestic, hovering clouds were beautiful, and a rainbow hung over a peak as we pedaled back to Canmore.

Days like that make me love this country 

even more than I already do.

***

I so appreciate times I get to escape away from the chaos of the everyday schedule ...

(and realize that I need to do this a bit more often!)

For Thought:

**********

Going on a (much needed) Get-Away here:

Happy Thanksgiving 

to all my fellow Canadians!

***

Late Night News....

I have made it a point to never watch the news at night.
It seems that it is never filled with much good....and I don't like going to bed with my head and heart filled with doom, gloom, and often sadness.
This world seems to have gone crazy!

Tonight.....after work...I decided to plunk in front of the TV...too wired to sleep just yet.
If nothing else.....watching the news with "Lloyd Robertson" put my week in perspective!
******

There was an update on the Chilean Miners trapped 700 feet underground...for WEEKS now!

And while I am out enjoying this:

...they are underground in darkness.

 While I get to watch this.....

....they are away from the people they love- and those who love them.

As I go about my day in "normalcy".....

......they are wanting their "normalcy" back.

I cannot even imagine what their days are like.

Can you imagine being in darkness for hours, days, weeks...?

**************

On a LIGHTER note.....

We happened upon this Big Guy in our yard this week:

Needless to say- I'm feeling a little nervous every time I go out for a run.

I don't think a Bull Moose is something I would like to come upon and surprise.

But he was amazing.

You don't realize how big they are until you are face to face!

He was massive....and tall!

And in a funny way..... beautiful.

***********

Going to start another day~ with a new perspective.