Oh, Boston...

The sound of sirens kept coming and going at work on Monday afternoon – my co-worker popped her head in my office and said ”Explosion at the Boston Marathon”.

I switched to the news online and that same sick and numb feeling crept in that I had when I watched NYC from the roof of my mall on 9/11.  I could not shy away from the pictures though – this awful act needed to be fully recognized.  Plus, I was making sure that I did not recognize anyone that was there (I found out much later in the day thru FB and texts that everyone that I knew to be there was safe).

It was uplifting to see that there are still people besides the ones that do it for a living that run towards danger instead of away from it because they know that other people need help.

And it was heartbreaking to see a place that holds so many great memories look like a war zone.

'Cause I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston you're my home

A hit to the birthplace of revolution - another reminder that even though we think we are safe with all our security checks, we are not immune.  There are people out there that think it is ok to cause chaos and pain at events that bring joy. 

That is not the United States of America. I know that we are not a nation that is going to let terrorists (domestic or international) win.

The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America,
The spirit of what's old and what's new,
The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America,
The spirit of the red white and blue

Oh What A Night....

Fantastic evening....it will be repeated in the near future!

Strong Start!

The chant of the day "Strong start, this is a strong start!" 

Southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountains and 1,526 feet tall.

Forms the east side of the Delaware Water Gap. 

Mount Tammany - a strong start indeed! 

Sign interpretation "You may get shot or bitten by a snake"...awesome...

In the beginning when the trail was still "cute".....

Then you round the corner and see the first of many rock scrambles.

Lunchtime view - Looking at Mount Minsi across the Delaware Water Gap.

Ooooo - dragon!

Easter Snapshots...

We have a bow that we did not try to eat!

Crab salad in cucumber boats...

Annual ham-a-lamb-a-ding-dong....with beet soaked eggs.

A new tradition this year - the winning egg is actually crowned!

Training Has Begun...

There is an official “Starting Point”. 

 

Training has begun….we are going to climb Mount Katahdin….

Yup, the Katahdin…

Say it with me….. Ka-Tah-Din.

Yikes.

After the initial “what have I agreed to” feeling dissipated, I thought about the goal – it is realistic, attainable and I have good resources on how to prepare for the whole thing.  Plus one of the team has climbed it before so we are not going in totally blind.

It needs to be done.  

I have no desire to do any of the Tough Mudder or Spartan type races – especially after seeing Bam run the Tough Guy Challenge in England years ago.  

Seriously, who has to prove themselves by running thru an assault course crawling through flooded tunnels, being electrocuted, balancing over fire pits as well as having blanks shot at you while you crawl under an expanse of barbed wire?  Didn’t our ancestors suffer thru that during the world wars so that we could have a better life?  But hey, if that is what makes you happy, go for it!

As for me, I'm going to climb Mount Katahdin!

Happy Rex Manning Day!

Pitch Perfect...

Pitch Perfect continues to run thru my brain...

The Riff Off was a great mashup but this one keeps sticking in my head.
 
So I travel back, down that road... 




 
Yup, it's one of the girls from Twilight - who knew she could sing?


Side Rant:

Why do people feel compelled to trash what other people like?  People find something that they enjoy - that gives them happiness - why on earth would you want to mess with that? How would you like it if somebody went around bashing what you enjoy?  We may not agree with it or find the same attraction, but there is no need to bash it.

LOL Goat...

Oh internet....first it was the cats which led to the dogs, T-Rex and other cute things....

And now the goats...thank you for the entertainment!

Suspicious goat is very suspicious....

Happy Easter!

Snooze...

Seriously...She is just too darn cute!!

Still Laughing...

T, is for The way you take my breath away.

I, is for I like the way you take my breath away.
 
N, is for No one else takes my breath away.
 
And A is for Asthma that is a disease that takes people's breath away.  

If I Just Lay Here…

The Connection was there years ago but I originally missed it because there was the Distraction and the Distraction's Distraction.

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
 

Plus the Original is back…like a neon sign lit up and POOF!...the Original  is back full force. 

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

Despite everything that has happened and the time that has passed - the rays of sun bounce back and forth.

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

But the Original is forever gone.   

And I can't ignore the Connection ….

Thataway...

The long drive was worth the views and winter fun... 

Got to snowshoe, cross country ski and jump onto the AT... 

"Well, if the groomer can get over a frozen lake, then you should be able to" - Mr. Blue Eyes

Got the tacos so nice, they named them twice and waved to Okemo...

Then hit the Long Trail for a taste....

The one moment that I have a mental record of 

but not an actual photo of is my favorite.  

Imagine the view of Mt. Killington below with a heck of alot more sunshine 

and a few less branches in the way.

Taken in while lounging in a heated outdoor pool 

and a glass of wine in hand.

It was bliss.

Momentary Pause...

Thisaway....

See, this road right here?

It led to....

Good food, great friends, bunnies, hairless cats...

Frog cupcakes, lawnmowers, a camp reunion....

Flowers, yummy cheeses, lots of beverages...

Glow bracelets, ukeleles, laughs....

Overall, it led to a fantastic weekend!

Rosy Pink...

 

I may have overused the phrase "pretty, pretty princess" that weekend, but it was fitting..... 

Perspective...

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part,
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within it's heart.


- Charles G. Stater

 

Links...

The other day, I heard the tiny little snippet in “Romeo & Juliet” and it set me off to find the mix that has the deliciously evil-deranged-codependent-angry song “I Would Die For you” by Garbage.

The next song happens to be “Kiss You All Over” by Exile which led to finding “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol.

In the meantime, the mix also is home to Joe Cocker’s “Feeling Alright” and that led to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by the Rolling Stones. (*sigh* I miss Instrument)

Anyway, it reminded me how caught up I have been in audio books – it’s time for some music!!   

And $60 later, I’ve been locked out of heaven calling Maybe while getting on the floor (dale!) with somebody that I used to know.