Life is Hard

There is no doubt that we all experience pain. We all know fear. We have lost loved ones. And we mourn. Most of us work very hard to make ends meet in a country that has changed from a Democracy to an Oligarchy. The rich get rich. The poor remain poor. And the middle class? Well. What middle class?

I am not complaining. I am lucky enough to have what I need. All I need is enough.  I celebrate my family every day. I have a wonderful, loving husband, three amazing children, who are always in my thoughts. 

It's important to live every day as if it will be your last. Take risks. Be spontaneous. Have fun. 

We talk a lot about saving the planet, about the short-comings of our politicians.  But now. It is time to get serious. 

Check on the elders in your neighborhoods. Show a smile to everyone you meet. Be kind. Do the right thing. Sitting in a building every Sunday worshipping a deity may make you feel better, but few people put their faith into action. We have become a "ME" society.

There are desperately poor people in this country...the richest nation on the planet. It is not their fault. We need to recognize that fact. In order to effect change in this country it will take all of us. All of us.  Charity toward others seems to lost on many people. 

I know this is a rambling, disorganized post. But. That's just how I fly. We all need to step out of our own comfortable boxes and take a look around. What you find in many places may not be pretty.  What do we do? Give a dollar to the homeless man on the corner. Don't assume he is a drunk, or a drug addict. 

Food is the most basic human need.  I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to make a small contribution. I will be swimming the Mackinac Straits next summer to raise money for Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit. Yes. It's something I have always wanted to do. But spending at least five hours in the water every day is really not fun. I am not a wealthy person, but my life is rich. Please go to my donor page and donate. Every penny counts. If you're wealthy. If you have more than you need, please be generous.

www.gcfb.org/MackStraits. Let's feed some people!

Gleaners Community Food Bank

This is going to be a short note, because I am tired.  I swam 9000 meters today.  What I would like to talk about is my fundraising swim for Gleaners Community Food Bank.  No.  There is no ice bucket challenge.  I'll be the only one taking on that challenge.  The Mackinac Straits, in Michigan, is one ginormous ice bucket.  So no one needs to get wet.  I'll do that.  Please do me the favor of sharing my link with everyone you know.  Donating is a good thing.  If you can only afford a dollar, that's fine.  Every little bit helps.  Gleaners is an amazing organization that feeds thousands of hungry people every day. So. Donate if you can, tell your friends, or share on social media.  Let's feed some people!

http://www.gcfb.org/MackStraits

Mackinac Straits Training Swim and the Soo

We got to our crappy hotel fairly late last night, and immediately hit the rack...and it was really a RACK. Sleeping on cement would have been more comfortable. We slept in...then went to take my Homeland Security paperwork directly to the Coast Guard in the Soo, since the base was only a few minutes away. Goofy conversation at the gate...Guard: "Please state your business." Me: "Um. I'm here to turn in my HS paperwork for a Straits Swim." Guard: "What?" *I repeat myself.* Guard: "You're at the wrong base. You need to hand that in to the base near Lake Michigan." Me: "No. I'm at the right base. Does Chief petty Officer Gambino work here?" Guard: "Yes, Ma'am, but he is not in today." Me: "That's okay, I just need someone to see that he gets my paperwork." Guard: *with blank look on his face* "One moment, Ma'am. *Guard goes into booth and makes extended phone call* Guard: "You'll have to speak with the Officer of the day." Me: "Okay." Five minutes later, two big burly officers come out to the car. Naturally, they walk over to talk to Michael. Officer: "What is it that you need, Sir?" Michael: "You need to talk to my wife. Me: "Sir, could you please see that Chief Petty Officer Gambino receives this paperwork? Officer: "Yes, Ma'am." Me: "Thank you, Sir."  Geez. All this Ma'aming and Siring. So. OK!  Really glad to finally get that paperwork out of my hands! So. We stopped in to a little restaurant for brunch. Ugh. Worst food ever. I mean. How do you screw up French toast and bacon? The Soo turns out to be kind of a desolate place. There's the famous Locks...which we'll get out to see tomorrow. Drive back to St. Ignace to meet the photographer...very nice woman! Michael goes in the storeroom to help me stuff myself into the gloves, socks, and wetsuit...which was actually easier this time, since I seem to be shrinking in girth, which, given the cold water, is not a good thing. So. We head out to the public beach, where Tanya will be taking my photos. I splash some water on my face. WOW! I am now awake! After I wade out to deeper water, I dive in, and, WHOA! The water was so cold, it literally took my breath away! *I now begin to realize the insanity of this whole thing.* I swim about a mile down the shore, to warm up. The wetsuit is filling with water. I finally get in my zone, turn around, and swim back to the beach. The water was crystal clear, amazingly beautiful to watch...I swam over a lot of salmon, and pretty little fishes, and little crab like things, and clams...but, at the same time, it was disturbing to see all of the cans, plastic bags, and other types of trash on the bottom of this pristine lake. I swam by Tanya, she took her photos, and I clambered out of the water, dizzy, because I had forgotten my ear plugs. Fun fact: When very cold water hits your eardrums you get instant vertigo. I stumbled up to the beach, where Tanya took some land shots. WHEW! I strip off the wetsuit on the beach, and decide to go back out once more, in my swimsuit only, and dive for trash. Brought in quite a haul. Pull on my sweats, and we head out for dinner. Amazing broiled lake trout, with all the fixin's'. Absolutely the best. Now I'm starting to really feel the cold. Could not stop shaking. But we absolutely HAD to stop at a fudge shop! Went to a little tourist store and bought another sweatshirt to layer over the one I already had on.  Drove back to our cheapass hotel in the Soo. We have had a day! Kicking back now, watching a Tigers game on a prehistoric TV. All is right with the world. 

Tomorrow: The loong training swim

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

If you make eye contact with a stranger and smile, they will almost always smile back.

Some people don't make eye contact.

A LOT of people are on their phones.


Walking a good dog is one of life's greatest pleasures. (especially if it is an Alaskan Malamute.)

Some people don't have their dogs on lead, which could cause a very bad outcome.

Picking up dog poop, and carrying it around with you sucks.


The internet is a great thing.

The web can also cause you to lose muscle mass.

Internet providers are the Borg of the 21st century.


Old houses *really old houses* are beautiful, because they have history, character, and are built to last.

Century old houses make odd noises for no reason.

There is always something that needs to be repaired, or improved upon. And it always costs a minimum of $1000.00.


Growing your own organic vegetables using heirloom seeds is a beautiful, healthy, and therapeutic thing.

Preserving them, by canning, is kind of a drag.

Weeding the garden blows big time.


Having a dog in your life is THE most wonderful, therapeutic, and happy thing.

When you have a dog, you quickly find out that you do not own the dog. The dog owns you.

Malamute fur is everywhere.


It's great to have a car to get from point A to Point B.  That's all I require.

Cars are expensive to maintain.

Then there's that pollution thing, unless you are wealthy enough to own an electric car.


Physical therapy for a sports injury is necessary.

It also takes up a lot of time.

There is a reason why patients refer to Physical Therapists as Physical Terrorists.


I am now on my way to PT.

Goodbye.