Never underestimate the power of pancakes. Ahhh, the smell of golden griddle cakes fresh off the stove on a cold morning...nothing's better. Okay, maybe the coffee that goes with them. I realize this is pretty random of me, writing about pancakes and all, but I've had a rough Sunday and need some comfort food on my mind.
I began this day with a plate of pancakes at my favorite breakfast stop, right before heading off to church. Prior to that my wife and I were faced with a huge, heartbreaking decision that I'd rather not discuss now. Let's just say it's not my idea of a good Sunday morning when I've already shed some tears. So, my plate of goodness was extra comforting indeed.
I'm sure many of you find solace in other foods, but for me, nothing beats a big stack with lots of butter and syrup and a steaming cup of coffee to wash them down.
If you're a runner, you doubly appreciate the carb-loading power pancakes offers before and after a long run. Let's put it this way, I could eat them every day and never grow tired of them.
I told you this a random blog, but I needed my brain to take a walk with a lot of distractions from the mess that is the world. I'm not sure where this is going, but I guess mostly I'm just typing out loud to stretch my brain muscles since they're sore from over-thinking earlier today.
Pancakes can soothe a world of aches and pains. Too bad I slammed a steak sandwich for supper or else I'd be heading for the kitchen whip up a short stack.
Thanks for wandering with me.
God bless!
TFR
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Random Stuff
First, let's begin with John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Being a Texan, I naturally hoped McCain would choose Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson as his Vice Presidential candidate. I had to Google Governor Palin to see where she stood on issues and was pleasantly surprised by my findings. It's refreshing to find a politician with guts enough to stand up to politics-as-usual. Governor Palin has demonstrated she has the courage to right wrongs when she sees them. She fought against a corrupt oil establishment in Alaska. Kudos to her.
Palin's appointment serves several purposes. While some Clinton supporters call McCain's selection of a woman an "insult to their intelligence (CNN today)," I believe many women will welcome her arrival on the scene. I can tell you from the Democrats I spoke to today, many of whom were women, they have no intention of voting for Obama and Palin's appointment only reinforces that opinion. So first, Palin will attract women voters who were otherwise sitting on the fence.
Second, should McCain win and Governor Palin prove to be a force in the global arena during the next four years, we're looking at the Republican candidate for President in 2012. Any Clinton disciples that changes teams and supports Palin will now find themselves in a dilemma--Do I go back to Hillary or stay with Palin?
Last, it's just the right thing to do and America is ready for a female Vice President and, in four years, President. Only it won't be Hillary in 2012. If the good Governor plays her cards right and demonstrates the same courageous behavior in the White House as she has in Alaska she'll find herself in the Oval Office--not in front of the big desk, but behind it.
I can't wait to see what the Democratic pundits will do with this one, but you can be sure they are scurrying to create some damage control caused by Barack Obama's inability to pick a female VP candidate instead of going with tired, old Joe Biden.
The election should be fun, but I hope it's McCain/Palin in '08!
No running talk today, just running mates!
Ever forward!
TFR
Palin's appointment serves several purposes. While some Clinton supporters call McCain's selection of a woman an "insult to their intelligence (CNN today)," I believe many women will welcome her arrival on the scene. I can tell you from the Democrats I spoke to today, many of whom were women, they have no intention of voting for Obama and Palin's appointment only reinforces that opinion. So first, Palin will attract women voters who were otherwise sitting on the fence.
Second, should McCain win and Governor Palin prove to be a force in the global arena during the next four years, we're looking at the Republican candidate for President in 2012. Any Clinton disciples that changes teams and supports Palin will now find themselves in a dilemma--Do I go back to Hillary or stay with Palin?
Last, it's just the right thing to do and America is ready for a female Vice President and, in four years, President. Only it won't be Hillary in 2012. If the good Governor plays her cards right and demonstrates the same courageous behavior in the White House as she has in Alaska she'll find herself in the Oval Office--not in front of the big desk, but behind it.
I can't wait to see what the Democratic pundits will do with this one, but you can be sure they are scurrying to create some damage control caused by Barack Obama's inability to pick a female VP candidate instead of going with tired, old Joe Biden.
The election should be fun, but I hope it's McCain/Palin in '08!
No running talk today, just running mates!
Ever forward!
TFR
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Back to School
I'm back to blogging after a sabbatical. You'd think summer would give me more time and freedom to blog, but I spent most of the summer teaching summer school, attending trainings, and working with our middle schoolers at church. But now, it's back to school and back to blogging.
I'm a member of a terrific site known as The Runners' Lounge. TRL is a site created, in the words of its founders, "by runners, for runners." Recently, I submitted my story in the Lounge's "Inspirational Stories" section about my weight loss, running, and family adversities. It was chosen as best story for the month of August. I'm completely humbled and excited to receive this honor. What a great way to start back to work.
This recent experience, along with these first two days of school, really got me to thinking. I am more blessed than I realize to be a teacher. Do I want to teach the rest of my life? Probably not. My dream is to be a writer and make that my career. I love writing and sharing stories with readers. But for now, I'm a teacher and proud of it. My kids have been wonderful, thus far. Sure, I know it's only going into our third day of the new school year, but after you've taught a while, you get a sense of how the semester is going play out. My initial gut feeling is good.
Back to school means a chance for a do-over for teachers and kids, alike. Sometimes we teachers need a chance to start over. Maybe last year wasn't so hot and now we have the opportunity to correct that. We hope we have grown and improved over the summer, just as we pray that for our students. For me, personally, the new year brings new challenges and adventures. You never know what's around the corner until you take a peek.
My prayer is this school year will be my best yet. That's the same prayer I say on January 1st about my life, health, family, and my running. Desperately, my heart desires to provide my students with new vistas for learning. I just hope they will seize the chance to take advantage of that, not me, and see where the journey leads them.
I'm sure for many of you, school began earlier. I pray for all the educators out there to have a great and blessed year. We have in our power the ability to change lives. I don't take that lightly. The last thing I want is for one of my students to say I didn't care and they never learned from me. In 20 years, I hope they will remember me fondly and will still be using whatever I taught them in their lives, at work, and with their families.
If you're a teacher, God bless you with a great year. If you're a parent, please be patient with your child's teachers. They are doing their best. Help them whenever you can. We do need and welcome your support.
God bless you all and ever forward!
TFR
I'm a member of a terrific site known as The Runners' Lounge. TRL is a site created, in the words of its founders, "by runners, for runners." Recently, I submitted my story in the Lounge's "Inspirational Stories" section about my weight loss, running, and family adversities. It was chosen as best story for the month of August. I'm completely humbled and excited to receive this honor. What a great way to start back to work.
This recent experience, along with these first two days of school, really got me to thinking. I am more blessed than I realize to be a teacher. Do I want to teach the rest of my life? Probably not. My dream is to be a writer and make that my career. I love writing and sharing stories with readers. But for now, I'm a teacher and proud of it. My kids have been wonderful, thus far. Sure, I know it's only going into our third day of the new school year, but after you've taught a while, you get a sense of how the semester is going play out. My initial gut feeling is good.
Back to school means a chance for a do-over for teachers and kids, alike. Sometimes we teachers need a chance to start over. Maybe last year wasn't so hot and now we have the opportunity to correct that. We hope we have grown and improved over the summer, just as we pray that for our students. For me, personally, the new year brings new challenges and adventures. You never know what's around the corner until you take a peek.
My prayer is this school year will be my best yet. That's the same prayer I say on January 1st about my life, health, family, and my running. Desperately, my heart desires to provide my students with new vistas for learning. I just hope they will seize the chance to take advantage of that, not me, and see where the journey leads them.
I'm sure for many of you, school began earlier. I pray for all the educators out there to have a great and blessed year. We have in our power the ability to change lives. I don't take that lightly. The last thing I want is for one of my students to say I didn't care and they never learned from me. In 20 years, I hope they will remember me fondly and will still be using whatever I taught them in their lives, at work, and with their families.
If you're a teacher, God bless you with a great year. If you're a parent, please be patient with your child's teachers. They are doing their best. Help them whenever you can. We do need and welcome your support.
God bless you all and ever forward!
TFR
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