Published February 14, 2018
For some folks it’s Christmas, for me it’s Valentine’s Day. THE holiday I avoid, prefer not to acknowledge,
head-under-pillow/wake February 15th/move on with the Year. Bah humbug.
Chocolates, engagement rings, couple-dom. Holiday for 2’s only. Can’t go to the movies alone. Must eat at the restaurant bar without a ‘plus 1’. Life’s empty/void without a significant other every day by your side.
2019, new attitude – embracing the Feast of Saint Valentine.
Wholeheartedly support feasting, any time of year 🙂
7th year home with Pup. Just me & my #1.
Lasagna for dad. Peanut butter & a fresh chew for Ro.
And…FOUR episodes of Ro’s fave Canadian show, Vets Saving Pets.
Rowan O’Roark, PALS FOREVER.
I’d share my plate any day. To the moon & back, LOVE ya Ro Ro 🐕❤️
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- Feast of Saint Valentine
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- Vets Saving Pets 🇨🇦
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- peanut BUTTER ❤️
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- SHADOW pup
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- Valentine DOG Party
St Valentine 2019
Rain. 100% in the forecast. 100% marathon morning.
Team 4 Layer Delight
4 Layer Delight PROUD in Fort Smith’s inaugural Marathon. Started strong/stayed focused, even ran a bonus leg – tandem with my Bro. Seven miles, lotta distance for a guy who didn’t train. Fast FORWARD 2019. Bro now OWNS a gym. Still not a runner but can dead-lift THREE of me. No exaggeration, crazy strong & competes regionally. FAMILY RELAY return! this time, running 26 miles with Team 4 Layer Delight!
Lined up, ready to run. Me, Bro & bro’s gimp foot. FAMILY run day, no excuses. Little Bro’s got TWO feet (tiny guilt later when I saw the X-ray) 😊 Sis? Not ‘til leg 2 – all HILLS – but with a scenic view of the [Arkansas] River Valley. Rain DOWNPOUR.
Marathon Start. Random laps downtown, scenic run down Free Ferry. BIG beautiful homes – ran this same section in 2015. Up Albert Pike, past Williamsburg Kitchen, 2 miles more to Southside. Home of the Rebels, when I attended. Bro dragged his bum foot the last mile – but NO walk, steady pace entire leg. AWESOME job Bro!
Velcro wristband handoff. First time seeing Sis since November’s Nashville Marathon. She’d run the next TWO stations. Nephew’s plane to Arkansas grounded for weather. Quarter-inch ICE in Columbia, Missouri. His grandparents would retrieve/return him home to St Louis. We missed ya Jack! Team missed your strong YOUNG legs.
Relay Leg 2 – by far, most scenic. Up down, up down. Never straight UP but hill count more than fingers on two Amish hands (they’ve got extras). Glove switch at Leg 3. NOT. Bro went home for a shower. Truth. Knew something was up. Called & didn’t hear background RAIN (tricky tricky). 100 years later, same punk little brother. LOL>
Rain reprieve ‘til the final wristband switch. Warm DRY gloves & a kiss from Mom. Energized all 26 miles today. And Sis? Ran ANOTHER leg. 3 of 4 folks, that’s 20 miles! Conversation now ‘bout the Greco’s Spring BEACH vacation. Dominican Republic 🌞
Back on Garrison last 2 miles, finishing in historic Downtown. Block from Miss Laura’s (former brothel), ‘cross from Judge Parker’s Courthouse (the Hanging Judge). Fort Smith is HOME. Cringed passed rival, Northside High (still Southside Rebel PROUD).
Voices from the side lines, FINISH straight ahead. LOVE LOVE my Arkansas FAMILY ❤️
How many can brag ‘bout marathoning with BOTH SIBLINGS!
Fort Smith Marathon/Half/Relays
Sun February 10, 2019
Fort Smith, AR US 72901
Place Division
39 3006 K R Haga M Louisville CO 4:49:13.5
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- UMBRELLA share ☂️
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- family MARATHON
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- bum foot, no excuse
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- START selfie
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- welcome to the PARTY
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- family FINISH
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- even better in 2019
Fort Smith Marathon 2019
Me, Sis, my bro James & nephew Jack. Team 4 Layer Delight, the originals.
2015 my first marathon relay at the inaugural Fort Smith Marathon. 4 Layer Delight? Williamsburg Kitchen’s bestselling dessert at Mom’s Arkansas-home restaurant. This year (next month), Williamsburg will celebrate the BIG 4-0. FORTY years.
Team 4 Layer Delight? We’re back & celebrating too. Like fine wine, even better in 2019. Me, Sis, bro James & in-law Paul. Only ONE still under the HALF CENTURY mark. Fine AGED wine. All eyes on Fort Smith this weekend – FAMILY marathon.
- Thursday start for Ash & Tom. NBA tickets in Oklahoma City (OKC Thunder), then rental car-trekked 3 hours east on Interstate 40. Straight shot, easy no drama drive. Geocache tags & State Park hike next day in nearby Van Buren.
- Sis, Paul & niece Tori wouldn’t leave St. Louis ‘til late Saturday (work & school commitments). Nephew Jack? Friday overnight in Columbia MO (U of Missouri fun). Would fly from Mizzou Sunday early a.m.
- My flight from Denver? Cancelled Friday nite (weather in Dallas/winter season). Would ultimately land early afternoon Saturday in Arkansas. Mom-greeted at the airport. Heart smile.
Family HOMECOMING.
Saturday nite, PUZZLE nite. Card table in the living room. Pieces righted/spread-out even. Frenzied straight-edge search, border created. Ash & Tom, they’re expert Puzzlers. Sis Collette & niece Maddie also strong players. Me? Not so much.
Oh, I enjoy the activity – but it’s a sea of browns & illogically forced-shapes pushed together. Lotta laughs though.
Puzzle nite, FAMILY nite. Really really good to be HOME 😊
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- winter travel
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- geocache HIKE
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- family PUZZLE nite
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- Go ‘Bama?
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- heart SMILES ❤️
Homecoming 2019
