8 Miles Today
Headed out around 8:30 a.m. to my buddy Lana's in east Richardson. It's just 2.5 miles one way but that would be 5 round trip, so I left Bogie at home. Richard drove him to Lana's though so he could walk with me back home. Poor Bogie is still flopped out on the floor. His little legs are not built for endurance, but he's got me beat on speed. All it takes is a squirrel and Bogie is but a blur!

Found another penny and a dime.... those training cents are starting to add up! I now have a total of $0.43; one quarter, one dime and eight pennies. One penny is particulary special to me. When I found it, I almost didn't pick it up as I didn't think it was really a penny. I did pick it up though and looked at it carefully and thought about it.

It once was bright and shiny and new. But at some point in its life, it ended up on in a crack in the road. Day after day, year after year, this little penny endured countless cars running over it, scorching summer heat and yes, even freezing winter temperatures. But, there were many days of terrific weather too. It has been though so much, yet it endures. It is scratched, the edges are no longer smooth, the surface is mostly gone, but it is still a penny. It is still valuable and still has life left in it.

That penny is just like me in many ways. I was once healthy but 20 years fighting six primary cancers has changed me too. I'm not quite the same either after 15 or so surgeries. Yet, I know that all these life experiences have helped me become who I am. I like to think I'm still valuable and have a lot of life yet to live. Needless to say, that penny is very special to me.

Back to walking.... I brought Bogie home then went on and added another 3 mile round trip to mom's. She still thinks I'm doing way too much walking and tries to convince me to let her drive me home. :o)




Saturday, May 20th - 5 Miles
Got up early and did a short 2.5 mile jaunt around the neighborhood. Delivered quite a few newspapers from the sidewalk to my neighbors front doors (good for logging extra steps).

Went to WildRide!, the annual bike rally Richardson Regional Medical Center puts on to raise funds for their cancer center. I spent about 2 hours handing out pizza to the riders who had finished the course. Got a good vocal workout saying "Pizza... "Here's the Beef", "Pepperoni here!", "Veggie There!" and of course "Just Say Cheese!" That one got several to smile big and show all their pearly whites!..... I also got to meet and visit with several cancer survivors who rode in the rally. That was the best part of all. It was also terrific seeing so many young (everyone without gray hair is young to me anymore:o) people in great physical condition. Made me want to go home and walk some more.

So I did. Went another 2.5 miles. So, 5 total for the day!