Just got home from the ranch and it's just too darn hot to walk right now. May try after the sun sets this evening. The good news is that I think I might have found an indoor track to use this summer for my 3 day training. That would be good not only for the heat, but more importantly, to keep me training during pollution alerts as well. Not sure I could handle both heat and an an orange or red alert with my lung and asthma issues.

The following is an excerpt from an essay on hope I wanted to share; encouraging words for lots of situations, not just cancer. (unfortunately, I don't know who the author is to give credit).

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.

Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.

Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.

Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.


Wednesday, July 13th ~ 0 Miles
Played hookie from walking today. Instead, I drove up to my friends ranch in Whitesboro.

Tuesday, July 12th ~ 0 Miles
Went with my friend to a second oncologist for a review of his lung cancer diagnosis and treatment options. When I got home, it was just too hot to hit the pavement.

Monday, July 11th ~ 0 Miles
Started the morning out by going to my friends first oncology appointment to get his "official" lung cancer diagnosis. (The news was discouraging at best...)

In the afternoon, I went to one of my own doctors and found out my scan and grams were good, but that continued follow up is needed due to one of the other tests he ran. This doc is watching my kidneys in particular as kidney cancer is unfortunately, a concern due to the extensive radiation I had in 1987. But, as I'm apt to say "so far, so good".

Sunday, July 10th ~ 3 miles again
Didn't both to spray myself before walking this morning, so I ended up feeding the skeeters on my walk. Just walked 3 miles before church....

Saturday, July 9th ~ 3 miles
Didn't do much better at distane today; just 3 miles. Humidity is impressive. After just five minutes of walking I feel like I just climbed out of our swimming pool.

Friday, July 8th ~ 2.5 miles
Did a quick 2.5 mile spin around the neighborhood today. Sure is getting hot (er)..........