Back to Books

I just finished Jeaniene Frost's latest book, First Drop of Crimson, which features Denise MacGregor and Spade. Denise is best friend of Cat Crawfield who is showcased in the books that feature Grave in the title. Frost's books are probably one of my favorite series and she continues her great series with this book. In the last book, Denise's husband Randy was killed and Denise separated herself from the paranormal world only to find herself drawn back to it, because of a deal her ancestor made with a demon. Denise turns to Spade to help her find her ancestor, whom she must return to the demon in order to remove the marks he has placed upon her. Denise and Spade's relationship develops throughout the book (natch) as well as Denise's confidence in her own strength. Great read, great series.

I've been reading Karen Marie Moning's different series and I have collected all of the books in the Highlander series, except for one book, Into the Dreaming. The book was published in 2006 and is a short novel, comprised of only 102 pages. I have been looking for this book in the used book stores with no success, until today! I had put a book request for it at the Book Nook in Fresno and they called me and said it had come in. I was so excited because the book has been listed online at Amazon.com and half.com for $30 to $80, which is funny because it originally sold for $2.99! I can't wait to read it and am satisfied the collection is complete. Well, until she writes another installment anyway.

My First 5k Race!

I ran my first 5k on Saturday and was able to finish the 3 miles without walking! The run took place at Woodward Park and was the first time I've run there. I finished in 37.4, which is much better than I thought I would do. Just over a 12 minute mile. Actually, I'm rather surprised at that with how slow I feel like I've been running lately.

After meeting up with friends and taking pictures, I ran another 2 miles as I needed to do 5 miles on Saturday. Actually, after looking at my schedule, I found out I was suppose to run 6 miles on Saturday. Oh well, next Saturday I'm to run 7 miles. We'll see how that goes.

I have a hard time with my pacing when running outside. I'm always going slower, because I don't have the constant feedback of the treadmill. Running with people helped with that. I found as I was running there was a couple that ran just behind me the whole way. I knew when I was slowing down and would pick it up a bit. After the race, I spoke to the gal I was running in front of and said the pacing was great and would love to run with her anytime. She said she has a group of people who are new to running (like me!) and they meet to run together during the week and on Sundays. She invited me to run with them! How fun will that be! I love shaking things up and finding new places to run and people to hang with. She also invited me to be on their team at the Mud Runs in Lemoore. She said the Lemoore military base does an obstacle course that's five miles long and fills it with mud. Wow! Hard core! Unfortunately, it's the week between Bay to Breakers and Boston, so I don't think I could add another one in at this point. She did say they (she and her husband) did the Fresno half marathon this year and were looking to do it again, so that might be an option. I'm thinking about running in that one too. Well, I was until a moment ago when I realized I booked tickets to visit Maddie & Dan and we leave the day before the race! Oh well, it'll be there next year and I'd rather see my girl than do almost anything :)

A Wild Ride

Elder Ames & his companion, Elder Merrell

The next installment of The Last American Hero

Dear Mother and Father stop,

I hope the telegraph lines are working and that you will get this telegraph. I've been getting your letters and packages and I thank you for your kindness.

Mother, thank you for buying those Chinese silk thermals for me when you and grandmother were visiting San Francisco. They are more suited to keeping my body warm than the cotton. Also, thank you Mother for buying me that Henry rifle, because it has saved my life and others.

Upon waking in President Jones home, the other Elders and I showered and quickly changed and then had breakfast with President Jones and the Assistants to the President. We were soon told of the political problems of Michigan and how those issues could affect us.

President shared that Prophet Joseph Smith was killed and the leadership of the church was being challenged on every side. Thankfully the Lord blesses us to see that Brigham Young was supposed to be the next leader. But, there were dissenters who sought for their own gain!

We were told that up in the north on Beaver Island lives "King" Edward Strange III. He leads the "Stranger Mormon" group. While everyone else was escaping to the west, his grandfather led his followers into Michigan and made allies with all the local Indian leaders, especially the ones up north. Because of his influence on the Indians, the state government gave him Beaver Island and from there he, his son and grandson slowly bought land and became very powerful.

During the Civil War, he supported the Union and gained many political allies. He died in 1864 and his son continues his policies. Then in 1867, Edward Strange II was able to use his allies in Washington DC and the alliances he made with the Indians in the north to basically secure his power for the next 50 years by treaties!!

During the 1870's, the southern part of Michigan was under the influence of other Indians who lived in peace with the white neighbors. That climate was able to allow missionaries of our church ot teach and the gospel was able to grow. Of course, people still have suspicions.

"King" Edward Strange II used his Indian allies to hunt down and attack all Mormons and their allies. That war became the Mormon-Indian Civil War of Michigan. Mostly guerrilla fighting and it's still going on to this day!

After we were done discussing the political climate, we soon left by stage coach for the Lansing Stake Center. At lunch time I met my trainer. His name is Elder Pyuh Cqul, which is Indian for "light skin". He is an Indian from the Kennewick tribe and city in the state of Washington. His father is a medicine man and was originally part of the Cola tribe from the Salt Lake Valley. His white man name is Elder Tyler Merrell. There are many Indian members in Michigan and a lot of missionaries with Indian ancestry.

The area where we are serving is the city of Kalamazoo, which is famous for its paper and lumber mills, as well as coal mines and growing vegetables.

After lunch, Elders Barney, Clowndery, Merrell and I left for Kalamazoo, a two day trip. The first day was fine, but I had a bad feeling the next morning that I couldn't shake and I honestly felt I should have brought my rifle with me.

Soon after, we saw some of the Strange followers and their knights who wear green trench coats with a golden image of a crown on their right shoulder in town.

Well, I met some and...

to be continued!

Running Outside

This is my official statement - "Running outside is way harder than running inside!"

Today I did a 3 mile run (my house to around Lake Van Ness and back is 3 miles) and wow, I really feel it!

Ok, the positives:
1. I ran the whole way (except for the time I stopped for the stop light and I moved in place)
2. I ran 3 flipping miles! I can barely run a half mile and I RAN 3 miles!
3. This was a great experience, so I can know what to expect when I run the races
4. I did it in 43 minutes, so I was under a 15 minute mile. I think the first mile I was at a 12 minute mile, but I know I slowed down at the end

Now, for the practical stuff:
1. I ran slow (but I ran, and I'm working on endurance now and speed will come)
2. There are hills and inclines in the real world and those use muscle to go up and down and I need to strengthen those muscles
3. This is the next step in the progression and I'm on my way :)

Next week I'm done with time and I start mileage. Monday - 3 miles, Wednesday - 4 miles, Thursday - 3 miles and Friday is 5 miles! What does Dory say? "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" Cindy says, "Just keep running, just keep running."

Salsa

After cleaning up from the run and grabbing a quick bite to eat, Randy and I headed over to our Salsa dance lessons. We're having a good time with it, but I can tell my inner leanings toward perfectionism was raising it's ugly head. I want to do it and I want to do it perfectly, right now! Most things don't work that way and I need to be patient with myself and with my husband. It's about the process and spending time with each other that's important. It's about the movement and being able to use my body. I need to get my head out of the game sometimes and just enjoy the moment.

The Best Run Yet!

I'm not sure if the treadmill wasn't working properly, but I'm so jazzed by my run today! This week's goal is 35 minutes and I started the run at 5.0, which is a 12 minute mile, my usual speed. As I started out, it seemed really slow (that's why I'm thinking maybe the treadmill wasn't working properly), so I increased the speed to 5.5, which is a 10. 45 mile! I was able to run at that speed for most of my time, but increased to 5.7 for the last 10 minutes. In 35 minutes, I was able to run 3.25 miles!!!!! It was very doable! A Great Run! I'm hoping it wasn't a fluke. I really don't want it to be a fluke.

A couple of things were different today and maybe they also had an influence. I bought new running shoes and wore them for the first time. The cushioning was really great. Also, I don't always eat before I work out. This time I had a piece of cheddar cheese, a little bit of peanuts and some raisins. I think, especially when I run in the mornings, I need to eat a little something before I run, so I'll have better energy. Anyway, I'm so excited, but I'm afraid it's kinda like when you lose 5 pounds in a week and then you find out it was just water weight. I want it to be true, that I can do that type of run. I'll just have to wait and see what happens on Wednesday.