Girls On The Run

Our neighborhood hosted a unique community event yesterday - the Girls On the Run 5K run passed through our sub-division. For a change, I was a spectator instead of a race participant and it was great fun. OK, I wasn't just a spectator, I also played the part of "race photographer".



From the Girls on the Run Website, the program is aimed at 3rd-5th grade girls:
"Our mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running."

The local Girls on the Run Council has partnered with the YMCA and set up training sites at numerous elementary schools. The after school program meets twice a week with coaches, culminating in yesterday's 5K running event.

"The 20-lesson Girls on the Run curriculum combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. All of this is accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff, and the community."

How awesome is that? From personal experience, I attest that running has given me more confidence, strength, stamina and most importantly, joy. The process of setting a goal, taking steps forward through discipline and training, then seeing that goal through provides an immense sense of accomplishment. I got to see those happy smiles of accomplishment on the runners today - and not just girls, but boys, mothers, fathers and teachers.





One of the runners was Ms J - a former 5th grade teacher to both my kids - and a friend. Ms J has transformed herself through weight loss and exercise and ran her first 5K today. I knew I had to cheer her on and give her a special high five as she passed by.



It brightened my day to see and be a part of a great event from an organization with a positive mission.

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The Scarecrow

The cold. The wind. The moon peeking from behind the clouds.

The scarecrow.....



He's real, he's 12 feet tall and he stands so still, you think he's just a prop. Then you walk by and he starts to follow you.

You run away, screaming.

The scene is courtesy of my good friend and neighbor, Jill, and her husband, Buck. Last Halloween, he was the creepy, 12 foot clown. I wondered how they would top that, but they did this year with the Scarecrow.

Still scary in Black and White

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Happy Friday

Plans for the weekend include a trip to the farmer's market, hanging out with hubby Scott and a horse show!
Wishing you a great weekend!

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Golden Days

These golden days of summer. Warm and sultry.





Punctuated with a shot of cool every now and then.



I personally prefer the cooler seasons (yes, I like the cold of winter), but I've learned that I need to accept the current season and look for the positive in it.

Favorite Season? (mine's Fall)
Is it hot where you are? (It's just so humid here...)

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The Hands Have It

It's summer and what better way to celebrate warm, balmy evenings than with live music. The Park District lines up bands for weekend performances at the local parks.

While I love the music, I find the details of instruments and musicians fascinating.

Such a beautiful guitar - I wonder what stories it could tell...

While I'm not a tattoo person, I was drawn to this arm - there's even a blue bass there...


I hope you check out the local events this summer coming to a park or pavilion near you.

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Halloween Recap

Oh, the single problem with Halloween falling on the last day of October - it feels like a Halloween post on November 4th is just so late. We should be talking about Thanksgiving and Turkey now.

Ahem, NOT that Christmas stuff....

I couldn't believe my eyes as I went to the WalMart to buy Halloween candy on October 30 (yes, I wait until the last minute) and the normal Halloween Candy aisle had been transformed into red and green "winter wonderland". Seriously? And one of the neighbors put up their icicle lights this past weekend!

So I'm going back in time to post some Halloween photos instead.

As usual, my friend, Jill, and her family out did themselves. Due to heavy rains, they didn't transform their front yard into a full cemetery, but made up for that with a Creepy Circus theme.

Here is their house from several years ago:


This year, the house was lit up similarly, the addition of some scary characters.


Then this guy emerged from the house:


The nine foot tall scary clown who terrorized adults and children alike:


Even good friends, M and L were scared to come to the front door.



The creepy clown walked up and down the street, eliciting screams from young and old. I think it was an effective costume and it will be hard to top next year, but I am sure they will come up with something equally entertaining.

Like maybe a cat dressed up as a bunny....

OK, maybe not....

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Along My Evening Walk

With Baseball season officially behind us, I found myself on Tuesday evening free of any sort of obligation. I suppressed the urge to pilfer that time away by lying on the couch watching Love It or List It on HGTV; instead I hauled my butt outside with my camera in tow.

[Side Note: If you have ever watched Love It Or List It, why is it that 90% of the time the family decides to Love It? I had to watch at least 10 episodes before the final verdict was "List It". I would love to see follow ups with the families a year later to see if they regretted their decision.
End of Side Note]

I should have headed out earlier - the evening sky was beautiful, but the light was fading quickly and I am sure there was a prettier show a mere fifteen minutes before I shot this one.


I crossed over the foot bridge over the local slough and spotted an egret. I have seen them occasionally around the retention ponds, but never this close, wading in the water. Edited to add - I have been informed by my mother that the bird is a great blue heron, not an egret!


Lucky for me, he was walking against the current, towards me on the foot bridge.


I may have spooked him a bit because once he was under the bridge, he took off.

It's not the greatest capture - my shutter speed was too slow to get a perfectly sharp image. What a beautiful bird - I am amazed by the wide wingspan, the elegant neck, the stick legs.



I'll admit I didn't walk very much that evening but I'd rather stalk a pretty bird anyways.

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Saturday Night Dance Party

After my last post, I thought I'd post more photos of people dancing again to 80's music!

No, not more grainy, retro photos scanned from my college years but photos from our neighborhood's block party. The festivities last night didn't disappoint - the weather was perfect, we brought our lawn chairs and a couple of beers and the band provided the music, entertainment and memories from our high school and college years.

They are called The Brat Pack - they bring back all those killer songs from the 80s and sprinkle in some recent hits, too.

Case in point - the main singer is dressed up as Lady Gaga here:


That was early in their three hour set, full of energy, numerous costume changes and great music.

It wasn't until darkness settled in that the crowd started to dance in earnest, though. Why is that?


Each band member has an 80s "alter ego" - these two are Lynn D Lauper and Brendan Goes to Hollywood. Kitschy, right? Just like the 80s.


The bassist was my favorite - she was having a great time kicking it all night long.


They had a fabulous light show which is always fun (and a bit challenging) to photograph.


The Brat Pack plays all around Central Illinois and even our old stomping ground in Indiana. We hope the neighborhood gets them back next year!

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End of a Cold April

Monday morning's sunrise was a treat - with the fog along the little slough that flows through our neighborhood, I stopped to snap a photo. I only had my iPhone with me, but it was enough.



And some spring flowers!





I am still waiting for my Viburnum and Lilacs to bloom! This cold, wet April has caused them to take their sweet time, but I spotted my neighbor's Viburnum bush with blooms today, so I am hopeful mine will burst be the end of the week. The upside to the cool weather - the spring bloom has lasted much longer than in past years.

Hope you have a great Tuesday.

Sharing with Tuesday Muse and Communal Global.

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Practically in the Backyard

A really nice feature of our community is the Parks and Recreation department - they've done a wonderful job of creating green spaces all around the city, some close to the "urban" areas, some weaving through the neighborhoods, all designed to encourage interaction with the natural habitat of the prairie.

A new park is under construction, a mere half mile from our house. A year ago, it was just an open field, but now there are trails, a gazebo and pond area.


This looks like a fishing pier of some sorts.

Another view of the pond:


I've been running the park trails since I discovered them, about a month ago. Since then, the pier and bridge in the above pictures have gone in - perhaps they are targeting an official spring or summer opening.

It's nice to run here, along the water, especially on sunny mornings:

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Random Saturday

Just some random pictures from last month.

Making cupcakes:




Neighborhood picnic:


Badminton Tournament:


Indecisive Hannah Cat:


Cute Mel (we'll miss you and your family!):


What happens when you hand your son the camera:


And he asks you to make a funny face:


I think that's enough randomness for this Saturday!

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Book Club Night - At the Pool

We were spoiled last Friday evening with balmy and light summer breezes out on patio at Lisa's house. The food was delicious and the company even better. I know I say this every month, but I am so blessed to have a great group of friends.







We didn't take advantage of the pool or the hot tub. I know, shame on us! But we might have another opportunity next month....

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Saturday Morning

This is how we spent last Saturday morning, before Auntie Teresa arrived:

I woke up early to pick up Brian from the all-night lock in at church. The sunrise coincided with my drive out to church:


A lock in means minimal sleep for all involved and a morning nap:


I worked out at a Cage Fitness class and then hit the road for a nice run in the glistening snow. I tried out another portion of the trail in the neighborhood:

The local neighborhood association must take care of this trail because most of the sidewalks in town are still covered in snow and ice. I greatly appreciate it!

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