Sharing Three Somethings (Plus One)

Welcome to the January edition of Share Four Somethings, hosted by Heather Gerwing. In this monthly series, we discuss things we Loved, Read, Treasured, and something Ahead since our last Four Somethings post.

Something Loved

One cool, clear Tuesday morning this month, Hubby and I traveled to the southwestern edge of our county to meet our youngest son for a run.

We parked near the Enola Low Grade Trail, a crushed-gravel rail trail that hugs the banks of the Susquehanna River.

After stretching our tight quads, we began briskly walking south on the trail, then broke into a jog after about half a mile. We ran to the two-mile marker, then turned around and ran back to our cars.

The company and conversation were so good, I must admit, I missed every single mile marker on the way out. The markers are large wooden posts, each about one foot square and five feet high, located on the trail at each half-mile. I was oblivious.

We had such a good time, we decided to make it a weekly event. I love this addition to our running calendar.

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Something Read

The two best books I read this month were Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans and The Searcher by Tana French.

Inspired is Ms. Evans’ account of how she came to a better understanding of exactly what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. This internal debate and ultimate understanding completely changed her spiritual life.

Her insights are told through first-person midrash-style stories, poems, memoirs, and even a screenplay.

I must admit to having some of the same questions and uneasiness as the author. Some of my questions were answered in the book, but some of them were not. That’s alright with me. Each person must find her own answers and I will find mine.

At the end of this book, I was again saddened that such a vibrant, perceptive voice was stilled far too soon.

My book club elected to read an easy-reading book for this month, considering the turmoil in the country resulting from the pandemic and the aftermath of our election. I had never heard of The Searcher or author Tana French.

I am now a huge fan.

The book was un-put-downable. Is that a word?

I wouldn’t exactly classify this book as  easy-reading. The author told the story of a Chicago cop who retired to the Irish countryside. He subsequently found himself embroiled in an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a young man.

Now, I not only want to read more books by the author, but I also want to visit Ireland.

Something Treasured

What could be more adorable than a little boy and some puppies?

Especially when the boy is my charming grandson and the puppies are Bernese Mountain Dogs, my hubby’s favorite.

The weekend before my son and daughter-in-law’s neighbors began selling the puppies, they invited my grandson over for a romp.

He had a ball until it was time to leave. Realizing the puppies were soon to be taken away from their mother, his empathy kicked in, and tears began to flow. He has a tender heart.

I told my daughter-in-law that I would buy him one of the puppies, but they already have two large dogs in their household. She, in turn, offered to send one of the puppies to me.

I certainly do miss living with a dog, but one day we will be able to travel again. Kenneling a dog for long stretches of time is not ideal, so I sadly turned down her offer.

Something Ahead. Maybe.

In last month’s Four Somethings, I wrote about the uncertain fate of CJ’s Resolution Challenge. CJ’s is a three-hour timed trail race I do most Januaries.

I have since learned that CJ’s is on. It will be happening on the last weekend in January with COVID mitigating procedures in place.

While I am not crazy about the idea of wearing a mask for the entire three-hour race, I definitely understand why this rule will be enforced. The racecourse is a 1.5-mile trail loop that runners circle for the entire three hours.

Last year, I ran 16.5 miles or 11 loops. Bill ran an incredible 10 loops. I say incredible because he was dealing with a kidney stone at the time. When we got home, he passed the kidney stone (painlessly). Our theory was that running 15 miles jiggled the stone loose. Maybe we should write that treatment up in a medical journal for future kidney stone patients.

This year, I have a much more modest goal. My longest recent run has been a road 12-miler. I am hoping to be able to run eight or maybe nine loops in three hours.

I am still not convinced the race will actually take place.

I’ll let you know next month.

You can find the places I link up here.