Whistling Badger Blog

I type this from Old Town Coffee, an establishment peopled by attractive, cool-looking people wearing fashionable, outdoorsy clothing.  Seriously, every person in this place, including the baristas, looks as if they just finished a race or a wilderness adventure.  Except they're clean.  I don't quite fit in, being a bit non-clean (having just finished a trail run) and decidedly non-fashionable.  But it is happily noisy and busy and it's a good place to reflect and type a few thoughts about real life. This is my first time online in over a week, and a rich and eventful week it has been:  an explosive- and friend-filled Independence Day, huge PRs for Sarah and me in  the 4th of July 5k  and a 2nd place finish for me (I've never earned prize money in a race before; I have to say I rather like the feeling), an utterly fascinating all-day guided tour of the Red Desert, a birthday party involving an insane number of sugar-buzzed small children and their exasperated-but-amus

Stop counting the miles. Stop longing for the finish. Just enjoy the ride. Feeling pretty fast til I surprise some  pronghorn : humbled, but inspired. Running unknown trails my memory is stirred: I wish I could find the truck. Easy, light, smooth, fast just like Caballo Blanco the first mile or so. I have seen elk run five miles through these same mountains And not break a sweat. Altitude training In triumph, I top the ridge Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! No past, no future, Just now:  each step a journey Every breath a prayer. Living God, thank you for aspens, flowers, good health, for strength that humbles.

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting. You will not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138   Note:   I carried this lesson around with me for almost two years before I was ready to put it into words.   Thanks to Mara for letting us enjoy and learn from her art. I would like to share with you a parable of sorts. I have a friend in Sheridan named Mara Schasteen .   Among other things, Mara is a painter who creates still-lifes, landscapes, and portraits.   Her most magnificent work, in my opinion, involves aspen trees and chickens.   Yes, I said chickens.   Now, anyone who can make a chicken look magnificent (Really.   I mean it.   Stop that snickering . ) has some phenomenal talent and dedication.   Mara is becoming "kind of a big deal" in the art world.   She is also a wife and the mother of four children; her youngest, Emme, loves to play in the studio and watch Mom work. And finally, Mara