As my arthritis has really bothered me lately, that is not a bad thing. I'm listening to my body and slowing down, taking more time and running fewer miles for now. At least until the autumn running/racing season. Next up...the Freedom Half Marathon in Gresham, Oregon!!
The arthritis condition I have, diagnosed as a teen, is most likely juvenile rheumatoid arthritis . They never had a real test to determine that back in the late 70's and early 80's but it is what it is and I'm stuck with it. It is especially felt during transitions between cold and warm weather, such as we have been experiencing the last month. Admittedly, it makes running tougher and there is simply no real way around that except through pain management. Some great ideas from friends work a bit, like cinnamon and honey taken daily and other healthy means. I refuse to take medications unless it is really necessary. They take such a toll on the body and organs that I prefer natural ways in doing this. OK, some of my running pals will pipe up and say I'm being a pansy and not really "running through it". This is PAIN, not an errant muscle issue that goes away but something I've had for many years and will get progressively worse as I get older. I'm VERY lucky that at age 46 I'm not worse off. So I try to be positive and not talk about it often. :-) Now and then, yeah, I whine. Apologies.
Yesterday was an historic one as the Supreme Court struck down a major part of the DOMA at that was signed in by President Clinton during his time in office. That and a ruling against California Prop 8 means that friends of mine can now get married to the one they love and be treated as an EQUAL and not a second class citizen. !!This was way overdue and is one of the last civil rights issues still extant in this great country. Why did this take so long?
Is the world going to stop spinning, the sun not rise, all marriage in this country that are hetero no longer valid? What are they worried about? Now is the time for the supposedly religious folks to really show that they have this love they preach about. To love their neighbors and care about them and NOT whom they love. I have witnessed hate and vitriol from these "Christians" who are supposed followers of Christ yet show none of that. That is sad, pathetic and hypocritical.
So, congratulations to all who now have the freedom to marry in those states that allow it and to love whom they want without the government telling them they cannot.
After trying to wrap my head around the Welsh language was not difficult but WAS made tough with no local speakers to practice with . Yes, I do have resources online but it is not the same. And Welsh is not an everyday language I find I can immerse myself in. German has always been my favourite language with French a close third. Now that I have a few friends learning this wonderful tongue, I shall give it a try again. My methods are a bit of a mix of old and new. I LOVE books and CD's as well as immersion in radio streamed from France and also apps on the ipods, etc. Complete immersion really does wonders to learn a language. So French ...here I come!!! Should be fun!!
When I get fluent I have promised myself another trip to France, especially Provence and Nice.
