"Fowl experience!" Thoughts, observations, and rambling diatribes . . . . Canadian geese are found in abundance in the central Ohio region this time of year, but isn't unusual to observe flocks chasing cars in mall parking lots? Following my shift recently at Barnes & Noble, on my way to the car, I heard the now familiar honking of geese, not flying above, but clamoring through the spacious parking lot at the Polaris Fashion Place. If that wasn't strange enough, upon exiting the lot I noticed two geese chasing the car, hissing with mouths open like the AFLAC duck! One walked in my path, daring me it hit it . . this was his territory, even if it was paved! A new experience in central suburban Ohio!

"Do the Hustle" . . . Rosie and I completed the Hoover Hustle 1oK Sunday at Hoover Reservoir, Sunbury OH along with 301 entrants registered for the 6.2 mile event. 176 additional runners opted for the 5K and there were 30 walkers/race-walkers registered for either 5 or 10K for a total of 507 participants. It was a beautiful sunny morning, 38 degrees with a slight breeze, similar to the Alum Creek run last week. Good, steady first two miles along the water and across the dam . . . then we saw THE HILLS ahead of us; straight drops and inclines from miles 3-5 slowing the pace considerably but we agreed it was great training for the mini-marathon May 8th. Rosie completed the race in 1:13:30 with an 11:50 pace well within her goal and 3rd of 4 in her age group; I completed the race in 59:49 at a 9:38 per mile pace and finished 1st of 3 in my age group. All in all a great day for grandpa and grandma join the "pups" and . . . "Do The Hustle!"

Project nears completion . . . . Painting isn't quite complete; however, we are really excited with the results so far! Following completion I will post before & after pictures for comparison. The painters have to second coat the stucco on the south & east sides of the house, second coat trim on the front, paint the doors (not our finished garage doors however), install new storm/screen doors (Rosie's favorite part of the project!), and new hardware on the existing exterior doors. You may still see a strip of the old gray trim on the top gable of the front of the house. That is not a shadow, but a strip of the old gray trim yet to be painted. Hopefully completion date is Monday! Rosie & I call it "our big gingerbread house!"

Results are in! Dam Fool 4 mile @ Alum Creek State Park (36 degrees-Sunny) 198 participants. Rose Anne: 46:17 finish @ 11:35 pace; 3/8 in Age Group; 156 Overall . . . .Ted: 38:56 finish @ 9:44 pace; 3/3 in Age Group (all 3 were 65); 109 Overall! (Pictures taken from the recreation area at the base of the dam . . showing the Lewis Center road hill climb and the top of the dam!)

4/10/10 - "The Dam Fool 4 Miler" @ Alum Creek State Park begins below the reservoir dam at the recreation area with the first mile following Lewis Center Road UP to the top of the dam. . tough 1st mile, thus the name "Dam Fool", for attempting the run! The trail levels off at the top and follows the mile & half across the dam; then a gradual descent back to the recreation area for the finish of the race. Beautiful day! . . . 34 degrees, sunny, with a slight breeze! Don't have the results yet, however, both of us surpassed our goals: Rose Anne wanted to be under 48 minutes (46:18) and Ted wanted under 40:00 (39:07). Following the race, we shared memories of our first visit to Lewis Center in September . . driving up that same hill from below the dam to the apex and thinking it seemed pretty intimidating! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Ray Charles????? Noooo, just Theodore sporting his new shades after eye exam Thursday with extreme sensitivity to sunlight. I did have a sudden urge to sing . ."Georgia on my Mind" . . or is that . . . . "Bulldogs on my Mind!"

Happy Easter! Wes and Jennifer joined us this weekend for Easter and Jennifer's 30th Birthday celebration. Lots of good food, warm weather, Church services, presents, a Butler Bulldog victory . . and CAKE! Close friends Mike and Ann Henderson provided a huge surprise by sending a Butler Bulldog Final Four shirt! I wore it with pride Saturday, took it off long enough to wash and will wear it tonight as we proudly watch the DAWGS!

Easter . . . The Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Bless us, Father, with the assurance of Your Son's risen presence in our lives, for Jesus is our Lord, now and forever. Amen. "Alleluia, come and see!" (Painting by Giovanni Bellini, 1475)

BUTLER WINS! . . . . 52-50 over Michigan State! The DAWGS play Monday for the NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Good Friday . . . Jesus said, "It is finished." And bowing His head, He handed over the spirit. . . from The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. The Passion today was beautifully sung and chanted during Good Friday service at St. Paul, the Apostle Catholic Church . I hadn't heard this presentation before, very moving. He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins . . . by His stripes we were healed.

Holy Thursday . . . The beginning of the Triduum . . . . "Do this in remembrance of Me"