100 Mile Fitness Challenge

by Carol7 Comments
Alright, I'm in! I can do 100 miles between July 1 and September 31, especially when I need to report in weekly. Amanda and Jill are running the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. Here are the details. The nitty-gritty: In order to complete this Challenge, you will need to “travel” 100 miles from July 1st through September 31st. You can certainly pledge to walk/exercise more, but 100 miles is the "entry-level" amount. Here's how you calculate your mileage: *Running or walking 1 mile outside or on a treadmill equals 1 mile. *15 minutes of other workouts equals 1 mile (elliptical, swimming, weight lifting, workout video, workout classes, etc.). A few "workout" stipulations: “Workouts” only include activities specifically done for the purpose of exercise. Shopping, house cleaning, walking to and from the parking lot, and other day to day activities should not be included. Partial miles travelled on different days cannot be combined. For example, if you run 1.25 miles on one day, and .75 mile on another day, that does...
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Cooling Down with AC: 4:50 from Paddington

by Carol9 Comments
Mrs. McGillicuddy saw someone murdered on a train that passed the one she was on. She is positive that she saw a man strangling a woman, but after reporting it to the authorities, no body is found. No one seems to believe her, so she turns to her dear friend Miss Marple. Miss Marple listens to the whole story, goes to the local police who find nothing, and then assures her friend that she has done her duty. Mrs. McGillicuddy then goes on her way, but Miss Marple hasn't done all she can. As an older woman, Miss Marple cannot do al the necessary running around herself, so she calls on some old friends to help her. She sends Lucy Eyelsbarrow, a professional housekeeper to Rutherford Hall, the place Miss Marple is sure the body is. Of course, Lucy does find the body hidden in a sarcophagus in a barn, putting the Crackenthorpe family who live in the hall under the...
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Teaser from Soul Surfer

by Carol8 Comments
I found that I was competing against the same kids as before, which was great, because we all got to know each other, and I made some great new friends. These contest, while competitive in the water, are actually fun, happy events where winning is secondary to enjoying the surf, the beach, and all the companionship. (Tuesday Teaser from pg. 43 of Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton)...
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Review: “Trail of the Lonesome Stickpin” by Camille LaGuire

by Carol10 Comments
I mentioned a while ago that I have developed quite a fondness for Mick and Casey McKee, a young married couple who are gunslingers in the Old West. And tend to do a bit of detecting while they're at it. Over my vacation, I read a few of the mysteries starring the pair, including the short story "Trail of the Lonesome Stickpin." The story opens with Mick waking up on the floor, half-undressed, and the memory of a pair of beautiful brown eyes and soft blond hair. His wife, by the way, has hazel eyes, brown hair, and is quite a sharpshooter. Needless to say, he's desperate to figure out what happened before he's in more trouble with Casey than he can handle. I still love this couple. They make me smile, it's that simple. Mick's the talker, the one who figures things out. Casey's more likely to shoot first and ask questions later, but she has a soft side that shows...
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