Looking for a Rufous

Did I tell you, faithful readers, that “running” was a theme that you might see pop up in my blog? There are more themes in my blog on various life interests, but I figure since I am a runner, I can occasionally bore you or perhaps entertain you with a post about running. A bit of foreshadowing on what happened before the run. It was a very rewarding effort to help others – hopefully rewarding to the recipients of our efforts and definitely rewarding to the three of us who put forth the effort. We spent a good part of Sunday purchasing items for the homeless and packaging them up for delivery to the nonprofit in Portland that would distribute them. These “Christmas care packages” were packed full of personal care items, socks, and some food items. For me, it may be one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever given, and that remark comes from someone who is not always big on Christmas. But that’s a whole different discussion. Now, to the running part of this post.

After my friends and I had delivered the care packages downtown, I came home and immediately suited up for a run – had to burn off some of that feel good energy. I say “suited up” because it is late in the year and chilly, which for me means gloves, ear warmers, water bottle, and usually and an MP3 player for entertainment, but I did not take it on this run. I kind of had a route in my mind before I left my house, but I am never sure when I take off where I am going or how far. I figured 4 to 6 miles. As it turned out, I ran 6 miles, and the route was a variation of many other runs. I ran through a favorite park that has a bridge over a narrow stream. I usually stop on the bridge and stretch and do a bit of meditating and bird-watching, which is probably why it’s a favorite park. I also met Frank and Sitka. Sitka, the dog being walked by its owner, Frank, was a bit shy, but not unfriendly. Later on I would meet another dog and its owner, Dwight and Lady Mary, who was a chow mix. After the introductions, we got into a discussion about how chows have a solid black tongue and mixed chow breeds usually have spots on their tongues. I know because we have a chow mix with spots on his tongue.

On the second half of the run, coming up a main thoroughfare I was looking at the red, white, and blue banners along the street. I had seen them before on previous runs. They were on utility poles along the way, about every half a block or so, and had been put up by the city of Beaverton to honor servicemen and servicewomen. On each banner was the person’s name and branch of the service. I’ll just give the branch and first names of a few – Navy, Art; Army, Arturo; Air Force, Lance; and Marines, Bailey. I think that it is extremely cool to honor them. Thank you, Beaverton for doing that.

Heading for home now, the end of a rewarding day. Maybe I’ll see you out on a run some day.

Let’s hop into the DeLorean again and go to a high school pep rally in Liberty. Let’s set the time ahead about a day November 8, 1959, 2:00 p.m. First, in case you don’t already know this – Texas high school football is a big deal, was in 1959 and still is. On Friday nights, it’s not an option to miss the local team’s battle against their opponent. You load everything up in the truck or station wagon (SUV) and head over to the game. Best to leave early to get a good seat unless you’re in the game as a player, in the band, or a cheerleader. I was in the band that year and played the cornet. I missed out on the glory of the gridiron, but it was fun making out in the back of the bus on away games.

Let’s back up for a minute – I left out an important part of this whole scene, the pep rally. Try to put yourself in a “déjà vu” frame of mind. The DeLorean skids to a stop in front of the old gym in 1959. You’re walking into the gym, and it’s decorated with black and gold banners and a giant inflated Panther mascot that forms a tunnel for the team to run into the gym. The LHS Prancers and the cheerleaders are all decked out and waiting for the festivities to start.

But that was 1959, now it is 2013, and we are LHS alumnae from 50 years ago, this big group of people 60 plus years old over at one end of the gym. The announcer introduces us as the class of 1963, and the crowd cheers. We socialize and take lots of pictures, and sing the Panther fight song. Having finished the festivities, it is time to go back and enjoy some food and drink.

Did I mention that folks from the Pacific Northwest are very picky about their beer? Before I came to Texas, I sent Ed an e-mail and asked him to see what he could find in the way of a craft beer. He found one called Lawnmower brewed by St. Arnold’s Brewery in Houston. It was quite tasty and complimented the chili and other food. Thanks, Ed.

After eating and talking for a couple of hours, we left my friend Ed’s house and drove to the football stadium. The déjà vu feeling is working – bright lights, noise, lots of people, and then the smoke is released, and the Panthers come streaming out onto the field. They are playing Tarkington that night for a playoff spot in the 2013 season finals. I stood in front of all of my 1963 classmates, sitting in the stands cheering for the Panthers, and took a picture. I felt like I was capturing an image from 50 years ago, and the spirit of the moment felt much the same.

Cooking Up Some Texas Chili

The Panthers Take the Field