MEOWATHON -- 2010

As usual, I was up early this morning -- think 4 A.M. -- & after attending to my roommates & making the bed, I began my morning as I usually do ... sitting at the computer getting caught up on the news & visiting my favorite -- & informative -- web sites.

I always check the weather -- current & forecast -- to gauge what the next few days will offer. Today there was a RED ALERT for Dense Fog !! Among the warnings listed were the words "Dangerous Driving". I had to laugh. Where were those warnings yesterday ??

Yesterday was the Meowathon 5K run in Memphis. I have been planning on this years race ... well ... since the Meowathon in November 2009. It's an annual event in my life.

I left here about 5:30 A.M. All three cats were in the house, which I felt was safer than one or all of them being outside, on their own for the day. [They have stayed out previously for the day. It's just not "the norm" & something I am not comfortable with.]

I doubt any fog "warnings" yesterday would have prepared me for what I faced in driving on Interstate 40 to Memphis. It was a complete "white out" for almost the entire 130 miles. Other than one or two previous occasions -- in upstate New York -- I have never ever driven in fog as heavy & thick as yesterday.

Despite the fog, I made it to Overton Park in Memphis prior to 8 A.M., more than enough time to get ready for the race at 9 A.M.

This year is the seventh consecutive year for the Meowathon. It's my fourth straight year to partake.

The gazebo in the park is the race headquarters for registration, getting the race T-shirts & "gift bags" from sponsors, as well as the central location for the items in the silent action, the raffle drawings & presentation of race medals for the winners after the race.

The first three winners in the various age groups of runners -- I'm currently in the 60-64 group -- win a medal. I will keep trying, but I don't think it is in the cards for me to ever be fast enough to win a medal. Maybe when I hit 80 years old.

For the silent auction, my Mother (Hilda) in Florida, made this Puss 'n' Boots knitted doll & donated it for the Meowathon.

The winning "bid" was $30. This money -- as with all the funds collected through the race, auctions, etc., -- was for the benefit of The House of Mews.

As for the actual race, I did the 3.2 miles in 30 minutes & 24 seconds. Good enough to place #111th , but not enough to beat another bunch of "old guys" for a medal.

After the race, I did three of my favorite things:
1] I went to Davis-Kidd Booksellers & had an enjoyable time visiting one of my favorite bookstores.

2] I had a wonderful lunch at Mosa Asian Bistro ...

3] with my good friends Marty & Mertle. (Sound like a Vaudeville act.) So good to see them & have quality time visiting with them. I even allowed Mertle to gush over the grand baby photos she brought along to show me. (Actually, she probably has them with her ... always !!)

The drive home in the afternoon was almost as dangerous as in the morning. It was not the fog this time -- that had long ago cleared off -- but all the 18-wheelers & other odd drivers. Interstate driving -- especially I-40 -- is not one of my favorite things to do at this point in my life.

And ... to show how the cats were GLAD to see me -- NOT -- as I opened the door to the house, all three ran past me & out in the yard, as if to point out how relieved they were to again be outside.

I had just busted my hump running for 3+ miles for their kind & this was the thanks/welcome home I got.

Rotten, THUGS !!!!!