Paint projects

A little color for the front entry

Stairwell dandelion

Freehand painted lower hallway rug

Upper hallway painted run (Sorry. Pic won't stay vertical)

Stenciled stair risers

Freehand cherry blossom branches and birds

$2.00 auction dresser gets a paint makeover

Color-blocked upstairs bathroom wall

Twinkling twilight

The view below was mesmerizing. Looking out from my window seat, the landscape rushed by as my plane closed in on the airstrip. Though it was nighttime, I could see the impressive structures of downtown Charlotte jutting up into the dark sky. The headlights of cars made the roadways appear as moving streams of light, worthy to be an ever-transforming piece of art. I could imagine the aggressive, sweat-producing play of those contesting a soccer game on brightly lit fields below. Massive parking lots sat empty awaiting the morning rush, the security lights and their predictable shadows the sole occupants.

And then I saw it, a large area of twinkling lights in an area of otherwise darkness. Whoa. Did someone forget to take down their Christmas lights? It was a beautiful but curious sight. None of the other night lights in the distance were doing the twinkle-toe tango.

Suddenly, an explanation occurred to me. It must have been a residential neighborhood nestled among tall stands of trees. The glow was streetlamps lighting the way. As I watched from my perch in the sky, my constantly changing perspective made it look like the lights flashed off and on. But that wasn't the case. The lights, I'm quite sure, remained lit the whole time. The issue was that the branches of the trees momentarily obscured my view of the lights until my position in the plane changed just as quickly. Hence, twinkle-twinkle.

"God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5). God is always "on." If His light seems to flicker, it's not His fault. It's mine. Something has come between His light and my viewpoint. Perhaps worry stands between. Maybe its priorities that are misaligned. Or maybe its the fact that I am constantly on the move, failing to keep my focus on that stabilizing light.

Bad things happen when I can't see the light. I stumble in the dark. I trip. Splat, I fall. I lose my way. Relationships suffer because the darkness prevents me from seeing those around me. In fact, my life get all out of whack, losing perspective in the absence of the Light. What to do?

Embrace the light. Gaze into it fully. Do whatever it takes to be focused on the beam. Follow the light. Let nothing come between us and the Light. Remember that "if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7).

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,In the light of His Glory and Grace."

Just one more day: Days 65 - 71

Day 65 – March 5, 2012

We had a little snow last night and the superintendent at LCA made good on his promise. He cancelled school at the sign of the first flake. It wasn’t long until one of my runners called to see if we could run in the big mountains. YES! There were five of us and though there was little to no snow down low, we got into some knee deep stuff up high. So glad to have adventurous high-schoolers! Go team.

Total- 9.5 trail miles

Day 66 – March 6, 2012

Knowing it was the first day to have middle-schoolers join track, it was prudent to run a little beforehand since I would have the youngsters to deal with during practice. I hit some local trails and gave the new kids a little test run during practice. All I can say is that middle schoolers must come from Mars.

Total – 6 trail, track, and road miles

Day 67 – March 7, 2012

It was a warm and windy day, sun shining: a day where the woods calls out to you. I texted a friend and we met so that I could show her some trails new to her. We ran about eight miles before I went to track practice and led the new middle-schoolers through a short run before team pictures.

Total- 10 miles, mostly trail with some road

Day 68 – March 8, 2012

With a trail day planned for the my team, I ran the required course the older kids would be tackling before practice. I have this habit of thinking they can do a little more in the allotted time. When I finished, I headed down to practice, sent the older ones on the way and headed to the hills with the youngsters. We put in about three miles and they did much better than expected. They even got to witness my total wipeout when running downhill and crashing into a tree doing a belly slide. Oh well, things happen when you run trails.

Total – 7.6 trail miles

Day 69 – March 9, 2012

With no official practice today (yeah!), all I had to do was open my door and step outside into the windy weather. A familiar loop was par for the course. The headwind made me feel puny but the tailwind. . .well, I’ll take that any day.

Total – 6 road miles

Day 70 – March 10, 2012

It was going to be a busy Saturday, full of hard, manual labor. My chipper was calling me to make mulch out of piles of branches just waiting to be shred to itsy-bitsy bits. Then, I had to dig about 14 post holes for a raised bed I am building. From past experience, I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk after a good eight hours of work. Therefore, I made sure to get in a couple miles before the work started. I was pleasantly surprised that I felt better than I have in a long time.

Total – 4 road miles

Day 71 – March 11, 2012

I had another good run today. One of my medical issues is a fairly severe microcytic hypochromic anemia. Interpretation: I have too few red blood cells and the ones I have are shriveled and tiny, making it hard to transport sufficient levels of oxygen. (They must be empathetic to the looks of the cellulite on my legs.) The anemia panel suggest that this is primarily due to an iron insufficiency. It takes 2-3 weeks for the iron to start increasing RBC production. Perhaps I am beginning to benefit from increasing hemoglobin levels. I’ll take it, regardless. There are still other issues to sort out but at least one thing is getting better.

Total- 6 road miles

Year-to-date: Approx. 415 miles

Recipe for golden apples

 A few weeks ago my twin brothers had a birthday. Being a good big sis, I dutifully extended my greetings via Facebook. Doesn't everyone do that nowadays?

Then I learned that one of them was disappointed that his phone didn't ring with more frequency on such a special day. I immediately felt guilty. I had actually thought about calling him but pushed the idea aside when Gary and I got involved in watching a good movie. Pretty lame, I know. But the whole incident is causing me to reconsider the power of a simple spoken word.

The smallest compliment given to one of my on-line students produces miles of smiles (or at least that's what I envision when they write back to thank me). An acknowledgement of a race well run seems to give my runners an added boost of confidence in the next practice. Thanking the preacher, acknowledging the musicians visibly produce signs of encouragement. Even making a grumpy Wal-Mart cashier smile seems like the right thing to do.

All these things are good. No, they're great. But I think we forget that those same positive, uplifting comments we consciously dole out to the friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and others are far too rare inside our own four walls.

Why is it that we miss opportunities to speak a kind word or acknowledge a job well done to the ones we love the most? I don't think we intend to be neglectful. It's that we simply take them for granted a little more than we should. Our children and spouses, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, should never have to wonder if they are special. They should never have to wait to be told they are loved. The sounds of silence should not be our song of choice.

 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11)

Just one more day: Days 58-64

Day 58 - February 27, 2012

I had a lot to think about when I ran my miles during team practice. A visit to the doctor revealed a few things of concern, some of which explain why my running has felt increasingly hard. More tests to come. But the good news is that I am, at least, moving. For that I can be thankful.

Total – 5 road and gravel miles

Day 59 – February 28, 2012

It was a beautiful day for a birthday. 55 years on the planet. Hard to believe. But I had to take advantage of the day and head to the hills, running a new trail before practice and then repeating it as a group.

Total – 11 trail miles

Day 60 – February 29, 2012

Leap year! My dad was a Leap Year baby. I thought it was the coolest thing to turn 12 and have him be stuck at 11. The run today was light and fun, incorporating strength, balance, hills, and tons of stadium steps.

Total – 3 miles

Day 61 – March 1, 2012

March. In like a lion. . .The winds blew strong but with temps around 70 degrees, it was a great day to run in the woods. Practice was relaxed as we broke into groups and ran according to our abilities. I was feeling puny on the uphills, and alive only when gravity-assisted. It’s frustrating.

Total – 6.5 road and trail miles

Day 62 – March 2, 2012

Almost too embarrassed to post this but. . .On a windy, stormy day, I sure wasn’t “feeling” practice. But, when I heard we had access to the indoor track, my spirits rose. Still, we didn’t do much at all. 1 mile warmup, 5 x 200m, another mile to end the school week.

Total – 2.6 track miles

Day 63 – March 3, 2012

I am working way too hard for how slow I am working. I know I am anemic and am waiting results of some other tests. When I hit the roads, the plan for was for either 8.5 or 15 miles. It didn’t take very long to decide the shorter version was more prudent. I ran downhills but had to walk on most of the ups. Ugh. I feel anything but an athlete.

Total – 8.5 road miles

Day 64 – March 4, 2012

Another slog fest as I await more lab tests. But 3 miles is 3 miles. Cold and windy with a prediction of some snow tonight. Maybe a white snow in the morning would spur me on to a good run.

Total: 3 road miles

Year-to-date: Approx. 345 miles

Jungle Marathon Revisited

My mother called this morning to tell me she watch Nightline last night. One of the featured stories was about the Jungle Marathon, a race I did in it's first year in 2003. The race director, Shirley Thompson, was a fellow competitor (and unknown financier) in the inaugural race. Enjoy the following report to get a sense of what such a race entails. The eight minute video sure brings back memories!

ABC Nightline story: Jungle Marathon 2011

My book, "Under an Equatorial Sky" is my story of this race, version 2003. It can be purchased online at Amazon or any of the book sellers or from http://rebekahtrittipoe.com

Just one more day: Days 51-57

Day 51 - February 20, 2012

I love waking up and finding a white world outside my windows. The first snow storm of the season dropped about eight inches of heavy snow. The white stuff clung to branches like a child to its mother. The sun made tiny prisms out of the flakes, streaks of light darting across the fields. I was anxious to get out and run nearby trails. And so I did. . .but not until the snow was melting faster than an ice cube in a fire. Still, my footprints were the only ones out there. Good stuff.

Total – 5.5 trail miles

Day 52 - February 21, 2012

It wasn’t the practice I was hoping to have with my team. But a new girl showed up that required a bit more personal attention. New to running, I spent a good part of practice walking and talking with her. Sweet girl who has to start somewhere. I know she was embarrassed but did not wish her to be. I led her for 30 minutes and then resumed my run, looking for the other kids scattered around campus.

Total – 4 road miles

Day 53 - February 22, 2012

No team practice today so I was on my own. Hit my familiar 6 mile loop and actually felt much better than I have in a long time. Almost felt like I was running rather than slogging.

Total – 6 road miles

Day 54 - February 23, 2012

What a gorgeous day! Sunny and near 70. Doesn’t get much better than that. So off to the trails I went before practice, scoping out the route for my team. It’s one way to get s few miles but I was pooped at the end. I think I needed more calories. Horrible on the climbs!

Total – 11.4 trail miles

Day 55 - February 24, 2012

Best laid plans of mice and men. . .and ultrarunners. What I hoped to be a good 20 miler in the mountains was reduced in half. I can’t remember when I was so out of breath and puny-feeling. I drove back into town and scheduled a physical for Monday morning. I guess it was incentive to schedule what I’ve needed to do anyway.

Total – 9.2 trail miles

Day 56 - February 25, 2012

Still feeling puny so I sneeked a few trail miles. Just enough to say I ran. Check.

Total- 3.5 trail miles

Day 57 – February 26, 2012

A beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. About 48 degrees and just right for a short run down our country roads. Felt a little better than the last couple of days.

Total – 4 miles
Year-to-date- 325.6 miles

Snowy Trail Running 101: Top 10 lessons

Top ten lessons learned when running narrow trails after eight inches of wet snow.

10. Run early in the day before the temps climb into the high forties.
9. Be prepared to get wet and muddy if you choose to run in the afternoon under a bright sun. Don't think about breaking any land speed records.
8. Understand that gortex shoes keep the wet out only for so long. Submarining them in puddles shortens the dry-feet time considerably.
7. Running without sunglasses gives you a new appreciation for snow blindness.
6. Look ahead for easy-to-grab trees at switchback corners. Melting snow mixed with mud accelerates downward motion. You will need help slowing down.
5. Overhanging branches are sadistic. They dump snow on your head at the exact instant you pass beneath them.
4. Snow-laden trees always fall across the trail, never away from the trail.
3. View your run as an opportunity for trail work in service to your community. Consider carrying a chainsaw and loppers to make things easier.
2. Look ahead and see no footprints. Look behind and see but one set. Smile.
1. Thank God for the snow and your ability to be out there.

Just one more day. Days 44-50

Day 44 – February 13, 2012

No practice today. Yeah. I love my team but even a dedicated coach needs a break. Besides, I am frantically preparing for a big consulting job this week.

Total – 6 road miles

Day 45 - February 14, 2012

I made a stop on the way to the market; the nearby park with new (to me) trails to explore. Time was limited but I will certainly return. Beautiful, single track created by a group of mountain bikers. Good stuff.

Total – 4.5 miles

Day 46 - February 15, 2012

There’s nothing like a “follow-your-nose” run in a new city. Having work in Bethesda, I took off down a busy street, delighted to find signs for “Georgetown Branch Trail” after about a mile. I followed it to the left, ending up in Silver Springs. The dirt and gravel path cut a quiet path through expensive neighborhoods, crossed high above a bold stream, occasionally crossing a road. By the time it was all over, I logged about 11 miles, arriving back at the hotel pleased with the miles and thankful for my run.

Total – 2 miles road, 9 miles gravel path

Day 47 – February 16, 2012

After doing professional teaching all day to a group of medical professionals, I was looking forward to visiting the trail that headed to the right. But alas, other responsibilities interfered and before I knew it, it was dark. I decided to ride the hotel elevator to the top floor and hit the treadmill. Bad idea. I forgot headphones, had nothing to watch and was relegated to listen to my feet scuffing along the moving track. It was torture. And what made it worse was the conservative pace seemed much more difficult than it should have been. Ugh. I put in my 10k and went and ate a burger, fries, and ice cream. YES I DID.

Total – 6.1 treadmill miles

Day 48 - February 17, 2012

Driving in the DC area makes me nervous. But not nervous enough to avoid a stop at IKEA on the way home from Bethesda. That put me getting home a bit later than expected so I cheated on the miles, getting in a quick run and returning home to a visiting son. I guess I should have gotten up early and run before I traveled.

Total – 4 road miles

Day 49 – February 18, 2012

My run had to wait. Our wood pile was vanishing and needed replenished. That meant cross-training by hauling logs out of the woods and splitting about a half a cord. Gary and I worked for several hours before I headed out for Falling Creek Park, a new found sweet system of single track trail. Running is a skirt, short sleeves, and enjoying the 60 degree weather, it was hard to believe a big snow storm was predicted to be in place in another 24 hours. Still, running with ear buds delivering a variety of music to encourage, motivate, and uplift, the time passed quickly.

Total – 13 trail miles

Day 50 - February 19, 2012

Let it snow! For the first time this year, I got to run in snow. I love the watching the world turn white. The only thing that could have been better is that I would have felt swift and deer-like. It was anything but. I felt old and tired. But, at least it was another day out there.

Total – 4 road miles

Year-to-date: 282 miles

UltraGirl Speaks

My first Ultra: Holiday Lake 50k by Sarah Quigg

The literal meaning of the word ultra means, “going beyond the usual limit, extreme.” I experienced this definition first hand during my FIRST ultra on Saturday, February 11. Coming around the last bend to see the finish line in reach was the most beautiful sight my eyes had every witnessed. But I should back up and describe the journey it took to reach the end. 

I had never set my alarm clock at 4 a.m. before, but that morning I awoke ready to go and conquer this day. I dressed in the clothes laid out the night before; a careful and meticulous process, because I knew that each article could hinder my success. Finally ready to go, my thoughts were focused on asking God for strength and wondering what the day would bring.

The start at 6:30 a.m. was slow and it felt strange to start at that pace, but I knew the day would be long and I would cherish that beginning feeling of strength. I felt rested and smooth, my body wanting to take off and be pushed, but I trusted in the wisdom of my Trail Mama and knew that the test would be during the second half. I tried to enjoy every aspect of my first ultra, the friendly smiles and encouragement at aid stations, the chatter of runners all around me, and especially having the ability to appreciate God’s creation in such a unique and often overlooked way. Needless to say the pain soon set in and thus came the true test of an ultra-runner.

Arriving at the second to last aid station I still felt strong, but my knees and ankles were beginning to throb with every step. I knew that with the journey this pain was to be expected, and I had previously made a mental commitment to not let physical pain deter my progress. Needless to say I was not prepared for the nausea that overwhelmed my body. I slowed down to a walk, hoping, praying that it would soon fade. I soon realized that this pain was here to stay, and so I tried my best to continue on. Alternating between running and walking the chorus, “Never once did we ever walk [run] alone, Never once did you leave us on our own, You are faithful, God you are faithful” ran through my head, and I begged that God would carry me to the finish line. No longer did I worry about my time goal; reaching the finish was my only desire. 

Those last four miles were the longest of my life. Climbing the last hill and entering the paved road my hope was renewed. With each step my heart overflowed with the realization that I had finally conquered my first ultra-marathon. After dreaming, reading, and watching it was finally my turn to experience the end, the finish, the moment when all you have worked for is accomplished. I crossed the finish and, yes Coach T, got my first Horton hug, received my first finisher shirt, and became exactly who God created me to be, a runner for His glory.

Although I often questioned my own sanity during those painful last eight miles, I awoke on Sunday morning ready to conquer the next race. The pain has been erased from my mind, and although right now stairs seem to mock me as I struggle with each step, there is nothing like running an Ultra-Marathon, and that’s probably a good thing. 

Thank you, Coach T, for always believing in me. You let me tag along on long runs, answered every question, explained each minor detail, and provided insight into the mind of the toughest runner I know. You have inspired me to be the best runner I can be, and no matter what happened I knew you were a proud Trail Mama. I can’t wait for the day when we run our first Ultra together!   

   "Run Silent. Run Deep. Run Long. Run Strong." (RTrittipoe)

      

                         

               

Just one more day: Days 37-43

Day 37 - February 6, 2012

With repeat 400s on the track at a specific pace, I knew I had to act like a coach today and stand there with my stopwatch. So, I ran some trails before practice and then ran the warmup with the team. I actually felt decent. Note to self: The new pair of shoes I finally pulled out of the box and started wearing may be helping my aches and pains subside just a little. Duh.

Total – 7.5 trail and road miles

Day 38 – February 7, 2012

This was going to be the last trail run of the season for my indoor track distance runners. With the state championships just a few days away, I wanted a run that wasn’t too long, not too short. A run that was just right. With a loop in mind, I set off to run it before practice before going down the mountain to meet my team. Together we ran those trails, some of which has been cleared of leaves with a leaf blower! First time for everything. When we finished the tough and predominantly uphill run, we enjoyed a time of thanksgiving prayer, circled up as a group who truly loves each other. I am so blessed.

Total – 7.6 trail miles

Day 39 – February 8, 2012

I got punked today when I got to practice. My entire team decided to play hide and seek, only I didn’t know it. They hid until I finally found them. Good one! But it set a nice stage for a fun run and a little section of pickups on smooth grass.

Total – 4.0 miles road, gravel, and grass

Day 40 - February 9, 2012

This was our last day of practice before the state indoor track meet. With all the work behind us, practice was a simple run to the outdoor track, a couple 200s at 1000 m pace, a run back and then a rousing game of kickball. Knowing it was going to be a light day, I hit the trails for a jaunt before practice.

Total – 5.2 trail and road

Day 41 – February 10, 2012

It was with mixed emotion that my little car sped toward Holiday Lake. My mission was to run the trails and check markings for the 50 tomorrow. I am not able to run because of conflicts with coaching responsibility tomorrow at the state championship meet. But as I ran along hanging additional streamers, I thought and prayed for my neophyte runner, Sarah Quigg. Sarah ran for me last year and was staring in the face of her first ultra. I wondered what she would be thinking, how she would be thinking. I suppose we’ll know soon enough.

Total – 9 trail miles

Day 42 – February 11, 2012

Please don’t laugh at my meager mile. It was all I could squeeze in. I was up at 6 am, on a bus at 7, spent the day at the state indoor meet, and finally got home at 10:30 at night. Somewhere between the 300 meters races, I escaped to the outdoor track and put in four laps immediately post- freak snow squall. And that’s all she wrote.

Total – 1 track mile

Day 43 – February 12, 2012

In any good experiment, observation is key in data collection. So far, in my 366-day running experiment, I am finding two things. 1) I am much happier about running, most days looking forward to logging some miles. That’s a good thing as I have often viewed my running as a burden in recent years. 2) The flip side is I think I could easily let the experiment take on a life of it’s own. Though the number of miles has not been impressive thus far, I find myself contemplating the need to add huge miles because I know people are following my progress. Miles that can be counted on one hand are scoffed at by some. So, I will need to be very careful not to let this get out of control. Balance is key.

Total – 4 road miles

Year-to-date: 233.4

Stolen ultra baby

I feel that the child I just birthed has been stolen from my arms. No one brings her to me. She cannot be seen in her bassinet behind the huge panes of safety glass. Instead, I am left to wonder how she is, what she is feeling. Is she scared? Is she happy? Does she need me? How I wish I could be with her to comfort, console, and encourage.

Sarah Quigg is my baby. Sure, she is eighteen and a college freshman. She was my top high school runner last year. When we first met she didn’t know anything about ultramarathons. But she learned. She learned well, in fact, deciding to name herself “UltraGirl.” Long races along ribbons of trail became her passionate quest. The miles were logged. Trails traversed. Now at this very moment, she is in the process of legitimizing that name—and I am not there with her.

Rebekah and Sarah the night before the big race

I was able to run part of the race course yesterday when checking the markings. With every step, I wondered how Sarah would feel when her feet imprinted the very same dirt my shoes kicked. Would she be smiling? Would she be hurting? Would she be embracing the pain and the effort? Where would she be in the pack of runners? I could only surmise. I was not going to see it for myself.

I almost hurt from not being there with her. It’s not fair. I was there when Sarah’s aspirations were conceived, a mere speck of an idea hidden within the neural pathways of  her brain. I’ve seen that speck grow invasively, no longer able to be ignored. I’ve watched her strength increase as the miles added up. And when I look in her eyes, I see behind the veil and into her very essence. She is a runner. She is an ultrarunner just waiting to be born.

My coaching duties required I be two hours away come race time. Now I anxiously await her phone call as I prowl the confines of an indoor track field house. I need to know every detail of my ultra baby’s first race. I wish I could have been there. Why doesn’t she call?  I muse when I glance at the wall clock. She should have finished two hours ago.

Finally, my phone sounds that familiar ring. It’s her. “So, talk to me.”

“Oh Coach T. It was so hard but I finished.”

The details began to unfurl. The first loop of the course flew by, Sarah arriving at the turn-a-round feeling strong and capable. She continued on, pleased with her progress until a mere eight miles remained. But those eight miles were nothing like the first twenty-six. Her stomach ran in the opposite direction. Though she tried to fight her way through it, the nausea soon overwhelmed. She struggled to maintain progress but nothing seemed to work. “I thought I was going to die,” she later told her mom. But with her sights set on the finisher award, a neon green Patagonia shirt, Sarah crossed under the banner and gladly accepted the embrace of race director, David Horton. She shed a few newborn tears out of relief, exhaustion, and joy disguised as pain and suffering.

Sarah’s goal was sub 5:30. She ran 5:37. She’ll take it. I’ll take it as any proud mama would. My baby took her first ultra steps today. She did it without me but that’s okay. It feels good to know I had the privilege of giving birth.

Sleep well, Baby Girl, sleep well.

From one arena to another

I’m in the middle of preparations for a big teaching day. The topic is peri-operative blood management and a room full of medical professionals will be the audience. Even with a quarter century of clinical experience, lecturing for eight hours is nothing I should attempt on the fly. Hence, hours have been logged with my nose back in the books and my fingertips doing gymnastics across my PowerPoint slides.

The texts, charts, figures, diagrams and pictures all remind me of days gone by. Phone calls in the night, harried drives to the hospital, changing into scrubs quicker than Superman can burst out of his phone booth. I remember the adrenaline rush of assessing the situation and responding without missing a beat. I can still feel my own quickened pulse as I ripped into sterile packaging, tossing it over my shoulder and out of the way as I readied the complex life-saving equipment. I strained to catch the report given as one service passed off the patient to those of us in the operating suite. And yet, as helter skelter as it may have seemed at times, each person in the room worked in concert, brilliantly orchestrating the saving of another life—or at least giving the patient another chance at a bettered quality of life.

 

I no longer live those medical dramas much more worthy than a scene from Grey’s Anatomy. Gone is the beeper, the on-call weekends, the routine and the emergent case. There is no grateful surgeon. There is no feeling of camaraderie, each medical professional contributing his piece of expertise. No patient’s family comes forward to thank me for my service. I carry a longing for those things once more. It’s a beautiful thing to help save or improve a life. Little can top that.

But, wait. Perhaps I have just traded the surgical arena for another. My sporting arena includes a team who comes together every day to rehearse their skills. Most days are routine. You need routine to prepare you for the challenges. Some days take more effort. Team members have to pick up a flailing athlete, make up for his weakness with their strengths, and nurse him back to health. It can be difficult. But come race day, they are ready to perform in perfect harmony.

I’d like to think my role as a coach has something to do with the strength and efficiency of the team. Now I get to play the role of surgeon; the captain of the ship, the one who oversees, the one who decides what, when, and where. It is my responsibility (and privilege) to assure the team trains well and functions better. It’s my job to see that each person contributes his special qualities to the whole. And when trouble comes, it’s my duty to lead us, the team, to a successful solution.

Bouncing along on a lengthy bus ride with my team, it occurred to me that I’m still involved with saving lives—or at least helping to make them better. Stronger athletes, faster runners, yes. But my work helps develop mature individuals, young people who are focused and channel dedication and devotion. And when you see a kid embrace his God-given talents and shine like Cirrius in the night sky, well, little can top that.

Just one more day: Days 30-36

Day 30 – January 30, 2012

It was a busy day in the office but it was a beautiful day outside. I gladly abandoned the keyboard for some country roads. It was a good run with the last two miles tackled with hard effort. It was good to get the run in since I had to play the role of “keeper of the stopwatch” at practice.

Total – 6 road miles

Day 31 – January 31, 2012

Another day in the high 60’s, sun shining, birds singing. It was perfect—except that I felt like a bloated toad and torqued my leg again in the first five minutes. This long-term injury is killing me! Anyway, given that, I was glad my kids ran off on various trails. I walked, limped, and gimped along for about five miles. The redeeming value was finding a newly cut trail.

Total – 5 trail miles

Day 32 – February 1, 2012

I just can’t get over these spring-like conditions. The woods were calling and the prospect of a running a recently cut trail could not be ignored. Besides, I was having the kids do a speedy track workout today that would do my leg no good. So off I went to explore, having to pick up the pace (no easy task) in order to make it back to practice on time. The trail is beautiful and will be our team destination tomorrow.

Total – 7.5 trails and road

Day 33 – February 2, 2012

The kids loved the new trail, “Burnt Biscuit” just as much as I thought they would. “Apple Flappel” was a hit as well. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful, playful group of kids who love the woods as much as me.

Total – 5.1 trail miles

Day 34 – February 3, 2012

This was a busy day with travel to a weekend track meet. My only opportunity to run was as soon as we arrived at the track and had a lull before the competition began. It wasn’t much but at least it was something.

Total – 3.5 road miles

Day 35 – February 4, 2012

It seems odd that traveling with a track team would make it difficult to run. But, long hours at the meet meant that I needed to get in an early morning run if it was going to happen at all. Running the concrete sidewalks of a city is a great reminder of how much I love my country roads and trails.

Total – 4.5 road miles

Day 36 – February 5, 2012

I exhausted. Not so much from miles run because mileage was moderate at best this week. I’m exhausted because travel with teenagers, late nights, and long bus rides take their tool. But to keep my little streak alive, I had to venture out into a cold drizzle for a few miles on country roads. The dream lives on.

Total – 4 road miles
(Year-to date miles: 195.1)

Just one more day: Days 23-29

Day 23 – January 23, 2012

Another very wet and chilly day. Nothing like temps in the low 30’s and liquid falling from the sky. But running with my distance kids made it an adventure and quite pleasant.

Total – 8 road miles (primarily)

Day 24 – January 24, 2012

 I warned my team that this week was all about mileage and base. With no meet this weekend and after building to this point, they were ready to run more miles than they consider “normal.” Several groups formed and we hit the woods. The majority of the kids put in 8-10 miles; Trey ran 13.  What a wonderful way to spend an unseasonably warm day on those trails.

Total – 9.2 trail miles

Day 25 – January 25, 2012

 We were graced with another beautiful, warm winter day. Hard surface and gravel roads along with a little grass running was on the docket for today. Steady but comfortable runs with speed pickups in the middle gave us 6.2 more miles. I sense the kids are embracing the challenge of the miles and their bodies are handling it quite well. I find it curious that my long-time knee problem seems to be getting a little better with the mileage increase. And, though I am still slow compared to my top runners, I am feeling stronger. Oh what a feeling…

 

Day 26 – January 26, 2012

 The good. The bad. The ugly.

The good? Another warm day to run in the woods with the best kids in the world. (They sometimes bring snacks. Who wouldn't love them?)

The bad? I just didn’t have it today. It seemed so hard.

The ugly? The back of my knee started hurting again. Just received professional opinion from a friend who is a PT: Hamstring insertion issue with scar tissue. Sounds reasonable, I guess.

Total: 5.1 trail miles

Day 27 – January 27, 2012

 It was unbelievable to have another January day with temps in the 60s; a perfect day for a run in the woods with my team to finish out a week with more mileage than they are accustomed.. It was a combination of quick-paced downhills on gravel roads, meandering steps on single track, and sustained uphill runs. Even with a gusty wind, it was a great Friday afternoon.

Total – 6.5 miles trail/gravel road

Day 28 – January 28, 2012

 Well, I considered a 20-mile run. But when I saw a floor needing vacuumed, a pond pump crying out for attention, and a sidewalk that had gone way too long from its last encounter with an edger, I got distracted. Then, we got a call that Gary’s dad had been taken emergently to the hospital again. We had to wait to hear if we needed to speed to his side. After that, one of our sons and friends came to shot clay birds. It sounded like a war zone around here. What did this do to my run? Reduce me to a lousy four miles. It was not only meager miles but I felt horrible. No pep. No energy. So, perhaps it’s just as well.

Total – 4.0 miles road

Day 29 – January 29, 2012

 Church. Clean-up duty after church-wide lunch. Get home. Butcher and process three deer. Clean up the mess. Put pizza in the oven. Grab a headlight and reflective vest. Run into a cold, starry night. Run back. Feel glorious and revived. Eat pizza. That’s my story and I’m stick’n to it.

Total: 1.5 road miles

Sun pillars

Photograph by: Rauber

They call it a sun pillar and it was spectacular, magnificent, even. Only a blind person would not have noticed. Heading west along 460 toward my home, there it was in all it's fleeting glory. I couldn't remember seeing anything like this before. I temporarily lost sight of it when I turned off the highway but stopped at the edge of my drive to soak it in as it rose from the horizon, sandwiched by a row of trees. The view was perfect. The light streaming upward seemed to be reaching into the outskirts of heaven. It was as though the jeweled beam was pointing the way to the very heart of God.

Later that evening I found out that "a sun pillar is a vertical shaft of light extending upward or downward from the sun. Typically seen during sunrise or sunset, sun pillars form when sunlight reflects off the surfaces of falling ice crystals associated with thin, high-level clouds (like cirrostratus clouds). The hexagonal plate-like ice crystals fall with a horizontal orientation, gently rocking from side to side as they fall.

When the sun is low on the horizon, an area of brightness appears in the sky above (or below) the sun as sunlight is reflected off the surfaces of these tipped ice crystals."

For me, experiencing the sun pillar was better than any rainbow. It turned my eyes to the sky and my heart toward God. I cried out to him. Could I trust him with those I love? Could he, would he, draw them to himself? Is his grace so irresistible that they can deny him only so long? 

I glimpsed something of God's power and might. I viscerally felt his love, care, and compassion. I was reminded that I can believe. I can trust. Thank you, Father.

Just one more day: Days 16-22

Day 16 – January 16, 2012

A funny thing happened on the way to. . .

1) practice. The kids showed up at 10 am (no school). Too bad no one told me the head coach changed practice from the afternoon to the morning. Oops.

2) my daily miles. It went from having great feeling legs despite the 17 miles yesterday to wishing I hadn’t eaten a peach/pineapple salsa for a late pizza to an emergency pit stop between a hay bale and a spreading cedar tree. I thought I was hidden. Guess not. A neighbor’s car screeched to a halt to get a better look. Double opps and so embarrassing.

Total – 6 road miles

Day 17 - January 17, 2012

It was one of those days when I had to act like a coach instead of run the majority of the workout. I managed the 12-station, 45 sec each circuit training and the mile warm-up. But when they took the track for either a 1600, 800, 1600, 800 or a descending ladder of 2000, 1600, 1200, and 800 at a hard pace, I took to the stop watch. They felt accomplished. I felt like a wus.

My son Seth and friend KT came for dinner and once they left, the road was calling me. With headlight and reflective vest donned, I stepped into the night. Oops. Wind and rain. Oh well, it wasn’t cold so off I went. It was actually fun. Only one car swerved at the sight of a runner on a lonely road. The time was short but the mile and a half- priceless.

Total – 2.5 road miles

Day 18 - January 18, 2012

This was a great day to romp through the woods with my team. It turned out to be a girl thing. The key was to run aggressively on their choice of gravel roads going down the mountain. Of course, what goes down has to go up. Fun time!

Total – About 6 miles

Day 19 – January 19, 2012

We called it “O’dark 30.” It was our team’s code word for a dark run in the woods. Many had never been in the woods at night let alone run. But they embraced the idea and punctuated the event by wearing crazy loud knee socks with their tights. They were excited! As dusk descended, we started down the mountain. Headlights turned on one-by-one to show the way. It was constant chatter and a few screams as teammates hid behind trees only to scare the bezeebers out of those at the end of the line. About a half a mile from our end point, we gathered and turned off all the lights. I wanted to prove they didn’t need them. Though hesitant to believe me, they continued hiking up the mountain sans lights—and love it! At the top we gathered in a circle and took some time to pray together as a team. “Can we do this every Friday, Coach?” I guess they liked it!

Total: 5.5 miles in the dark

Day 20 – January 20, 2012

Help replace a water heater and fix a garage door opener. Clean and organize a garage. Scrub and organize a terribly neglected kitchen. . .and all the cupboards, stove, fridge, cupboards. Grocery shop and cook a meal. Serve the meal. Freeze left-overs for carefree future dinners. This is what happens when a weakened Grandpa comes home from the hospital and needs help. Exhausting but necessary- and sort of fun, actually. When I finally stepped out to run 9:15 pm, it was cold and raining. When I returned, I felt warm and pleased. A short run? Yes. But a run? Yep!

Total – 3 miles road

Day 21 – January 21, 2012

Another day of bleaching, decontaminating, organizing, and cooking at my father-in-law’s house—after I cleaned out front flower beds in a steady rain. 86 year-old guys don’t seem particularly interested (or capable) of keeping a clean house. This time, I got supper in the oven in time for another soggy, cold rain. It’s funny. I actually looked forward to the conditions. It was oddly amusing to see motorists make incredulous faces at me as they passed. It was as if they were saying, “You is crazy, woman!” I liked that.

Total – 6.5 road miles

Day 22 – January 22, 2012

It was not raining today. Yeah. Cold and damp but no rain. But after a four hour trip home from work-a-whirl couple of days at Gary’s dad’s place, I wished to curl up in a ball and nap. I didn’t. Rather, on went the running clothes so that I could register a short run: I figured my minimum standard of a single mile would do. But with legs feeling good, I added a few more miles to the short jaunt. Glad I did. It hardly makes sense to sweat for just a mile.

Total – 4 road miles.

Pressure cooker explosion

We've all heard the stories. A pressure cooker, filled with a pot roast and vegetables, merrily whistles it's tune as the contents near a perfect degree of tenderness. Then, without warning, the pot malfunctions by blowing it's top, sending scalding steam, potatoes and carrots to new heights--ceiling heights. It's not a pretty sight. What went wrong? Everything seemed just fine before the kitchen turned into war zone only Mr. Clean would dare attempt to clean up.

Well, let me put your minds at ease. There was not an explosion in my kitchen. But I am feeling somewhat like that pressure cooker. A few days ago I had confidence the locking lid was A-OK. But now, I feel steam escaping through the safety valve and wonder if the seal will hold.

For someone who doesn't have a 9-5 job, I am amazed at how busy I am. I have over one hundred on-line high school students, another twenty-five on-line perfusion students and I coach everyday. Then, there's that book I am working on and the occasional home project. Research and plans for a raised bed garden are in the works as well.

Not bad, huh? No kids at home to argue with over homework or curfew. But recently, things seem to be piling up. Speaking engagements that I've prayed for are coming at me like driving snow into a windshield; four in the next two weeks alone. A publishing contract arrived in my inbox that requires a big decision. A phone interview with a literary agent is scheduled; long anticipated but intimidating. My father-in-law has just been diagnosed with cancer and is in the hospital. Everything has changed for this once energetic and independent man. The prognosis for this 86-year old man is not yet realized. Weekend trips for us are becoming the norm, especially now that he is scheduled to be released to his home four hours from us. But the trips make it impossible for me to fulfill my duties as a coach. I know family comes first but still. . . Then, one son is still seeking much needed employment and another may move home while he embarks on building his own "tiny" home. That prospect excites me but the logistical details of even storing his stuff clutters my thoughts. A nice consulting job has landed in my lap but it will require about twenty hours in preparation. And time is short.

I know all the pat answers. Trust God. Don't worry. So true. But how do I do that?

The familiar Matthew 6:25-31 passage comes to mind. "“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 'And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’"

Comforting? Yes. The necessary action and perspective to be able to do that? Verse 35 tells us. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

OK. So let me get this straight. If I seek God and righteousness I will never have another concern. Hum. Not exactly. God doesn't promise us trouble-free living. Trouble is what builds character. However, God promises to take care of our needs.

But I read "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Uh-oh.

So let's be practical. I pray. I trust. I do what pleases God. And then I make a list.

Yep. A list. I find I deal better with many obligations when I have a list and a schedule. It helps me see in black and white what needs to be accomplished. It helps me prioritize responsibilities. It helps me plan my day. And when see all of this clearly, I am much less prone to allow the steam to blow the lid right off the pot.

Just one more day: Days 9 - 15

Day 9 – January 9, 2012

 There’s nothing like a cold rain to make you want to curl up with a good book and forget about running. But I had practice with the kids and there was work to be done. The purpose was a decent recovery run since some were still a little tired from racing two days prior. Off we went for a campus tour and came back nearly seven miles later a little wetter and muddier. Puddles are just too much fun.

Total – 6.8 miles road

  

Day 10 – January 10, 2012

It was more pleasant today but the last thing I wanted to do was make the kids do speed work on the track. But since speed is what we needed, we did a 1.5 warm-up to the intramural soccer fields and from there, divided into three teams. A variety of races (think suicides the length of soccer fields) had us all breathing hard. Then it was on to “train” runs (last person in line surges to the front) and our favorite 4-corner workout where we jog the outside of the square and do hard pick-ups across the diagonals. Then, it was back to the school. With a lot of laughter along with the sweat, it was much better than repeat 200s on the track.

I did find out, however, that my 7-month knee annoyance really does not like to run fast or backwards. Ouch. My team suffered with me gimping along.

Total – 5.5 miles

Day 11 – January 11, 2012

 The weather forecaster promised heavy rain and cold temps late in the afternoon. I figured if I was going to let the kids off the hook, I would need to run before practice. Starting off in drizzle and finishing in a 38 degree downpour, I got in a few miles. At practice we did 3 sets of our 12-stage circuit (30 sec all out effort) and rested the legs from track and road runs.

Total – 4 road miles

  

Day 12 – January 12, 2012

 The weather was the yummy crème filling between two not-so good cookies. The cold rain yesterday and the predicted cold gusts for tomorrow spurned me on to check out a new trail before practice. I never found it but ran a couple trail miles followed by several easy miles with my top runners. All-in-all, a pretty laid back day.

Total – 5.3 trail/road miles

  

Day 13 – January 13, 2012

 The forecasters were right. It is 25 degrees colder than yesterday with 40 mph winds. I have to admit it. I didn’t want to take a single step outside only to get blown into the next country. So I was a big wimp. I put on my cloths and ran around our fields and blow-down strewn trails, somewhat protected from the wind. It was actually pleasant when the late afternoon sun warmed my face.

Then is was off to be with my 1600m runners at the huge LU Invite. It was good to get in warm-up/cooldown miles with Abby, Jamie and Trey.  Congrats to Abby who PRed and ran away with her heat in 5:44.

Total – 5.5 miles trails/field/road

Day 14 – January 14, 2012

 Before watching hours of track competition, I decided to get in a few miles of trail in the crisp, cold morning. But this was not a normal run. I wanted to try my hand at running with hiking sticks, preparing for fourteen days on the AT this summer. It will take some getting used to but I was pleased with the help they provided on steep uphills. Now if I can just keep from  tripping myself with those things!

Miles – 5.5 trail

  

Day 15 – January 15, 2012

Whether a run is strong and fast or slow and problematic, a run that gets you to the end is still a good day.

I joined about 35 other runners to tackle a loop at Holiday Lake. I had a few issues with something weird in my foot and a few trips to the woods. Still, there were periods that I ran well. Sure, I wasn’t very fast but I stayed out there and am glad I did.

Total – About 17 trail miles

Day 8

January 8, 2012

Ever combine business with pleasure? That's exactly what I did today.

The stacked up pile of recycling and garbage could be ignored no long. Off to the dump I went. But just a mile down the road from the dump is the Bedford Country Falling Creek Park. I knew there was a disc golf course there. I had no idea the elaborate system of ten miles of running and biking trails within it's borders. To me, it was like finding hidden treasure.

I explored for a good long while. The trails were a mix of groomed single track, mowed, wide paths through fields, and rocky and twisty trails through the woods. Apparently, an individual who loves mountain biking maintains them. I will certainly have to return to explore the trails I didn't run.

Miles - About 5.5 trail miles

NOTE: I am writing about my quest for a year-long running streak primarily to keep myself motivated. I kind of doubt anyone really cares if I run one mile or a hundred. Hence, I will simply post my running journal once a week. So, if you have any interest in my progress, check on either Saturday or Sunday to review the week's progress.

Day 7

January 7, 2012

Ruuning was the last thing I wanted to do. I spent 13 hours working the finish line at an indoor track meet. Standing the whole time, no breaks, no sitting, no food save a few pieces of fruit I had thought to add to my bag, made my back and legs ache. When the final runner crossed the line, we picked up trash and wrapped things up. I wanted to go home and eat. I'm so glad I deferred that action.

I changed into my running clothes and stepped into the night. It was unseasonably mild and pleasant. I ran only 25 minutes but felt oddly smooth and efficient. The cares of the day vanished, allowing me to finally arrive at home content. Week one is now complete.

Total: 3 road miles

Day 6

January 6, 2012

Life got in the way today. What was supposed to be an afternoon free to hit the trails, an unexpected sub assignment, preparation for the big track meet tomorrow, and a social commitment tonight interrupted my plans. My run turned out to be short and not that sweet. But maybe it's a good thing. My legs felt tired and energy levels were low. Now just trying to figure out when I will run tomorrow since I will be at the track at 8 AM and lucky if I get home by 9:30 PM. At least something is better than nothing.

Total: 3.5 road miles

Day 5

January 5, 2012

Just days from a big meet, I knew I would have to actually act like a coach and time the track workout. So, I took to the roads early in the day and got in six windy miles. Once at practice, I ran the group mile+ warmup before watching the kids bravely tackle three sets of a 400m at 9/10 effort, 45 second rest, and following with all all-out 200m. (The focus was on pushing the lactate and anaerobic thresholds and boost their finishing kick.) I have to admit I was thankful time splits rather than push the envelope.

Total miles : 7 road

Day 4

January 4, 2012

One of the best things about coaching is being able to run with the kids. With a moderately hard workout on Monday and a very challenging track workout yesterday, we were all ready for some time in the woods. We are fortunate to have 30-40 miles of trails at our fingertips. The run was to be an easy aerobic run with focus on just enjoying the outdoors. And they did-assuming giggling, singing girls are any indication. Not sure the guys vocalized so much but I sure enjoyed the time out there.

5.9 trail miles - easy effort

Day 3

January 3, 2012

With an indoor track meet looming this weekend, it was my job to give the kids a workout to help them succeed. I was glad for an indoor practice (blustery and frigid outside) but knew this one would hurt. (I think it's important that I never ask the kids to do something I am not willing to do.) I arrived at the track early. I sometimes prefer to run the workout and suffer alone. This also frees me up to actually "coach" as the kids tackle the task.

With an emphasis on alternate foot breathing every fifth step, consciously lowering shoulders upon exhale and running in stealth mode (no clunky steps), the workout followed a one mile easy run and ended with another easy mile. Here's how it looked:

- 1 mile warmup- easy
- 6 x 600 m at a perceived effort of 8/10
- Immediate active recovery 200m jog after each 600m followed by the next 600m upon reaching the start line
- 1 mile recovery run

Total miles: 5 miles

Day 2

Second day not same as the first.

With indoor track practice starting again after the holiday break, my run was the same as the kids' run. The cold wind chilled the bones but not the relentless chatter.

After discussion of an interesting fun fact (every extra pound of body weight means a one second slowdown per mile), we headed out the door. It was to be a conversational 2-2.5 mile warm-up with the return trip run as a tempo. It was so good to see everyone again and be treated to the first (but short-lived) snowfall at the end of our run.

There's nothing like a tempo run with high school kids to remind me of how slow I have become. Most run away from me. Ugh. I hope the increase in my running volume will eventually move the needle on the scale from the turtle side toward the rabbit side. I can only hope.

Distance: 4.5 (2.25 at tempo)

Day 1

January 1, 2012

It wasn’t much but it was something. Good thing something was enough.

I have never been a streak runner. That’s not to say I haven’t been impressed, even amazed, by long-term running. I’ve always been a believer in rest days—and have needed them. But some time in the last twenty-four hours, I have this strange urge to take it on.

On this first day of the year, I occupied myself with cleaning, purging and organizing while I kept one eye on the TV. “Radio” was on, an inspiring true story about James Robert Kennedy, a developmentally challenged young man. The caring football coach of Hanna High took Radio, as he was known given his passion for radios, under his wing. Perhaps it was metamorphosis, compassion, the pure joy of sport, the honest pursuit of purpose and perseverance that made me consider this task.

I’ve been asked about my running goals for 2012. I’ve considered many things but none seemed quite right. Hence, I’ve had no answer. Until now.

I’m in dire need of purpose. I yearn for something to keep me honest and moving in the right direction. My rule will be at least a mile a day. No excuses. No regrets.

Will the world become new if I remain true? Hardly. In fact, few will care. But I care. I care to commit once again because I know it’s good for me. In 2008, I decided to journey my devotional thoughts every day of 2008. The reality became the hardest thing I have ever done. But it was also the most rewarding in terms of maturity, spiritual insight, and appreciation of each day’s gifts, challenges and difficulties.

I suspect there will be major obstacles in my quest. I will be tired, there will be a cold, driving rain, I might be sick or injured, it could be scorching hot. But I also know I will have time to think, contemplate, pray. I know sometimes I will want to go blank. I know I will feel better in the end. I will feel accomplished. Even if I run a mere mile, I will have run. I will have won.

So, it started this afternoon. Having run long in the mountains on a hurting knee yesterday, my run was a piddley mile and a half right as it was starting to blow and rain. In this Leap Year, I have only 365 days to go. 

Run silent. Run deep. Run long. Run strong. . .One day at a time.

Stay tuned for daily blog postings.

Simple and lightweight candelabra

Needing to add a little flair over my large 4x8 dining room table and not wanting to spend a lot of money, I knew I had to be creative. Off to the craft store I went, armed with an open mind, a 40% off coupon, and few preconceived notions. What I ended up with is a simple piece that repeats the rectangular shape of the table, table runner, and various frames around the room.

I found a 2" thick, 36"-inch long and 12"- wide piece of craft foam. It was regularly about $14 but my coupon chopped the price by 40%. I also found a box of 16 plain glass votive candle holders for $8.99. Sold. I grabbed some black duck tape along with the fabulous (and unexpected) leopard-print. I knew I had picture wire and ribbon at home and an assortment of washers and miscellaneous hardware. A few dollar store good-looking plastic ornaments and electrical tape finished off the project. The entire project came in around $25.00

Step 1: Gather materials. Measure an interior rectangle with a border of 4". (Note- I did not use the Tacky Glue or the wooden dowels caps.)

 

Step 2: Use a kitchen knife to cut out the rectangle. Even though the foam is fairly rigid, be careful when you are removing the middle section.

Step 3: Decide on the placement of the votive candle. Trace around each one. Use a spoon to scoop out each hole for the votive candle holders. Make each hole about 3/4" inch deep and then use a votive pressed into each hole to create an even, level base.

Step 4: (Sorry. No picture.) Use an awl (or anything skinny such as a knitting needle) to make a hole in each of the corners for the wire. Thread picture wire from the top through the tunnel you just made. Twist the wire onto a washer and then seat it into the foam. (The washer keeps the wire from pulling through) Take the loose end and do the same in the adjacent corner. Adjust the length according to your need. Repeat at the other end of the foam board. Be sure the finished lengths are equal.

Step 5 (Optional): I chose to spray paint the foam board thinking the duck tape would stick better. I'm not sure if this is necessary.

Step 6: Wrap the foam in black duck tape (or any color you like). Edge the foam board with the contrasting duck tape, in this case the leopard print.

Step 7: Hang the foam by connecting the two wires with ribbon (or more wire, if desired). Even though the entire piece is very light (probably less than 4 pounds), use a toggle-style ceiling hook if you go through drywall.

Step 8: Embellish the piece with ornaments. Wrap electrical tape around the top of the votives