Thanksgiving 2019

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Another year. Another span of 365 days to be grateful for. Here are a few things I have appreciated the most in 2019:

1. There have been trials, but the whole family is alive and well.

2. Aria transitioned easily from preschool to kindergarten and is thriving there.

3. My friend, Garrett. What a guy.

4. The family got to visit Hawaii again this year.

5. I love the new solid wood ukulele I picked up in Honolulu.

6. I’m doing my first recital in December and in an actual theater with stage lighting. (No fog machines though.)

7. My car has held up on the long and sometimes dangerous commutes from Salem to Portland. The car is also paid off!

8. I got to carpool most of the year, saving gas and wear and tear on the car.

9. I have plans for 2020. A pinkie swear is involved.

10. The bright light of justice is finally shining in Washington, D.C. Frankly, it’s a relief.

Every night at bedtime we ask Aria what she is thankful for that day. Last night I asked her what she was thankful for this year. She said, “Family. Friends.” I asked if there was anything else. She responded, “Doughnuts.” Love that little girl!

How about you? What are you grateful for as you look back over the year? However you celebrate the holiday, enjoy your turkey, turducken…or tofu. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tales of the Uke – Part Nine

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The repertoire is building into a full set list! Today we go from Hawaii to Elvis Presley, though this song is from his Blue Hawaii movie. (Fun fact: Angela Lansbury played his mother in the film when she was 35.) The song is Can’t Help Falling in Love. It was released in 1961 and went to number two on the Billboard  Hot 100. It was a concert staple for Elvis through the years and the last song he performed at his final show in June 1977, but in the movie his character sang it to his girlfriend’s grandmother on the latter’s birthday.

I’m not an Elvis fan, but Trevor suggested I learn this tune, taking advantage of the low G string on my new Kala. Can’t Help Falling in Love is a simple, pretty song:

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
For I can’t help falling in love with you

It sounds great with the bass from the low G. The new Kala finally makes its debut on Tales of the Uke:

While I’ve also been working on a Beatles song, I’m starting the transition to Christmas music in preparation for the holidays and have been asked to perform in the music school’s holiday recital. Trevor would like to have something different musically at the show than multiple versions of Jingle Bells on the piano! Busy time…

Spirit of Oregon 5k, Redux

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Garrett and I ran the Spirit of Oregon again this year in Salem. Organizers added a 10k race, but we stuck with the 5k. Our run started at 7:15 a.m. today at the Capitol building. It was chilly like last year but with fog.

I’ve got mixed feelings about the results. It was the worst run in regard to time that I’ve ever had for this length. On the other hand, we successfully followed our usual self-imposed rules:

  1. Don’t finish last.
  2. Don’t get hurt.
  3. Don’t walk.

Neither of us was particularly disciplined in our training this year, but here’s the thing. I don’t enjoy running unless there is a point. Running races and playing soccer are great. Training runs for those activities are not. I live in south Salem, so any training is on hills. Very little is flat terrain. The treadmill is flat, but running the road and running the machine are two very different propositions in regard to training. Most of the summer I walked the hills and then ran a bit in the fall on the treadmill. I’m sure this had a negative effect on speed.

For some reason we settled into a slower than normal pace for the first mile of the race. Losing time weaving in and out of traffic at the start is expected, but then we held back, and I think that’s where we lost most of our time. Interestingly, our fastest mile was our last. I had more kick at the end and wasn’t as tired as last year.

Here are the official results:

Overall Time – 31:25, Mile Pace – 10:07, Age Division Placing By Sex – 13 / 35, Placing By Overall Sex – 52 / 139, Overall Finish – 102 / 433.

Last year:

Overall Time – 26:26, Mile Pace – 8:31, Age Division Placing By Sex – 11 / 34, Placing By Overall Sex – 53 / 151, Overall Finish – 97 / 450.

I think the slower time, by five minutes, is an aberration, and we’ll approach the race more aggressively next year.

Portland Holiday Half and 5k (2013):

Overall Time – 29:55, Mile Pace – 9:38, Age Division Placing By Sex – 8 / 27, Placing By Overall Sex – 68 / 162, Overall Finish – 157 / 572.

Portland Holiday Half and 5k (2012):

Overall Time – 31:15, Mile Pace – 10:03, Age Division Placing By Sex – 14 / 21, Placing By Overall Sex – 73 / 139, Overall Finish – 140 / 493.

Pictures are for finishers:

Disappointment aside, my mile pace today is still faster than the national average for my age group, and it’s not a bad result. It’s just not my best. We’ll blow that up next year!