I am going to try this one more time, 3rd times the charm they say and this would be my 3rd shot, although this time I am using Word Press because folks can comment without having to be a fellow blogger or having a google account. Please bear with me as I learn my way around this new system.
Ed and I walked ON the mountain (Sugarloaf) today rather than our usual up the mountain road and down or around the west side on Mt Ephraim Rd. This time we drove up to West View and hiked up the stairs and then across the top and out the blue trail onto the purple trail and back to the blue. We figure from the map about 5 1/2 to 6 miles. VERY different from walking the roads or our other favorite walking place along the C&O Canal. Between the loose gravel and rocks and tree roots, and the one snake, not to mention some pretty steep hills it was a very different walk. Worked ALL the muscles, but felt great and my personal favorite kind of walking because it feels more like my real love of “going to see what’s over the next hill” which my sister Ellen can tell you has lead to some serious hikes.
I also really needed this workout. Last night we went for drinks and dinner at O’Faolain’s Irish Pub in Sterling. This is the place where we are holding the 2nd Fundraiser in Scott’s memory for the Yellow Ribbon Fund. (September 11th, 5-till closing) It also happens to be were Scott and Christy had their wedding reception/lunch, so it has sweet memories. Justin and Francis with their lovely Irish accents have been incredibly sweet and supportive, and the food is really good. Anyway, I digress. Yesterday via Face Book we learned one of Scott’s friends still in Iraq was shot in the leg by a sniper. He is supposed to be on his way to Walter Reed, but as of last report a couple of hours ago he’s still not even to Germany yet. TJ is really strong and without knowing all the details, will probably be fine but it ain’t easy.
Please, please, remember we still have 50,000 men and women in Iraq and 100,000 in Afghanistan. Please, please remember they are still fighting a war and being shot, blown up and killed. Please, please remember they need more than just us remembering. They need our understanding when they come home physically hurt, mentally wounded, and very possibly in need of a job. Please, please remember their loved ones here at home trying not to spend every waking moment worrying, wandering around the internet looking for pictures (of which now that it’s “old” news there are very few of), trying to hang onto a life and make everything run normally; maybe being both mom and dad to children who can’t understand. Please, please do what you can; money to Yellow Ribbon or any of the good groups out there helping. Please, please if you can, volunteer to help one hour, one day, one week, a lifetime. Please, please do not forget them.
Marti Deppa Kirkpatrick 