walkers reflected

at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 3-Day walk in San diego last week. We fought this weather the whole weekend.

Weekend Reflections courtesy of James at Newtown Daily Photo.

Day one skies over 3-Day Walk

Last Friday in San Diego

 helicopters going about their routine

 What's this, though? a message!

Special for a team from Texas! Their husbands hired it for them.

And yes, those gray clouds let loose with downpours throughout the day.

Other skies around the world can be found here at SkyWatch. Thanks Skywatch team for keeping us going.

Drawing

On Thursday evening before the walk, my grandnephew Connor drew a name from my hat to determine who among my donors would receive my 3-Day quilt this year. The winner was Arlo, a friend from home, so we will take the quilt home with us to give him when we return.

Connor then checked through every slip of paper to make sure his grandfather's name was in there. My fundraising record currently reads 98%, but there are some donations that have not been recorded yet. The account remains open for four weeks from the event. The walk in San Diego raised over 10.6 million dollars.

Ready to Walk

In the morning early--before 6 a.m.--I'll be joining thousands of other walkers to set out for sixty miles--three days--for Breast Cancer research.

I want to thank everyone who has dug into their pockets to sponsor me in this endeavor. The quilt I have made to commemorate those who have fought the disease will be presented to one of you. Last year's quilt went to a blogger.


Tonight I will have one of my grand-nephews pull the name from my names hat. I will let you know as soon as I am able to post again who the quilt will goes to.

Thank you to all my sponsors. Every sponsor is a lifesaver.

One Day Closer Skywatch

I'm walking all day Friday-Saturday-Sunday (see 3-Day link in the sidebar), so I will share here a sky shot from last year's 3-Day walk in Arizona. Othere skies can be found at the Skywatch site.

Reflection in Pink

3-Day Walkers at lunch are reflected in the pond at the Arizona 3-Day Walk last year in Phoenix. The Phoenix walk is taking place this weekend. I will walk next week in San Diego. 3 Days--60 miles--because everyone deseerves a liftime.

If you would like to donate for Breast Cancer research, Please consider sponsoring me in this event. There is a link on the sidebar to my donation page.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James at Newtown Daily Photo, who was my first sponsor this year and the recipient of last year's donors' quilt. This year's donors' quilt is almost finished, and will be given to one of my sponsors from names drawn at random.

3-Day Bubbles

Can you see them? This lady in pink watched from her balcony and saluted us with bubbles as Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers passed by during the walk in Seattle two years ago. A Week from today I will be walking again. If you would like to donate to this cause, I would be delighted to have you as a sponsor. There is a link in my sidebar. We had beautiful skies in Seattle that year. The forecasts are for the same in San Diego next week. Note to self: pack the sunscreen.

SkyWatching is here.

37 Days

My apologies if you have come to this post from the November 14 Weekend Reflections link. I don't know what happened and Linky won't let me correct it. Here is the correct post.

Okay, so I am way behind. Suddenly, the Virtual Trainer guides I get in my e-mail say Six Weeks, then Five Weeks till 3-Day Walk. My Pariticipant Center tells me it's time to get my final check in started. Yikes.

This is my begging post. I am pledged to raise $2300 for Breast Cancer research, education, and patient services in order to participate in the 3-Day November 19-21. I am currently 1/3 of the way there.

I had intended to offer some gifties to entice donors to part with $5, $10, or $20 in support. Circumstances in the last month or so have kept me from making any gifties. Thanks a lot, burglars!

I will have this year's quilt, shown here just after it was pieced and hopefully quilted by walk day--to present to one of my sponsors. So if you would like to have a chance to win it, or if you just want to remember someone you have known who has experienced the trauma of breast cancer, please consider clicking my 3-Day badge on the sidebar and donating through my walk.

ABC Wednesday--S is for Signs

A few from my files, both serious and whimsical.

ABC Wednesday--S is for signs. To see what other S's can be found, look to the ABC Wednesday site and connect with other ABCderians.

A Walk around the Block

This morning I went for a walk around the block. For many people, that is a brief stroll--but you must understand the place where I live.

In the agricultural area where I live, a block is a mile on each side.

I know that for many a walk of four miles is nothing. In fact, I think I'm ready to go for another block, myself.

NOT!

Although a couple of dogs followed me for a bit just down the street, they got bored of it pretty quickly and no one or nothing bothered me the rest of the way...

...though I was kept under constant surveillance.

I took this from the next road over. Those trees are across the road just down from our house. The water tower is two blocks further on. Remember--a mile on a block? So the water tower is about three miles away from where I was standing. (It may be a little less, as I think that one of the blocks may be a little less than a mile.)

Agriculture in this area is diverse. Besides the hops which surround us, on our block I found apples, cherries, alfalfa, and grapevines.

I've always admired the bank of California Poppies the neighbor at the corner has each summer. Of course, it is half a mile away, and we usually only see it while passing in the car.

I really could go for another round of one of the blocks, but I will save it for another day. There is so much to do of a Saturday morning. I am consciously planning some training walks--especially for days we don't have morning activities that interfere. I have often walked the six miles to McDonald's for breakfast and called hubby to meet me there. But he has taken a job with the census, and I am afraid if I did that, I might have to walk back. Twelve miles wouldn't hurt me.

Depending partly on his schedule, we might go to Seattle next week to walk on the team of a former student of mine in the Walk for a Cure for Diabetes.

And, of course, I am starting to train once again for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in November.

Reflecting Again on Ordinary Things

It's time for me to start doing some training walks for the 3-Day walk later this year. One of my walking paths passes this irrigation canal, where reflections can make ordinary things special.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James at Newtown Daily Photo.

I Walk in My World

And doesn't almost everybody?

In this case, my world was touched about eighteen years ago when my mother and my sister had surgery because of Breast Cancer--both in the same week. Both eventually lost their battle, my Mother about two years later, and my sister after living with the disease for a number of years.

For this reason, for the last few years, my world has included a weekend walking--three days--sixty miles--because everyone deserves a lifetime.

I've shared pictures from the 3-Day walk before.

In November I will once again join thousands of others to walk three days, sixty miles, in search of the cure.

My world between now and then will include fundraising and training.

Until someday it won't be necessary any more.

My World Tuesday--found here.

Reflection from 3-Day Lunchtime

Weekend Reflections are hosted by James.

Time for a Wrap Up post of the 2009 Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day

What's that?
What does it have to do with the 3-Day?

If you are a long time visitor you might remember my recaps of previous Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks in Seattle.

The cactus symbolizes the differences and the pink tents the similarities of the walk in different locations. Do you see those gray rainy clouds in the background of the camp shot? Did I save that picture over from last year in Seattle?

No, it's the weather in Phoenix the weekend of the 3-Day there.

As usual, the event started just as soon as daylight broke with the opening ceremony. These survivors were symbols of the event and led us onto the route carrying the banners that represent the hope and courage that is needed to fight cancer.

The walkers are always densely packed the morning of the first day, as in this case some 1200 walkers set out onto the route at the same time. Eventually, the group spreads out as each walker or group finds his/her/their own pace. On Saturday and Sunday, walkers have a wider window of time to start, so there is more of a spread.

Support along the way--what can I say? We were touched as we walked by this school in Gilbert, where the entire student body was out to cheer, wave bandanas, and signs. I was in the right place at the right time, because as we passed, I heard the gentleman walking just behind me explain. "That is my wife's school. She was diagnosed one year ago today. She couldn't walk because she is deep into her treatment. My sister-in-law sent the bandanas for all the students."

~~

Are you weepy yet? I am.

~~

Seattle and Phoenix compete for crazy costumed teams!

And no matter where you look, youa re likely to find someone doctoring their feet.

Each

 day

 is

another

day

 closer

to

a

cure!

The flag goes up at camp each day as the last walker arrives from the route.

Those clouds provided a humorous moment when we passed one of the standard route signs. I think some of the desert rats were afraid they might disolve in the rain.

And our crazy crew--always ready for whatever support might be needed along the route. These were some of  the "lunch ladies."

When we reached Scottsdale, we were again greeted by crew and supporters. As I approached the finish--having lost my distracted walking companions once again--a crew member took me by the arm and declared, "No one should walk through the finish alone."

Fun, but a good point in regard to cancer. No one should face that alone!

Some of the survivors again--preparing to walk into the circle of survivors at the moving closing ceremony with the banners where they were honored bya salute of shoes.

Yes, that is a pair of crutches in the salute. Broken legs do not always choose a convenient time to occur. The gentleman in question completed the walk in a wheelchair, pushed by his companion.