Dad went to the ER this morning with shortness of breath and pressure in his chest. He's been discharged and seems to be doing fine, but everyone is keeping a close eye on him.

Hello, beloved Buffistas.

As many of you know, I started long distance running about a year and a half ago and have run multiple races, from 5Ks to a couple of half marathons. I always swore I would never do a full marathon, but a few details emerged about the 2015 LA Marathon that have led me to reconsider.

1. My two best friends are running it.
2. It’s a month after my 40th (!!!) birthday, so a way to celebrate a new decade
3. It’s the LA marathon’s 30th anniversary, and it’s been rated one of the best, most enjoyable (and mostly downhill) courses in the country.
4. And this was the kicker for me…the German Shepherd rescue that ND and I work with is one of the charity partners. We adopted both of our dogs through them and have fostered multiple puppies. They do amazing work, taking on dogs who have been abandoned and abused and placing over 800 shepherds and shep mixes every year.

So, with a deep breath and not a little trepidation, I have signed up! March 15, 2015, I will be running 26.2 miles from Dodgers Stadium to the Santa Monica pier.

It’s important to me that I run this race with a purpose, so I have joined the Westside German Shepherd Rescue s charity team and am helping them raise money.

It would mean the world to me if you could spare even $5 to contribute to my goal. I’ve never done such a big outreach before, but I’ve never run a marathon before either…and I don’t ever plan to again! If you are willing and able to do so any time between now and March, here is the link: [link]

Many thanks to Brenda, who saw me post about it on Facebook and was my very first donor.

Second post, sadder than the first. Just learned that my Great Aunt Lyn —an amazing, vivacious woman who inspired me in countless ways — passed away this evening. She and her big sister, my grandmother, dedicated their lives to their families and sick husbands, but when they become widows in their 60s, they traveled the world together: France, India, Africa. She was a feminist before feminists were cool, an intellectual, a wickedly funny lady. Both she and my grandmother maintained that they never had an argument in their entire lives.

One story that I think captures her well. After her husband died and her seven children grown up, she decided to give herself a fresh start and a break from constantly being asked to babysit her grandchildren. She moved to San Diego and spent more than a decade on her own out there. One day she decided she wanted to see Alaska. So she rented a car and drove there. That’s Aunt Lyn in a nutshell.

She was in her early 90s and lived a good life, but I mourn the passing of a great woman. I hope to be worthy of her legacy.

ma~~~ please. one of my sisters is in the hospital - sudden loss of half her vision. not sure what is up yet. She is across the country. My folks will be there tomorrow.

I'm just scared

A cover story I wrote about a Louisiana brewery for a major beer publication is available online now, for anyone who is interested in checking it out. [link]

(I don't post my work here usually, but I'm quite proud of this piece, so I thought I would this time.)

My sweet kitty Cosmo must have snuck out the door. We didn't see her yesterdat. Kitty-ma and cat-finding advice welcome; I am a wreck.

She is the sweetest, most loving, loudest-purring...and I am crying now.

Latest writing on DK [link]

My kitty Cosmo is BACK!!! With a big bloody scrape on her face, eating everything in sight, and purring like crazy.

I am hugely, giantly relieved and happy!

Hey, peeps! Yeah, I'm mostly lurky now, but if any of you in the DFW area are hooked into the tech industry, can you drop me a line? A former coworker who also got hit in the layoffs is going to be relocating there next month, and needs to build his network. (He's a great worker, and a pretty awesome guy.)

My daughter had to put her dog down, today. Could I get a little ~ma for her and wide grassy fields for Chewie to roll in?