Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Another hot tip if you’d like to spectate a race: Volunteer at a water stop! Often races will have water stops scattered throughout the course for runners to refuel during the race and they are always looking for people to help hand out drinks to passing runners (you can typically sign up to volunteer through whatever race website you want to spectate). I have done this a few times and it is always a delight!

Joanna – I ask this with zero pressure (truly!) but I’m wondering if you have an idea of when you might be sharing your gift ideas posts? I’m trying to finish my shopping soon (it helps me be less frazzled & able to sink in & enjoy the season) & if they’re coming soon I’ll wait before I finish my shopping. ? They are always SUCH great lists! Thank you & know I’ll enjoy them whenever they appear!

I also love watching marathons! We went to watch my cousin in Chicago when I was growing up, but I had a new experience this fall – marathon spectating in Wakefield, Michigan. This tiny town hosts an official, Boston qualifying race, and my coworker ran it this year for the first time. There were 13 official marathon racers, but many others ran different distances. The course goes around a lake – 9 1/2 laps around a lake – and it was so easy to watch! My kids played on a playground and we got to see her every 20 mins or so without traipsing all over a city. I worried about it being monotonous for her, but she said she knew we were on one side of the lake and her family was on the other, so knowing she would see us at such regular intervals made her not want to quit and wonder where she was. It was her first marathon and now she has the bug to run more, and I can’t wait to show up and cheer her on.

The marathon article warms my heart! When I was waiting for my husband to finish his marathon last month, I cheered on the people finishing before him and I cried watching men, women, friends, partners all grab each others hands to cross the finish line together. There were dads running the last few feet with their little ones and moms kissing their babies on the way to the finish line.
One guy was so disappointed when he saw the time at the finish line (it was a tough race-hilly, rainy,and freezing cold) that he stopped short of the finish line and started to leave. But the lady cheering next to me gently led him back to the course and in her kind English voice said, “Go on, you can’t stop now!” And he ran on and finished!
I would gladly become a professional marathon cheerer, even though I would cry every time!

The Phoenix marathon winds through my neighborhood every year. Each year, it always surprises me at how emotional I get seeing the tired, yet determined, runners on their path to the finish line. I find myself with tears rolling down my face as I cheer on strangers. What a feat! What a thing to have pride for! It’s truly a beautiful thing.

YES on breaking up with paper towels!! With two young kids, I was constantly cringing at how many we went through. Then at a friend’s house, I saw a basket of clothes on the counter in lieu of paper towels, and it was the push I needed to make the switch. It’s been about 4 months now, and we’ve probably saved 4 large trees:)

Oh fun to see the “can’t fake a kids drawing” is something Austin Kleon liked too this week!! Do y’all do his Friday newsletter? He’s such a neat guy. I heard him on his book tour at Powell’s in Portland and he’s so real and earthy and funny and practical and magical at the same time. Same with Lisa Congdon (she’s be an amazing feature here!). Yay artist-activist-alive sprites.

I feel like I’m the only person who didn’t enjoy reading Little Women. I love the 1933, 1949, and 1994 movies. But I am not seeing the new one. Not even Louis Garrel as Professor Bhaer will get me to watch it.

Can I just say a big thank you for all the wonderful posts this week. Each day my morning cup of coffee and a read of your blog is like a warm ray of sunshine. A highlight of my day and I appreciate all that you do.