Cheryl's 2020 July 4th 5K Run! On the 12th of July!

4th of July Virtual 5K? 

If that does not sound confusing,  then you are from either the past OR the future and have no idea what a crazy year 2020 was. ( or will be!  It is not over yet!)   But Hopefully my explanation will help clarify things.

Is this the Start Line? 

Cheryl ran a virtual 5K yesterday.   She placed the order several weeks ago to join a run that was "run" in a city that is immune from the crazy riots, but apparently not immune from the virus.  (Ann Arbor, Michigan.)   So everyone  had to run the race in their own home town while paying them lots of money for a shirt, a bib, and a Popsicle finishers medal.

Chasing the Medal. 

Ready?  GO! 

If you are not familiar with a "Virtual" race...  It is as described above...   And I guess the Virtual means that there was "virtually" no one there to run with.   Like on the internet or in your imagination.   You imagine that you are running with lots of people cheering and giving you water and encouragement.  You imagine that you are running very fast and passing everyone left and right.  And then you imagine finishing and drinking a cold craft beer while eating a hot dog, donut, or bagel. ( Or any combination of the above.)

The Corn is Cheering for you....

Dare Complete!  

Well,   that is mostly true.   Cheryl ran to the screams and chirps of birds, tractors, and low flying crop dusters.    The only clapping was from the rustling of the corn leaves.  It was hot, it was muggy, it was miserable...just like every other 4th of July race she has run.   The one thing that was different was that I was able to ride along side her with my bike... Playing Rock Music as Loud as I could! 

Popsicle that lights up. 

But it simply is not the same.   I enjoy the traveling to distant cities or lands:  meeting new and exciting people and talking about how my wife ran the Boston Marathon in 2017.  (It's a great  way to introduce myself.)  I also miss the free(-ish) beer that they often thrown in at the finish.  Sometimes I even get to have one of my own!.   Even though we have many wonderful beer selections currently in the fridge,  I still like the random surprises we are handed at the post race party.

Enjoy that 5th place finish while you
can....

Chanterelle Bounty! 

I won't tell you her time ( because I don't know it... but let's just say it was not her best.)   But currently she is in 5th place OVERALL!  There may even be a chance she might win an age group award.. in a Virtual Race!   How is this possible?   No one is keeping the runners honest here.  Anyone can post that they ran a 12 minute 5K if they want and no one would be able to prove or disprove it.   But I guess Runners have this "code of Ethics" or something that keeps things clean.  Not all of the finishers have posted their times yet,  and many may not even bother for a 5K.   ( VIRTUAL 5K at that!)   But Cheryl is excited to be in the top five finishers... even if it is only for a few days.

Dehydrator is FULL! 

We also went out Mushroom hunting again today and got another haul of Chanterelles.  Actually, other than a single field Bolete, and one small crown coral,  Chanterelles were the only thing we found.   Looks like we will have to dry them in at least two batches. 

Mushroom Tart. 

Ready for a bite!

We still have the Mushroom Tart Cheryl made yesterday, so there is no need to keep several fresh for our next baking fun.  I am the only one eating it lately.   Possibly because Cheryl is trying to cut back a little while I apparently have no desire to hold back.   Ah well...  wouldn't want the mushrooms to spoil.

Wire reinforcement in the wings. 

Another Origami Dragon? 

And finally,  I have been working/planning another Stop motion origami video.   This one may be slightly more ambitious than the Origami Dancers.  But that was done with me knowing very little.    Anyway,  I had to refold the red dragon because the filming and flapping of the wings weakened the other one.   This time I plan on reinforing the wings with a little bit of wire to help them keep their shape.   We shall see how things work out.

Hope everyone is having a fun and happy Monday.  Mondays usually are not fun and happy... Unless you are under lock down and can not go to work.  Then they are either boring or exciting.. depending on if you are running a virtual race OR hunting fro Mushrooms in your local park.   Thanks for stopping in.