Biggest Loser and more

Well, our hometown team returned to the Biggest Loser Ranch this week. O'Neal and Sunshine Hampton are on the Ranch... They lost 76 pounds in 4 weeks at home. That is 9.5 pounds per week on average. They beat Cherita and Victoria, who lost 63 or 7.9 pounds each, at home! O’NeO'Nealt just under 13 pounds a week...AT HOME. Holy shit, I would love to hear his story. Maybe after the show, he will share some of this with fellow Minnesotans… WOW! WOW! WOW!

What struck me more than that was the eloquence of Cherita in her words in defeat and the conciliatory words of O’Neal, who did not lose. She impressed me so much! What a great human being.

With some of the people on the show this year, I can not tolerate them, and I almost quit watching it, but tonight, those two adults impressed me with the words they stated in a fine manner. Impressing to me. So much CLASS! In at least the next two weeks, I will look forward to seeing and hearing from O'Neal and Sunshine, who already appear to be in shock at the ranch… But by the end of the show, they looked adjusted! It was so funny to see the fearful expression on Sunshine's face when they were going to run for 5 minutes and the look of confidence and happiness she showed when she did it. Baby steps and perseverance are what I see as the road to success.

I have been moving right along—not OO'Neal-like but steady enough to be happy. Although I have not stepped on the scale in three weeks, I have continued to work on the bike and elliptical daily. For the month of January, I have averaged 75 minutes a day. I am lifting three days a week as well. My Plantar Fascia pain is only occasional, and my knee feels great.

I wish there was more to say, although I have been busy with work and tennis in the past month. The re-certification classes were last weekend, and once again, I am proud that I aced all the tests.

So, as we start February, I wish you all well and hope we are preparing for spring? Hey, if you want something to do on Valentine'sValentine'sabooze has the annual Battle of the Jug Bands at 12:30 PM. 28th Annual Battle of the Jug Bands "The oldest"jug band gathering in the known universe" including"Como Avenue Jug Band, Malcolm Tent and Heptic Discharge, Mississippi Underertow, Sasquatch Wristwatch, New Improved Jook Savages, Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures, Good Samaritans, Goat Hearts, Fisher Coulee Ramblers, The Hump Night Thumpers, Mad City Jug Band, Boo Bradley, Feral Dogs, Lee "Colorblind" Johnson, "ry This At Home Jug Band, Woodshop, MN 17, Strictly Jug Nuts, Mommy and the Bollocky Boys, West Bank Temperance League, and the Roe Family Singers.

Although, this year will be a bummer as Cam Waters died just before last Christmas. He was only on the Minnesota music scene briefly but was so gifted. I know this will be especially great this year as I am sure he will be looking down from Heaven, making this event the best it can be!

This event is really a hoot! Feel free to do a 20-mile run and then come to the Cabooze. All ages are welcome, and the kids may even find it fun. They even have a potluck! The first time I went was in 2006, after Dana and I did an 8-mile run; she forced me to go, and I had such a great time!!! I had never heard a live jug band before that (or at least that I recall).

I also found an old favorite food of my grandfather at that potluck, pickled pigs feet. Amazing how eating food can bring back so many memories. Writing this, I realize how much I miss my Grandpa Bill. He was a man loved by all, and a decade after he died, I still miss him. He was a great human who cared for everyone and could still fully care for himself. He died just days short of his 100th birthday and had a sharp and Witty mind up to the end!

Arrowhead 135 is underway, and I have friends on their way to Texas for Rocky. The season is getting started, and I am getting excited!!!

Carry on my friends, Carry on...