TX – AR – TN – KY

Sights and sounds of a road trip through Arkansas, then Tennessee, and the southern part of Kentucky.

I will say this was one of the most fun trips I’ve taken. However, the road trips which stand above them all were the ones to the Texas border cities. Yes, some might balk at the selfishness of my thoughts but I still can’t explain my gratefulness to strangers for sharing their lives and their reality with me, also a stranger, an outsider with a desire to write what they gave me.

We turned a 20+ year retirement event into a 5-day road trip, complete with food, coffee (tons of coffee), and shopping. Participating in a Naval retirement flag detail is a big deal. Quite the honor actually. So, when mini’s dad asked me to be the final part of the detail – delivering the U.S. flag to mini – I had some initial reservations because hello, wild card. But I quickly realized it was a big deal to him and, one day, it will be to her. Upon acceptance, I didn’t fully understand the logistics of said trip and all the little parts which make it a huge event. Not thinking, agreement. When the time came to pack, and travel, and take off from work – I was a little overwhelmed but also really excited to try new coffee shops. I mean, participate.

Without further ado (and in no particular order), some photos and related commentary.

Tacos 4 Life, Benton, Arkansas

I adore Tacos 4 Life. Bold, fun flavors, great ingredients, and a mission to donate a portion of every sale to others in need. A must try!

My hometown…tiny, no stop light, Avery, Texas

I took this photo intending to send it to a high school classmate, but then I forgot until I started writing here. Sorry, Jen. This convenience store has the best chimichangas in all the lands. Indeed.

Koffeewithakause (via IG), Bryant, AR

Incredible coffee from a local vendor. I drank me way through the states.

The Parthenon, Central Park area, Nashville, TN

Admittedly I’m not very interested in Roman, Greek, or any type of history, minus select, niche things. Trains. But an opportunity to view and explore the museum inside a gigantic Parthenon replica was a must do on my list. It did not disappoint.

Retirement cookies

And, finally, the retirement ceremony was everything mini’s dad had hoped it would be. It was a short yet emotional homage to his Naval career and I hope mini sees his time away as one which made her stronger and more resilient. The trip was a whirlwind but a necessary respite.

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I ask you –

Of the four I mentioned, have you visited some/all/none?

What were your favorite things to do there?

Tell me how many retirement ceremonies you’ve attended. Countless.

(The post TX – AR – TN – KY first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Two Flowers and a Funeral

Not sure why my jonquils haven’t bloomed yet but I’m holding on to hope they will. Those are the neighbors.

Also, these gigantic mushrooms are everywhere. Somehow, even with “good dirt”, I still manage to kill greenery.

Unfortunately, I attended a funeral last week. Short of my inappropriate funeral/death humor, I do have a question – funeral attire is strange to me because why do we dress up to say goodbye? They can’t see us. Why don’t we dress up for them while they’re living instead of waiting until they’re gone? Now, did I dress up because societal norms say I should? Yes. But would I have thought wrongly of someone who came to pay their respects in their work clothes? No. Because we shouldn’t have to look a certain way to show respect.

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I ask you –

Have your jonquils bloomed?

What is your typical funeral attire?

I saw photos of the cherry blossoms blooming in DC and promised myself one day I would go there!

(The post Two Flowers and a Funeral first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Waxing Poetic

Throughout my nearly 40 years, (ahem, 39) I’ve had opportunity to explore Texas. From the piney woods of East Texas to the coastal regions of South Texas through the flat lands, prairies, and rolling hills of West Texas (because, yes, somehow all of those exist here), I’m in awe.

Some would say Texas is a huge state that takes 427 days to cross. Some would say Texas is flat, brown, and dead. Some would say Texas is nothing compared to places overseas or even other U.S. states. To this I say – you’re mistaken.

There’s beauty in those rolling hills, where cell service and satellite radio all but disappear. There’s inspiration in the far-flung homes and ranches that provide services and goods to the residents of our nation, and beyond. What you see as brown and dead, I see hard work, generations of people doing what I have no desire to do in working their land and tending livestock, people with families and livelihoods. There’s nothing ugly there.

Have you seen the Rio Grande, water rushing along crevices formed millions of years ago? Have you seen cliffs, running parallel to major highways? Have you looked out over the edge of those roadways and marveled at what was below? Have you experienced a spring of bluebonnets and jonquils? Have you met the people in those small, forgotten towns, the ones who welcome you as family? Have you explored a proper downtown?

What about the incredible food? From pie shops to tacos, Texas’ food scene is unrivaled.

In honor of today’s dissertation defense (which you can find out if I was successful at by following me on Instagram or Facebook), this post is homage to the incredible people and places it took me to and through. Some communities I will most likely never visit again because I have no reason to do so; however, some will forever be in my heart due to the breathtaking stories shared by their inhabitants.

We are not numbers. We are not just constituents. We are human beings. And we all deserve to have our story told with respect, honesty, and genuine love. For the people I met, the people I couldn’t get to, and the immigrants who my work affects, thank you. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.

(The post Waxing Poetic first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Traveling

I’ve been on the road more than home the past several weeks. Is that a song? Needless to say, but I’m saying it anyway, I drank a lot of coffee. Soon, I’ll share where each of these locations are, but, for now, here’s a collage:

More to come!

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I ask you –

Share your thoughts about anything!

(The post Traveling first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Get(ting) Over It.

That’s what my knee feels like inside. A fireplace! Just when I think it’s gotten better or I haven’t noticed any pain, here it comes, out of the blue. Ready to wreck my day. 13 weeks of fireworks inside there. This is so much fun.

On the drive to the island, we stopped at the Czech Stop in West, Texas, home of the most amazing cinnamon roll I’ve ever had. The lovely employees warmed it up, handed it to me wrapped in wax paper, and gave us a stack of napkins. I inhaled it in about 0.79 seconds. I’m still thinking about that cinnamon roll.

You know those people who, just the very sound of their voice, makes you angry? I know one of them. In fact, my words are I’d rather cut the grass with my teeth than have a conversation with them. But you know what? So glad you asked. Here they come, trying to have conversations with me, ahem…need something. I’ve been known to walk the other direction, taking the looooong way home, to avoid conflict, I mean conversation. Grudge much.

Grief is an interesting thing. It finally happened, the voice I had been waiting on, my very own Jiminy Cricket, if you will, spoke these words: Get Over It. Suddenly, I realized I had been living in anger the past few months, unwilling to accept it might still be grief. Sure, I said it on RoF, I was dealing with grief, but I hadn’t fully addressed it. It was shrouded in anger, anger never expressed, anger I believed would mask the grief. No, child. Not only did I experience the entirety of anger, but I still had to navigate grief, too. Seems unfair. If only I had recognized it for what it was, an additional emotion vice a substitute. 30 years is a long time to grieve. And an even longer time to hold on to anger.

Get over it, Kel. I did/am/will/continue to.

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I ask you –

Do you prefer real wood or the pre-made logs in your fireplace?

Which is the best: the middle or the outside of a cinnamon roll? Middle. Always.

Share something you’re working to get over.

(The post Get(ting) Over It. first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing

2nd re-post on this joyous Christmas week. Hope you all are celebrating, rejoicing, smiling, and taking time to enjoy the holiday. Be back soon!

…thru the tulips!

It’s a good thing the expedition called for tiptoeing because my knees are very bruised from volleyball but we’re undefeated so I can’t complain too much. Also, a day after turning 38, I managed to bust all the blood vessels in my middle finger putting the volleyball net away. Not my middle finger! I need that one! This is why…I have spare parts.

Back to the tulips, the Texas Tulips located in Pilot Point, TX. Only accessible about 6 weeks out of the year, it’s a fun getaway, one I didn’t know anything about until a few weeks ago. Spring Break presented the perfect opportunity.

I might have also overindulged in sushi and cookies. Both were incredible! If you’re in the DFW area, Sushi Axiom is one of my favorites. I probably should have taken a photo but I ate it all before considering the photo op. For the cookies, Insomnia Cookies is the way to go. Only available near college campuses, they’re open until 0200ish and offer delivery of warm, fresh cookies to your doorstep. Not kidding.

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I ask you –

What are your favorite flowers?

Have you heard of Insomnia Cookies?

Any idea on the origin of the word tiptoe?

(The post Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Day in Photos, pt 90

I’m purchasing this headwear for use at an upcoming graduation. When I found out an ex-husband and a few old boyfriends would be in attendance, incognito is now the theme.

Credit: Amazon

New office furniture arrived. I’m so thankful for Parts. She loves to put stuff together. Me? Well, let’s just say it’s a disaster.

I love ice cream. Not surprisingly. And I still need to try this flavor!

I’ve waited forever for football! And since I have a little time to watch it – don’t call me, I’ll call you, ummm, never.

Credit: Google

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I ask you –

What should I wear for further incognito-ness? All black? Black with red heels is my standard.

Are you a handy man/handy woman?

Tell me who your NFL team is!

(The post Day in Photos, pt 90 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Performance Optimization

Believe it or not, there’s a lot I don’t mention on this blog but that I do talk a lot about in person. Such as performance optimization, specifically for women. What. Is. That?! So glad you asked. Essentially, it’s pairing exercise according to the menstrual cycle. While some women are textbook, 28-day cycle specimens, most women do not conform to the textbook and range from a 21-40 day cycle. This means many women are not training their body according to their cycle; instead, they’re probably winging a workout then wondering why today was so damn hard or, alternately, cheering themselves on for having a kickass run while failing to acknowledge the reasons why. Been there.

Let me tell you how. The first step is tracking your cycle. The problem is it depends on dozens of factors, such as hormonal birth control, which, no one wants to hear it, means you do not have a natural cycle at all. However, consistent tracking of a hormone birth control user can still result in a performance optimizing workout routine. So don’t knock it. Anyway…once we know some of the factors influencing our ability to have a stellar performance, life sort of gets easier. I jest.

All this to lead me here – I’ve had some pretty great runs and workouts lately. Despite the humidity and 100+ degrees, for the second year in a row, I’ve sustained a routine of running outdoors. It takes some creativity, some sacrifice, and sometimes even a little humility, but it can be done. Not to be dramatic, but my world did change in 2018 post-heat illness. I try not to give it too much power in my head. Alas, I maintain an awareness of being conscious of the limitations surrounding it. It is what it is.

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I ask you –

For my lady friends, do you practice performance optimization?

Do you have other routines you follow?

Tell me how running and exercise have been going for you!

(The post Performance Optimization first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Torch Athena 2024 Recap

Torch Athena Rally was truly incredible. I laughed. Cried. And left feeling empowered and ready to push change, not only within my career but on the entire installation. What an opportunity!

A rare opportunity to walk/run the Riverwalk

Light the Path

Maybe I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. All I want is a voice at the table. Those were my words to my previous supervisor. He asked what I needed from him – I said “I just want a voice at the table.” Lately, I’ve been empowered to understand I’ve entered a new chapter in my life, most assuredly in my workplace. And, now, I’m the voice at the table. I no longer challenge someone else to speak for me. I speak for others under my purview.

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I ask you –

Any other friends ever attended Torch Athena?

Have you visited the San Antonio Riverwalk?

Tell me the best advise you ever received.

(The post Torch Athena 2024 Recap first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Bucket List Addition

I want to watch Olympic curling. In Italy. In 2026. A PhD celebration trip. Also near my 40th birthday.

Credit: Google

…originally this post was titled in the plural sense. Bucket List Additions. However, at the time of this posting, I am TDY to a location with somehow even more humidity than I’m accustomed to yet also slightly (maybe 1 degree) cooler. I can’t tell you anything about this location because I must use it as fodder for future posts otherwise I would have nothing to share here.

On the bright side, since I turned in my manuscript last week in a rushed attempt to capture everything I had planned to incorporate this week, I have a little time on my hands to brainstorm more bucket list items. In the meantime…I’ll return soon with adventure stories!

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I ask you –

Have you ever watched the Olympics live?

Would you be more likely to go watch the summer or winter Olympics?

For my fellow bloggers, tell me about your idea-generating endeavors!

(The post Bucket List Addition first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)