I feel as if I might be close to death, or certainly rigor mortis, born of my efforts in yesterday's Fauquier Half-Marathon. Thirteen miles, by far the farthest I've run in my entire life. We had to walk some, mostly due to a hill that now has my eternal enmity.

2:27:50, for an 11:17 pace, by my watch. Pictures and official times are still forthcoming.

The guys at OTR Sports put on an excellent race through the Fall-draped countryside of Fauquier county. Cows, horses, mountain views, all a plus. Good job, guys, and thanks to all of the volunteers manning the water stations.

This is the peak of my running season and it will end on a short cross-country race on 11/19. After that, short and cold days will force me (heh, as if I'm not ready) into winter hibernation. Those bears are pretty smart.

I can't remember the images themselves, as much as the quality of them. There were garish taillights, whirling red sirens, serious men in windbreakers bathed in red and yellow light. There were guns. The TV news graphics fairly screamed from the perimeter of the small screen; "breaking news", "developing story", "break in the case".

Asleep in their Chevrolet Caprice at a rest stop in western Maryland, John Allen Muhammed and Lee Boyd Malvo were captured. They had murdered ten random people and wounded three more, sniper-style, in our area, sparking fear and trepidation at every gas station and parking lot across the region.

Our own developing story, our breaking news, red-headed baby Margaret, arrived on this day on 2002. It was a good day.

Technorati Tag: four

Things to remember:

• "Slow is the New Fast"
• More cowbells!
• Early morning near-death experience
• Crisp Fall morning

Technorati Tag: running

Lest you think the Dry Erase Wisdom is the only picture you'll get today...

My sister and I, has to be 1972 or 1973, at my grandparent's house. My grandmother had a thing for owls and giraffes, so I'm sporting the owl sweater-vest over the year-appropriate striped shirt. You can blame my mother for the bowl haircut, though, she liked bangs.

It's striking how much we two look like my two kids.

Gawd, we were so happy.

Technorati Tag: Sporty clothing

I am searching for the parents of CALEB HARRIS SMITH, born about 1824, either in Tennessee or North Carolina. He died in 1915, Smith Co., Texas, after an illustrious career as a minister in North Texas.

Caleb married ELIZABETH WATKINS in 1849.

Caleb also served in the CSA during the Civil War. I have records on him serving as a 2nd Lt, Company E, Clark's Regiment of the Texas Infantry during 1862.

Children are unknown except for my ancestor, ALTONIA SMITH, who married JOHN WESLEY STEELE.

This also posted on GenForum today.

Technorati Tag: smith surname

I am searching for the parents of JOHN CARSON WILSON, who died ca. 1929 in Texas (likely, but not confirmed).

John married VINNIE LEE STEELE (1892-1979, born to John Wesley Steele, Altonia Smith), in May of 1913.

Children (all born in Texas):

• William Woodrow Wilson
• Marshall Elmer Wilson
• Milton Wilson
• Vinnie Juanita Wilson
• Violet Narzetta Wilson
• Allie Christine Wilson

This also posted on GenForum today.

Technorati Tag: wilson surname

I am searching for the parents of GEORGE WASHINGTON STEELE, born about 1836 in Alabama.

George married Nancy Jane Harris

Children are unknown except for my ancestor, JOHN WESLEY STEELE, who married ALTONIA (aka Ella/Zelda) SMITH, daughter of Caleb Harris Smith, the circuit-ridin' preacher of Northeast Texas.

This also posted on GenForum today.

Technorati Tag: steele surname

Except maybe me, the Sube is starting to show her age. Presently, the transmission is suffering from "delayed engagement" (I think no one should get engaged at age 6 1/2, but I digress...) and the dealer is telling me it's a $3900 repair or replacement. "Oh, and you need brakes, and a timing belt wouldn't hurt."

We're presently hunkered down considering our options. A terrible napalm accident was considered today. Bollocks to the damn transmission. Almost all of the math favors the repairs, since they still are less than even a single year's total of car payments. Bollocks to transmissions that don't even make it to 100K.

One who won't be walking much longer is the kid. We bought her a bicycle this weekend. Training wheels are on the list for Wednesday shopping and then some bike riding, just in time for Spring Break.

Technorati Tag: on foot