Home Again

Wilted houseplants.

No margarine. (Or bananas. Or tomatoes.)

Two tablespoons of milk in the bottom of its massive jug.

Dirty spaghetti bolognaise pots in the sink.

Empty toilet paper roll in the master bathroom.

My husband, caked in mud and sweat stood next to the mower, smiling. “Honey! I fixed the sprinkler system!” I braced myself, imagining Argonne and a backyard riddled with holes when the kids rushed over.

Maddie was first. “Mommy! Mommy! You got a medal? Dad! Come see! Mom’s got a medal!” Harry was next, gasping his shocked three-year-old gasp before looking up with awe. “You have a tattoo?”

I was home. Given the catalog of minor hiccups mentioned above, I’d say the weekend was a huge success. So what if the kids ate ice cream twice in one day? (Once for breakfast – and no, I’m not kidding.) So what if the bills are sticking to the kitchen table because it desperately needs to be wiped down? So what if there’s a pile of laundry the size of a Clydesdale lopped on my dining room table? At least it’s clean.

This morning as I drank my coffee, (my hubbie was wise enough to ensure that we had coffee) I walked around the house assessing the damage and forming my plan of attack. My thoughts turned to all of you. What would you encounter this morning on your first day back? Would you endure similar ‘hiccups’ or suffer major convulsions?

Whatever you’re facing this Monday, here’s my advice. Keep that medal nearby. If your boss drops you in it, you read an ugly, demon email, or your teenager reverses the car into the mailbox, it doesn’t matter. You are a Woman On The Edge. You, my dragon sister, can DIG deeper and vault yourself over any obstructions. You, o dragon heart, can REACH around any barriers blocking your way. Should things be grim, please, take a deep breath and COUNT TO TEN. We’ll be counting right along with you.

And, heaven forbid, these words don’t resonate because you’ve found yourself in a heap of trouble. Then, my dearest, close your eyes and listen. You’ll hear our voices singing:

In the summertime

Up in Grand Marais

In the summertime

We’ll be paddlin’ all day

We’ll be paddlin’, we’ll be paddlin’ we’ll be paddlin’,

We’ll be paddlin’ all day…

Just keep paddlin’. You’ll get there. You are a Woman on the Edge and I believe in you.

In much love and admiration,

-- ‘Cat’ McNerlin

2Glass the Paddle Nazi- Great Job!

Thank you for the Paddles!

Women on the Edge, finish with all paddlers in the boat!

I feel another goal coming on! Click here for race results.

http://www.boreal.org/~durfee/dragonboat_7_31_10.htm

Greetings from Grand Marais,

This summer there is major road construction in multiple areas in Duluth and
near Split Rock Lighthouse. Motorists have experienced delays and
frustrations getting through Duluth and this weekend the Tall Ships are in
the Duluth Port creating even more traffic through town. I highly recommend
taking a detour that will add 38 miles to your trip but it will go around
both construction zones starting at Cloquet and returning to Hwy 61 at
Beaver Bay. There is a fun video clip describing the detour on our tourism
website, www.grandmarais.com called the Scenic "Scenic" Route: On the road
with Jason Portman. There are things to see along the way including a Frank
Lloyd Wright gas station, Finnish Schoolhouse and old-fashioned family
restaurants.

The detour starts just south of Duluth off I-35. Exit on Hwy 33 north at
Cloquet, which merges into Hwy 53. Go east on Hwy 16, which turns into Hwy
15 as the Superior National Forest Byway. Then drop down into Beaver Bay on
Hwy 5 and you'll be back on 61 north again.

Paddles UP!

The paddles are varnished, the t-shirts are printed, cowbells are poised and ready for ringing. The women have trained... (HA) Well, at least they are ready for a great weekend. Carpools are arranged, tents are being pitched. Half of us are thinking we need to bake cookies, half of us need to pick up a bottle of wine.

When the call comes "Paddles UP!" and the air horn sounds, we will paddle. We will paddle in awesome synchronicity . We will paddles untill we are spent, knowing that we already won our prize in the pre event parade! Now, just remember, Let's NOT create an emergency situation.

Good luck gals!

I got a letter today!

Lisa,

I am Elliott Krizek the Community Outreach and Special Events Lead for The North Face in the St.Paul/Minneapolis area. In searching for local clubs and organizations to work with and I stumbled upon Women on the Edge and was quite intrigued. Following Christ myself and having worked with multiple churches in the area, I have never come across a group such as yours. I wanted to let you know of some up coming events Women on the Edge and others at St. Andrews might be interested in attending.

Aug. 5 at 6:30 The St. Paul Store will be hosting a Chi Running Event with Chris Fuller a certified instructor of Chi Running and Walking for information you can check him out at meetup.com here's his link: http://www.meetup.com/The-Sporting-Life-ChiRunning-and-ChiWalking/calendar/14166370/

Aug. 6 at 6 o'clock The Uptown store in Minneapolis will be hosting Dr. Ralph Bovard. Dr. Bovard worked at a Doctor at the base camp of Everest and is coming to the Uptown store to share his experience of Everest. Feel free to come Early and receive a complimentary massages from Mayfield Chiropractic.

Aug. 10 The North Face and REI are hosting a free showing of the newest National Geographic documentary "The Wildest Dream." The Film follows the journey of Conrad Anker and his discovery of the body of George Mallory, a mountaineer who is suspected of being the first to climb Mount Everest, even before Sir. Edmund Hillary. For more information visit www.thewildestdream.com, tickets are free and only available online at www.dream.inticketing.com code word "dream."

Anyone want to go?

Now, to work on technique...

It's Official

We are register to enter 2 teams in the Northshore Dragon Boat Festival. Our presence in the parade will be EPIC!! We still have 6 spots available. Sign up soon!