Running Through 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

This has been a great year! I spent more time with my wonderful family. I have expanded my circle of friends, strengthened bonds with old friends. This was year I proclaimed, I am never too busy for my family and friends. I look forward to 2013 with fond memories of 2012 in my heart! Here are my top ten adventures of 2012… in no particular order.

Trip to Big D – A two days before Christmas my brother took his sons to a Dallas Cowboys game and I got to tag along. We drove from Mississippi to Tyler, Texas, birthplace of Johnny Football. Ate at the coolest and best Tex-Mex restaurant I have had the pleasure of eating at. Sunday morning we drove to the stadium for the game. The game unfortunately was a loss, but the adventure is the most important thing. The highlight of the trip was arguing with Rhett and Reece about having their photo made with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The argument turned out positive, you can see by their smiles!

Camping at DeSoto State Park – In January, Amazon, Snapper, Speedo and I went camping near Mentone, Alabama in DeSoto State Park. It was the coldest weekend of the year. The low temperature was 18 Fahrenheit. We survived the cold temperatures, but we should have brought along a bag chair or two. During this camping trip the four of us made a pact to run the Warrior Dash in Georgia in May. It was apparent after that camping trip, 2012 would be a very different year and it has been.

Animals – Having the greatest dog in the world has definitely been a highlight of the past eight years. He is my most faithful companion. He is never more than a few steps away from me at home. He would follow me to work if I let him. His kind and gentle eyes make all things bad ok. This year we lost George, our giant white rabbit. Also during 2012, we added two rabbits to our petting zoo. These two rabbits gave us a litter of 7 kits. Have the worlds greatest dog and bunny rabbits only make me want a few goats, maybe some chickens and hopefully a pig or two someday.

Pirate Night with Hoot – It is always fun when the story includes Hoot Gibson. However, when you cap the night off with eye-patches and mustaches you know you have made an epic memory. Hoot was the rogue Naval Captain who stood toe to toe with the notorious pirate, the Dreaded Pirate Squirrel, who was stealing food from his bird feeder. Captain Gibson fired at the enemy Squirrel with his tactical pellet gun. The squirrel fired back as the pellet ricocheted of the bird feeder. Captain Gibson was doomed to wear an eye-patch. If it is good enough for Hoot… it is good enough for his Space Camp fan club! While at Otter’s, Hoot left the room and Marcia, Snapper and myself donned mustaches and eye-patches to support Hoot in his relentless battle with the Dread Pirate Squirrel.

The Dirt Bike – One day in late August, I visited Mississippi and hung out with my brother and his sons. During a trip to Leland, Mississippi, we purchased a Honda dirt bike. Some people say they want to grow up to be an Astronaut. Some people say they want to win a Super Bowl. I can honestly say, one of my first memories, was to own a motorcycle or dirt bike. I was a stupid, novice, dork the first time I rode the little Honda. However, I loved every moment of the stupidity. I road the little bike at Christmas. I was somewhat  scared of the little bike after hurting my knee, but I learned that the little dirt bike could still be fun and safe.

Running – This was the year that Red Bull got in shape. I ran relays, 5Ks, mud races, duathlons and triathlons. It all started when Camp of the Rising Son held at 5K in April of this year. I ran the CRS run in 32:59. I finished 2012 with the Rudolph Run in Huntsville by running a 5K in 28:48. Between the two, I hurt my knee and ran a 200 mile relay with 11 other crazy people called Ragnar. I don’t know how many miles I ran, but I am sure it is the most I have ever run in one year. The goal for 2013 is an Ironman 70.3 or half distance triathlon.

Swimming – I am not Missy Franklin or Michael Phelps, but I love to swim. On January 10th, 2012, I started a masters swim class which changed my world. This would be the spark that would lead me to run triathlons. I ran my first triathlon since college in Decatur, AL in July. It was so much fun. At the end of the summer I swam an olympic distance relay with Amazon and Snapper as my teammates, and oh by the way, we took second as a relay team. Not because of me, but because of my teammates!

Florida – I visited Florida a record four times in 2012. The first time was for a Youth Preparedness Conference in Orlando. I was there to talk about Be Ready Camp; however, the highlight of this trip was Mouse and Marguerite Long at Friday’s near my hotel. Trip two was Tampa for a Yankees Spring Training game where I saw Mariano Rivera pitch two outs in the fifth inning. His season was cut short in Kansas City shagging fly balls. This was my Tampa highlight. In August, I spent a few days with my brother in Destin. Just a few days with my family on the beach was magical! Finally, the Magic Kingdom. After recruiting at ERAU at Daytona Beach, I finished my year with my buddy Mouse near Cinderella’s castle. Enough said… my time in Florida was special!

Peyton Manning Returning to the NFL – Honestly, I had so many emotions last January when it was apparent that my long time boy friend Peyton Manning would not be the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts any longer. He didn’t play in the 2011 season due to a neck injury. There was a part of me that wanted Peyton to retire from the game all together. I didn’t want to see him less than great! I tried thinking of every option for Manning. I imaged Peyton in a Cardinals, Miami, Texans, and Titians jersey and helmet. I was resigned to watching Peyton wherever he ended up and turn my back on Mr. Luck and the Colts. Fortunately, Peyton landed on his feet with his “laser rocket arm” in Denver. He has had an MVP caliber season in his orange and blue. Lets hope that in 2013 we can celebrate something more for number 18!

Ragnar – This was most definitely a highlight of 2012. I ran with my team, I slept with my team, and I even cried with my team. Nothing can really top spending 30 hours in a van with some of your closest friends and heroes. I am sure if we didn’t have Amazon it would have taken our team 48 hours to get from Chattanooga to Nashville. In the process of this whole thing, I learned I was approaching the old lady stage of my life. Check out our video from the adventure. VIDEO LINK

To everyone who has played a part in my life past and present, THANK YOU! I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store!

Posted in Year End Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Running Through 2012

Turkey Blog 4.0

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

Do you know where you were a few days before Thanksgiving four years ago? Well, my answer to that question is, right here. I was sitting on this couch with my laptop computer creating my blog, GraphiteFree.  I haven’t been the most faithful companion to my blog. Life sometimes happens and it is less than eventful when you put it into print. This post is to help mark the anniversary and the Thanksgiving season.

The latest Facebook trend this month is to put what you are thankful for each day of November.  I didn’t discover this until a few days ago. I am less than observant at times. This is my futile attempt to be as cool as everyone who started on November 1st, listing what they are thankful for and desperately hoping to keep my blog relevant.

One – God:  I am very thank for our gracious Creator. Knowing that our God and Father is watching over us and loved us enough to save us is the most precious thing in our lives. This is what I am most thankful for.

Two – Family:  I have a wonderful family. Being home in Mississippi recharges my heart and soul. I love being on the farm near my family with my mom cooking in the kitchen and daddy in his chair. On top of that, I have a wonderful extended family in Madison County Alabama.

Three – Blinkers:  I love safety. I am the Be Ready Girl! Blinkers represent planning ahead… look for the safest route to your final goal… and not running into the driver next to you. Blinkers are important.

Four – Freedom:  Until the socialist take my freedom. I will be very thankful for this. Don’t believe everything you read. Thinking for yourself is the best way to experience freedom. The ability to pick and choose what you want to do on a daily basis is a glorious thing.

Five – Great Friends:  Throughout my life I have all ways been surrounded by wonderful people. Life is not much fun unless you have great friends to enjoy life with.

Six – Sports:  I am very thankful to be a fan of sports, a lover of ESPN Sports Center and a competitor in many sporting events. I love crying at sports movies and those touching “Inside the Lines” stories on Sunday mornings.

Seven – Bunnies:  This year, I was blessed by having a litter of rabbit kits. There were seven of the little guys. It was one of the coolest things ever! I now want to start a farm.

Eight – Health:  God has truly blessed me with great health. I can do all things I need to do. I have been given great endurance and I am seldom sick.

Nine – Ragnar:  On November 9th, a team of crazy friends and I ran from Chattanooga to Nashville. I am thankful for friends and for the ability run… I am still not fast, but I can run.

Ten – Soda Box Cookies:  These cookies are not made from some super secret recipe. These cookies however are the best ever conceived and my grandmother taught me how to make them. I miss my grandparents and are truly thankful to have some of the greatest to ever live.

Eleven – Electricity:  I could be one of those people who lives in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. However, electricity and technology has given us so much extra enjoyment in life. Without refrigeration our modern day Thanksgiving would not be possible.  It is great to type a blog and not use graphite to record all my ramblings.

Twelve – Cowbells:  No, Mississippi State is not known for its multiple national titles, but it is know for its cowbells. Mississippi State is a wonderful place with many happy memories attached to it. Hearing a cowbell ring gives me great joy! I am thankful for the Bulldogs and I hope they beat the University of Mississippi on Saturday.

Thirteen – Thanksgiving:  Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever conceived.  There is not a push to over commercialize it. People don’t get lost in shopping to help fuel our economy.  It is a day where we all pause and thank God for those things that are truly important in our lives.

Fourteen – Pencils:  The Dixon Ticonderoga is the quintessential American pencil.  It has been in my backpack, on my desk and behind my ear for many years. I love the pencil, because it does not expect me to be perfect like the pen does. The pencil is a non-judgmental companion that I am very thankful for.

Fifteen – Peanut Butter:  I was a picky eater growing up.  Some say I am still a picky eater.  However, if it wasn’t for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I might not have lived to see the age fifteen. Heck, I didn’t like pizza for a while. I feel sorry for all the poor souls who are allergic to peanut butter.

Sixteen – Golf:  Is there anything better than taking a club and beating the crap out of a small round object. To focus your energy on one single point in space and driving the ball beyond your own expectations is one of the best ways to release stress!

Seventeen – Math:  Seventeen is a prime number.  So is 37, which will be my age this time next year. No matter the number or age, I love math. I loved teaching math and doing math. I even like the new exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Math Alive.

Eighteen – Peyton Manning:  True, Peyton is not with the Colts anymore, but he is still my most favorite boy friend. But I am still very lucky to see my favorite Manning playing football this season! Thank you for Peyton’s health! Also, I am very happy Peyton attended Rocky Top and not Ole Piss.

Nineteen – Okra:  Delta State is a wonderful university found in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Knowing how quirky I am, you should know that I would go to school where they have a mascot like the Fighting Okra. I am an okra girl. The Statesmen is a dumb mascot!

Twenty – Salt:  What would we do without salt? It a multifunctional tool which I can not imagine a day without. It makes stuff taste better. It is used for many great Biblical analogies. And it is useful in making ice cream.

Twenty One – Antiperspirant:  Let me be honest with you all, I sweat more than most human beings do. If it were not for Degree antiperspirant I wouldn’t have friends and my Ragnar team mates would have kicked me out of the van after my first run. I am very thankful for the help I receive in the use of antiperspirant.

Twenty Two – Cotton:  I love being a farm kid. I love all the amazing memories I have either in the cotton field or the cotton gin. I loved having acres and acres to roam when growing up. I am very thankful for my farming family.

Twenty Three – Proof Readers:  I can’t spell or write very well without an army of people to help me. I need to have proof readers to make this blog thing a reality. It is fun connecting with people though my blog. I couldn’t do that without people to help me.

Twenty Four – Weddings:  This is going to seem like a crazy thing to be thankful for, but I am thankful for Anderson’s wedding last year. After the wedding my mom saw pictures of me on Facebook. She thought I was fat and told me I was fat. Later that fall she told me again after another wedding. I am thankful for this, because it was the kick in the pants I needed to get in shape!

Twenty Five – Running: I am thankful to be able to run, because it makes me not so fat. However, I wish I could be thankful for good genetics which makes me a good runner. But that is not the case, I am slow and thankful for the abilities I do have.

Twenty Six – Recruiting Staff:  Yes, I am very thankful for the efforts made to recruit new staff for Space Camp. But one of the most coolest things about staff recruitment, is staff training is not far behind. Did I mention, I have the coolest job in the world.

Twenty Seven – Baseball:  Since I was 20 months old I have been fascinated with the game of baseball. I have been to many professional, college and high school games. It doesn’t matter if it is a World Series or a little league game, I love the game of baseball. Get well soon Derek Jeter.

Twenty Eight – Gadgets:  I love knives, first aid supplies, tools and electronics. I like being ready for most anything that life could through at me. I am thankful that Lysol can kill 99.9% of germs. I am thankful for those who invented these things and the spirit of innovation.

Twenty Nine – Space Camp:  I am truly thankful for being able to work at a camp that operates year around.  Space Camp has wonderful staff. Everyday is a different day! I am thankful to work at the coolest place for space!

Thirty – Turkey:  I am a turkey for some of the things I have listed. But all in all, I have enjoyed this exercise. I will enjoy my time with my family around the Thanksgiving table. Thank you so much Mr. Butterball!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Turkey Blog 4.0

Against Our Better Judgment

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

It has been a week since our team completed the Tennessee Ragnar Relay.  It took months to prepare for our Ragnar adventure.  So it is fitting that it took me a week to write about this experience.  Our team was made up of families and friends.  Whether we were all close friends or met for the first time last Thursday, we now have a connection which is rooted along the highways that lead us from Chattanooga to Nashville.  There is a mutual respect and gratitude we have for each of our team mates.  Let me tell you just a bit our our epic adventure.

I had never heard of Ragnar until I stumbled across a race brochure in Fleet Feet here in Huntsville for this crazy adventure.  I had heard from Sandy a few months before about Hood to Coast, the grandfather of all 200 mile relays.  But really, I was completely uneducated by what this relay would be.  Sandy and Snapper immediately committed to forming a team. I knew my friend Amazon would surely join the insanity, because at the time she was riding her bike from Maine to Key West! She and her bother Rob would soon commit.

It wasn’t until a Sunday afternoon dinner in Madison where the Ragnar team became a reality.  Snapper and I talked about this possible adventure while sitting on her aunt’s front porch. This is when Chris and her friend Barb committed to running. Kitten would soon join the team. On a whim I started text messaging counselors and staff from Space Camp.  Ham thought it was a 200 meter relay.  Sometimes text messages can be deceiving.  I asked Marcia to join our team. Surprisingly she said yes without skipping a beat. It didn’t take much to convince Ham and Shaggy joined our team.

Now we had a team, next up was a team name and logo. The logo was a joint project by Snapper and her Uncle Russ which would take some time, because we needed a name.  Our first option for a team name was the Chuck Drivers, because Sandy and Marcia’s husbands both named Chuck would be our van drivers.  This name didn’t catch on. Eventually, Marcia would suggest Against Our Better Judgment.  I think at that moment I really felt like we had a team and would make it to Chattanooga.

For me training didn’t come easy.  I had a knee injury in mid August that would side line me for weeks.  I only swam for weeks and didn’t start running again until the Racin’ the Station duathlon in late September.  I honestly think that I wouldn’t have been ready to run if I had not started to work nights at Space Camp in mid October. I ran in the mornings and worked at night.  I was ready, but still not a lightning fast runner.  Amazon, woke up one morning during her training and ran a half marathon.  Let’s be honest, Amazon is a freight train!

November finally arrived.  Hotels were booked, rental cars secured, training was over and our team was making their way to Chattanooga.  We replaced a runner at the last minute for an injured team member.  Dena would be a tremendous asset to our team.  Ragnar goes through her home town, so for years she had wanted to run this crazy relay.  She would get her chance and we were thankful! Wow, I am at 567 words and I haven’t got to the running.

The morning of the race came.  Van 1 was at the start line with Sandy leading off the race for Against Our Better Judgement.  It was foggy in Chattanooga and not the best conditions for running in morning traffic.  Sandy was a trooper and we quickly learned the routine of supporting our runners.  Really nothing except starting the relay could prepare us for this adventure.  The miles clocked by and it was Snapper’s turn to face the climb up to the Cumberland Plateau.  She muscled up the mountain passing many runners.  Barb smoked down the mountain Snapper climbed.  Barb passed the baton to Chris, who would pass it to me.  It was now my time to run.  The whole reality of Ragnar was not real until the orange slap bracelet was around my right wrist.  It was my time to take our team further down the road.

As I finished my run, I would learn quickly that I loved to see Marcia in the exchange shoot.  She would cheer me on the final few meters of my run and off she would go.  My next step was chocolate milk and the car chalk to dot my first leg.  We kept track of our progress by marking off boxes on the van windows.  Van 2 would mark off the miles after their runs.  Running this crazy Ragnar relay is really just completing one small step, followed another small step.  Progress was marked by our victories along the way.  It was so motivating to finish a leg and cheer on the next runner.  After Marcia completed her leg Van 1 was off and Van 2 would continue on.

The exchanges between Van 1 and Van 2 were far too brief.  We loved seeing our team mates and wanted to know more about their adventure.  We enjoyed hearing about the play list of van 2, the fact Rob ran each of his legs shirtless, and the fact Amazon got blue all over her from a porta potty… yuck!  Van 1 would drive along the relay route to a Dollar General and then rest in a field behind a middle school.  It would soon be our time to run again and darkness was upon us.

Darkness was the one variable we really didn’t consider.  I think we all felt like there would be more light, more people and more comfort along the dark roads.  It was tough running through the night.  I took the baton near Lynchburg.  I enjoyed running in the dark because I felt like I was on the county roads near my home in Mississippi.  I saw opossums and two deer along the way.  There were some scary dogs, but I tried not to let them bother me.  I have heard dogs smell fear.  It was on this leg that I got my only road kill. Forgive me team, I am slow!

We would see Van 2 quickly at Moore County High School and there we would start our off time.  It wouldn’t be a long off shift, Van 2 smoked through their legs.  Our naps would be cut short and we were running again.  These early morning legs were very difficult but our runners rallied together.  Chris had the darkest and coldest leg of all the race.  Seeing her commitment to the team to push on was awe inspiring.  Others on the team ran along side her, Barb ran the first 2.5 miles along side Chris, then Sandy and finally Snapper. The greatest thing I experienced during this adventure was the commitment each runner had to the team.  We couldn’t let any of our team down.  We had to make it to the finish line.

Van 2 would take over shorty after I finished my last leg.  They had the sun beating down on them while Van 1 made our way to Nashville and the finish line.  We showered, which was a team sport as well.  Marcia and Barb showered in the fitness center showers sharing hair products and mascara.  Sandy, Snapper, Chris and myself rotated through the shower in our hotel room.  I am not sure about Chuck, but he was clean when he joined us. I remember being so eager to make our way to the finish line.  I wanted to see the rest of our team mates.

I think my team mates would all agree with me, the hardest leg for each runner was their third leg.  We were mentally and physically exhausted.  To complete our finial legs, we had to pull our strength from somewhere else.  One of the most touching memories I will carry forward is Rob, Amazon’s brother, running to join Amazon to finish the race.  We all needed a little bit more to finish the relay.  Hymns and Bible verses, cheers and chats pushed our runners along the final stretch.  We did it! We finished the relay.  Twelve friends joined together to get us from Chattanooga to Nashville! It is one of the coolest things I have ever done.  Thank you team! Thanks for every memory!

Posted in Triathlon & Other Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Against Our Better Judgment

The Elusive Blue Cable

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

I guess I don’t get out much and that is why I don’t blog much anymore.  I can’t help but want to share this wonderful fishing story with you.  I hope you enjoy it.  One thing I ask you, please read this post as if you were whispering to yourself.

I found myself in Daytona Beach, Florida with Jitters and Baywatch recruiting students at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to work at Space Camp. We ate lunch at Ocean Deck restaurant just off the beach here in Daytona.  Today the Thunderbirds were practicing for their air show this weekend.  Being Aviation Challenge staffers once upon a time, we had to hit the beach to watch their aerial assault verses the seagulls.  It was amazing!!! Only thing better was watching F-16s landing at Luke AFB a few years back.

We walked down to the pier where Joe’s Crab Shack is located.  We wanted to walk all the way to the end of the pier to see the wonderful waves crashing into the shoreline.  There was a fisherman with a lady fishing toward the end of the peer.  We noticed the lady first, because she was wearing a hot pink bikini top with jean shorts.  I knew I was in Florida when I saw the jean shorts.  All of a sudden, the fisherman yells, “I have caught one!”  The lady comes running to help.  I am captured by the drama unfolding. We are excited, because we are about to see a giant fish leap from the water.  The man is wrestling with the rod and reel.  A crowd of bystanders start to form around the fisherman when the lady goes to retrieve her matching hot pink camera.

The lady comes over to her fishing buddy ready to take a photo of this tireless fish that must be extremely large.  The struggle for the fish had taken almost five or so minutes.  I survey the water below in hopes to catch a glimpse of this mammoth creature.  I see the line and the beast that has been caught by the heroic fisherman is none other than an elusive blue cable.  Yes, a blue cable/rope tied to the pier with a net attached to keep the day’s catch fresh while the fisherman was fishing. Yes, the fisherman had caught his own equipment from the opposite side of the pier.  The reason this elusive blue cable was putting up such a fight was because there was a gallon milk jug tied to the rope as a weight.

The fisherman continued to fight with his line.  All I could do was look at Jitters and Baywatch and say, “would you just look at that!”  We walked away, into the sunset, never to be seen again.

The End

Posted in Adventures | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Elusive Blue Cable

Did You Know?

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

Did you know that a baby rabbit is called a kit?  Did you know, that rather than having two girl rabbits, I have one boy or buck and one girl rabbit or doe? Do you know where baby rabbits come from?  Well, I do!  Rather than watching the Weather Channel to see which land mass Hurricane Isaac will hit, I am watching the rabbit hutch on my back porch to see when the kits are born.

A year ago, we had an aging white male rabbit which looked more like Godzilla than a cute little bunny. Shortly after Christmas, George the mammoth bunny, passed away of a drug overdose.  After Easter, Remus and Cammie Anne, came to live in my back yard from my brother’s house in Mississippi.  Did you know I was a sucker for animals?  I have been called Elly May before.  In the next few days and weeks, I will have more animals living under one roof than I am sure the city of Huntsville will allow.  I am sure the home owner’s association will not be happy.

The moral of the story is to check your rabbits for berries before you take them home.  Now, I am going on Craig’s List looking for Bunny Midwives.  I am sure how the math goes with rabbits, but it is something like 1 + 1 = 14 or so.  Anybody want a rabbit?

Wait! I just figured it out… The rabbits sent me the flowers last week!  I did make a big difference in their lives.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged , | Comments Off on Did You Know?

Things to Consider Before Blogging

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

Everyone wants to vent at times.  However, if you are going to tell stories about where you work in a public forum like Facebook, Twitter or your own personal blog one should consider a few simple things.

Be clever and witty, not bitter and contrite in your writing. When I wrote all my Barn Yard blogs I found some of my favorite things to write about.  Working at the Barn had it’s up and it’s downs but I always look for the upside.  The humor I saw in while working with Cameron Drape and customers like her was the inspiration for so much of my writing.  Cameron Drape is a lady who loves shopping at the Barn so much but has a quirky personality.  So quirky she proclaims keeping her Barn receipt in her underwear drawer.  There’s not much funnier things than that!  If I complained about Cameron or her contrary shopping style no one would want to read a negative blog. If people wanted to read cranky blogs they would simply read political blogs.

Be smart with what you write. I love writing and when I write I like to find things that can inspire me to be creative.  Blogging is about conveying thoughts, feelings, emotions, and stories about life.  In addition to all that it is about showing some smarts behind your writing.  I can’t spell and sometimes my vocabulary is not the best.  But improving my skills as a writer and expanding my vocabulary is a goal of mine while blogging.  Writing is an art form.  Texting and posting on social media has eroded our sentence structure and spelling.  If you want to have an enjoyable smart blog, reclaim the English language.  I am always trying to make Elizabeth Sarcone, PhD, my English Comp Professor at Delta State, proud of my writing.

Have buy in from your co-workers. While writing about the Barn many staff knew and read my blogs.  I had buy in from the people I worked with, because those people were very important to me and to the success of the overall blog.  Blogging shouldn’t just be a platform to vent about stuff, but also be about bringing people together with common interest.  Everyone who has a personal blog has a tendency to make it all about them.  I am no different. However, what I really love to writing about is the people I am around.  And the people I work with at camp and the people I worked with at the Barn are important to me.  When writing about my work place, I wanted to make my co-workers proud, just like Dr. Sarcone.

Consider your words carefully! Even as I write this blog, I am considering my words very carefully.  So often people think writing a blog is like writing in your journey which is locked in an air tight box in a super secret location.  But it is not.  People see your thoughts and feeling spread over the internet.  Those people talk about your words and your words can either give you credibility for the future or lessen your character.  I was once told I shouldn’t teach, because I couldn’t spell well.  I failed the writing portion of the Praxis exam the first time.  So I don’t write to draw attention to myself or throw bitter words toward the people I sweat with.  I don’t write to be heard.  I write to improve my writing skills and share some of my favorite stories. Hopefully, it is sent and received with positive feelings!  These are the things I have considered while writing my blogs and especially the ones where I write about work.

Posted in Etc. | Tagged , | Comments Off on Things to Consider Before Blogging

Tri Anything…

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

Most people know that I am an adventurous red head. However, I haven’t been as outgoing as I would like in recent history.  I did spend a few years in the wild world of retail working at the Barn, better know to many as Pottery Barn.  Then a stint as a tour guide at Jack Daniel’s Visitor Center in Lynchburg, Tennessee. I gave up my part time jobs to spend more time outdoors. In other words, my time has not been spent with Cameron Drape or chilling not the couch, thus causing my blog to suffer.

I am sure you may be wondering what I have been doing in the meantime.  The answer to that question is… A LOT!  Last August, my mom saw a picture of me at a wedding on Facebook. She commented to me on the phone that I had gained weight.  What I heard was, “Ruth Marie, you are fat”.  And she was correct, I had gained too much weight and needed more physical activity than giving tours at Jack Daniel’s.  The new year rolled around and I joined the YMCA to start swimming. Shortly there after while on a camping trip I committed to running the Warrior Dash in Mountain City, Georgia in May with my three friends, Snapper, Speedo and Amazon.  If you are not familiar with Warrior Dash, it is a run with obstacles and lots of mud and some flames. To get ready for Warrior Dash, I ran my very first 5K in April at Camp of the Rising Son in French Camp, Mississippi.

After running about three or four races, I was hooked.  I wanted to run more however, I am an Oliver. Olivers are not known for their lightning fast speed or gazelle like agility.  I continued to swim and run no matter the speed.  At some point after Warrior Dash Snapper, my training buddy, and I decided to run a triathlon. To make this goal a reality we would need to start bike training.  At this point is when the fun really started.  My first bike race of any type was Muddy Buddy in Nashville, Tennessee. Muddy Buddy is a relay where I started riding my mountain bike and Snapper started running.  We would switch at an obstacle, I would run and she would bike. Needless to say, this event was super fun!

The next race is the big one, my first triathlon.  Saturday, Snapper and I, with a few hundred other people, swim, bike and run the Wet Dog Triathlon in Decatur, Alabama.  Snapper’s main motivation is the tri sticker she will place on the back glass of her Subaru.  My motivation is the adventure behind it all. Meeting new people, doing new things and losing some of the fat my mom noticed last year.  I am a little nervous but I have had some really great people help me along the way.  I think this is what life is all about: trying new things, sharing life’s lessons and being daring enough to try anything once, even green beans or deviled eggs.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tri Anything…

King George I

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Ruth Marie Oliver

In 2006, two days before Christmas Chris and I arrived at my parent’s house in Mississippi with our little dog Boo.  I had just walked in the door and sat down at my father’s desk when I got a phone call from my brother asking me to meet him at the canal bridge. Chris and I met Walt and his whole family at the bridge near US 51 Highway.  Some despicable human being had released twenty to thirty domestic rabbits to fend for themselves because that despicable human being didn’t want to care for the rabbits any longer. The rabbit chase began!

We chased the little critters around the thicket, inside the briers and in the cow pasture. Some predators had already feasted on a few rabbits. There were a few brown rabbits but the majority where common white rabbits with pink eyes. The white rabbits were the easiest to capture. Boo even helped to flush the rabbits from the thicket and help in the grand chase for the rabbits. Once we captured the little guys and gals we placed them in a dog kennel in the back of Walt’s truck. As the end of the chase, we had captured seventeen rabbits all white.

What do you do with seventeen rabbits after rescuing them from being a coyote’s breakfast, lunch and dinner. You give some away, you take one home to Huntsville and you keep a few on the farm. The one we took home to Huntsville was later named George. A very predictable name for a rabbit that would be loved for many years to come. George became our family pet just like a dog or cat would. For the first few months after George arrived in Huntsville, my parents would ask, “Do you still have that rabbit.” The answer was yes, but for a rabbit who was rescued off the side of a dirt road it was a little shocking he was still hanging around.

George was not just any rabbit. George was a twelve pound Monty Python rabbit. If Chuck Norris had a rabbit, it would be George. George once drop kicked our Jack Russell, Boo, and was known to bark at our neighbor’s dog. He spent many a nights indoors because of the cold. George loved the power outage that followed the April 2011 tornados, because he had so much company in the back yard. We camped out, we had a camp stew cook out, and a nightly bond fire. George was at his happiest!

Who could have imaged a thrown away rabbit having such a good life. He was fed and fed well. I would proclaim in his first year of living in Alabama that he is more expensive than a dog. He had a wooden hutch on the patio and a rabbit run under the trees in the back yard. He was a handsome rabbit too. He would have wild rabbit girl friends hop through the yard on occasion. He was a good rabbit!

Sadly this morning we put the aging hare down. Yes, he died just as Michael Jackson did, an overdoes of anesthesia. Our vet was very kind and loved the story of George. Looking back at his life, he was larger than life. He was also a large rabbit, only two pounds smaller than our dog. He was treated like a king and he gave us a lot of happiness. And just like the kings and monarchs of old he was given a royal burial in an undisclosed location. Long live King George I!

Posted in Adventures | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on King George I

Another Year Flies By…

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Ruth Marie Oliver

This year has been a blast! This year has been very different from the last thirty something years before.  In an effort to reflect on an amazing year, here are my top ten memories of 2011. And a few honorable mentions.

1. Game Seven of the World Series: One minute you are mopping water in the bubble classroom. Seven hours later, you are with your brother watching the seventh game of the World Series. Yes, it can happen and it did! Game six was postponed because of rain on Wednesday to Thursday night. For baseball people this made for a shift in starting pitchers and line-up changes. For a parent it gave a slim change for a Friday night game seven. To get to a Friday night game seven the Cardinals would have to come back from two deficits to win game six. It was a miraculous series of events but David Freese made it happen. This unforgettable bucket list event made me smile, cheer and even cry! If you ever get a chance to seize the day while mopping the bubble classroom, DO IT!

2. Stupid Irene: I am not going to talk about Hurricane Irene hitting New York City when I should have been watching a Mets game. I am going to tell you about the amazing time I did had touring about NYC, watching a game at Yankee Stadium where three grand slams were hit, visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty, joining Ann Curry in the plaza to watch Train perform and watching Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. It was such a fun trip. I almost lost Snapper when she came up from the Subway with her mouth wide open. Natives had to tell her to shut her mouth or a Subway rat would run in. The Yankee’s game started out with rain and the Yankees losing! If you ever can visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty, the park rangers treat you like royalty! Unfortunately, stupid Irene ran us off to Alabama to play golf.

3. NFA: Neil Armstrong came to Space Camp to honor Dr. Von T! What a treat for anybody. All the young people at camp that evening lined the walk way underneath the Saturn V rocket to welcome both Neil Armstrong and Dr. von T. It was an amazing testament to the work both men did for the space program. After the evening concluded people mobbed Neil Armstrong and because I had on a blue flight suit, I was lucky enough to serve as Neil Armstrong’s bodyguard. At the end of the night we all adjourned to Otter’s for a beer or three with our friend Hoot Gibson. Neil didn’t join us!

4. Jack Daniels Tour Guide: On the count of three say, WHISKEY! Yes, I was indeed a tour guide at Jack Daniels this summer. One of the best jobs in the world. Got to meet cool people and talk about whiskey. Jack Daniel started making whiskey in the 1800’s and they still make it in Lynchburg, Tennessee today just like Mr. Jack did. I was able to see many things they don’t show you about on the tours. As well as learning a few secrets. I visited the distillery about twenty times before working there. I trained by shadowing fifteen tours. As a tour guide, I gave 94 tours. From all that, I can testify that there are good tourist and there are bad tourist.

5. Picking up the Sticks: I have played golf since I was in high school. However, in recent years I have not been as faithful to the sport. This year, with the aid of my friend Snapper, I got back into golf. It all started by taking Lit’ Snap to the driving range. Then we visited Huntsville Muni followed by many more courses. Our adventures included golfing with Kitten, visiting Oxmoor Valley, a Robert Trent Jones course, and even the back yard.

6. Yellowstone Adventure: It is somewhat difficult to say something about my vacation to West Yellowstone that I haven’t already said. However, I will try. This vacation meant the world to me. I was able to spend time with my family in an almost magical place. That is correct; you don’t have to go to Disney to find magic! Spending precious time with my parents and my brother’s family was so refreshing. Our vacation out west was the most time we had spent together in years!

7. Night of the Flying Roll: NatGeo Networks contracted with the USSRC to provide an incentive trip to wine and dine a few advertising executives. Fortunately for me I was able to help the Corporate Camp Manager, Snapper and her cohorts to develop and deliver the program. It was the coolest group project I have ever had the privilege to work. A group of 26 executives trained at Aviation Challenge, at Area 51, in the Space Shuttle simulators and in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer! This project allowed me to SCUBA dive for the first time and more. The final evening the staff was invited to join our guests, NatGeo executives, astronaut Hoot Gibson and the Rocket City Rednecks (RCR) at Cotton Row in downtown Huntsville. It was the best way to cap off a successful event. The RCR crew was so funny! The best part of the evening was when a roll shot across the room breaking the red wine glass of our guests. You correct if you are thinking that, “I bet on of those rednecks tossed the roll.” Yes in deed, they threw a strike! We heard a cry… I meant to hit him… not your wine glass! I should have written a whole blog post on the evening.

8. Disney Cruise: Have you ever wanted to cruise around the Caribbean with Mickey Mouse and his gang. Well, I got the chance to do just that and see one of my best friends get married to a super swell guy! The only downside to cruising around the Caribbean with Mickey and the gang is thousands of children having emotional break downs at 8:35 each evening.

9. Reindeer Wrangler: This year for Christmas the U.S. Space & Rocket Center hosted the prelude to the Galaxy of Lights. Almost one mile of lights in addition to the previous GOL lights which started at the greatest aviation camp in the world, Aviation Challenge. AC played host to two North American Caribou… reindeer. Being a farm girl I jumped at the chance to be the official pooper scooper and reindeer wrangler. I did have some help from Spud, Snapper, Riyeasa, Ham, Matt and Marcia. Thistle and Cindy Lou will be missed when they head back to Rocky Hill Reindeer Farm.

10. Life with No Power: A year end review can’t be complete without weighing the good and the bad. The tornados hit many states including Alabama cutting the main power line which supported most of Madison County. This was a small inconvenience to me and my family, but many families it would hurt. The mighty strength of this series of tornados would be historical in scope. Space Camp completely shut down for four days. I lived in a tent in my back yard with Snapper and Boo. Chris was in Atlanta for most of the time. For me, living in a tent isn’t a bad gig. Each morning we would cook breakfast, listen to the 8:30 press conference to listen for Rusty Russell, and then enjoy our ceremonial 10:30 beer. At some point after our nap, there was scavenging for ice and then wood for the nightly fire. I am thankful to God for my families safety and for my back yard adventure.

Honorable Mentions: Playing softball on the Sprockets; visiting Yazoo Brewery in Nashville, TN; annual canoe trip with Divot and Molly’s cousin Bernie; Hoot nights; One Republic concert in Birmingham; making a gold cowbell for the Egg Bowl; making friends with Conner’s bar tenders; writing blogs.

Posted in Year End Blog | 1 Comment

Food Along the Way

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Ruth Marie Oliver

The holidays are about visiting family and friends while celebrating the birth of little baby Jesus. Part of that celebration is eating good food. This western adventure has taken us to many restaurants and the table at Red Cedar Cabin. You know, part of traveling is finding good food along the ways! I love top ten list, so I have compiled a list of the ten very best meals my little Indian pack has enjoyed.

McDonald’s in West Yellowstone, Montana: We ate at a few McDonald’s along the way. I know that breaks the first rule of the road when it comes to food, don’t eat something you can eat in your home town. The McDonald’s in West Yellowstone was a refuge from the cold and it did have good food and friendly service. Corey and Big Daddy felt that this McDonald’s was better than other Mickey D’s. Corey said that if other McDonald’s could make a burger as good as they did in West Yellowstone, McDonald’s would make a million dollars.

Silver Dollar Grill in Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Rhett, Reece, Chris and I joined Walter, Christy and little Lucy for our first meal together out west. We were staying at the Wort Hotel in Jackson Hole. The meal was exceptional. Walter commented that the steak was one of the best he had eatten. I loved my purple Idaho potatoes with Boursin cheese, YUMMY!

Sausage, Biscuits and Eggs at the cabin in West Yellowstone: The very first morning of the trip we woke up to a breakfast cooked by Big Daddy and the kids. It was amazing. It was so unexpected and joyful to have fresh eggs and bacon without the hassle of the drive thru line. There were a few mornings when Lucy had birthday cake, but you can do that on vacation!

Mile High Pizza Pie in Jackson Hole, Wyoming: We passed Mile High Pizza Pie a few times while we shopped and visited the downtown area of Jackson Hole. Each time we passed by, the smell of this little pizzeria was AMAZING! The food didn’t disappoint! We had a bacon and onion pizza. I don’t like onions but I loved this pizza!

Frostop Drive-In in Ashton, Idaho: We didn’t actually eat here. However, if we could have stopped this morning at 6:15 for a burger and fries, we would have. It has an old Frostop mug spinning in the parking lot. It looked so fun! We will eat there if we venture back to West Yellowstone.

Chipotle in Memphis, Tennessee: This was the first Chipotle experience for Rhett and Reece. Rhett’s first food was guacamole and both boys love MEXICAN FOOD. Rhett did have trouble finishing his burrito, so he called an audible for a bowl and fork. Reece loved the hot salsa!

Spaghetti at the cabin in West Yellowstone: The spaghetti meal was special because so many people had a hand in making the spaghetti. Big Daddy and I helped to season the sauce. Christy helped at every meal. The kids helped with the noodles. It was a team effort. Everything turned out wonderful!

Chipotle in Salt Lake City, Utah: I didn’t want to go to a Chipotle again; however, the boys were given the option to pick Since they were such angles at High West Distillery. Yes, we broke the second rule of the road, don’t eat at the same restaurant during a trip. They picked Chipotle over my favorite of In-N-Out. The boys didn’t understand how a burger place could be as good as Chipotle. They have never eaten at an In-N-Out. I think I failed them as an aunt.

Deer Steak at the cabin in West Yellowstone: Each supper was special, however to eat deer harvested in Carroll County, Mississippi made it a little bit better. The deer was wonderful and we even had some of the best cream corn in the world… Sweet G90 made by Big Mama! She is a damn good cook!

Zoom in Park City, Utah: Zoom is a Sundance Resort Restaurant. Which means it was a little fancy for us. And, I am sure my order will be controversial. However, this meal was so much fun. Rhett and Reece didn’t know about the menu and I was not a good “picker” for a kid’s meal. We ended up all ordering from the main menu and sharing. Rhett had a Worcestershire Cheesesteak, Chris had a barbecue chicken sandwich, Reece had a pulled pork quesadilla, and I had a hamburger. It was so much fun and very adventurous for us!

After all this food, I am going to diet when I get back to Alabama!

Posted in Adventures | Comments Off on Food Along the Way

So Long Red Cedar Cabin

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Ruth Marie Oliver

Today has been a lazy day filled with packing, cleaning and Christmas cheer! Our vacation is coming to a close and we need to reflect on our visit. Inside Red Cedar Cabin is a guest book filled will stories of past guests in this cabin. Our entry is as follows, plus we had to play my favorite game, “What was your favorite thing?”

Dec 19th – 26th, 2011

The Oliver family from Winona, Mississippi visited for Christmas. We had a lovely time staying at Red Cedar Cabin. Our family includes Bobby and Shirley Oliver and their two children’s family. Walter and Christy Oliver with their three children, Rhett, Reece and Lucy. Ruth Marie Oliver and her husband Christopher Key. During the first few days we had visiting friends Corey and Will B. to show us around.

We snowmobiled, took a guided tour in Yellowstone National Park and had many wonderful meals at the table of Red Cedar. Unfortunately we didn’t see any wildlife around the cabin, other than a squirrel or two. The snowfall was not huge during our stay however, we enjoyed the weather and hope to visit again in the future.

If you are reading this book and looking for suggestions on where to rent snowmobiles or a guided tour of YNP. We suggest Backcountry Adventures and ask for Skip to be your guide. Maybe we will see you on the trails.

Favorite Things From the Oliver Family

Big Daddy loved the precious time with his family and having a wonderful western adventure.
Big Mama loved all the activities from Monday to Sunday, including the meals.
Walter enjoyed snowmobiling and Yellowstone National Park. Walt wants to return and rent the BIG snowmobilies.
Christy loved seeing all the wildlife – eagle, raven, duck, ouzel, swan, elk, buffalo, wolf, moose, big horn sheep, antelope and bear.
Rhett enjoyed his visit to Jackson Hole, WY and would suggest to anyone to visit.
Reece loved seeing the buffalo and learning how to be a mountain man!
Lucy enjoyed staying around the cabin and watching movies with family.
Chris loved seeing the mountains again, snowmobiling and being with his family.
And I loved visiting Yellowstone National Park and adventuring to the peak of Two Top.

It has been a wonderful trip to West Yellowstone. The people here are truly spectacular and wonderful host… now it is time to get my ass back home!

P.S. We did celebrate Christmas today. We will be capping the festivities off tonight by having birthday cake for baby Jesus.

Posted in Adventures | Comments Off on So Long Red Cedar Cabin

The Best Movie EVER!!!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Ruth Marie Oliver

One morning during this arctic adventure, our wake up call was a proud proclamation, “Elf is the BEST movie EVER!” Lucy seems to love the movie Elf! Elf is the modern Christmas classic for all children born after 1997. It has been the constant entertainment here at Mule Deer Lane.

If you know me or have traveled with me you will know my game, “What Was Your Favorite Thing”. Tonight we are playing, “What is your favorite Christmas movie”

Here are a few:

A Christmas Story
Elf
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
The Night They Saved Christmas
It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Vacation
Miracle on 34th Street
Serendipity
Die Hard – I am sure some people will be scratching their heads… But this is definitely a Christmas movie!!!

You probably have your own favorite. Please do share!

Posted in Adventures | 1 Comment