~ It’s The Simple Things ~

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”

— Henry James

Everybody likes the feeling of warmth.   Most people get caught up in all of the complications that life throws at them.   I could list a multitude of them here on this post, but today I want to keep it simple.   Simple and warm.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with TK who simply put, is awesome.   She invited me up to her “pretty awesome” house in the Poconos, PA.   With the way the weather had been lately, I was worried about even making it up there, but luckily the snow had stopped and gave to us this simple beauty.

Trees covered in cotton.

Friendship doesn’t ever have to be complicated and it shouldn’t.   You are either going to hit it off and become friends, or your not.  Simple.  I’d say TK and I became friends this past weekend.  Not that we weren’t friends before, but I truly think TK knew that I needed this get-a-way.   She knew and she gave to me a simple way to get out of my own head and relax, eat, bake, blog, twitter, read, run and LAUGH.   Laugh.   March 25th was TK’s birthday and when she awoke that morning I sang the Happy Birthday song and then I played youtube videos of other people singing the Happy Birthday song.  You know, like real singers “The Beatles”   I think she enjoyed that.   Oh and the cake.   How can I not talk about the cake.

Banana Nutella Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.   Perfect in its imperfections.   So delicious, I kinda want a piece right now.

So, we had two great runs up in the Poconos.  It’s the mountains and quite hilly.  I regretted not bringing my climbing poles and ropes because, quite frankly we were climbing on those runs.   TK and friend BG may giggle and say NAH.  But they also simply agreed with me that I was climbing mountains.

First run was:

Great birthday run with @pigtailsflying in the Pocono’s Pennsylvania. (not my birthday) Elevation gain 112 feet. I thought it felt like 10,000 feet. What do I know?

3.62 miles 37.33 10.22
Mile 1 10.17
Mile 2 10.33
Mile 3 10.06
Mile 4 0.62 6.36 (10.37)

After mile 1 I told TK, I had to stop for a bit to catch my breathe.   This was simply for two reasons.  Yes, I did need a bit of a breathe catcher, but also it was TK’s birthday run and I wanted it to be a great run for her.  So, I urged her on and told her I would be alright running the loop alone.   Simple.

Second run was the next day with TK and new friend BG.  Another great run, I think.

Terrific leisurely run with TK and BG. sort of around Lake Naomi in the Pocono’s. I felt bad that I slowed them both down to an easy trot but there were some hills and it was a little cold.

5 Miles 56.11  Ran the WHOLE THING.

I am ecstatic that I was able to spend this time with a friend.   It really made a simple world of difference in my life.

“I think if I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”

— Jon Katz