Signs You're A Runner

Warm weather is now upon us, especially now that July is here. Nearly everyone is doing some sort of outdoor fitness. One of the most popular ones is running.

I have gotten back into running over the past year, previously writing about "runner's high." You see folks out and about early in the morning to late at night running, walking, and/or jogging. It's that season.

Also, for my fellow runners out there, here's a sign that you are a runner or have become a runner.

1. You have purchased merchandise such as bright T-shirts, shorter shorts, headbands, bright vests, and watches like Garmin and the newly famous FitBit.

2. You buy new tennis shoes every few months, and have them specially fitted for your foot.

3. You know what runner's knot is.

4. You have a set day (for most , the end of the week) to do your long runs.

5. You have at least three running routes.

6. You have raced in or are already registered for at least three races this year.

7. You go to bed and arise early so you can get early morning runs in. Got to beat the heat and humidity!

8.  You have a steady supply of Band-Aids and possibly nipple guards.

9. You have found wireless earphones can be your friend on your runs.

10.  You're in a running club (shout-out to RTR!)

11.  You keep a steady supply of running gels, water, hand towels, and bananas.

12. You know and like to avoid the hilly roads and trails.

13. You pay more attention to the weather forecast and take full advantage on days when it's between 60-75 degrees.

14. You have actually ran in light rain.

15. You have a favorite race that you run annually.

16. You schedule everything (work, vacations, social outings) around running.

17. You have apps on your phone such as Nike running and RunKeeper.

What are some other ways you can define yourself as a runner? Do you relate to all or some of the above?

From Rachel Dolezal to Dylann Roof: How Well Do You Really Know Those Around You?

There has been much soul searching and questioning of character over the last few weeks in the wake of fraud and tragedy. I am of course writing about the media elephants in Rachel Dolezal and Dylann Roof. Rachel had people fooled for nearly two decades, and Dylann didn't really have anyone fooled.

Let's discuss something different than the obvious racial tension these separate incidents have incited. Another issue here is a common one: how well do you REALLY know someone? Rachel had an entire organization fooled for far too long. Roof really wasn't trying to deceive anyone, he simply flew under the radar.

This type of character deception occurs everyday. You rarely ever know what a person is really like until you look deep down inside and use intuition and discernment to evaluate them. There is a reason we deal with the folks we deal with daily. Many we are required to, some we choose to. People do change, but more often than not they are still the same overall.

Watch your circle carefully. Someone , even a long time friend or family member, could be masking someone or their true feelings about you. It happens all the time, but is rarely seen.

This is not to say be overly cautious or paranoid. Simply use proper judgment when dealing with people, remember they are human, and accept them for who they are, and recognize who they aren't.

How have you been deceived in your past by a fake image or person? Do you believe that certain situations and scenarios always reveal an ugly side to a person?

Owning Your Own Faults: Being Accountable

We all make mistakes and do things wrong. To err is human. I previously wrote a piece similar to this "Mistakes:Casting The First Stone."

The worst part, however, is not owning up to the own crap we say and do.

It's easy to criticize and pass judgment. However, why aren't more of us owning up to our faults and shortcomings, and trying to improve them?

It's the classic case of sweeping around your own front door first. The biggest step can be picking up that broom and putting in the metaphorical work.

One needs to take a step back, and do a hard look. Make sure you know what you're talking about before you speak, and practice what you teach and preach.

Let's take this moment, day, month, season and year to own ourselves, flaws and all.

Do you have mess that you need to own in your life? What are you doing to progress in the proper direction?

1st Annual Drewsies Awards

I have been reading and collecting newspapers for two decades now and am  a loyal subscriber to the Gaffney Ledger. That being said, one of my favorite parts of the newspaper is when they give out awards for best restaurants, businesses, etc. I am adding a bit of a twist to my awards show "the Drewsies".  I am awarding 36 different categories, one for each year I have been alive. This will be tough, and I will do my best to be fair and unbiased.

Best journalist/writer: Joe Hughes II
Best photographer: Alvin Hinton
Best DJ: Mike Dawkins

Realest on social media (and life): Billy Moore

Best bar and grill: Patti O's
Best BBQ: Courtney's BBQ
Best service organization: Smokin Rita and Friends
Best gym: Anytime Fitness
Best fitness instructor: Angie Dover
Best trainer: Simone Mack
Best buffet: Best Pizza Buffet
Best fitness community: Upstate SC
Best running club: Run The Rock
Best teacher: Erin Helms
Best civil rights activist: Will Pruitt
Best TV comedy: The Middle
Best TV drama: Orange Is The New Black
Best parties/cookouts: The Morris Boys
Best social network: Twitter
Best chiropractor: Bill and Chad
Best dentist: Brown and Harrell
Best place for tires: Roberts Tire
Best seafood: Captain Steve's
Best steak house: Texas Roadhouse
Best salad bar: Ruby Tuesday
Best birthday freebie: Moe's Southwest Grill
Best sub sandwiches: Sub Station II in Gaffney
Best supermarket: Publix
Best movie theater: NCG theatres
Best pizza, calzones and strombolis: Venus Pie
Best retail store: Target
Best pharmacy: CVS
Best late night hangout spot: Empire Pizza
Best mall: Village of Sandhills
Best shoe store: Nike Factory Outlet
Best new TV drama: Empire

OK I could go on and on but I will stop at 36. Hope all of you enjoyed this year's Drewsies!

The Cat's In The Cradle: Make Time For Others While They Have Time

Harry Chapin released perhaps his biggest hit in the 1974 called "Cat's In The Cradle." It is a very deep ballad about a father and son, where the father always seems too busy to spend adequate time with the son. By the time the dad slows down and wants to spend time with his boy, he is grown with his own responsibilities and the tables have turned.

This sounds all too familiar for many of us.

Yesterday we paid tribute to veterans no longer with us and probably spent a lot of time with family and friends we hadn't seen in a while. It is unofficially summertime, which means more time with these such folks.  These are the days and seasons we need to take advantage of.

We may have been too busy or preoccupied during the winter months, but now is the time to set aside for those most important to us. This down/fun time is important, for no one lives forever and we want to be able to spend time with them while they are here.

Too often our daily lives dominate us and we unknowingly neglect and float people, activities and opportunities. The two most important groups to remember are the elderly and the youth. The older folks didn't always neglect us or may have been busy then also. Either way, they have slowed down and love the company of their loved ones. The youth are watching us, and we need to be that example. Just as in the song, they will "grow up just like me" and then forget you and perhaps their own children. It can be a dangerous cycle.

The point is time goes fast and we must use it wisely. We have the same 24 hours that everyone else has. How and whom we spend it with is up to us. Please don't let time pass you by.

Do you feel neglected by family and friends right now? What are you doing to change this?

Mary Kale: A Celebration Of 80 Years In Life, Love and Christ

My great aunt Mary Elizabeth Kale Dover recently turned 80 years old, a milestone age for her as she is the first sibling out of her family to reach this age.

There are many great things I can say about this woman. She has been such an inspirational and stabilizing force throughout my entire life.

She was born as the third of twelve children, second oldest daughter to Bill and Orie Dover. Like many children during the Depression/WWII era, she had to assist in raising her youngest siblings, especially since both of her parents worked a lot.

She got married in the early 50s to Bill Kale. They had five children: Sandra, Tim, Vicki, and twin daughters Glenda and Belinda. They would eventually have thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, quite a legacy.

Now that Mary was a full time mother and wife, she still played mother figure to many others. Her beloved mother Orie passed away in 1958. Therefore her and her sister Myrtle (my grandmother) were the mothers to many of the younger siblings for life.

One of the most important lessons Mary learned and still practices and teaches to this day is about the Lord. She is one of the most devout Christians I know, and is never ashamed to express her faith. Being of the Pentacostal faith, she is very vocal about the Holy Ghost as well. Hearing her and my grandma pray always gave me cold chills.  She also is a wonderful singer, and her kids and many of her grandkids have inherited this spiritual gift.

Aunt Mary has been a tough woman throughout life's advertisies. She has witnessed both of her parents, her husband and several siblings pass on. She is one of only four remaining. She does not and cannot get around like she once could. You best believe she is still strong in heart and spirit. She is a person I have always enjoyed being around as she reminds me so much of my grandma and she is such a positive, spiritual person. They really don't make them like her anymore.

I firmly believe in giving folks the flowers while they can still smell them. Therefore, these piece is for you, Aunt Mary Kale. Thank you for all of your prayers and all you have did for the entire family. I love you as you have truly been a blessing and I am thankful everyday for people like you in my life.

You Don't Know The Whole Story

This is kind of one of my deep rant/soapbox pieces.

I have been feeling some type of way lately. Perhaps it's the weather and my allergies. But I am growing tired of people that believe they have me figured out and know my goals and plans and such.

Here's the deal folks first and foremost. I am not an open book on every facet of my life. Just because I don't say, express or talk about something in my life doesn't mean I'm not doing it. If and when I want folks to know what is going down with me, they will know. If I want a female to know I'm feeling her, the same principle applies. Don't assume anything about anyone, especially me. Shoot I even wrote my own instruction manual a while back to assist.

This is a common mistake made by many people. You never know the story behind the story of most people. The same principle applies as with the media: when a big story breaks, look for the story that you're being distracted from. Oftentimes it's the untold stories that really tell the tale. Simply let folks live their lives and have their privacies. Personal space and invasion of privacy are becoming obsolete. Allow those that choose so to fly under the radar and be low key. They aren't bothering you so why bother them?

Ok rant over, for now.