I’m back to work, at least temporarily. I’ve gone from lazy, leisure-filled mornings, sipping coffee and solving word games to 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls and battling the Beltway. Stars illuminate the path for my early morning jaunt with Gypsy, then it is off to the gym for a pre-workday workout. When I-95 is being kind, which is not often, I can get back to Big Bertha by 6:00 p.m. Traffic delays are just a part of the routine. <sigh>
Now that long days and jam-packed weekdays are the norm, I have to pack my weekends with fun, family, friends, frivolity and football. It’s fall, you cannot underplay the football factor. We recently joined our fellow Ravens fans for a successful food drive that was the kick-off to a victory over the New York Jets. Several days later, Gypsy and I wandered over to the University of Maryland and crashed a Terps tailgate party. We were trick-or-treating for free beer and food. It’s not yet October, but we felt the need to practice our begging skills so that we are in top form for Halloween.
“Crazy friends provide for crazy times, and such crazy times we’ve had.”
Neil Young
We’ve all got that friend, that crazy friend who is willing to strap on heavy rappelling gear, climb to the top of a high-rise, and risk life and limb to raise money for a special cause.
Ravens Roost 4, has been fund raising for Special Olympics Maryland for decades. Roost members have been “Freezin’ for a Reason” by jumping into the icy waters of the Cheseapeake Bay for the Polar Bear Plunge, and into the frigid waters of Deep Creek Lake for the Deep Creek Dunk for years and years. These efforts have netted thousands and thousands of dollars, providing Maryland’s special athletes opportunity to develop skills and compete in various athletic endeavors.
The latest fundraiser, OVER THE EDGE, involved rappelling down a 12-story office building.
With great pride, we watched Betty hurl herself down down a windowed, concrete wall. She’s determined and dedicated, with nerves of steel and a whole lot of lunacy. She’s a hero.
It was amazing to watch the Special Olympians cheer her on. There is a genuine gratitude that is reflected upon the faces of those who benefit from these feats of bravery.
Gypsy had an opportunity to shake hands with a few of the athletes and there was a whole lot of mutual love between them.
Monday morning will arrive too quickly. I am off to enjoy one of the last summer-like Sundays of the year with my glorious grandkids. I’ll be streaming football while playing at the campground pool.
Go Ravens! Stay tuned…
Retired and Rambling 