Gayle Haggard: Good-Hearted Woman, in Love With a Good-Tryin' Man

Politics Daily did an article on a recent appearance by the Haggards' on Oprah. (click here for the full story)Mrs. Haggard has just written a book – "Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in my Darkest Hour" – explaining why she thinks her marriage can be saved. This it seems was the premise for the interview, but it went further, I think to examining true love and marriage in a Christian relationship. One where there is forgivness, and humility, and the Spirit is present.

Oprah started out by saying she had had an epiphany before the show – she would not judge. It is possible, she realized, to feel the way Mrs. Haggard does. "My conclusion is, after reading this [book], is that you really, really love this man in a way that I'm sure a lot of other people watching would understand," Oprah told her. "It's just that I don't know a love like this."

Mrs. Haggard's answer: yes, she deeply loves her husband and she feels "as though the betrayal had the potential to lead us toward greater health in our marriage."

Later in the interview Ted told Oprah: "She loves me and that's an incredible thing. I mean this woman is deeply . . . she's infatuated with me. She loves me. And I am so grateful. I think it's an incredible thing for a woman to love a man the way she loves me. "

What an incredible testimony.

Quote of the Day

"Destiny, to borrow a phrase from Benjamin Linus, is a fickle bitch."

the view on my run this morning...

Benjamin Franklin's Chart of 13 Virtues

Temperance. Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.

Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

Order. Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself. Waste nothing.

Industry. Lose no time. Be always employ’d in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly. Speak accordingly.

Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting benefits that are your duty.

Moderation. Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

Humility. Imitate Jesus.

the lowest of the lows....

Youth in lawless Haiti at risk for sex trade, slavery, murder (Click the link to read the whole article)

According to Nicolette Gramms, who worked with an human rights agency, the International Justice Mission, in today's world, the twin causes of human slavery -- poverty and vulnerability -- increase exponentially after natural disasters... Even without the pandemonium unleashed by a 7.0 earthquake, an estimated quarter-million Haitian children are trafficked (into slave labor or the sex trade) within the country each year.

The earthquake and devestation in Haiti is HORRIBLE! I can't wrap my mind around the loss and the grief and the pain and the destruction; but this takes the cake. I'm not surprised, it's the perfect moment of vulnerability for abuses like this to occur. However, that does not lessen my disgust nor my abhorrence at the corruptness of humanity.

As Mark Driscoll said, "People are desperate. Young girls are ripe for the worst you can imagine." (Check out Mark's blog for his first hand thoughts/observations from the ground. Click here.)

MapMyRun.com

Today's easy work out...the highlight of which was seeing another runner (older gentleman about 45 years old) running in a white long sleeved shirt, with black running tights, white knee highs (PULLED UP) and black shoes...oh did I mention he was wearing sun glasses and it was 6:45 in the morning. :)

MapMyRun.com - Regular Run: Regular Run on 01/13/2010

Restaurant Week- January 11- 24 - Dinner

We went to Ceiba with some friends for dinner last night. The food was AMAZING!!

Appetizer: Bermuda Fish Chowder
Gosling's Black Seal Rum, Outerbridges Sherry Pepper Sauce

Entree: Seared Yellowfin Tuna and Crab Stuffed Aji Amarillo
Vegetable Escabeche, Purple Potatoes, Sweet Rocoto Soy Reduction

Dessert: Traditional Flan Blueberry Compote, Coconut Macaroons

I almost asked for seconds of the Bermuda Fish Chowder. It was a spicy red soup, with lots of vegetables and fresh fish. The Tuna was good, fresh, well cooked, nothing too brag about. I was however rather intrigued by the Purple Potatoes. I had never had them before, and they were good. (Tasted like Potatoes!) The Flan was....TO DIE FOR!! Wow, I think when I go back, I will get...the soup and the flan; that's all.

Restaurant Week- January 11- 24 - Lunch

Today I met 2 of my girlfriends for lunch at "Art & Soul" on Capitol Hill. We had a LOVELY lunch, caught up, and shared life together. I had.....

1st Course
Capitol Hill Salad
local apples, blue cheese, pecans, apple cider vinaigrette

2nd Course
Ravioli
winter vegetables, fresh herbs

3rd Course
Banana Bread Pudding
Rum Caramel, Vanilla Ice Cream

The salad was good, it had a mustard seeds in the vinaigrette which I really enjoyed, although next time I will ask for the dressing on the side. It was a little heavy. The Ravioli was delicious!! It was a squash filling with a light broth over it, really brought together all the flavors. The dessert I didn't get to try, I had to dash back to work, but I'm sure it was perfect!

Overheard in DC...

Says the man on a cell phone at Crumbs and Coffee in Adams Morgan:

Middle-aged man talking loudly on his cell phone: "Remember back in the '70s when people used to think? Before the computer and the cell phone?"

For more great "Overheard in DC" go to DCist.com

Quote of the Day

"Yea, well he is sweeter than he is judgemental..."
~Benny & Joon

Friends & Family in 2009

Another early season track race

Sarah graduated from college this winter!!!

My little buddy in Ohio! Jack has a HUGE crush on me, he get's all embarrassed and shy whenever we visit.

A young lady at the criterium in Greenville, OH.

A menagerie of photos from 2009:

Jay at an early season track race...

We drove to Greenville, OH one crazy weekend. Participated in a 10K "Jail break" run; a criterium, and a relay duathalon. At the criterium, there was a kids race. I thought this girl was too cute to not photo.

We went to Greenville, SC to watch the National Championships, time trial series and road race. Dave Zabriski won the 2009 time trial national championship jersey!! (For the fourth year in a row)
Our honeymoon/birthday trip to New York City.

My morning run all summer long, down Wilson Blvd., around Iwo Jima, along the National Cemetery, and across the Arlington Memorial Bridge and down Constitution Ave.