Come run with me and we'll have fun

It's Grandma's Marathon morning and I am not outside shaking off sleep. In a bold decision, I am choosing to go to a training event instead. I'm also still tired and still a little sick, so sleep was good.

I did, however, help with baskets for the elite runners and other dignitaries. While most runners are thrilled with this welcoming treat, there are usually one or two whiners who don't receive their basket the moment they enter the hotel they are staying at (which is usually not the hotel they told the marathon office they would be at).

I don't know the actual numbers, but I'm certain that there are millions of dollars involved in pulling this event off. Millions donated by companies. Millions spent at hotels, restaurants, coffee shops.

Yesterday at the spaghetti lunch, Bec pointed out someone whose volunteer job will be available next year. While there are many perks to be a top volunteer for the marathon (t-shirts, wine, shoes, the use of a brand-new SUV), I wonder if this gift of time given to the city of Duluth helps it in other ways. Does the local food shelf get left-over spaghetti? Do the police get paid something for dealing with the partiers at the tents?

On Friday, I will be making rhubarb pie all morning with ladies from church. We then sell those pies on Saturday at the AMAZING Rhubarb Festival, which supports the incredible work of the CHUM organization. Last year, the pies sold out within an hour (or less if I remember correctly). Being a businesswoman, my thoughts last year were, okay, next year raise the price a dollar or have more pies. If you have rhubarb or a few dollars to help buy crusts/sugar OR you want to buy a pie, let me know. It's not as glamorous as the marathon but perhaps much more important.