Themes, Runs, Hemingway & a Bucking Bull

Marilyn sent this to me yesterday.  I was going to separate them out and share one story at a time but couldn't help but think this would make a great collage.  

Several of many happy memories of time spent with Pam, Bruce and friends………………..

Gatherings

Themes were always a part of the equation with Pam – whether they be hats, scarves and a beautiful old car, or a  mystery dinner when Pam and Bruce dressed as high school sweethearts (go figure) Russ and I were assigned the role ofhooker & nerd.  The best part of any of these gatherings was Pam’s wonderful ability to be so self deprecating and bring a sense of fun to everything she did.  It was impossible to resist that spirit of joy and fun. The result - she made me a better person.

Running

Pam and I were pretty consistent running partners for years. Frequently other runners joined in and on occasion our big lab Chunk came along. We tried to start early, but I think our goal was less about running and more about just talking. Exercise was a secondary goal. We weren’t very fast, we sometimes got lost and we ALWAYS had tissue stops before, during and after a big climb.   It was a fabulous way to start each work day, watching the sun come up over the Boise foothills and talking through the coming challenges of the day.

The ghost of Hemingway

I traveled to Ketchum one weekend to visit Pam when she worked for the Nature Conservancy.  I got in late, we had dinner and a bottle of wine.  She had invited me to stay with her at the old Hemingway house so she “prepped” me for the weekend with tales of the big guy’s ghost.  After a quick tour of the upstairs Pam asked if I wanted to sleep in Hemingway’s bed.  I was pretty sure any sleeping wasn’t part of my night and equally sure I wasn’t going to stay anywhere but in the sleeping quarters downstairs – which I did and which did not include sleep.  How she stayed in that house alone I have no idea – a brave, smart soul

Who else but Pam and Jennifer would send me a card with them on a Bucking bull – fortunately the bull showed little life, but eventually I’m told both rider hit the floor………..

Thanks to both you and Abbie for posting this – it was such a pleasure to think about these times and try to capture the adventures we had.  Take care - Marilyn