Just goes to show that almost everybody loves a poker run. Grady’s dogs came with him to a recent benefit ride for Relay for Life.

What a great weekend! Randy and I left out around lunch on Friday, trailering his bike with us. (I wasn’t sure I could handle riding mine that far yet.) While I helped with the registration table, Randy went with the group to the state capitol to hear Gov. Riley proclaim Friday as Patriot Guard Day in Alabama. Here’s the story in the Montgomery Advertiser.
That night we all broke for supper- some went to the American Legion hut for steaks; Randy and I sneaked away for supper at O’Charleys; we had southwestern twisted chips, which were awesome!
Saturday morning, we rode to the Prattville Walmart to ride in the Relay for Life poker run. The run was done in memory of Officer Darryl Mangrum, who died of cancer last year. Before we started the run, Mayor Byard greeted the riders and thanked us for all we do. He told us we were always welcome in Prattville and called us American heroes – not a dry eye in the place. Imagine big ol’ bikers, made of hair, leather and chrome, being called heroes… Wow.
Before we started the ride, the police officers escorted us to Officer Mangrum’s grave, where the family laid a wreath in his honor. Then we started the ride, which was great! About a hundred miles long, we saw all kinds of beautiful country. Since I was riding behind Randy I was able to get some good pictures of some of the ride.
We finished up at Pratt Park – lunch was served by Moe’s, and it was delicious! A band was performing some very good music and we rocked while we ate.
Saturday night we all met up at one of the local members’ home, who graciously opened his house up to us. We had burgers, hot dogs, chips and all the fixings. Great food and GREAT fellowship.
Sunday morning some of the members of the Christian Motorcycle Association hosted a bike blessing; everyone there received a book of Bible promises and a blessing sticker.
All in all, it was a great weekend- we met some new friends, who quickly turned into ‘old buddies’ – one in particular was Papa Bonehead. He was constantly carrying on some foolishness, which fit right in with Randy and I. I can tell he’s going to be great fun to get to know. We also saw some old friends that we don’t get to see often.
It was a great way to spend a weekend – riding funeral missions is an awesome privilege, but it’s also very stressful, so this was so good for all of us. We were able to relax, cut loose, and just be ourselves without worrying whether someone would misunderstand.
I can’t wait to see these folks again; the Georgia folks will host next year’s regional gathering and I know they’ll do it up right.

It’s been a long weekend… our town’s mayor collapsed at work earlier in the week, and they found a plum-sized tumor near his speech center. Husband and I drove up to see him and his wife on Friday morning- things look pretty bleak, but we are all praying; and I believe that God is able to heal JD and bring him back home to finish the work he’s started. Until that time, the rest of us are going to work as hard as we can, keep praying, and try to make sure that our little town is in the same good shape when he comes home as when he left.
Then Friday night our band/football team had to travel over three hours to the game (on the Mississippi state line). Whose idea is it to set these things up, and do they not care that gas is now $4 a gallon? Sure, we could have stayed home, but I want to be there for my child at every chance I get. We finally made it home and got into bed around 1 AM.
Up at 6 to get to the park for our bike group’s poker run (this one benefits families in distress in our area). We had a very good turnout and raised about $600, which was VERY good- this was our first try at a poker run like this. We finished everything up around 2 and headed out.
After we left the park, we ran into some other friends of ours, who invited us to a wedding (yes, here in the south, that kind of thing happens). On the way there, we had a nice shower, so we sat in wet jeans during the ceremony (that’s part of riding too). It was a sweet ceremony, and made me realize how fortunate I am that my husband and I have made a life together.
We finally made it home around 4 or so, got showered and cleaned up, and settled in for the night. I have learned/remembered some lessons that I’d like to share:

• everybody has problems – if you can get past your own ‘stuff’ and make others feel welcome, or cared for, you’re doing good.
• some people are just naturally negative about everything- take it in stride when you can, but sometimes you just can’t handle negative statements- when that happens, step away and regroup. Don’t let a negative person make you doubt who you are, or what you are capable of doing.
• you can do a lot more than you think you can.
• for those of you who are Christians – God is in control, and His hands hold the future. Don’t give up until the end.

Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.