West Texas Triology Part 1: I *heart* Marfa, Tx

I never intended to write a travelogue. It just turned out that way. I spent the weekend in Marfa, TX and thereabouts. I have so much to write that I will do it in three segments. I did my long training in Marfa on Saturday. I am quite careful about safety, waiting until sun-up and using less traveled roads. Next week I will be in yet another place but will have benefit of having my coach with me. :-) I am reaching a critical point with only 12 weeks to go. Marathon training is very standardized. Tues, Wed, and Thur = 3-4 miles each day. Fri = cross training. Sat = long session, gradually increasing with two 20 mi sessions before the event. Sun = easy cross training. Mon = rest day. The whole program should be a min of 16 weeks. I have a 20 week program since I am no jock.

I am absolutely smitten with Marfa. Why? it seems to embody everything about being a Texan but with some NYC art scene mixed in on top of the cowboy stuff. Trivia questions: What three well known movies were filmed in Marfa? Hint #1: all three won Oscars. The town and its surroundings are like a vast movie set, only better. While walking around, I had the urge to look over my shoulder to see if a young, beautiful Elizabeth Taylor was there ( Hint #2). Answer is at end of blog.

Marfa has galleries, road houses, Mexican food, upscale shops, one stop light, and real cowboys walking around. The picture above on the left is the Presidio County courthouse, certainly the jewel and center of Marfa. I am already warming Joe up to the idea of a Big Bend vacation. We will need a week to do it all. In my next two posts I will cover: 2) Alpine, Marathon, and Randy Quaid; 3) Chinati Foundation and Donald Judd.

My honored angel for the week is Adam Cullivar. He was a darling 4 year old who became ill with severe symptoms related to leukemia and who died only four days later. I cannot imagine the pain for his family to cope with such a sudden death, with little time to adjust and say goodbye. His story and a tribute to him are on this link:

www.adamsangelsministry.org/adams-story

Leukemia facts for this week. In 2005, which was the last year data was collected, there were almost 19,000 bone marrow transplants (BMTs) performed, largely for people suffering from blood cancers. Most of the transplants are allogeneic, that is bone marrow that isn't from an identical twin. Even with traditional siblings, there is only a one in four chance that a sibling provides a suitable match. Most people are therefore forced to go through the National Marrow Donor Program Registry in hope of finding a match. Many people die before a suitable match is found. Matches are more or less difficult depending on race & ethnicity.

Patients who receive a bone marrow transplant are often not responding to traditional chemo treatments. The transplants are high risk but can be high reward for extending life a significant period of time. Mary Travers, part of Peter Paul and Mary, died in Sept from leukemia complications. She had received a bone marrow transplant in 2006, which significantly extended her life. She was able to return to a performing schedule after her BMT.

Things to be thankful for: seeing antelope and roadrunners.

Movie trivia answer: Giant, No Country For Old Men, and There Will be Blood. Did you know that already?