It's all Downhill Now. Giving Thanks.

We went to Tybee Island for my 20 miler. When I was done I felt like a truck ran over me. After a hot shower and two (more) Advil I was almost good as new. On Sunday morning I had nothing more than some minor soreness in my legs. I believe I am ready. I have two more weekends: on Thxgiving weekend I have to do 8 miles and the following weekend I have 10 miles scheduled. Short of an injury, I am good to go at this point. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

Tybee Island is 10 miles due east of downtown Savannah. It has been important since the early 1700's because it guards the mouth of the Savannah River; therefore, it was important strategically to Savannah during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

The name Tybee comes from the Euchee Indian word for salt. Tybee Island during its history was under the Spanish, French, and British flags. General Ogelthorpe, who founded the colony of Georgia, considered Tybee part of the defense screen of Savannah. When General Sherman finished his famous march to the sea during the Civil War, he burned Atlanta and much of Georgia but spared Savannah and Tybee. He gave Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift in 1864 because it is so special. Today Tybee has glistening yuppie beach houses but it is known for the charming cottages, some of which go back to the turn of the century. Tybee natives fight to keep the original charm of the island---part historical and part artsy-funky. Tybee's most famous resident today is Sandra Bullock.

Blood cancers have a long history of destruction. Famous people who died of blood cancers are:

Marie Curie: Nobel prize winner, discoverer of polonium and radium

Mickey Mantle Jr: baseball player

Roger Maris: baseball player

Mary Travers: of Peter, Paul, and Mary

Bill Walsh: football coach of 49ers.

Gene Wilder: actor

Gene Autry: singer and cowboy

Ed Bradley: CBS journalist of 60 Minutes fame

Robin Bush: daughter of George Herbert Walker Bush

Bruno Kirby: actor of City Slickers fame

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: first lady

Paul Tsongas: Senator

Susan Butcher: winner of Iditarod dog sled race

Charles Lindberg: aviator

Joseph A. Coors: founder of Coors brewery

King Hussein of Jordan: royalty

This destruction knows no boundaries.

Of many survivors, most recently Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and co-owner of various professional sports teams, announced a recurrence of his lymphoma. He is currently undertaking another fight for his life.

Things to be thankful for: cooking ( or not) the Thanksgiving turkey, cornbread dressing for us Southerners, dishwashers ( electronic or volunteers), good health to enjoy family & friends.