Solar Decathlon

what a day... gorgeous. walked to the farmers mkt after jake & melissa left. got us some goodies. it was a great walk - part of it was along the marathon route, so there were lots of folks out on the street cheering & hanging out on their porches, playing music, handing out snacks & water to runners. i didn't see any runners until i was on my way home. i was just walking along enjoying the music, smiling people & warm sun on my face when i heard cheering. this man with a huge grin passed me by. he wasn't running though... he had some sort of hand-pedaled tricycle. a paraplegic. i was overcome with emotion for some reason. he looked so happy, grinning from ear to ear. i wanted to call out to him & cheer him on but i knew he wouldn't be able to hear me & my arms were full of goodies so i couldn't wave either. i don't have any idea how he had enough power in his arms to go 26 miles ... after he passed, i thought, "maybe i should do the marathon next year" - walk it, i mean. my knees aren't up for running & neither is the rest of me. maybe dan'd wanna go too? guess we'll have to wait & see.

i was awful slow getting back out of the house for DC. i had about 2 hours to walk around the Solar Decathlon before it closed for the day. made it through 3 houses. i'd like to go back & i'm trying to figure out when that would be possible. might do it monday afternoon... i usually hate crowds, but there was something about the energy of the students & visitors. excitement. inspiration. felt a little bit like, "these are my people," if you know what i mean. i hope it's possible to work on a house for the decathlon when i go back to school.

best get this kitchen cleaned up before dan gets home.... or my good wife status will be no more.