June 19th. I conveniently forgot to set my alarm and woke up an hour late. I flew out of here still snoring and didn't wake up until I hit the water. Even the ride to the pool in my topless jeep and the Beatles failed to energize me. I warmed up with a1000 yd. mix and swam an hour straight. It seemed a lot longer. The river has a way of making time go by like no pool can. After class I stopped by a native American store and purchased a "talking stick". I am going to take it with me to the Clean Boating Campaign. The speech is written, and I pray it speaks to the people. It is short. Hopefully my message will be clear, nonthreatening, and emotionally moving enough to motivate people to get involved. (Hopefully with the Tennessee Clean Water Network.) Last night I was devastated. An environmental statement rated Norris Lake as fair because it contained significant levels of lead and arsenic at the bottom near the dam...where I love to swim! Fortunately, being only 5'7'', I won't be standing up in water 100+ feet deep. Unfortunately, some life forms are trying to survive down there. Another example of the people's legacy to our waterways. My run tonight was interesting. As I was running up Reservoir Hill movement in the bushes caught my eye. Somthing strange was protruding from the weeds. Stopping and walking closer to this curious sight...the right neurons connected and made recognition. It was a skunk with his tail UP! Idid a perfect right flank and took off. I suppose in time I could have gotten use to the scent, but I don't know about my family. There were a few tough hills on the run. Everytime I stopped to rest, mosquitos buzzed annoyingly near my ears. I decided they were saying, "Shut up and run" the way my crewperson, Pam Dean, tells me to "shutup and swim" if I linger too long at my feeding time. The poison ivy has my scent, and I believe they lean inward to smack my legs as I run by. Hydorcortizone is not working too well. I wonder if fingernail polish remover dry it up? At worst, it would burn so badly I would forget about the annoying itch. (It is called, "find a bigger problem".) It is too late and tomorrow is a longer day. I desparately need a four hour workout day and just don't know where to get the time. I have to move out of the cabin for the weekend and don't have an extra bag to pack for Chattanooga. I think I will put my clothes in a grocery bag and then throw a couple bags of marshmellows on top to make it look like groceries. Enjoy the day. Spend your time wisely because whatever you decide to do, you are exchanging a day of you life for it. "For God so loved the World..." mimi