Life on the Runn...

It is said that there is one true definition of happiness in life, to love and be loved. If this adage is true, Grandpa Runnells has a lot to be happy for, and that makes all of us who love him immensely happy, too.  This weekend some 70+ people gathered to wish a truly wonderful man the very best and a very happy 90th birthday. So many stories and happy memories were shared; nothing but smiles and laughter filled the room. And you know it's a successful party when there's plans, almost immediately, for an after party, and for the Runnells crew, that means pizza and beer (it was like round two of the annual New Year's Pizza Party).  It's a privilege to know a Runnells - and an even greater privilege to become a Runnells - and spending the day with Grandpa and the extended family reminded me of that.  It was clear that Grandpa Runnells has had a profound impact on many people, and that served as an excellent reminder to all of us that we are blessed...

Yes, a real comedy of a day...and it's barely 8:30am. It all began when I remembered that I'm in for a long day; it's faculty meeting day, so after my hours-long day in my cinderblock, windowless room, I am in for at least another 60 minutes of getting things done -- and because I'm a worrier, I worry about everything new or challenging that comes up at meetings, and I want to solve those problems NOW. The only remedy for this type of day was to stop for coffee and snacks, some goodies I could share with my friends during our meeting.  I arrived at work feeling less stressed - and excited for afternoon snack time - and promptly dropped my coffee.  It sprayed everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  Luckily, I had shut my car door - light interior and coffee do not mix.  But the parking lot looks like something straight out of Criminal Minds.  Blood spatter...err coffee spatter....everywhere. A giant pool of it in the parking lot (that will surely freeze and cause...