Here We Are

Who would have thought this game,
this flame would still be burning
Who would have guessed that all these blenders
would still be churning
Not even we on our bended knees
could have ever blessed it
Not even I with my head in the sky
could have ever guessed it
“Here We Are”, lyrics by Jimmy Buffett from Take The Weather With You

In the heat of summer and the midst of the madness, I sat back for a moment to drink it all in. Kevin probably said it best, decked out in his Hawaiian shirt with a beer in his hand surrounded by 20,000 like minded individuals. “This is my happy place.”

More Pictures from High Hope Steeplechase 2009

Click here to read about the party that almost wasn’t.

More pictures from our annual tailgate party at the High Hope Steeplechase in Lexington. The pictures are from Lori Back, Sarah Speakes and yours truly.

The Party That Almost Wasn’t

Mardi Gras in May Tailgate Party - Winner "Best Food" 2009 High Hope Steeplechase

Click here for more pictures from this year’s High Hope Steeplechase Tailgate Party.

Finally, it’s over. Not just the tailgate party itself, but the whole start to finish preparation, execution and clean-up. The kitchen has begun to resemble a kitchen again instead of a war zone. I can actually see inside of the refrigerator. There is space in my freezer. And most importantly, when I came home last night there was absolutely nothing that I needed to do. The nap I chose to take in lieu of making catering plans, felt really nice. The announcement that we had won the “Best Food” award came in mid afternoon. Many high fives were exchanged, hugs were given, toasts were made. The party had, for months, started to resemble a cat slowing working it’s way through it’s nine lives.