Who else could use ten arms? I hope this poem gives you a smile. Have a fantastic day and hope to see you at our writing group tomorrow 11 am (EST). Any questions feel free to reply to this email or in the comments below.Take good care,JulieAnother Mother Runner There was a mother of two kids She wanted ten arms like those squids To finish the chores Then be out the doors Oh! What a sight for the eyelids This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Why do I run? It’s no mystery It’s great for my health history My heart pumping blood My lungs are working better I get up in the morning like a go-getter My nerves getting a wiggle Thinking about that makes me giggle Even my brain changes too It’s true! My bones getting thicker Muscles getting stronger No wonder why I want to run longer. Some say I’m crazy I know the truth This is why I run How about you? Let’s write together tomorrow at 1 pm (EST) on zoom. Click the button below to join us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Run for Clarity Dried cornstalk fields on my right Rows of scotch pine to my left, the sky ablaze with pink and red. Room to breathe— no longer trapped with indecision or worry. I keep running the country roads— no hurry. What could be around the bend? A white-tail deer, a red fox, or maybe another runner, like me, seeking mental clarity. Join us for tomorrow’s (12/2) writing group from 11-11:30 am (EST). Click the button below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

A note of gratitude: Thank you for saving space in your inbox for Run to Write. It’s been a privilege over this last year to share my writing with you and to connect. I look forward each week to hearing your stories, comments, and thoughts. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your kindness. I look forward to our next Friday writing group on Dec. 2nd. at 11 am (EST). Take good care,Julie I step out into the wide endless sky. Darkness travels for miles. Clouds abundant—cover her like a thick black cloak. I coast down the road with no light to guide me. I miss her. Maybe tomorrow she’ll come out to play. If so— I’ll make sure to say, “Hello, great moon. I’m so happy to see you.” She’ll reply, “good morning my friend.” I look up with a grin, "Ready to run?" “You betcha— I’ll lead the way.” Her generous gift of light glows on the road with the help of the sun. I’m grateful she is with me as I hum. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

It's Time Head held high, grin wide as the open sky. Feet flapping with the breeze. Body and mind at ease. Dashing with the deer. Soaring with the birds. Delight in the Creator with every turn. Awareness heightens, my heart is full. Are you ready? Double-lace your sneakers, grab a hat, let's go for a run or a walk. It's time you experience that.We write tomorrow! 11-11:30 am (EST) on zoom. Please join us. Click the link below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Do you have another title idea? Please let me know in the comments below. Joy & Sneakers I lift the white sneakers one by one from the brown box. The new sneaker smell alerts my feet— “Hooray!”— toes tap with glee “These are not used, yippee!” The bleach-white laces double knotted, and we smile at each other— Let’s go run, I nodded. Feet shout, “Glorious cushion!” Toes laugh, “Look at us wiggle.” I grin with each stride— floating on cloud nine. We dash down the road, a spring in our step. Look at us go— happy and free. Joy in a pair of sneakers— simple and me. You’re invited to the community writing group this Friday (tomorrow) 11/11 from 1-1:30 pm (EST). We meet on zoom and the link is below to join. I hope you can make it. :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Good morning RWC! Happy Thursday. We will meet tomorrow on zoom for our writing group from 11-11:30 am (EST). I hope you can join us. Click the link below. Morning Runs Running in the morning a peace, stillness I crave. I could run later I'm certain— yet the morning is my fav. Nothing but nature, my feet hitting the ground. Breathing relaxed, steady, pumping my arms, I feel alive and ready. I'm grateful for my body and the miles I get to run. The darkness is calming, yet at times my eyes will come undone. Is that a person up the road? Oh no, it's just a mailbox. Is that an enormous dog coming my way? Oops— it's a gigantic rock. Oh! The tricks my eyes play. Oh my! How my imagination can fly and don't get me started on my wild mind. Oh! Another thought! That's okay. I have my mantras on replay. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Good morning RWC! Before I read the poem out loud, I want to invite you to the writing group tomorrow on zoom. We will be meeting from 11- 11:30 am (EST). All are welcome, running is not a requirement. I hope you can make it. Dream The dream began in 1998 to run The Boston Marathon it was going to be great. I was eager in 2003, yet my body and mind didn't agree. Pain took over, consumed my days. I wanted to keep running— push through, shove it down I believed that was the way. God had a plan—I'd have to wait. Shame rooted deep, an inside job I would need to reap. Face my fears, do not hide. He gave me the strength and never left my side. To follow my dream I would need to let go. The burdens I was carrying, too many, I know. Conformed by thoughts no longer true. It's okay to question— start a new. I held tight to courage and began to unpack. My load getting lighter as my runs were coming back. I don't need fixing after all. Everything was already inside me— My focus returned on the Lord to guide me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

You’re invited to the writing group this Friday 10/21 on Zoom from 1-1:30 pm (EST). There are no requirements, just click the link to join us, and let’s write together. Can’t wait to see you. Start Again My eyes fixed on the pen My hand hesitant Body heavy in the chair. Write something, anything. I pause—images float to the surface of my mind I want to shove them back down—forget Pick up the pen and face yourself, cheers Natalie Goldberg. I clutch the pen. My hand begins from left to right Words appear—memories printed along the 45 miles of nerves making up my body. Tingles, burns, and zaps shout in protection. Keep writing, keep writing. My pen moves fast across the page Words not allowed to be said Truth swept under the rug in black ink stares back at me. Keep going, keep going I hear the whisper from the page My fist loosens around the pen I breathe—notice the tension in my back, hip and shoulders begin to soften. Inhale, exhale— breath deepens. My vigilant nervous system is standing down. My heart slows—no longer racing in fear. There is no lion here. Keep writing, keep writing is all I hear. My back releases its grip with each word safe to slump over the page — I am safe. The sentences move down the paper—to confront, to heal. I have the right to write, says Julia Cameron. My shoulders drop from my ears at the last sentence. I set down the pen until tomorrow To start again— confront my fears, own my truth, find my voice, And start again. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com

Good morning RWC! Join us tomorrow 10/14/22 for our writing group from 11-11:30 am (EST). All are welcome. We meet on zoom for 30 minutes to write together. The link is below. You and the Road Lace-up your sneakers No responsibility You and the road, free Runner Writer There once was a runner writer Who thought her poems made running brighter To rhyme was such fun Silly laughs each run Her pen, sneakers made life lighterHave an amazing Thursday! Thank you for reading or listening in. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebhughes.substack.com