Sunday Thoughts an d New Year Ramblings

Although late in posting, Best Wishes for the New Year! The holidays were great with another Minneapolis Christmas at my niece's home.

Now that the holidays are past, I have taken time to gather my thoughts. The weather has not contributed much to walking, so I'm doing some jazzerize, modified yoga, and will start with weight training in a couple of weeks. Work is still a bear - when this "stimulus money thing" is over, I hope to never hear the word "stimulus" again. Managing the stimulus funding is a trip and a half, especially when the rules are changing constantly.

I have been able to schedule a day off for most weeks between now and Easter to restore my soul and my sanity. I still put in extra hours, but that day off helps me from getting burned out.

One thing I am looking forward to is a new computer at home, a digital camera, and hopefully hi-speed internet. I have procrastinated long enough for the new computer. If only I could just buy the thing and like magic have everything working in one hour. That truly is wishful thinking!

Oxidative damage--what is it?

Can we improve cognitive function with diet and exercise? Watch this video about Alzheimer's Disease research.

The belly dancing mama

We had a great work out today--lots of punches, kicks, jogging with weights, crunches, leg lifts and waist twists. Our instructor told us a funny story. She is taking a belly dance class--says it's great exercise (she has a toddler). She also has a junior high daughter. You know ho within a year they can go from being your BFF to not wanting to be seen with you. Apparently, she has threatened her with showing up at school in her dance outfit if the daughter doesn't behave herself!

If I would just quit blogging and go outside

This is what I'd see. Should get near 70 today--some beautiful fall color.

Beautiful October

I'd probably not count this as exercise but I did get out today and walk around to take a few photos down by the river.

October Blue Skies

Today the weather is just so October- brisk, sunny, and blue skies - my favorite month of the year. I have been walking when I can, but work and weather interfer. Last Sunday we did a 5K and that was the walking for the week.


Today, after church, I headed down my usual route - 1/2 mile country road, a mile and 1/2 through down, then along the canal path for a 1/2 mile. Round trip is 4 miles. Saw lots of squirrels hiding away nuts. And saw the Great Blue Heron - he's not too flighty, ended up about 6 feet from him when he decided it was time to fly a little farther from the bike path.

Am hoping this weather stays much of October so I can take care of my wild yard - golden rod as tall as me, as well as giant rag weed and tall grass. I'm trying to have a couple days off each week from now til the end of the year - no time for a weeks vacation so I schedule days off between reporting deadlines, budget deadlines, and other responsibilities.

Last week's sunrises

I was back at the Lake for the Midwest Birding Symposium Sept. 17-20, and again had a chance to walk at sunrise.