Monday, July 31, 2006

Home from Finland and Russia

I must thank you all for letting me walk with you this spring and summer. It really helped to have 3-5 miles a day for several months before going to Finland and Russia. Now, nothing prepared the ankles and calves for cobblestone streets, but I was certainly in better shape than I would have been.

I'm blogging about my trip at Collecting my thoughts, with the prefix "Trip Tale." Then our more recent (ended yesterday) Frank Lloyd Wright tour of Ohio and Indiana is prefixed "FLW tour."

I'm pooped. It is so hot in Ohio (about 105 F heat index) that the cat won't even sit on the porch and watch the squirrels--in fact, I don't see any--maybe they think it is too hot to come out of the trees.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Sea Front walking


I have walked a lot this week, watching my family sail... see more here

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Prep Time for the Week

Two miles this A.M. before church. Not too hot- saw my Malamute friend, Moose.
I do so like the little town I grew up near. Some of the older houses have day lilies and old fashioned phlox blooming in their yards.
By the canal are these huge leaved trees with seed pods hanging from the branches. Saw a couple of turtles and one muskrat taking a swim.
Will try for another mile later today, after I finish doing some weeding and trimming along the patio (the rain and hot weather has really helped the weeds and "volunteer" mulberry and elm trees to flourish).

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Sabbath walking

sorry for double post

pic here

Sabbath walking

Went on what hubby called a wee walk this afternoon. Turned out to be 6km and I slipped over just as we were getting back to the carpark -on the flat - into some mud. Yuk!

I've never been to those woods before - and it was lovely. We started from the pets' cemetery and walked up to a look out point. Nice view though mainly pinetree forest. We did get lost for about 3 minutes (missed the path) but the bonus was finding some very tasty ripe blueberries, so I munched while hubby and dog got their bearings.

The not-so-wonderful side of the hike was that for some unknown-to-me-now reason I'd thought it was cool out so had put on autumn trousers. It was warm out -and very humid- and I felt as if I were wearing a giant nappy (diaper!) for much of the walk -gross! And to make matters worse I got bitten by something (maybe when I fell) and by the time we got home (20-25 mins in the car) my arm had swollen. Antihistamine and hydrocortisone ointment did their trick and now my arm is fine again, but it wasn't fun at the time.

Aching a bit now (the uphills weren't that steep but I'm out of practice) but glad we had time together. Just hubby and me, oh and the dog!

Saturday Time

Am still walking. Aiming for the two to three miles each day. I'm seeing a second batch of baby bunnies along the canal - so many sizes of rabbits, nibbling on the clover.
It has been really hot and humid for the last week and a half. With walking early, the morning walks were cooler and many days there was an slight fog. Yesterday we had much needed rain from 10AM till early evening.
This AM was wonderful walking. I met my neighbor on his bike so we journeyed together. Tomorrow AM I hope to be on my daily journey just before sunrise.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

on yer bike

went cycling today. About 6km in total. and it felt good. Also walked around the cathedral area and the market square. an amble not a brisk walk but fun!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

new-wine

just back from the new-wine (Christian) summer event. Our cabin was close to the youth tent (wonderful praise and worship wafted over to us when they were practicing during the afternoon break!)

I didn't walk as much as I'd hoped. But it was lovely.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Where did the Week Go?

Oh, I've been walking each day - early in the AM. The weather has turned dry with showers and storms around us but not much in way of rain in my neighborhood. I did three miles this AM, bound and determined to accomplish my walk and enjoy the route. It is not beastly hot then and the bicycle route along the canal has many surprises if you keep your eyes open. This is the second time I have seen a Blue Heron in the last week. Without a sound, he glided down from the sky and across the canal.

I am keeping my word about life work balance, but work has presented some major challenges. Less funding, layoffs, and temporarily losing my assistant due to illness in the family all have added to my work hours. So my walks are close to home and are keeping me sane.

Monday, July 10, 2006

a mile or two in town

walked with TS across the market square twice, and once with DD - all shopping but with one and then the other. In case the maths is bothering you ... the first time I didn't walk across the square at all- but rather walked from the school (where I'd parked) to the dive shop where I met TS and then together we went down to the square.

I'm not keen on pavement bashing - and was tired when I got back to the car. But it was nice to be in town for once. Still HOT and we had a terrifically noisy thunder storm at about 5pm - and a flash flood. Finland isn't really in the tropics, though at the moment it feels like it.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Nothing special ...

...except I'm walking without pain agian. Very nice.

The swelling is down, and I'm able to walk further, longer.

So, tomorrow I'll walk to get the mail (about 1/2 mile round trip, up and down the hill) and rejoice!

hot hike

we went for a real hike today. The air was a bit fresher (we'd had a storm last night) but still HOT and no clouds in the sky.

I should have been more alert when hubby asked "are you in shape to do the whole loop" - it was MILES. I came home shattered and took a very long nap -such a deep sleep that I didn't hear the phone, arrival (and departure) of in-laws or anything else.

The view from the top of the crag was lovely and we had a simple picnic too (water, and tunafish and apple sandwiches) but it was HOT!

Saturday, July 08, 2006

summer hiking


summer hiking
Originally uploaded by see-through faith.
It's really too hot to hike (around 30C - 80F) but we went for a long walk (3 hrs) in the forest today. It was by the sea so there was a slight breeze which felt good on sweaty skin, and also kept away the mosquitoes.

I am wearing hiking boots, but luckily the dog wanted to pose for this photo too, so I still look 'almost' cool.

PS: there's another photo taken today over at my blog if you are interested.

the cross


the cross
Originally uploaded by see-through faith.
This photo is taken from the railway bridge. We cycled that way a day or two ago. If you look closely you can see a white cross. It's where the original church of the city was long ago.

One of my favourite walks is by the river - just a little to the right of the cross (around the bend) - I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

I've been walking

I really have--about 4-5 miles a day. We leave Saturday for Finland. Don't know if I'll have a connection.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Fireworks!

Today we walked to the top of the hill ... maybe two football fields, not so far, but straight up. We ate under the sunset, talked to the wild turkeys and then watched hundreds of different fireworks all over the valley for a couple of hours.

We laughed, we were rested and we hiked back down again in the pitch black for ice cream.

Any better way to finish a walk? I think not.

getting into stride

I walked again today. Not far but I walked at lunchtime.

Today a slightly different route - and saw an amazing sight - a wall of roses. Now to understand the impact of this you have to know that roses don't grow well in Finland. I'm not sure why - but these are magnificent. I'll try to walk that way tomorrow with our camera (if I remember).

On the way home we cut through little forest park. I get such a kick from seeing Mindy excitedly scampering around off lead.

A little later I cycled into town - to meet a friend for "let's celebrate its my holiday" drink at koulu - a school turned pub/restaurant. We sat in the school yard - watched toddlers play in the sandbox, students play mini golf and sipped locally brewed beer and cider. School wasn't like that when I was young.

getting into stride

I walked again today. Not far but I walked at lunchtime.

Today a slightly different route - and saw an amazing sight - a wall of roses. Now to understand the impact of this you have to know that roses don't grow well in Finland. I'm not sure why - but these are magnificent. I'll try to walk that way tomorrow with our camera (if I remember).

On the way home we cut through little forest park. I get such a kick from seeing Mindy excitedly scampering around off lead.

A little later I cycled into town - to meet a friend for "let's celebrate its my holiday" drink at koulu - a school turned pub/restaurant. We sat in the school yard - watched toddlers play in the sandbox, students play mini golf and sipped locally brewed beer and cider. School wasn't like that when I was young.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

A NEW MONTH

Even not having posted since June 25, I still am doing the journey. Some days a mile, some days more.

Today was the local Firecracker Run / Walk - both a 10K and a 5K. We did the 5K, about 3.2 miles. Weather was excellent for walking - I did some running, but walking is more my style this year. Of course what keeps me going is the reward at the end - bagels, bananas, oranges, grapes, cookies. They have bands playing along the route - gospel, blues, rock and roll, blue grass. The local running club volunteers and police make sure we are all walking and running safe. Then home to work on the yard, cleaning, and some data entry for the office. I'll sit out on the front porch and watch the fireworks tonight.

This week is busy with budget revisions and cost cutting, so I will definitely be enjoying my journeys early in the morning.

Today ... I will walk


Today, I will walk.

So what .. you may say. I walk every day. What is so significant about that statement?

See, here's the thing. Walking hurts. For me. Not the "I don't want to get up and go outside and exercise kind of hurt. It's the "life isn't fair, I hate physical pain, this is stupid" kind of hurt. And it was sudden. 4 days ago, wham. Life happened. And walking hurts.

I miss outdoors, I miss quiet time in my head while I walk. I miss talking with God while I soak in all things around me. I. Miss. Walking.

So, today I will walk in the mountains, through the trees and look at the river. And celebrate that I can. In pain. But, I can.

And I will thank God for the fact that I can.

Welcome to a new member

Welcome Kelli, to our group! We are glad you found us!

Kelli has a blog - Living-in-grace.blogspot.com

Please introduce yourself!

two days in a row ...

woke up with such joy this morning. God is amazing!

I went to give DD a cuddle and said "You want to walk your dog or empty the dishwasher this morning?" She chose the dishwasher (!) which meant I got to walk the dog. And I loved it.

I took her to little forest park near here and let her run loose as I ambled through. It's been a favourite place of mine since she was a puppy (two years ago) and I found that it's a place where I can 'tune in' to God's presence more easily. Funnily I haven't been there for a while - so it was SO GOOD to be there today.

Probably walked about a mile (a little more) but at a very leisurely pace. It is hot here - even at 8am in the morning - and I love it.

Monday, July 03, 2006

taking time

to smell the flowers.

Today was the first morning I've got to walk the dog in ages - DD went off to spend the night in our friends' sailing boat, so I walked our little evangelist early-ish this morning before it got too hot.

And loved it.

Yesterday I cycled to church and back. Not a lot but something and it was good to get out and about.

I realised that in the summer it's not possible to have a routine - but I'm trying to get back into walking a little each day (with or without the dog) and I've been trying to tackle the weeds in the garden (a little!) It's looking better for some attention, but unfortunately I also have to study this week so there's not that much time free. Sad isn't it?

be blessed

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Late evening walk


I walked on the beach late this evening, =it was wonderfully cool after a long hot day...
see more photos here