Osteoarthritis

A public service announcement: Osteoarthritis. "Being overweight, even just moderately, impacts weight-bearing joints and can increase the pain of osteoarthritis. As you walk, your hips, knees, and ankles bear three to five times your total body weight. For every pound you're overweight, the equivalent of three to five pounds worth of added pressure is added to each knee as you walk. In contrast, a 10-pound weight loss causes 30 to 50 pounds of extra stress to be relieved from the joints." So what to do (I think I have it). What about exercise?

Osteoarthritis: The Benefits of Exercise

There are many benefits to starting an exercise program — whether you have osteoarthritis or not — but for people with arthritis pain, there's added incentive to get moving. Regular exercise can help to: Reduce joint pain. Osteoarthritis destroys cartilage, special tissue that cushions our joints. “Exercise increases the lubrication to the cartilage of the joint, thus reducing osteoarthritis symptoms of pain and stiffness,” says Anne Menz, PhD, a physical therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, Mass. It may seem counterintuitive, but not exercising actually leads to stiffer joints and worse osteoarthritis. Strengthen muscles. As we get older the muscles and tendons that support our joints tend to get weaker. “Exercise strengthens the muscles around the joints to protect the joints and provide [extra] support,” says Menz. More information

Exercises to Avoid With OA of the Knee or Hip:

Running and jogging. “The difference between how much force goes through your joints jogging or running, as opposed to with walking, is sometimes more than tenfold your whole body weight,” says Arslanian. Jumping rope.

High-impact aerobics.

Any activity where, at any time, you have both feet off the ground at once, however briefly.

Fortunately, that leaves a lot of activities that are OK for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis and that can help keep you mobile. There are three key areas you need to focus on: weight-bearing cardiovascular activity, to keep your bones strong and your heart healthy; muscle strengthening activity, to relieve strain on the joints; and flexibility and range of motion, to help prevent falls and keep your joints mobile. More information.

Finally had time to find account for blog and passwords. Broke wrist the end of January - back to normal now. Still working and walking as much as have time for and am doing 5K walks/runs, plus did a 10K in July. No more running, but am at a 15 - 16 minute mile. Hours at work changed so walks are now after work except on weekends and days off. Miss those early walks during the morning twilight and sunrise hours, but at least have 5 of those walks during a 2 week time. Usual path plus another mile, so full course is 5 miles. This last summer, have added some creatures seen along my walks in addition to the usual critters: a family of ducks - Mom and Pop and 4 babies, a pileated woodpecker (have seen only twice in 10 years), deer (does and bucks), a family of 4 broad-winged hawks. I'm calling the next 4 and 1/2 years of my walks - walking to retirement. Hopefully, although my position is term, I'll be able to work until April 2018. Then, full retirement and lots do catch up on my acre, both inside and out.

It is beautiful to walk in early June

Oaks are mighty; maples sweet, chinquapins rare and locust thorny. But in June, give me a row of Sycamores to walk under. Even the young ones stepping in for the fallen with their fat leaves give lots of shade. (Kenny/Tremont intersection to Swim and Racquet/North Broadway)

Numbering the Days: Egg dyeing, dirt and bluebonnets

 ♥
Happy Anniversary ...

The proper way to walk for exercise--don't stroll

Oh fap, foiled again. "You must perform above your baseline in order to ignite substantial changes in your body. Whatever your normal walking pace is in life, if you're doing this around that giant lake path, expect only minor changes and a soon-hit plateau." Fitness walking

Day one

Yes, it's the second day of the new year, but day one of returning to a more healthy way of eating, and adding in a bit more exercise. Those pounds just settled in for a long winter's nap. Today I had about 20 minutes of walking (in doors) and 15 minutes on my exercycle. Enjoying my DVD of biking along country roads in Scotland.

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note - no walks - too icy on the canal path and am treadmill adverse, but at least park 2 and 1/2 blocks from the office so I do have some walking in. Still am doing 2 - 3 exercise routines a day. Just wanted to post: Happy New Year - Welcome to the World, Year 2013!

Riding in the snow and sleet (on the exercycle)

I just rode my bike through beautiful Loch Etive Scotland for about 12 minutes. VITA Digital Productions. We got 4 virtual jog and bike ride DVDs for Christmas. It's 59 minutes, but I'm out of shape, and ate too much for the holidays, so we'll do this in segments. It begins on a roadway with birds chirping and sheep bleating with gorse (yellow) and Blue Bells blooming (late May). I'm not there yet, but the explanation says I'll see the ruins of a stone cottage used in the 1960 movie, Kidnapped. As the sleet and snow hit the window of my office, it's a nice diversion.

Photo on the frig trick

Posting a photo of me (thinner) on the frig door never seemed to work. But I saw a recent photo of Isabella Rosellini with her twin sister Ingrid and 1/2 sister Pia that might work. She has really packed on the pounds--still beautiful, however. Now 60. Where does the time go? Trying the exercycle again and have asked for cycling dvd's of Italy and Ireland for Christmas.

Regular Day Off and catching-up on home chores today. My walking path continues through the roundabout way in old Colona and along the Hennepin Canal. This morning, geese were taking a dip in the Canal -kind of cold I think. But these feathery friends were enjoying the water. Now on to my chores - tree trimming, weed trimming, gutter cleaning, and window washing.

I'm back after a long time. Still walking as much as possible. Have changed jobs, no more 50 - 60 hour weeks. I still haven't had the time to try out "snowshoeing". And last winter - almost no snow. Hopefully this winter will be the time and back to Nautilus in December.

Do weight loss programs inspire you?

A study says The Biggest Loser is de-motivating. What do you think? Poll. http://walking.about.com/b/2012/10/30/is-the-biggest-loser-a-turnoff-to-exercise.htm

I am reminded of walking meditation:

As always in the fall, I begin walking again. In the summer months I get a great deal of exercise just gardening, but in the fall I need to force myself to get out and walk. I was reviewing my long forgotten journal that I kept at Beliefnet for a while, I read this entry, which I do not think I ever posted here. But I thought it might serve as inspiration for those who come along dithering about walking this winter.

It isn't easy for me to discerrn God's will for my life or to comprehend the guidance I do get. I'm too ready to mull over it, to overexamine it. I went for a walk today. It was a wonderful day as the temperatures had soared to 74 degrees by mid-afternoon.

As I began my walk, I began the way Sister Ellie taught us, except that I was walking faster than she recommended. I began with a short prayer and then I reminded myself to empty my mind, to walk, to let thoughts occur to me, to look at them and then drop them. Taking my own council, then, I reminded myself to look for those small gifts that God offers me especially when I am outside. Then I began to walk, allowing my gaze to go where it willed, to watch in a detached fashion the goings on in the park.

I saw kids playing in the park. I saw teenagers gathering into a large group. I noted that the wind was strong and pushed against me as I walked into it. My mind wouldn't stay empty for long but it wouldn't muse either, so it was a good exercise.

I often walk along a trail around a park. It is almost a perfect mile around. Approaching the first turn with my eyes observing a small boy, but thinking nothing more about him, I felt mysteriously as though I wasn't a part of the scene--all feeling and no thought, it vanished as soon as it presented itself. I made the first turn and then the second. With the wind now behind me and on the far side of the park so that the trees were windward, I began to note the leaves--millions of leaves, it seemed--blown out of their winter hiding holes or off the limbs they'd never been torn from before. I thought, "That's it. I'm like a leaf blown from the tree and blowing in the wind." But then I thought, "No. Because the leaves are dead." I watched one dance across the path as though doing a cartwheel. I saw the teens had begun a game of football and watched a pass.

Feeling less as though God was giving me gifts and more and more as though I was just reviewing many of my life's lessons, I came back around to the final turn of the mile. It was then that I looked ahead and thought--this is just a loop and I'm stuck in it. I need to break out of the loop. But I didn't like that direction. It goes up past the vast high school parking lot--empty for the holiday--and it looked bleak, but I took it anyway. In the last square of still green grass under the last tree before the lot, I saw a squirrel sitting upright nibbling on something. Even in bleakness, there is life. I had not seen a single squirrel in the whole walk around the park. It is usually teaming with them.

Behind me, a house owner yelled at the receding back of his teenaged son and made me jump around to see the disgruntled scene. It jarred me. I know the man, but I preferred to turn my head and hope he didn't recognize me as I hurried up the sidewalk. I thought about the walk and how I used to walk that way every day one summer when I took summer school. My friend and I would walk up to a donut shop at the top of that hill. I couldn't remember if the walk had even then been half concealed by loose gravel or if that was a new thing. The wind continued to push me up the hill. There, in the middle of that blacktopped expanse without a tree in sight, I saw a maple leaf fall as though from nowhere. I looked and didn't see any other leaves. The uphill steepened until I reached the corner and I turned just across from the old donut shop and walked down the north side of the football stadium. The stadium blocked the wind, but the tall fence hemmed me in and limited my vision.

As I neared the final turn that would take me back to the park and my car, a German shepherd ran to the corner of his yard and began to bark at me aggressively--in my mind I responded, "Peace . . . I'm not coming your way." Before the thought was complete, he'd turned and run out of sight. I didn't see or hear him again.

I looked behind me at the fence-lined sidewalk and noted that it had been a comfortable downhill slope protected from the wind and peaceful. Then I walked past the end zone of the football field where so many stop to watch the game, then past the baseball field, then approached the teachers parking lot. I noted the sign, "Do not enter," and puzzled over having noted it--do not enter what? A bleak and empty parking lot? I passed by the entrance and observed the granite sign donated so long ago in 1980, seven years after I had graduated from that school. That's the entrance, I thought. And let it drop. I crossed the street and spied my car. Heading for it I thought, "If there was anything there, I missed it."

Once home, as I climbed out of the car, something seemed to say, "Things aren't always what they seem." And that is all I know. But of that, I feel certain.

Guess which lane I'm in

Walking--good point

A toasty May 19

I headed out for an afternoon walk about 3:30 and discovered it was quite hot! So I headed for the shady spots along the creek on our own property. Much more pleasant than walking along a four lane street with hundreds of cars zipping by.

Role of Irisin in exercise

Exercise stimulates the release of MYOKINES which offer protection against many diseases including diabetes, cancer and dementia, but until recently they weren't sure why. Now there's a newly discovered myokine named for the Greek goddess Iris (messenger), IRISIN, which is the messenger from the muscle during exercise "talking" the white fat into brown fat which burns calories into heat. Or something like that. When I googled it I see there's already a pharmaceutical company producing it, but you can do that on your own by exercising. Read a dumbed down version here.

April 17, walking

I walked about 35 minutes today, although I slowed down a bit up the street to break off branches that were sticking out over the sidewalk. Lots of people out working in their yards--or hiring it done. Also saw a home being remodeled. One drive way had 8 trash barrels and when the man noticed me looking at them he said, "They've been gone for 2 weeks." I smiled and moved on, but who even has that many trash cans?

46 and doing it for God's glory

http://bodybuildingandfitnessdaily.blogspot.com/2012/04/npc-texas-shredder-2012-post-prejuging.html

April showers are needed in Central Ohio!

We finally got some nice April showers yesterday. When we got home from the movie (October baby), our power was out from a storm, so supper was more cold picnic style than the bbq pork roast I'd planned. Today we're looking a temps near 80. Steam bath? I did my 20 minute walk after church about 11 a.m. before it got hot. Windows open, we'll eat in the dining room and enjoy the spring air.

High calorie week-end

Last night my husband's Cursillo team had a meeting--lots of snacks plus homemade ice cream. Then today we attended a party for our friend Jim DeVore who died in February. There was lots of food. Then tomorrow night our couples group from church will be meeting. So I hopped on the exercycle this evening, for 23 minutes and 83 calories.

Monday morning

After exercise class today, I stopped at Thompson Park and walked for 15 minutes. The day promised to be unusually warm, so I thought doing it early would be a good idea. The low spots were flooded, but it wasn't too hard to get around. Not many people out and about since this is spring break week for Ohio State and many of the local schools.

This photo is from Spring 2006--looks much the same, though, without the dandelions.

Dark clouds rolling in from the northwest

But I got in 25 minutes of walking in the sunshine. The forsythia are glorious. They were cut down to about 6" two years ago when the street was repaired and the wall and sidewalk built, and now are about 6' tall. If you have scrungy, straggly bushes, cut them back. You'll thank yourself (or your gardener) next year.

Now for a nap

I had a 30 minute walk this afternoon. It's nap time.

Evening walk

Walked around the neighborhood after 7 p.m. Rain had stopped. Forsythia are beginning to bloom. 20 minutes.

Record heat--almost

I walked outside this afternoon for 25 minutes, and did stretching and weights in exercise class 1 hour this morning. Unusually warm for mid-March.

A lovely day in the neighborhood

Despite my cold, I went out and walked about 20 minutes. Really lovely day. Also 15 minutes and 55 calories on my exercycle.

Exercycling on Thursday

52 calories, 15 minutes. Raining outside. Later while watching HGTV, 20 minutes 73 calories.

First day of my first cold this winter

Sigh. I just hate colds. They last forever, it seems. So I'm skipping exercise class this morning, and got on the bike for 20 minutes. 2 miles and about 54 calories. Slow and easy.

Watching HGTV and cycling

20 minutes, 80 calories, 3.2 miles on the exercycle.

We haven't had our winter yet

10 minutes 32 calories on the exercycle, and 20 minutes walking outside at 65 degrees on Feb. 29, plus 45 min of exercise class this morning.

Exercycle while listening to. . .

the philosophy of freedom. It's a 54 min. lecture. I cycled for 15 minutes, 2.2 miles, and burned 63 calories. I'll have to finish the lecture some other time.

Exercycle on a windy day

10 minutes tonight watching the Lawrence Welk show on PBS--it was Salute to New York, originally filmed Oct. 15, 1977.

Exercycle--planning ahead

Just got off the exercycle. 30 min. 4 miles. 81 calories. Going out for our Friday night date tonight. Rusty Bucket.

November Thoughts

Where has the year flown - my walks keep me posted on the seasons. The trees are certainly shedding their leaves fast this year - had only a couple of days to enjoy the colors (late for the Quad Cities) before the winds started. This morning's walk included a stop to talk with a neighbor about some changes to make in my yard next to the north field (not now - need time to think about it for retirement years).

Then, on my route back - lost in thought, almost missed seeing our resident doe and buck "leaping" across the cornfield. Such a sight really made my day! Haven't seen the blue heron by the Canal - hope he just headed south. Although I have seen him other years all through November.

October Skies

Been doing the 4 miles everyday - sometimes cloudy this week but mostly deep blue October skies (even early in the morning). See all the wild critters getting ready for winter.

Love this weather - hope it stays this way through the first week in December.

Shin splints

Kathy tipped me off to a Walking FB site, and on that I saw this. Shin splints are a huge problem for me (that and hating to exercise), so I might try this. And I love big words--"medial tibial stress syndrome" will be my next "organ concert" topic with the retired librarians.

When we were in Illinois last week, the Chicago station we were listening to in the car said it was the best October weather in 18 years. It's been gorgeous also in Ohio, with cool and rainy just showing up a few days ago. But it's times like these I miss our old neighborhood where I could walk to shopping and the library. I could do that here too--if I were 10 years younger and didn't mind dashing across 4 lanes.

Long time no post - have a little more time to walk now - no changes at work, in fact hours working have been more. But in August and October, managed to get weekend trips to Nebraska and Minnesota to see family.

Today - home and just accomplished the 4 miles after puttering around the whole day. The leaves are really slow in turning here. Some Maples have turned - the Oaks are still green. We haven't had a frost yet. Not many people out this afternoon - I'm surprised becaused it is sunny and fairly warm. The "4" was okay, but I really enjoy my early morning walks more. I guess I like to watch the world wake up.

Met my new neighbors - and a really big dog. Big but very friendly!

Logging for 6 months, pt. 5

The rest of August was fairly predictable. Even when we had rain, it was usually at night, with clearing by my morning walk, which became later and later. 20 minutes a day walking and 10 minutes a day strolling, and about 2 bike rides a week were the best I could manage. A few times I got up to 30 minutes. I only missed one day in August--when we returned to Columbus to take the cat to the vet.

Logging in for 6 months, pt. 4

The view of the Pavilion on August 8 at sunrise, all lit up for "Light up Lakeside."

August 7 50 min walking
10 biking
20 strolling
August 8 25 min walking
20 strolling
August 9 30 min walking
20 strolling
August 10 35 min walking
20 strolling
August 11 40 min walking
20 min biking
10 strolling

Logging in for 6 months, pt. 3

August 4 walking 35 min., strolling 20 min.
August 5 walking 40 min., strolling 10 min.
August 6 walking 40 min., strolling 20 min.

Logging in for 6 months, pt. 2

August 2, 25 min. walking, 20 min. strolling, 10 min. ambling
August 3, 40 min. walking, 20 min. strolling, 10 min. ambling

Wonderful breeze from the lake today. Walking is much more fun.

Logging in for 6 months

No doubt about it. I do hate to sweat. However, recent studies of aerobic exercise show that women and men benefit differently. Women get more cognitive benefits, particularly executive function, than men. But it does need to be at least 45-60 minutes a day for 4 days a week for 6 months to show improvement.

Laura D. Baker, "Effects of aerobic exercise on mild cognitive impairment," Archives of Neurology, Jan 2010; 67(1):71-79

So. . .

August 1, 25 minutes of walking, and 20 minutes of strolling.

It's too hot to do much

Landscapers were supposed to come yesterday, but their employer thinks it's not safe. City has also called off road repairs because of dangers for workers. I've been walking between 7 and 7:30 a.m. at a near by shopping center parking lot, because it's mostly shady at that time, and I don't have to walk on concrete. One day I did maybe 10 minutes after lunch, but it was just breathless. Then I might do 20 minutes late in the day on my spinning bike.

Now I'm Back

Long time since I have posted - needed to change e-mail accounts.

Still walking my route of 4 miles to, by, and back from the Hennepin Canal. Fewer walks so far this year, but that is going to change. My walk this morning was purely for pleasure and not for speed. Saw lots of acquaintances along the way. Too late to see the Blue Heron, but saw and heard robins, cardinals, gold finches, wrens, and other birds, as well as the squirrels and rabbits.

Although we have had quite a bit of rain, the mile stretch of the canal path I walk shows that section of the canal as needing dredging. Don't think that will happen - but, maybe it will someday turn into a wetland.

Break time is over - going out to dig in the dirt and plant roses and other flowers.

Back spasms

I began having back spasms Saturday evening, so I only did a tentative slow walk around the condo grounds yesterday and today. The rain has been so persistent, walking really wasn't on the calendar anyway. Columbus set an April record for rain, and May is looking much the same.

Walking in Tustin, California

What a lovely community! And while Columbus is getting a late spring snow dusting, we're enjoying blue skies and palm trees in Orange County, California. We toured "Old town Orange," and "Old town Tustin," both with wonderful arts and crafts and modest Victorian homes, with tidy restored areas and business districts. I walked about 3 miles round trip to buy a Starbucks coffee to put aside for this morning. Shins hurt a little, and we've got quite an agenda for today. I think I'll need to buy another pair of shoes . . .

New Walking shoes

They feel and look like they have little golf balls on the soles. Can't find the ones I liked so much and have used the past 2 years, so I had to try something different. These are only for WALKING--an entire pamphlet was in the box explaing why I must not run or twist in these shoes. L.A. Gear Walk n Tone. On sale at Meijer's.

Today I walked through a condo community that was one of the first places we visited in 1967, because it had been designed by the firm which was interviewing my husband. At that time, it was still an apartment complex, but later the owner sold out to a community. Trouville. I walked for 30 minutes.

Get out and walk! Vigorously!

"Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory, "
PNAS 2011 108 (7) 3017-3022; published ahead of print January 31, 2011

In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study, "scientists started with 120 elderly volunteers who were relatively inactive but did not have dementia. Half were randomly assigned to begin walking 40 minutes a day, three days a week for a year while the remainder only stretched and performed toning exercises for the same time period. After 12 months, the group that walked showed an average 2% growth in the hippocampus compared with when they began, while the control groups suffered a more than 1% shrinkage in the same region compared with when the study started.

“If you estimate the change at an individual level,” says study co-author Arthur Kramer of the University of Illinois, “a yearlong exercise program can turn back the clock about two years with respect to the volume of the hippocampus.” "

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/31/want-to-improve-your-memory-take-a-walk/#ixzz1Euftky36

News about Cathy

I just read on Cathy's blog that she had a heart attack on December 1. She founded this group/team of exercisers as I recall. She has an amazing post about her experience that every woman should read here. This link for Cathy is not the blog on the right hand column here, so she has more than one.

A cooling rain

Columbus got a quick downpour this morning about 11 a.m. and then it cooled off. This afternoon I went for my first walk this week--in the 90s it's just too hot to walk on concrete and asphalt. The neighboring apartment complex had all its streets repaired this spring and summer, and is quite pleasant now for walking. Several little Chinese and Indian girls were playing and picking up acorns--they became treasures--gold coins, babies, jewels. Same things I played with my friends back in the 1940s.

When the sidewalks were installed last year, our street side bushes were cut down almost to the ground, but they are now about 7 ft. tall and blowing in the wind.

The heat is back

After a brief respite with wonderful cool evenings and nights when we could sleep with the windows open (until a skunk strolled by), the temps are back up. Passing through Bucyrus, Ohio, last evening about 6:30 p.m. the temperature sign read 100 degrees! So I'm inside today--no walking for awhile. I may be out of shape, but I'm not stupid!

Too hot to walk much

We've been at our lake home most of the summer (on Lake Erie), but except for 6 a.m., it's been too hot to walk much. I've done quite a bit of bike riding. This week we had a lot of family here, and there was almost non-stop eating. It's going to take a lot to burn up all those calories.

Easter Monday

Pretty good for this last week. Easter Sunday was only 2 miles because it started to storm. Had I not been so lazy, I could have walked right after church and made the 4 miles.

All yesterday I thought about how much Easter means to me. Our church service centered around new beginnings and the resurrection. The music, the lilies and other spring flowers on the altar, and pastor's sermon about "God's got you" meaning no matter what happens He has you in His hands to guide you had me thinking on my walk about how God is with me through tough times and through beautiful times.

My walk today was brisk and full of bird twitterings. I know it is Spring here because I heard a meadowlark and a brown thrasher. The juncos are still here, but by tomorrow morning, I bet they will be flying North - no matter when Easter is on the calendar, most seem to go north on Easter Monday (leaving just a few stragglers behind).

Monday Walks

So far, so good - now it is three days in a row. I really haven't lost much in the way of pace - just need to get it under a 15 minute mile. Saw lots of squirrels today. Yesterday watched a muskrat - funny little guy and amazing how he just dove under the water. I never did see him come up for air.

It is now Spring - the scillas are in bloom and the hyacinth are popping up.

Back to work tomorrow, but home in time to walk.

From my mall walking days

A tall, nice looking man carrying a broom stopped at my table at Panera and said, "Didn't you used to walk at the Lane Avenue Mall?" I had no idea who he was and didn't recognize him, but I agreed, that was indeed me for many years. Coffee at Caribou; walk for 30 minutes at Lane; on to open the Veterinary Library at 7:30.

"How did you remember me after all these years?" I asked, after he told me he was a maintenance worker there in those years.

"I always remember pleasant people," he said.

Maybe he remembers the times I forgot to change back into my dress shoes and had to come back and look for them.

Thursday Thoughts

Well, 3 days out of 5 days isn't too bad! Still did my exercises, but missed walking 2 days. Today was really brisk and breezy, but it did step up the pace.

I am on vacation til next Tuesday so I should get my miles in, my exercising done, and my time to enjoy the coming of Spring, besides doing Spring Housecleaning.

The famer neighbor moved his cattle back to the field along my route. When the cattle were at his other farm I missed seeing the newborn calves. I counted at least a half a dozen - I'm sure over the next week the number will grow. I am looking forward to my walks and the awakening of the Canal. Each day brings new bird songs and new joys of Spring.

60 minutes a day? Everyday?

This reminds me of taxes. We're all getting used to the health police telling us we need to exercise 3 x a week, and then they up the ante.

"If you want to prevent your weight gain over time you need to be physically active at the level of 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, so the equivalent of one hour a day of brisk walking or 30 minutes a day of jogging or running," said I-Min Lee, M.B.B.S., Sc.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Lee and co-authors studied more than 34,000 women starting at an average age of 54, following and updating their activity level for 13 years. The women were divided into three groups. Those exercising 60, 30 and less than 30 minutes. "These two lesser activity groups of women were significantly more likely to gain weight compared to the most active group of women," said Lee.

The study appears in this week's JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association. "We found that physical activity was effective in controlling weight only among women who started off with a normal BMI," said Lee. "The women who were overweight or obese, physical activity, with the range done in the study was not sufficient to control their weight."

For heavier women, researchers say not to let the 60 minutes of daily exercise discourage you from starting or continuing to exercise. "While our study shows that this might not be sufficient to maintain normal weight it clearly is sufficient to reduce the risk of developing many chronic diseases including heart disease, certain types of cancer, type II diabetes," said Lee.

Researchers report that women in the study consumed a regular American diet and did not restrict their calories."

Article here.

Word definitions

Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Chilly Sunday

Here it is - a week gone. I did manage short walks on Monday through Friday. Then it snowed Saturday and is colder today. The few days we had of warm weather spoiled me and turned me into a sissy with the drop in temperature yesterday and today. Even so, my other goals are doing better than I expected. I look forward to my Sunday morning breakfast and newspaper, then to church for some reflection and inspiration to guide me through the week. I know that the job I have is where God wants me, but need a little reinforcement to continue for the next 3 and 1/2 years.

At home, Spring housecleaning and my walks are on the agenda for this week after work, as well as next Saturday and Sunday. Then some Easter preparations.

As for my walks, saw robins and the finches are turning yellow. The male cardinals' feathers are brighter red and all the birds songs tell me Spring is here. The purple crocus are blooming and more buds are showing on the daffodils.

I have plans for my walks this week - each evening out of the office by 5 and home in time to do the 4 miles.

Almost Spring

Here it is my first walk since way last December and 4 miles at that. I have been such a slouch at my personal life - no work/life balance this year. But I'm working on it - really behind with what I need to have accomplished so here goes.

Walking 4 miles a day - weather permitting, that means leaving work at no later than 5PM

Nautilus starting April 3rd every other day until April 30th - then Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

At least 30 minutes of exercises/modified yoga every day

Take at least 2 hours each day to enjoy the world around me

No checking work e-mail from home on days off

No more than 2 hours overtime each week and working only 1 Saturday a month - until September 30th. Then no over time at all until after January 31, 2011.

"Like the last 2 will happen, but it is a goal."


Now for my walk - the snow is gone and most of the ice is off the canal. Saw a few critters - some squirrels and some song birds. The cardinals' songs are now of Spring. I am seeing little sprouts popping up - some of the daffodils are already budding out. The canal was pretty quiet - but I know it won't be long before I'll see turtles and fish. Am waiting for the Blue Heron to come back.
The farm fields are pretty rugged in places - erosion in some places and the ground is saturated. The ditch along the road is slowly draining. And so it was not very eventful, but it felt so great to be outside walking again.

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.

Monday August 17 walk

Aug 15, 2009
I still haven't missed a sunrise walk, although it's later each day. I see the 7 a.m. ferry instead of 6 a.m. Today I saw a heron, terns, gulls, a family of mallards, and a barefoot bathrobed dog walker.

Before I forget

This morning's sunrise was incredible. I haven't missed a sunrise this summer during the time we're at the lake. One morning I carried an umbrella, but it only misted. This morning the cloud formation was incredible. I never actually saw the sun, only the orange, pink, fuchsia, cobalt and gray backing up a huge cloud that looked like the old fashioned ships that used to sail the Great Lakes. Then when I turned back west, there was the full moon brilliant above the trees. It was just incredible.

This photo is not this morning--I think it was 2 days ago. It was a cloudy morning with the sun just peaking over the horizon. I wanted to get a photo of the freighter over at Marblehead, Ohio which takes ore from the quarry. There's much less traffic this summer as the economy hurts even the traffic here that fed so many industries.

The rip rap you see is not "native" to Lakeside, but was brought in from the quarry about 20 years ago because the lake was rising and covering the natural flat rocks on which you could easily walk out into the lake. You can't fool Mother Nature and the lake then receded, and many of the man-made protections and ideas in Ohio, New York, Michigan and Canada just made the shoreline worse, and many beaches were destroyed.

Yesterday I did 2 walks along the lakefront, one at dawn and one at noon (very brisk walking with a younger friend), plus the back and forth to various places. So I'm guessing 5 to 6 miles.

Way Too Long Hours

Trying to manage some 4 milers in between 60 hour weeks at work. It rained here until about 2 in the afternoon. By that time I was just getting my act together and cleaning house. So I'll get my 4 in tomorrow before church.

I'm taking a day off on Monday, will still be working about 50 hours for the week. It is really "funny" - I'm the oldest at work, but have the most stamina for the long hours. I'd better not be "crowing" too much - pride goeth before a fall.

Looking foward to a real early walk tomorrow and Monday so I can maybe catch a glimpse of the blue heron and other favorite critters. During the week, Im changing my walking time so I'll be at work by 7AM and home by 6:30 in the evening to do "my 4"!

Walking at home this week

It's just not the same walking a dawn in the suburbs. You can't see the sunrise.

Saturday, July 18, walking along the lakefront at dawn.

Lakefront cottages on July 18 reflecting the morning sunrise. These were all built around 1915-1920, I think. We rented the one on the far right (a 4-plex) in the mid-70s when the children were small.

Traffic jam

I took an evening walk along the lakefront last night about 8:30, and my oh my, so many people. There were crowds everywhere. But it's good to see people out and about, away from TVs and computers, especially the kids. This group seems to have their own clubs for miniature golf.

Health and Wellness Week at Lakeside

All the programs I attended (5) were excellent with qualified speakers, good graphics, and prepared hand-outs. The problem, as I see it, is in the audience. In most cases, they were preaching to the choir. Also, as I look around and observe people within 10-20 years, up or down, of my age, I see two really common problems that could have been successfully addressed if we'd started 20 years ago. Bones and Obesity. When I see an 82 year old woman who is still 5'10" and walking briskly, with attention to fashion, tall and proud, I want to take a photo and interview her. Is it genes? Nutrition? Exercise? Continues at Collecting my thoughts

Not so wild life

I frequently see this woman with her lab at dawn when I get in about 2 miles along the lakefront. He's getting his exercise--she's down there a long time. Many people with large, athletic dogs just don't give them enough attention or exercise and they develop behavior problems. This week is "Health and Wellness Week" at Lakeside and yesterday I attended a lecture on "Exercise is medicine" by Kitty Consolo. I think I knew most of it, but it is always good to be reminded. One of her suggestions was to have a work-out buddy--something that never has worked for me. Hers is her black lab.

Morning walks

I've been watching summer slip away by walking at dawn. It's only July 5 and already I think the sunrise is about 15 minutes later than when I started this 2 weeks ago. But I've been walking 4-6 miles a day, usually 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, and counting all the steps in between.


I often see this lady "walking" her cat later in the day--although I'm not sure who is walking whom. I doubt that my kitty would tolerate this.

You mean...you WALKED!?

An essay on walking from a daily five mile walker and 8 year cancer survivor*

"Walking, I have noticed, is the first thing we want to do and the last thing we are want to give up in our old age. I took my first walk (I am told) with my father at about two years. The story goes we were gone a long time and my patient dad reported to my mom that I investigated every leaf and twig en route. I have been walking ever since.

We walked to play with friends in the neighborhood, we walked to school, we walked to the library and even walked to and from some of our first dates. I learned to love walking from my dad and my grandpa, both walkers all their lives. My dad was inclined toward rural, out of the way dusty country roads for his ambles. My grandpa likes to roam the woods to the north of our family farm. He raised sheep there and the farmland was heavy with nut trees and berries. My summer walks with my grandfather were some of the best to be had.

Over the years I have walked for many reasons. I have walked to sort things out, avoid depression, to make me sleep and to lose weight. They have all worked. Now I walk for the sheer joy of walking. It is my "drug” of choice. I walk the outskirts of town, I walk on the old high school track and I walk the town walk path. I sometimes even walk to Pond Road and rest by the Leaf River (Illinois) bridge and then return. I celebrated my 70th birthday recently with a 7 mile walk.

Going tramping is at first an act of rebellion; only afterwards do you get free from rebellion as nature sweetens your mind. Town can make man contentious; the country walk smooths out the soul. Lots of people have been great walkers. Dickens is said to have walked 25 miles a day! and we know Henry David was a great walker. . .why not, he had Waldon Pond, and Justice Douglas to name just a few...

The changing of the season would be reason enough, even if the health benefits were not there. Autumnal walks, with the russets, yellows and browns and the mists that hang, are nature’s melancholy. Winter walks make you strong my dad would say, as we bundled up on a zero day for walking to school. And they do--the air incredibly pure and sunlight gently caressing your shoulders. Spring walks, perhaps the best, full of hope of a glorious summer ahead. Summer walks, simply put, just hum, I do not mind the heat and find these walks my most rewarding. . . watching children ride bikes, or play in puddles and the exchange of smiles from fellow walkers.

Well, I have gone on enough. . . "I will arise and go now" - William Butler Yeats

Come join me in a walk and have someone say, "You mean-you walked!"
* Lynne Fleming Wilburn

Making it to 7th

We had a huge wind storm last night and lost power for several hours, cancelling the program. The photo is our neighbor's car covered up by a falling limb. As far as we could tell, the only damage to the car was the rear window. On this morning's walk I could survey the damage. I had attended a program on care of trees yesterday afternoon, so I could observe why some trees fell and others survived. Silver maples are quite frail and don't even have the life expectancy of a human but grow quickly (we were told in the class, and several of the biggest trees I saw damaged were silver maples.) I did make it to 7th street, which is almost the last street on the south end, or would be if there weren't a nice camp ground with an entire community of its own another street south of 7th. I'm not sure if I'm allow to walk in there. I'll have to take a peek tomorrow. But I did get about 5 miles in yesterday. I walked in the afternoon choosing to hop from shade to shade, because the heat index was near 100. It really is amazing how grass and trees lower that.

More wildlife

This black cat in my path is probably not feral. She didn't seem afraid, but neither did she come when I called. Smart kitty. Owners should not be allowing their pets to run loose--just because it's safe for children, doesn't mean it's OK to let your pets "litter."
This morning I walked about 35 minutes leaving the house about 5:45--east along the lakefront, then up to 7th on Poplar and back west, then north to our cottage on 3rd. I stopped several times to enjoy the scenery, and once to get my breath from that hill on Poplar between 4th and 5th. I'm not a tennis player, but those clay courts on 7th look mightly fine.
The story is that back in the 1870s when Lakeside was very young, a 14 year old girl named all the north south streets after trees. Louise Franck's father was an engineer and laid out the streets and she helped him.

Progress

The weather has held--no rain, and cooler than northern Illinois or central Ohio. So I've been able to add a street each day to my west end to east end walk--all the way east along the lakefront, then Monday I returned on 3rd, Tuesday on 4th, and today, Wednesday on 5th. Fifth is a bit of challenge in that there is a hill between 4th and 5th. But it's interesting to see the changes from year to year--although there are more houses for sale than I realized. Yesterday I saw a huron sillouetted against the sunrise but didn't have my camera. Today I took the camera, but he/she saw me first and flew off. The only wildlife I caught was this very shy calico (she's feral but gets food from all the neighbors).


After Lynne's inspiring comment at Joanne's post a few back, last night I did a second round trip along the lakefront, so combining those two with my walks to the grocery, the farmers market and Rhein Center I think I did at least 6 miles yesterday. Yeah! The calories, however, keep coming. Boo!

The start of summer

It's almost as good as a New Year's Resolution--arriving at the lake and resolving to take advantage of the walking and biking opportunities. Yesterday, first day of summer I began the day with 25 minutes along the lakefront with about 4 shorter destination walks during the day, for at least an hour of walking. I think that's about 4 miles. I can manage that if I break the walks up.


Then today I began with a 30 minute walk along the lake returning on 3rd St. Then about 6 blocks round trip to the grocery for ingredients for tonight's potluck, then about 6 blocks round trip (walking) to the coffee shop. So I've already got about 3 miles in today.

Part of this glorious plan was inspired by the coffee shop which this year isn't opening until 8 a.m. instead of 6:30 last summer. But on my way there today, I see that the new proprietor of Abigail's is opening at 6 a.m. Oh my! My plan might fail.

SHARING NATURE

My walking has been confined to the weekends, but wanted to share a close encounter yesterday morning.

As I was starting my morning exercise, I was surprised by a doe and a fairly new born fawn in the orchard. Of course "Mom" jumped the fence, leaving baby in the tall grass on my side of the fence. If only they had stayed in the woods on the other side of the road. The doe, as they do, bounded into the field. I imagine she wanted to head for the small woods between two fields - about a 1/2 mile away. I went to the fence line and there the fawn lay so quiet, yet not seeming to be frightened. I lifted the fawn over the fence and into a bed of tall grass. The baby was light as a feather. What a sensation to be that close to God's new creation! The doe had stopped not too far away and watched. I then went into the house.

Lucky that I did what I did for the neighbor's yellow hound was in my yard right after my going inside. Thank goodness he was too busy sniffing for rabbits. I called out my window for him to "Go Home!" and for once he did.

The doe was there with the fawn when I left for work - hopefully they reached the woods and are safe, as the farmer neighbor was spraying the fields when I came home from work.

WALKING WITH NATURE

I am finally getting with the program - it is taking a little longer than I thought (won't start Nautilus for another month).

My walks have been fruitful with flora and fauna.Along the canal path, I have watched mama goose, papa goose, and 4 goslings. My other bird finds include 2 blue herons, at least 1 pair of Eastern Bluebirds, lots of Robins and Goldfinch, Flickers, Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and the most surprising of all - a Pileated Woodpecker. The canal is alive with turtles and fish and along the banks and path squirrels and bunnies are playing. Plants and shrubs are blooming in abundance - even found a shrub in my rose bush brambles that I'm not sure whether it is something I want to keep or if it is a pest - must look it up in my gardening books.

This weekend has been spectacular. My brother was here from Nebraska for a couple of days and I have been digging in the dirt and trimming and weeding. This is a good start this year - slow,but if I remember to get myself out of the office early enough in the evenings, this will be a great stress reliever besides helping my waistline.

"JUST DO IT"

I just read Norma's post - wake up call! I have a physical in 3 weeks and have really let myself get into a lazy mode. Work has been stressful and rain has been much, but it is time to set aside time for some unstressing - diligent walking and weight training as well as yard work. I should be able to do some good in those 3 weeks and then keep at it. I'm promising myself 4 miles in the early morning and Nautilus every other day right after Memorial Day (need time to build up some stamina with the walking). Did 3 miles today in just over 50 minutes, so that is a good start.

Here's a good reminder

High intensity exercise is more beneficial. Boy I hate that! I don't like to sweat. I'd prefer to stroll and enjoy the sights. But that’s what this article in Prevention says. The calories are the same--the results are different.

"Researchers from the University of Virginia found that women who did three shorter, fast-paced walks a week (plus two longer, moderate-paced ones) lost 5 times more belly fat than those who simply strolled at a moderate speed 5 days a week, even though both groups burned exactly the same number of calories (400) per workout. Those speed walking also dropped more than 2 inches from their waistlines, pared about 3 times more fat from their thighs, shed 4 times more total body fat, and lost almost 8 pounds over 16 weeks--all without dieting!

The improvements didn't stop there. The high-intensity exercisers lost about 3 times more visceral fat--the dangerous belly fat that wraps around organs such as the liver and kidneys and has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. "Vigorous exercise raises levels of fat-burning hormones," says lead researcher Arthur Weltman, PhD, director of the exercise physiology laboratory at the university. It also increases afterburn (the number of calories your body uses postexercise as it recovers) by about 47% compared with lower-intensity workouts."

Regroup Time

Weather and work have slowed progress. If I make 40 miles by Easter, I'll be doing great.





Today's walk was the first since last Sunday. I figured I'd better make use of a nice day and was able to do 4 miles in just over an hour. In the fields by my house I counted at least 16 calves - two and 1/2 weeks ago, there were 5. Spring is slowly showing along my route, watched a robin wooing a lady friend and saw some crocus and scillas peeping up out the ground.

Doin' My Best

I can see this is going to be a challenge. Workdays may get longer in order to prepare for working with the economic stimulus funds. Tried to leave at regular time this week, but the best laid plans of mice and men.....Even so from this time forward, I hope on workdays to pack up by 5:00 so I can be home to do my 4 miles each evening. Managed 3 and 1/2 today. Once this is going - back to some weight training.

Today's walk brought some new calves and my usual stops for petting the pups and talking to acquaintances. Grass is barely beginning to show and I think the pink hyacinth by the wall may not have made it through the winter - the first snow of last winter ended with a truck running over where they are planted. If not I'll be working near where they were planted to rebuild a small rock wall. Maybe I'll be lucky and find the bulbs to replant.

Spring is Coming Better Get Ready

After a long winter, I'm back to writing about my walks as I continue to seek a work/life balance. What better way to do this than require some discipline from my self regarding work hours so I will make it home in time to do a 4 mile walk before dark. With the world in the current economic crisis, my agency will be in the front lines, providing training services locally for those affected by layoffs, plant closings.




I managed 3 blocks shy of 4 miles with this first walk since the Christmas Minneapolis walk. Saw robins, cardinals, a squirrel and crow having issues, some old puppy friends, and talked to some acquaintances. The farm field next to my home showed me a week old calf and saw some signs of green grass along the road. As always, I thank the Lord for all He has created and thank Him that I am able to enjoy His creation.

Exercise in the New Year

I've gone back to a 3 times a week class. I just wasn't doing it on my own. Two of the classes have stretching and weights, and third (led by my husband) is more cardio. I did this class in 2000-2002 and then dropped out, preferring to walk--which I rarely kept up. So back to some discipline. . .

Holiday Greetings and Happy 2009

Yes - I know it is after Christmas, but really this is the 10th day of Christmas.

Christmas was again in Minneapolis, where we did some walking and playing with my niece's newest addition - an Australian cattle dog named Pip.

Since then there has been no real time to walk and no good snow to try out snow shoeing. But am doing an exercise routine twice a day!

Hopefully time and weather will allow me to get out to do some winter walking and try out the snow shoes - they are not the old fashioned kind, but "hi-tech" (LL Bean) with poles and a storage case. One of my resolutions is to set aside an hour + on weekends for just doing walking or snow shoeing.The other resolutions are the continuations of last year - "works in progress".

Just want to wish all a Happy New Year!

Saw a silly Robin today - doesn't he known he should be south of the Illinois Quad Cities?

Thanksgiving Weekend

First of all, must say my Thanksgiving Blessings to each and all!

Still keeping up the walks, at least 3 days a week. Work is pulling at me, but I'm taking time off each week to use up some vacation days and comp time. The funding has not improved, so my staff person and myself are taking one day off unpaid and we have had to lay off 2 employees indefinitely.

The walks by the canal are ongoing. I cannot believe how many squirrels I have seen busily storing away acorns. The red-tailed hawk is back and the path is a busy place with all the little critters preparing for winter. The fours miles can take anywhere between 1 hour and a hour and a half, depending on the number of fellow walkers, pups, and cats I stop and greet.

I just ordered hi-tech snow shoes. Now for some snow so I can put them to good use.

QUAD CITY MARATHON 5K

Just finished my last 5K for the year. That's not to say I won't be continuing my walks and jogs along the canal bike path. Although our governor thought he would cut the budgets for several park facilities and historic sites, hopefully the Illinois law makers will approve funding for those areas. If so, I will be walking still when the snow flies and maybe even through the snow. I'm still comtemplating snow shoeing - we'll see how that all works out.

My work is still ruling most of my life, but I am making more time for a life outside the office. I really have lots of yardwork to catch up on, but I love working outside in the fall so I will enjoy every minute of it.

The exercycle

Everyone probably has one on which to hang laundry and gather dust. Ours has moved from bedroom to basement to my office, and has been in the garage for over a year. Today I looked at it and decided it would fit between the cars so I could use it, instead of along the wall gather spider webs. Cold weather is coming. Wheeeee.

Labor Day Walk

Just finished the 5k for a Memorial Run for a student that was hit by a car. His folks have set up this run where the proceeds go to scholarships for 2 high school students each year. No walking sticks this time and even did some sprints.

Since I procrastinated the last two days - this "Labor Day" will be a labor day. I really haven't done much of anything in keeping the yard up this year and then there is the garage. I have good intentions, but now time's a flying so this is the big fall push for cleanup and hopefully a bathroom remodel. Off to the projects!

Pain free travel

We'll be at Lakeside another 1.5 weeks and then head home. The ride isn't all that long (about 2.5 hours) but I do get stiff. Here are some exercise/stretching tips for pain free travel from Johns Hopkins.

Four Miles a Day

This is becoming a monthly post. Managing to get in 4 miles a day most weeks, unless the weather says otherwise. I'm working on sprinting at least a block - 5K's are more fund if you sprint across the finish line. Those days I leave the walking sticks at home. It is a little strange sprinting with the hip replacement and I am really careful when I do sprint. But it is such fun even at almost "63" to kick up my heels for the joy of being.

Walking Catchup

It has been just over two weeks since I've written some thoughts. I have been able to get 4 miles in most days - down "my country road", through the little town, and then to the bike path along the canal. I see so many neat "critters" on my walks, even the red winged blackbird who dive bombs me because there are babies nearby.Work has taken over for a little while, but the walks are keeping me focused.

It is very humid today, storms early this morning, but not too hot for a late morning walk. Now to wash and clear coat the Jeep - I've been going to do that for two weeks.

Exercising at Lakeside

Although I see some vigorous joggers and walkers, most of us here for vacation or the summer just get more exercise than usual because we don't use our cars. I might walk 10-12 blocks a day or ride my bike several miles and not even think about it. I think this is why our parents and grandparents didn't carry as much weight. During the day I might walk 3 blocks and back to the little grocery store, or 2-3 blocks to the little business district, or stroll a mile along the lakefront and not even notice it. It's a wonderful way to get around--when the weather's good--and for the most part it has been. Occasionally Joanne sends her storms from Illinois that she has been dodging.

Walking at sunrise along Lake Erie

Back from Italy

We got back from Italy in the wee morning hours of June 30, and I'd planned laundry, photo sorting, blogging, etc. and getting ready for Lakeside, but a virus overtook me and I landed in the hospital, dehydrated. A few others on the tour were also doing poorly, so either we ate or drank something that didn't agree. One gal spent the flight in the rest room--thank goodness mine waited until June 30! But I seem to be on the mend. My little one-mile-a-day walks around the condo grounds weren't up to cobblestone streets and Umbrian hills! Also we had a heat wave. I'm posting photos and stories at my regular blog, Collecting My Thoughts as the inspiration hits. So far, the brain isn't in gear. But Joanne is always an inspiration and I plan to go for a short walk now that the sun is out. It's like a rain forest here in central Ohio.

Happy Fourth of July!

Another month has come and gone. Weather has turned better. This was a great morning for walking. I've been able to walk 3 and 1/2 to 4 miles most mornings before work. Ive sloughed off at Nautilus so that is the next goal to get going on.

We are still Mississippi River flooded in an adjacent county and the local portion of Rock River is still higher in some places than normal. We have lots of mosquitoes and little gnats and I hate wearing bug repellent. But the alternative is worse.

Now that I'm finished with my morning walk, I tackling the weeds and tall grasses in the rose bed that lines the west border of our land. Tonight I'll be able to see some of the fireworks from my yard.