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.

Rain and Water Everywhere

This has been a soggy month. So thankful that I am on high ground and at least a mile and 1/2 across woods and grassland to a river. The Mississippi is over the banks and the river I live near hasn't been totally in its banks since Dec 23.

I've been trying to get outside for a walk but the thunder showers keep coming- it is supposed to let up later - I'll try later this afternoon. Yesterday my friend and I did Race for the Cure 5K - a little over 3 miles of walking. I don't think my pace was up to par. I need to work on that, but my form with the walking sticks is much better.

I miss the early morning walks, but the weather has been really rainy this last 2 weeks. Better weather this week so I have no excuse. Can't wait for those early morning walks to clear my head and prepare me for the day.

Lots of yard work to do - still 7 roses to put in and the normal trimming and weeding. That is just for a start. The bramble rose bed is covered with wild grape and poison ivy is creeping in. I'm off for 2 and 1/2 days this week - Ill be working in the bramble rose and cleaning the patios of grass and whatever between the blocks. Then the rock walls need to be weeded. Once I get done, time to start the cycle again.