And Now it Is Wednesday

Four Mornings - Four Great Walks

I've been able to walk every morning, a little different turn in my paths each day. It was early summer Sunday and Monday with 90+ temperatures, but with walking early in the morning, it was a little cooler. I have been seeing roses and lovely annuals throughout my walks.

The fish are still jumping and I saw a big snapping turtle in the canal. Little did I know that I would be rescuing a snapping turtle from the road yesterday. That is not part of the walking, but it was such an experience - I had to use the snow shovel to carry him to the brush by the ditch, with him snapping at the snow shovel all the way. And then this morning, there he was on top of a sand embankment by the road. I think he was digging himself into the sand. He was nowhere to be found tonight.

On the walks, the birds are singing so beautifully. As I walked this morning, I thought about the dear brown thrasher who sings at 4AM just outside my window. I wonder if he is the gggggggg.....grandchild of one of our summer boarders from the 1960's. I wake up thanking the Lord for such a lovely alarm ring.

by the water in Ottawa

by the water in Ottawa
Originally uploaded by see-through faith.

just to prove I am up and about in Canada, here's a quick view from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. We walked miles that day.

Today I walked about a mile and a half. To James' day care and then to the store and back. I bought myself a new top but the trousers I liked looked like a clown on me. They stayed on the shelf.

Yesterday I walked only a very little as the friend I spent the day with is a cancer surviver and not walking well right now cos of a knee injury (prayer appreciated) We did walk a short way in one park by the waterfront in Cornwall, Ontario which was lovely. Then we sat in the shade of a huge tree and prayed together.

Tomorrow I take the train back down towards Toronto so no walking as far as I know. It's been hot here recently so nicest to walk in the early morning or late evening. In Finland it never matters that much!

Rain

Today I walked in the rain, 2 muddy miles...I walked in between taxi runs... thanks twins...
It is cold and wet and horrible- who truned the calander back??? And my drier has died!

the beach...

I love the beach- I love the sound of the wanes crashing on the shore; I love the sense of being alone at one with the created world and with God at the same time... this shot really caught my imagination yesterday evening- I call it hopefuless
to see more photos from my weekends wanderings follow this link.

walking in Ontario

Friday we walked a lot in Kingston though we did at least take one bus from the day care right passed down town, and then walked all the way home, but in stages. It was a bit of an overcast day, so hoping that the sun there is now will hold until Weds when we'll next go down to the lake front.

Saturday we went to Ganonoque and the thousand islands tour. A short wander around the town before the boat left and then later a walk on a farm. Saw some great hopping frogs and a mallard, but the Canadian goose and her babies had gone off for a swimming / flying lesson. Lots of bugs including a few mosquitoes so we cut this walk a bit short.

Sunday we walked to Alice's church and back. About 25 mins each way.

Today I walked Alice's four year old to the daycare. About a mile (or less) return trip I guess.

Tonight I take the train up to Cornwall, and meet with a friend (Anglican priest) coming back tomorrow evening. I don't think we'll be doing much walking then, more talking over lunch and coffee etc. I'm not a coffee drinker but last week I drank a Tim Horton's French Vanilla capucchino and seriously liked it. The slippery slope I think.

Be blessed

Late Saturday Morn

So much for my plans - I'm really procrastinating and did not accomplish as much as I had hoped to yesterday. We have developed a unseasonally hot weekend.

I walked later than usual, so the temp was 88 degrees ( I don't listen to the heat index) and the humidity was up. The southern breeze helped some, but this is the warmest time I have walked this year. The roadside was mowed for the weekend, creating the smell of fresh cut hay. The birdsong was coming from the woods across the road. Along the way, the cattle were in the small pasture. It looked like three calves were playing "King of the Hill" on a mound of dirt.

Down through town there was not much activity and along the canal it was very quiet. Saw lots of dragonflies and some Monarch butterflies flitting along the bank. Even the fish were quiet. Since this is a Holiday weekend, I just took my time and enjoyed this day of summerlike weather.

Back along my road, I stepped up my stride, since I really need to get down to brass tacks with my yardwork.

A new view for my walks

Many residents have planted iris along the lakefront walk where rocks were brought in about 10 years ago to protect the shore line.

There is a quarry in Marblehead--freighter is docked to pick up a load.








69 miles since Easter

we walked miles!

We went to Ottawa yesterday. What a lovely town. I do have photos but still haven't figured to get them from my camera /laptop to anyone elses so I can access flickr. So you'll just have to take my word that we had a fabulous day. We walked from the bus-station to the parliament, and did the self-guided walking tour. Fabulous buildings and landscape too.


We had lunch (yummy Indian)in the main pedestrian street (apparently the first in Canada!) and then walked to the Rideau canal (connecting Kingston to Ottawa) and the locks. I have a thing about canals. We even went on a canal holiday for our honeymoon. (grin)

We were in Ottawa for 8 hours and walked almost all the time, as well as to the bus-station and back, so a lot of miles!!! in sunshine and with a grin on my face the whole day. (Oh we found a great Christian bookstore too - and I was so restrained it hurt)

Today I'm back in Kingston and we've walked a fair bit with a brisk 40 minute walk to look forward to after this. I'm in need of a holiday. Yikes! This is my holiday.
Weather a bit rainy today, but the forecast is good for tomorrow. Hope they are right as we're doing a 3 h boat trip to the thousand islands.

pics to come, one of these days!
Be blessed

PS Alice has posted some pics here

On the Trail

Although I have been absent from the blog, I have been walking most days. Today we had a lovely tramp through the woods at Posh Neighboring Town Nature Preserve. Molly Dog has been sick, but felt perky enough finally for a real walk this morning. Of course she had to lie down in whatever puddle of water she could find to cool off along the way, so we have a dirty dog on our hands. But the walk was worth it! Ladyslippers and lilies of the valley were in evidence. In a muddy spot we found the track of what may have been a moose, since it was awfully large for a deer. The woods smelled wonderful. We took some connector trails that were new to me, and I even felt inspired to do a little running.

This walking has been great. Cathy, thanks again for starting this supportive community.

6 Days of Walks

Here I am - catching up again. Walked my usual routes since Sunday. Today added a mile, since I have a long weekend. Spent most of the walks focusing on responsibilities at work, but still enjoyed the scenery. Today, this walk was just for me to enjoy what beauty was all around me.

I must say, the Yellow Rose of Texas rosebush has never been in such bloom. I almost lost it in 1999 when the mowers kept cutting it off and I was too busy to realize what was happening. Salvaged the yellow beauty by covering with boxes for 2 years. Now it is growing full force.

My walk this AM met with a bevy of irises blooming, all colors. In some yards there were the usual purple, yellow, and lavendar. In other yards were rainbow hues of all sizes.

Had to stop and pet my Malamute friend, Moose. He's such a big baby and loves to have is stomach rubbed.

Then down to the canal. Early enough this AM to hear the fish splashing and surfacing for food. I think the Mayflies are out and although they usually aren't found during the day, it is shady enough by the canal for them to still be around in the early morning hours.

Back to the house. Have lots of planting, weeding, and yardwork to accomplish.

We're at Lake Erie

under a tornado watch. I got in 2 miles yesterday walking around our condo area. Now we're at our summer home in Lakeside, Oh, which is a gated summer community founded by the Methodists about 130 years ago. I walked around and because of our exceptionally warm Spring, everything is further along.

One of the neighbors is getting a new foundation

This started out as a renovation of a disaster, but I think it fell down and they started over. Same footprint, though. They try to save the 19th c. homes if they can, but because they were summer homes, they weren't well-built.

66 miles and watching the sky.

A break in the storms

I have been walking today... up and down the garden behing the lawn mower, and then up and down the paths to sweep them clear... Moses has been rollin in the sun enjoying the warmth.... Why are cats so much more sensible than humans. More storms and high winds forecast for tomorrow. Am I mad???

some great walking

but I can't download the photos. sorry.

Today we walked around my friend's neighbourhood in Kingston, Ontario, walking home via a meadow and seeing baby birds going solo.

Tomorrow we head off to Ottawa for the day with a brisk walk to the bus station in the morning, and then pavement bashing all day. Fun.

More stormy weather

Still dodging the storms... but the skies have been spectacular especially down on the beach...

65 miles so far... still walking

Greeted by a neighbor

On my afternoon walk today, I was greeting by a friendly neighbor, wagging his tail. Also had a morning walk.

63 miles since Easter

out and about in Canada

Friday. I walked and RAN miles of airline corridors and made my connection in Heathrow, London. What's more my bags did too, but they weren't hot and sweaty when they arrived!

Saturday. I went with Erin (Biscotti Brain) on a walk in a place called Marcy's woods, which lead down to Lake Erie. Fabulous!

Sunday (that's yesterday I think!) we visited Niagara Falls and then walked around a bit (mostly window shopping up and down the main St -so I'm not sure that counts) in Niagara on the Lake. We didn't get out of the car in Niagara as it was drizzling and there was a cold wind howling, but those Falls are amazing. I was here about four years ago now and they ministered to me then, and again now. The power of those Falls is NOTHING compared to God's love.

Some pics coming from Canada soon. (I hope!)
But wanted to drop by and give you all a big ((((hug)))) and say I am walking and I am happy! (grin)

Pick up sticks

Remember that game? I'm picking up big sticks as I walk the condo grounds. Then I pile them discreetly next to our bushes waiting for the ground crew to show up. Today I got about 3 miles on separate walks. It rained in the morning, but was beautifully sunny by noon. Cookies at the church meeting sort of threw a wrench into the plan, however.

61 miles since Easter.

2 weeks til Feast of the Pentecost

Two Weeks until the Feast of the Pentecost - and Ordinary Time begins. Any suggestions as to what we will call the blog then and what the goal will be? Who wants to do the Math?
Dismally behind in walking.... I have excuses, but excuses don't cut it.
Off to church now.

Wind and rain...

After the beautiful weather last week I have been battling with wind and rain this week. They call the wind that blows from the North sea a lazy wind, because it goes through rather than round you....
I managed a couple of walks in the wind dashing out between storms, not the best weather for enjoying a walk, but the skies were spectacular, I tried to capture the sense of movement in the clouds...
And today more wind and rain and I have a cold, so I'm staying indoors and looking after myself...

Finally to 4

Yesterday I went out 3 different times so I figure I totalled about 4 miles. Sunny but a little cool. I'm taking the book on tape, but not enjoying it much. I never read her vampire books, but I have a feeling her fans will probably not accept this one.

58 miles since Easter