I take back everything I said about today being beautiful. The stupid wind blew in stupid clouds and now the stupid sun is no longer shining.
Stupid Missouri weather.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Remembering Oregon
Today I ate lunch on the back porch.
I miss sitting outside. Beautiful days like this cry for me to come out and play. It reminds me again how much I detest Missouri weather.
Today the windows are open and a gentle breeze is lilting through the house. It's so rare that I can do this. The wind does not blow in St. Louis. This is a stagnant air town. It is a veritable swamp during the summer with unbearable humidity and high temps. When the wind kicks up something is either blowing into town, blowing out of town or bearing down on us. Wind means bad weather. Winter is even more unbearable, although more windy, but for the same reasons.
On the back porch a gentle breeze embraced me. There was no humidity and no sign of major thunderstorms or tornadoes. It was and is just a gloriously beautiful afternoon. Just like I remembered from Oregon. The leaves slightly rustled in the tree above me and again I was reminded of my home thirty years ago. Combined with the sun beaming on the back of my neck, the only sense not being stirred was my nose with the distinct odor of pine and sage.
That scent laid dormant in my memory until five years ago when I made a return trip to Oregon. It was a crazy roadtrip caravaning behind my brother. We drove across Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada before getting to Oregon. The barren land of Utah, Nevada and southeast Oregon all blended together. It took several hours driving through an area of nothing but wild fields before we came close to our childhood home in the Cascade foothills. There I rolled down the window and was suddenly enveloped with that unique smell. If I could package it up and carry it with me everyday I would. I have half a notion to start burning sage and pine candles together, but I doubt it would be the same.
I have genuinely enjoyed this summer. More days this season than years in the past have I been able to prop open my windows. I'm taking advantage of it by beginning my walks. And yes, today I got in another walk. This time I took my camera.
I truly love being outdoors, having the sun beam down on me and a light breeze accompany my walk.
I miss sitting outside. Beautiful days like this cry for me to come out and play. It reminds me again how much I detest Missouri weather.
Today the windows are open and a gentle breeze is lilting through the house. It's so rare that I can do this. The wind does not blow in St. Louis. This is a stagnant air town. It is a veritable swamp during the summer with unbearable humidity and high temps. When the wind kicks up something is either blowing into town, blowing out of town or bearing down on us. Wind means bad weather. Winter is even more unbearable, although more windy, but for the same reasons.
On the back porch a gentle breeze embraced me. There was no humidity and no sign of major thunderstorms or tornadoes. It was and is just a gloriously beautiful afternoon. Just like I remembered from Oregon. The leaves slightly rustled in the tree above me and again I was reminded of my home thirty years ago. Combined with the sun beaming on the back of my neck, the only sense not being stirred was my nose with the distinct odor of pine and sage.
That scent laid dormant in my memory until five years ago when I made a return trip to Oregon. It was a crazy roadtrip caravaning behind my brother. We drove across Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada before getting to Oregon. The barren land of Utah, Nevada and southeast Oregon all blended together. It took several hours driving through an area of nothing but wild fields before we came close to our childhood home in the Cascade foothills. There I rolled down the window and was suddenly enveloped with that unique smell. If I could package it up and carry it with me everyday I would. I have half a notion to start burning sage and pine candles together, but I doubt it would be the same.
I have genuinely enjoyed this summer. More days this season than years in the past have I been able to prop open my windows. I'm taking advantage of it by beginning my walks. And yes, today I got in another walk. This time I took my camera.
I truly love being outdoors, having the sun beam down on me and a light breeze accompany my walk.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Another Walk
Yippee I managed another walk this morning! Aren't you proud of me? I really hope this blog doesn't turn into my exercise diary because that would be boring. But I might tell you about my walks because so far they haven't been boring.
Today a woman was walking her yellow lab puppy. Little dude totally didn't get the concept of taking a walk. He was bouncing all around tethered by a stupid leash. He was excited to jump on the grass and he was excited to prance on the asphalt and yippee there's a sign post to sniff!!! Out of nowhere he just dropped creating a fur blob on the ground, begging for a jogger to pet his cuteness. She fell for it. Then we parted ways. I'm sure he was still bouncing by the time they got home.
Then I saw a possum. It was a baby and almost cute. I've seen these things in not so cute mode, cornering my pit bull with hissing and sharp teeth. Does anyone else see the irony here? A big vicious flesh ripping pit bull and a rodent so wimpy his biggest defense is playing dead? Poor Bandit was absolutely terrified by this freak and to be honest it had the snot scared out of me. The little guy I saw today also wasn't playing dead. He stopped and stared at me and then darted towards a tree behind me. I followed him and actually snapped a picture. I'm not sure the quality of this photo since it was on my phone and I haven't tried to download it yet. I mean I need something to do at work today, right?
WooHoo! Another successful phone download! This excites me more than accomplishing day four's walk. You can barely see it, but there is in fact a baby possum clinging to the tree.
AND THEN I downloaded yesterday's picture of the hawk. There really were three hawks lined up on that soccer goal. By the time I got close enough that you can even recognize that this was a soccer goal the birds flew off, but one stopped on the fence. You can barely see it, the itty bitty white dot just behind the goal - that is, in fact, a hawk.
Today a woman was walking her yellow lab puppy. Little dude totally didn't get the concept of taking a walk. He was bouncing all around tethered by a stupid leash. He was excited to jump on the grass and he was excited to prance on the asphalt and yippee there's a sign post to sniff!!! Out of nowhere he just dropped creating a fur blob on the ground, begging for a jogger to pet his cuteness. She fell for it. Then we parted ways. I'm sure he was still bouncing by the time they got home.
Then I saw a possum. It was a baby and almost cute. I've seen these things in not so cute mode, cornering my pit bull with hissing and sharp teeth. Does anyone else see the irony here? A big vicious flesh ripping pit bull and a rodent so wimpy his biggest defense is playing dead? Poor Bandit was absolutely terrified by this freak and to be honest it had the snot scared out of me. The little guy I saw today also wasn't playing dead. He stopped and stared at me and then darted towards a tree behind me. I followed him and actually snapped a picture. I'm not sure the quality of this photo since it was on my phone and I haven't tried to download it yet. I mean I need something to do at work today, right?
WooHoo! Another successful phone download! This excites me more than accomplishing day four's walk. You can barely see it, but there is in fact a baby possum clinging to the tree.
AND THEN I downloaded yesterday's picture of the hawk. There really were three hawks lined up on that soccer goal. By the time I got close enough that you can even recognize that this was a soccer goal the birds flew off, but one stopped on the fence. You can barely see it, the itty bitty white dot just behind the goal - that is, in fact, a hawk.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I Took A Walk
Life lesson number one: Never say never.
I swore I would never be one of those people who would take walks. I'm not sure how I envisioned getting exercise into my world, but it certainly was not going to be through walking. But I also spent the first half of my life being the skinniest person in the room. I didn't need to contemplate exercise.
And here I am double the size I was in high school, very frustrated as I teeter on the 200 mark on the scale. It's time. I've reached my breaking point. Something has to be done and I really need to get my body moving to overcome this fabulous couch potato physique.
For quite some time I have been after myself to start walking. Two years ago I moved practically spitting distance from a beautiful park with a nature trail. Four years previous to that I lived exactly five houses away from a school that had several paths perfect for walking. Committing myself to walk has loomed over my head for several years. But it's soooooo... much effort.
Knowing my issues with morning - I really should blog on my morning persona since I'm among the living dead before 9am on any given day - I never even contemplated doing my walks in the morning. I figured I would get home and take my walks in the early evening. Unfortunately when I get home my brain is focused on dinner and relaxing. I don't have a terribly stressful job, but I manage to have days that frazzle me just the same. Can you image that there are days that I have to THINK? It can be pretty exhausting at times so my first goal when I get home is to lay on the couch.
During the past several years I have started waking up, voluntarily, at 6am. This is contrary to my Night Owl pledge. At first it was out of necessity as I ensured my children woke up in ample time to make their way to school. After they left the house I would slowly start my day. Most recently I have landed nearly an hour and a half to myself. It is pure heaven. I can get online, catch up with recorded shows or dance around with my ipod.
Recent walks later in the day I discovered that I can leave my house, do an entire "lap" around the park and be back on my couch in fifteen minutes. Surely I can squeeze that into my morning routine?
Right?
So Monday morning I jumped out of bed, quickly put on something decent and headed out the door. My son was already at the bus stop when I returned home. He didn't think I would actually do it. I'm getting a lot of disbelief about my morning walks. One time, maybe two is a fluke. Actually, I'm in that crowd too. And on Tuesday I had a night filled with insomnia and overslept that morning. No walk. But yesterday and today I did repeat Monday's feat. YAY!!!!
Knowing my aversion to mornings, to exercise, to walking specifically, and my general inability to stick with anything, I have low expectations here. My goal is to do one month of walking. I'm not even committing myself to every day, just a couple times a week for a month. At that point I will assess my progress.
I make no promises as to what will come of that assessment. That is too much pressure. Just dealing with the day at hand is my real goal. And knowing myself it could be January before I remember to take my one month assessment (it's currently August). That's okay. In fact that is what I hope happens.
I swore I would never be one of those people who would take walks. I'm not sure how I envisioned getting exercise into my world, but it certainly was not going to be through walking. But I also spent the first half of my life being the skinniest person in the room. I didn't need to contemplate exercise.
And here I am double the size I was in high school, very frustrated as I teeter on the 200 mark on the scale. It's time. I've reached my breaking point. Something has to be done and I really need to get my body moving to overcome this fabulous couch potato physique.
For quite some time I have been after myself to start walking. Two years ago I moved practically spitting distance from a beautiful park with a nature trail. Four years previous to that I lived exactly five houses away from a school that had several paths perfect for walking. Committing myself to walk has loomed over my head for several years. But it's soooooo... much effort.
Knowing my issues with morning - I really should blog on my morning persona since I'm among the living dead before 9am on any given day - I never even contemplated doing my walks in the morning. I figured I would get home and take my walks in the early evening. Unfortunately when I get home my brain is focused on dinner and relaxing. I don't have a terribly stressful job, but I manage to have days that frazzle me just the same. Can you image that there are days that I have to THINK? It can be pretty exhausting at times so my first goal when I get home is to lay on the couch.
During the past several years I have started waking up, voluntarily, at 6am. This is contrary to my Night Owl pledge. At first it was out of necessity as I ensured my children woke up in ample time to make their way to school. After they left the house I would slowly start my day. Most recently I have landed nearly an hour and a half to myself. It is pure heaven. I can get online, catch up with recorded shows or dance around with my ipod.
Recent walks later in the day I discovered that I can leave my house, do an entire "lap" around the park and be back on my couch in fifteen minutes. Surely I can squeeze that into my morning routine?
Right?
So Monday morning I jumped out of bed, quickly put on something decent and headed out the door. My son was already at the bus stop when I returned home. He didn't think I would actually do it. I'm getting a lot of disbelief about my morning walks. One time, maybe two is a fluke. Actually, I'm in that crowd too. And on Tuesday I had a night filled with insomnia and overslept that morning. No walk. But yesterday and today I did repeat Monday's feat. YAY!!!!
Knowing my aversion to mornings, to exercise, to walking specifically, and my general inability to stick with anything, I have low expectations here. My goal is to do one month of walking. I'm not even committing myself to every day, just a couple times a week for a month. At that point I will assess my progress.
I make no promises as to what will come of that assessment. That is too much pressure. Just dealing with the day at hand is my real goal. And knowing myself it could be January before I remember to take my one month assessment (it's currently August). That's okay. In fact that is what I hope happens.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
New phone
I have a new phone! Yippee!
boo hissss
It took forever for this technology goddess to figure out how to save my contact list (nearly a bagillion) to the SIM card and then transfer it to the new phone. But I prevailed and I no longer have to contemplate bribing my twelve year old to enter each one for me.
And here is the cold hard truth - I am old. Until recently I was young and knowledgeable. I can hook up DVD players to the TV like nobody's business. My antique VCR shows the correct time, not the flashing 12:00 and I play video games. I use computers, surf the web, have a facebook page and know how to tweet. Give me a damn phone and suddenly I'm all thumbs, can't read the screen, hang up on callers and delete messages. I can't find half of the settings to customize it to my likes and needs. Sadly I'm going to have to appeal to one of my children.
I'm excited that it has bluetooth, not that I want to walk around with one of those ridiculous ear pieces like what's her name from Star Trek. This phone has a camera on it! Yeah, my old one was indeed very old, dinosaur almost! So I want to be able to take those cool camando pics and then load them on my computer. BUT HOW???? It took several hours for me to figure out how to discover the computer, or was it the phone? Hell I don't know. Now it says something about wrong file or something? I'm so confused.
I did manage to snap a pic of the giraff my youngest drew several years ago and it is now my wallpaper. Yay, small victory.
I believe this plan (it's through work) also includes texting. I'm a texting virgin. The few times I've had to type out something for a friend, it took forever and ended up very garbled. I'm scared.
boo hissss
It took forever for this technology goddess to figure out how to save my contact list (nearly a bagillion) to the SIM card and then transfer it to the new phone. But I prevailed and I no longer have to contemplate bribing my twelve year old to enter each one for me.
And here is the cold hard truth - I am old. Until recently I was young and knowledgeable. I can hook up DVD players to the TV like nobody's business. My antique VCR shows the correct time, not the flashing 12:00 and I play video games. I use computers, surf the web, have a facebook page and know how to tweet. Give me a damn phone and suddenly I'm all thumbs, can't read the screen, hang up on callers and delete messages. I can't find half of the settings to customize it to my likes and needs. Sadly I'm going to have to appeal to one of my children.
I'm excited that it has bluetooth, not that I want to walk around with one of those ridiculous ear pieces like what's her name from Star Trek. This phone has a camera on it! Yeah, my old one was indeed very old, dinosaur almost! So I want to be able to take those cool camando pics and then load them on my computer. BUT HOW???? It took several hours for me to figure out how to discover the computer, or was it the phone? Hell I don't know. Now it says something about wrong file or something? I'm so confused.
I did manage to snap a pic of the giraff my youngest drew several years ago and it is now my wallpaper. Yay, small victory.
I believe this plan (it's through work) also includes texting. I'm a texting virgin. The few times I've had to type out something for a friend, it took forever and ended up very garbled. I'm scared.
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