I spend a lot of time admiring the well manicured lawns of the houses I walk by on the streets near my house. So many people invest lots of time and money to make their lawns attractive. Me? I typically take the path of least resistance. I appreciate the beauty of these lawns but refuse to invest either the time or money into creating such an oasis in my own yard.
I also 'collect' interesting plants I see along the way. I don't steal them. I just find ones that attract me and try to learn more about them, usually by calling my green-thumbed mom. Yesterday, I found a real beauty! And, cannot identify it. Maybe a reader can help.
It's a bush on the southeast side of a southeast facing house. It's low to the ground with slim limbs that bow, arcing from the center out. The leaves are the shape of a human eye with the pointed end facing farthest from the limb. The leaves are bright, almost chartreuse. BUT, the coolest thing is the fruit/nut/whatever on the limbs at the leaf intersections. They are the size of a sweetgum ball, are a deep orchid color (I'm very color impaired, so I can tell you that they're not red, not pink, not maroon, not mahogany, not purple - but a sort of reddish purple that I call orchid). The neatest thing about the fruit/nut is that each one is round but consists of smooth, little bumps, making it look somewhat like the inside of a pomegranate.
Not a very good explanation. I have no idea what to google. I've never seen any signs of life at this house, but I plan to knock on the front door next time and ask. In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas of names of plants that I can google to find the right one, please let me know.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY
Today was unseasonably warm and sunny, so I skipped out of work a bit early (as it gets dark by 5 PM since the loss of DST) so my pup and I could walk a bit. I got home, changed into my walking shoes, watched Jeopardy with my daughter, then put the leash on Lizzie (my 4 legged child) and headed for the park.
I was amazed at how few people were at the park. There were two or three kids at the playground but only 2 joggers on the track! So, Lizzie and I were unhampered in our walk. One child on her teeny bike was on a collision course with us, but, at the last minute she changed course so we all survived unscathed.
Later this year, I'll be able to walk at the park closer to dusk. There's one corner of the track where the trees are especially dense. The track is sort of a plateau, the high point in the neighborhood, surrounded on three sides by schools and homes but on the third, there's a nice stand of dense woods. At dusk, if we're quiet, we can see the deer sticking their noses out of the leaves to see if the coast is clear for their turn on the track.
However, as soon as the deer see the dog, they hide back in the woods. Apparently dogs and deer don't go well together. We've actually had deer in our backyard. Our house is in a subdivision where most of the houses are on about half-acre lots. Most yards have a nice line of trees at the back of the lot. My back yard, due to years of benign neglect, has a nice patch of trees with dense undergrowth at the back property line. Fences keep the deer from meandering through the neighborhood, but they do find their way to our yard and to those of our neighbors.
It's really exciting to see a group of deer when I'm on a walk. There are several patches of dense woods in the neighborhood where they can hang out without fear of being bothered. They're a real pain for drivers - a true road hazard. But, I enjoy seeing them on my walks. One more thing to add to the list of things that one can enjoy better on a walk than any other way.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
I was amazed at how few people were at the park. There were two or three kids at the playground but only 2 joggers on the track! So, Lizzie and I were unhampered in our walk. One child on her teeny bike was on a collision course with us, but, at the last minute she changed course so we all survived unscathed.
Later this year, I'll be able to walk at the park closer to dusk. There's one corner of the track where the trees are especially dense. The track is sort of a plateau, the high point in the neighborhood, surrounded on three sides by schools and homes but on the third, there's a nice stand of dense woods. At dusk, if we're quiet, we can see the deer sticking their noses out of the leaves to see if the coast is clear for their turn on the track.
However, as soon as the deer see the dog, they hide back in the woods. Apparently dogs and deer don't go well together. We've actually had deer in our backyard. Our house is in a subdivision where most of the houses are on about half-acre lots. Most yards have a nice line of trees at the back of the lot. My back yard, due to years of benign neglect, has a nice patch of trees with dense undergrowth at the back property line. Fences keep the deer from meandering through the neighborhood, but they do find their way to our yard and to those of our neighbors.
It's really exciting to see a group of deer when I'm on a walk. There are several patches of dense woods in the neighborhood where they can hang out without fear of being bothered. They're a real pain for drivers - a true road hazard. But, I enjoy seeing them on my walks. One more thing to add to the list of things that one can enjoy better on a walk than any other way.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
RECONNECTING
Had an afternoon off last Friday and took my mom to the mall to get some of her favorite Panda Chicken egg rolls. While there, we ran into my friend Kathy G (a reader here) whom I hadn't spoken to or walked with in quite a while. Since we both had the rest of the afternoon off, we planned a walk together.
I dropped mom off at her apartment and drove home, called Kathy, and laced up my walking shoes. Kathy and I met and got to walk and catch up on news of family and friends for about an hour. By then, I was zapped. Kathy's walking pace is a tad quicker than mine, so I try to keep up. She wasn't aware of that - and I purposely didn't make her aware til I finally, inadvertently, said something about it near the end of that walk. She was surprised!!
Well, she's about 10 years younger, about 40 pounds lighter, and a real go-getter and she's surprised that her pace is quicker than mine!! Guess I'm flattered. But, main thing is, I enjoy walking and talking with her.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
I dropped mom off at her apartment and drove home, called Kathy, and laced up my walking shoes. Kathy and I met and got to walk and catch up on news of family and friends for about an hour. By then, I was zapped. Kathy's walking pace is a tad quicker than mine, so I try to keep up. She wasn't aware of that - and I purposely didn't make her aware til I finally, inadvertently, said something about it near the end of that walk. She was surprised!!
Well, she's about 10 years younger, about 40 pounds lighter, and a real go-getter and she's surprised that her pace is quicker than mine!! Guess I'm flattered. But, main thing is, I enjoy walking and talking with her.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
MAKING NEW FRIENDS
At the park by my house, there's a nice, blacktop 1/3 mile track, mostly flat, that traverses around soccer/baseball fields, next to other fields and a playground. This is my 'default' walking location - when I have little time to walk, when I walk with my husband as with 2 adults and 1 dog we're wider than the sidewalk, where I walk when there's too much traffic or it's too close to dark to be safe on the street.
Recently, every time I'd walk at the park, I'd see the same woman walking. Finally, being the shrinking violet that I'm NOT, I introduced myself to her and asked if she'd care for us to walk together. Her name is P (we'll just call her by her first initial), and, of course, our lives have had many previous intersections but we'd never met before. We ended up walking 3 times together over the next few days, then my schedule got busier and I haven't seen her in a week or so. But, I'm sure our paths will cross again. One lap around, we picked up E (her first initial), a very pleasant lady known t P from the track. Nice conversation and I walked lots farther than I had planned.
Turns out that P hasn't been walking that long, but she walks for 90 minutes every day! She walks for an hour on the relatively flat track then walks the last 30 minutes on the adjacent trails that include some brief but steep hills. Good for her!
Can't wait to run into P and E again! Almost always more fun for me to walk and talk than to walk alone.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Recently, every time I'd walk at the park, I'd see the same woman walking. Finally, being the shrinking violet that I'm NOT, I introduced myself to her and asked if she'd care for us to walk together. Her name is P (we'll just call her by her first initial), and, of course, our lives have had many previous intersections but we'd never met before. We ended up walking 3 times together over the next few days, then my schedule got busier and I haven't seen her in a week or so. But, I'm sure our paths will cross again. One lap around, we picked up E (her first initial), a very pleasant lady known t P from the track. Nice conversation and I walked lots farther than I had planned.
Turns out that P hasn't been walking that long, but she walks for 90 minutes every day! She walks for an hour on the relatively flat track then walks the last 30 minutes on the adjacent trails that include some brief but steep hills. Good for her!
Can't wait to run into P and E again! Almost always more fun for me to walk and talk than to walk alone.
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
RECENT WALKS
While walking recently, I've planned blog articles in my head, but haven't followed through with actually writing them! Sorry 'bout that. Here's what's been going on lately:
Made two new friends at the track in the park near my house.
Reconnected with Kathy G. for a walk.
Found a really neat plant in someone's side yard that I'm trying to identify.
Enjoyed the 'Spring' weather in the Fall. Where have all the allergies gone??? (probably shouldn't say that aloud!)
Twist and Shout
More dance news.
So, here come the articles about these topics. Hope you'll enjoy some of the reading and will be inspired to get/keep moving. Keep reading.....
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Made two new friends at the track in the park near my house.
Reconnected with Kathy G. for a walk.
Found a really neat plant in someone's side yard that I'm trying to identify.
Enjoyed the 'Spring' weather in the Fall. Where have all the allergies gone??? (probably shouldn't say that aloud!)
Twist and Shout
More dance news.
So, here come the articles about these topics. Hope you'll enjoy some of the reading and will be inspired to get/keep moving. Keep reading.....
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
WALKING AND DANCING
I dance most Sunday evenings. There's a great DJ, Larry, who, with his wife, Tracey, host a social dance at their studio most Sunday's from 6 -10:30 PM. Larry also teaches a lot if the dances and is the only teacher at the Wednesday night 'Beginnner' class that my friend Debbie and I attend most weeks. We're not any good at dance, but we're not beginners. We just enjoy it and don't mind going over some of the 'oldies' when a newcomer joins us (which is not often enough!).
The group that gathers to dance on Sunday is diverse - but mostly women. In addition to Larry, there are only two other men who are regulars. But, the women span ages from (I'm guessing here) 36 to 86. That's quite an age span. Plus, we have varying skill levels. Many of the women have been dancing for years and some are even teachers of their own groups on other days. Most of them are far more accomplished at dance than I am, but few of them have more stamina than I have. And, they let me know!
I'm always rarin' to go when we get there. I lace up my dance shoes (slick soled for turning) and dance every tune I know the steps to. Now, that's AFTER I've walked my three miles earlier in the days. After only a few dances, many of the women are complaining about being hot, being tired, hurting feet or knees. Well, yes, my feet hurt too. But, it's time to dance! Who cares if their feet hurt? And, who can be tired when a calypso beat comes up or my absolute favorite Wonderland Waltz.
That waltz usually does it for most people. It's a longer dance than most - and quite energetic, requiring longer strides than most dances too. It simply tires out most of the dancers. Not me! I wanna do it again!
It occurred to me today - while I'm taking a day off work to cook and clean in anticipation of the holidays - that my walks actually give me energy. That wasn't the case from Day 1. I had to work up to it. When I first started walking, I didn't walk 3 miles - closer to 1 mile. And, I was tired when I was done. Now, 3 miles is my norm. Some Thursdays, I'll walk 5 miles in two sessions - 3 in the morning then 2 more when I get home if the weather is nice.
Now, a walk doesn't fatigue me. It actually gives me energy. I need all the help I can get with that! Don't you?
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.
The group that gathers to dance on Sunday is diverse - but mostly women. In addition to Larry, there are only two other men who are regulars. But, the women span ages from (I'm guessing here) 36 to 86. That's quite an age span. Plus, we have varying skill levels. Many of the women have been dancing for years and some are even teachers of their own groups on other days. Most of them are far more accomplished at dance than I am, but few of them have more stamina than I have. And, they let me know!
I'm always rarin' to go when we get there. I lace up my dance shoes (slick soled for turning) and dance every tune I know the steps to. Now, that's AFTER I've walked my three miles earlier in the days. After only a few dances, many of the women are complaining about being hot, being tired, hurting feet or knees. Well, yes, my feet hurt too. But, it's time to dance! Who cares if their feet hurt? And, who can be tired when a calypso beat comes up or my absolute favorite Wonderland Waltz.
That waltz usually does it for most people. It's a longer dance than most - and quite energetic, requiring longer strides than most dances too. It simply tires out most of the dancers. Not me! I wanna do it again!
It occurred to me today - while I'm taking a day off work to cook and clean in anticipation of the holidays - that my walks actually give me energy. That wasn't the case from Day 1. I had to work up to it. When I first started walking, I didn't walk 3 miles - closer to 1 mile. And, I was tired when I was done. Now, 3 miles is my norm. Some Thursdays, I'll walk 5 miles in two sessions - 3 in the morning then 2 more when I get home if the weather is nice.
Now, a walk doesn't fatigue me. It actually gives me energy. I need all the help I can get with that! Don't you?
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.
Monday, October 4, 2010
YES, I HAVE BEEN WALKING
and not writing - again. The weather has been wonderful, for the most part. Also, on September 11, I participated in an all day (and all evening) dance workshop at Crestwood Court. There were linedance teachers from all over the US and at least one from Canada. It was so much fun!! I highly recommend a good linedance as an alternative to walking - and to mix it up a bit.
My friend Debbie and I are having fun with the linedancing. We even taught a group of women (and two guys and a bunch of kids) two linedances for a talent contest at Debbie's church. Well, not sure how much talent we demonstrated, but the women there are interested in continuing to linedance, so we're trying to find a place and time to get together once a week so I can teach them the linedances I know.
If you know me personally, this won't surprise you - that I'd be teaching linedancing. I'm not any good at it, I'm sure I'm not graceful and not much fun to watch doing it, but I LOVE it. At least, I can teach the specific steps AND pass along my enthusiasm for the activity. LOL.
But, I won't be giving up my walking. I'll be doing that every day, including most days that I dance for 1-3 hours. The only thing that gets in the way of these activities are those irksome things like work and housekeeping. And, if you know me, you know the housekeeping activities will just have to wait.....
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
My friend Debbie and I are having fun with the linedancing. We even taught a group of women (and two guys and a bunch of kids) two linedances for a talent contest at Debbie's church. Well, not sure how much talent we demonstrated, but the women there are interested in continuing to linedance, so we're trying to find a place and time to get together once a week so I can teach them the linedances I know.
If you know me personally, this won't surprise you - that I'd be teaching linedancing. I'm not any good at it, I'm sure I'm not graceful and not much fun to watch doing it, but I LOVE it. At least, I can teach the specific steps AND pass along my enthusiasm for the activity. LOL.
But, I won't be giving up my walking. I'll be doing that every day, including most days that I dance for 1-3 hours. The only thing that gets in the way of these activities are those irksome things like work and housekeeping. And, if you know me, you know the housekeeping activities will just have to wait.....
***************************Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude.
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