Workouts can be fun…. But when?

These entries are reposted from my Facebook. Some folks aren’t on my Facebook for whatever reason and still read my blog. I have made a commitment to myself to get out and do more even if I’m alone. My knee replacement is not doing well and I decided to heck with it! I’m not waiting to feel better. I’m going to live this life that I have left hurting or not. I’ve hurt all my life so this is just another day in it. No one gets to leave alive so I’m going down swinging. BUT! I didn’t say I wouldn’t whine along the way. lol    So here are my hiking adventures. 

August 3.        I did it!!!! This has been a goal for me since I had the knee replacement. I’ve asked several people to go with me over the past year and for one reason or another no one accepted the invitation. Last night I decided to throw a wider net and see if anyone else wanted to go. NOPE…. So, off I went, alone. BEST DECISION EVER! I went at my pace. I spent time in the quiet beauty that Lula Lake has to offer. I learned I can get a yearly pass and go anytime without a reservation! That has been another issue that has held me back. I’m looking forward to exploring the other trails. Chronic pain be damned I’m stepping out. I figure I’m going to hurt whether I enjoy the day or not so why not have fun?   (I did get the yearly pass!)

August 10      Today’s hike is brought to you by Durham Mine Trails and MUSHROOMS!   (This entry had multiple photos)

August 17       Today’s hike brought to you by the word STAIRS. Anyone who has ever visited Cloudland Canyon knows about the stairs. I first went to the big falls to the left….yep, some stairs. Over to Hemlock Falls….yep, stairs. Then from Hemlock I went down just past where Stittons Gulch starts. DOWN DOWN DOWN.  I’ve never been past this portion of the trail but knew I didn’t have 5 more miles in me at this point. I had to get back to the car somehow. Lol. From this point I counted the grated stairs up. Not the rocks or wood ties but just the ones with the grates….. 586 stairs later I was at the car. Off to my bff’s to soak in the pool a minute, then home to mow the yard. I’m pretty sure it is at least 7pm right now but the clock says 3p. My body says it is 61 and I’ve lost my mind! Time for somebody to bring me some dinner because the protein bar and Reese cups are gone and I can’t move :) I, at least, showered! LOL

August 24      I’m not BLUFFING when I say it has been a wonderfully exhausting day. I hiked the bluffs that are Sunset Rock, Cravens Trail to the Cravens house and back. The end of April when I was there last, was when this sciatic nerve pain started. I have had mornings that I almost hit the floor when I put my foot down. I’ve been needled, massaged, stretched, exercised and had tons of heat/soak therapy. After seeing the neurologist Tuesday I am scheduled for an MRI. Ya’ll know I can’t do those without drugs so my bff will be taking my drunk self 😜  But today the pain was all knee. I didn’t give up! I did every step. My goal is to trek out to Covenant College. This was hike four in four weeks. I will be missing the next two weekends but back at it afterward. Big Daddy came and got me and we put in 140 mile dinner ride. The weather has been wonderful today and the ride always good:)

August 31  Today I fell for the FALLS. I had planned on taking the next two weeks off from hiking BUT I was too close to this gem to let it go. I went up the mountain on the East Ridge Trail and down the 650 steps!!! My knee was NOT happy and was screaming at me that I was an idiot. My heart rate going up the mountain was laughing and trying to get out of my chest. This wasn’t the longest hike so far but according to my watch it is the hardest. Packed a big punch in a short distance. That and I only rested once. I stopped long enough to take the photos and moved along. I came home, mowed the yard, continued the laundry, soaked, cooked a meal and now I may just die. Next week….the terrain will look MUCH different. 😉.  Be sure and have your volume on for the videos:)

Sept 6        bungeeeeeee day in Florida what a cool alternative to the bluffs, waterfalls and trails…. And the walks on the beach were nice!!

Sept 14       Today’s hike is brought to you by the word COVENANT. As I walked across the state (line), the word and different meanings of covenant was what I pondered. With the crazy happenings, people, places and things this week, I of course, thought of Charlie Kirk and thought about his covenant with God. A covenant is a profound relationship of mutual promises, commitments and oaths according to AI. Covenants are not pinky promises but a deep and abiding commitment. I believe Charlie’s covenant with God was real. Just as I believe any Christian’s covenant with God is real. Thankfully, it is between that person and God and is a personal relationship. Like a marriage covenant, no one else comes between the two or the promises are broken. I believe Charlie had a covenant with Erika that was witnessed the day they married. They held tight to that and considered it sacred as far as I know. Again, promises between entities. As sacred and formal as covenants are, unfortunately, there are times they have been broken. I am an example of that as well. I haven’t always been what I promised God I would be. I also ended marriages. I am thankful for restitution and grace above all. My covenant with God can only dissipate if I choose to walk away. I’m not going anywhere other than down another dusty trail. Can you see where this trail headed today? I made it to Covenant College! (Btw one can see Covenant Transport on the hike)  The hike wasn’t bad at all and I was saved by a Rhino:) THANKS BIG DADDY! My apprehension was making it to the college and not being able to make it back to my car, since a little over four miles have been my standard hike. I didn’t know about the severity of the trail so Ryan met me at the college. Off we went on the motorcycle for a 155 mile run and some lunch. FYI the trail was moderate and I could have easily made it back. The hard part would have been the climb back up to sunset rock where I had parked. I’m becoming quite the afficianado on hiking trails. lol Next weekend……not sure where I will be heading. Any suggestions? Until then, think of the word covenant. What does it mean to you? Do you have one with a spouse? Do you have one with God?

Blaze, inferno, wildfire, energize, rekindle, reenergize

I’ve been thinking about the word “fire”. The definition of fire is: a phenomenon of combustion, manifested in light, flame and heat. The slang definition is something that is exciting, outstanding or gaining popularity quickly. Metaphorically, fire is used to express several of our most basic concepts: life and death, power and the lack of control, and several of our more intense and active emotions. 

I have decided, I am fire. I’ve laughed about being “sparkle, pixie dust, glitter, A LOT” and I have been trying to see myself as others do and the word fire keeps popping in my brain. Looking at these definitions I see myself in each one. LIGHT, EXCITING, POWER AND LACK OF CONTROL, INTENSE EMOTIONS. 

I understand some people like to stand close to the flame. It warms them. It represents light for them. Some are afraid to stand too close to the fire as the flame will burn. It can mesmerize and draw one in and before one knows it, they have fallen and burned. Playing with fire can be exciting and fun for a while. Eventually, it will need to be stoked or it will burn itself out. Fire can only do what it is supposed to do when fed the appropriate things. I feel as if this is very apropos when looking at myself and my life. I am fire. 

The way the flames flicker haphazardly licking the air in no semblance of order. Yet, it is doing what it is supposed to do. It is acting the way it was designed by The Creator. The fireworks that happen when the chef sprinkles salt on the flames could be seen as a perfect pairing for excitement. Yet, salt on its own is sharp. It is a seasoning and not a bad thing to the fire. It is just something that doesn’t last. I am fire.

Many people are afraid of fire. The damage fire can leave behind is undeniable. It is evident when a fire has swept through. It leaves its mark. One knows without a doubt fire has been there. The smolder, the ash, the smell, all tell tale signs. A fire must be totally extinguished or a smoldering flame can come back to life when least expected. Once it is totally extinguished it can no longer give warmth, give light, give excitement. One must decide if they will need that fire before killing it and sometimes it is quenched just as it is realized doing so was a mistake. I am fire. 

A campfire can be soothing to those around. It can represent life. I can also represent death. Fire is an oxymoron. It can cause an infatuation. An arsonist can be obsessed with it. There is a zest to be near it. An intenseness that one can feel when lost in it. Excitement that is indescribable can be felt from within. Bonfires are often used during parties for this reason. I am fire. 

Fire can be good or bad depending on how it is used. Using it in a malicious way can have a far reaching consequence. Yet, using it in a responsible way can change your world. If used appropriately one can reap numerous rewards. It has to be respected. It has to be fed. It has to be appreciated for what it is. It can be intense but worth the intensity. It can be powerful when  left alone or when harnessed. I AM FIRE!

Observations from Guam

     If you are an animal lover, Guam is a tough place to visit. The island is overrun with dogs they call boonies. These animals are wild and are derived from the dogs that have been left by their owners who for whatever reason didn’t take them when they left the island. These boonies are everywhere. Sadly, the shelters can’t handle and they all need to be spayed or neutered. If I were a rich woman I would gather as many of these precious babies as I could each day and have them fixed and fed. Imagine a dog in the rainy season and the hot summer season searching for food and shelter their entire lives. It is totally heartbreaking.

    Many of us would love to live on a tropical island but the prices! MY WORD! Thankfully, my family lives on base and can shop there on the base. Off base is expensive. Base also doesn’t have everything all the time so you learn to live frugally for sure. My daughter is a pro at this, as we all know the military doesn’t pay premium dollar for sure. She has been pinching for years so this is already a way of life for them. Two big kiwi at the off base store were $17.99 and strawberries $12.99 for 18 berries! Insane for sure. My food mommy brain was working overtime trying to figure out how the locals were able to feed their families at all. 

       A small two bedroom, one bath house for sale, $465,000! I would have to squeeze four families in for that price. But the problem would be where everyone would stand because it would be wall to wall people. No sitting allowed and definitely no furniture. A lot of the houses looked very poor and I understand why. No one could afford to have shelter AND eat. It was one or the other on that choice scale.

    Everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE was so nice. Not just Taylor’s friends but everyone on the island. The cashier at Kmart, waiters and waitresses, vendors at the market, all were friendly and accommodating. Haifa Adai is how you are greeted routinely. Everyone smiles and are without a doubt on “island time”. Laid back, Jimmy Buffet style….lol. I was greeted with hugs from so many people. Many could learn lessons and incorporate this into daily living. There were absolutely ZERO political signs nor talk there. It was as if I had stepped into heaven for sure. 

    Think of the Ross at Hamilton Place. Multiply that footprint by five and that is the size of the smallest Ross there. (There are three) Deals like crazy and more crowded than a first of the month weekend at Walmart. The checkout line continuously moves but is at least 1/4 mile long. I am NOT exaggerating. It was intimidating. No less than 20 registers running and with every cashier a smile! I felt like I was in a time warp. 

    Each gas station we passed, gas was $5.09. Not a single variation regardless of the location on the island. We discussed where you decide to get gas as you don’t frequent the “lowest” priced station. They stay within their village and support their local store. Ahhhh, the lessons we could learn. 

    Our Mexican food here in the south is more Tex-Mex. Guam’s is more Spanish. It’s all good to me so no complaints there for sure. The chips aren’t put on the table like they are here. They are more of a side dish on your plate. They are also thicker and heartier than chips here. I did see one downfall….PEPSI! Thankfully, carbonated drinks are no longer a problem for me.

    There is no such thing as personal space. Me, being a single female, I always try to be aware of my surroundings and listen for my inner voice. I was quite uncomfortable a few times and my anxiety would start to get me. Taylor explained that the majority of those not respecting space were Japanese and they are so closed in and packed tight over there they don’t understand the concept of personal space. There is little crime there. They keep their hands to themselves and don’t take things that don’t belong to them. Again, more lessons. 

    The Asian population has that wonderfully, beautiful porcelain skin because they stay completely covered head to toe at the beach. We coined a new term…..sweggins…These are leggings they swim in. Not to mention the long sleeve shirt, light jacket, and hat with a brim wide enough to cover their shoulders. They were all together as families there too. They didn’t helicopter over their children either. Taylor said it isn’t unusual for them to just walk off and if the kids don’t follow they just don’t. I watched this first hand at the market. It was crazy to watch. We are so suspect of everyone here and they are so community oriented. They don’t worry about people hurting them or their kids. 

    If you don’t know what Calamansi juice is or Taro look it up. These are my two new favorite things. Calamansi juice is soooooo good. I’ve always been picky about food and drink and I promised myself I would try anything my kids suggested. My kids know what disgusts me on that front so I trusted them. I would be a Calamansi drunk I’m afraid and would gain ten tons eating taro pancakes. I thought the pancakes were blueberry but knew they tasted different than blueberries. I’m glad I was wrong. They were better than blueberry and I say that apprehensively because ya’ll know I love me some blues.  

    Many of my photos were from beach days. The most awesome thing about those days was each beach was different. Different sand, different color water, different atmosphere, I have some great sand, awesome sea glass and beautiful shells I brought back….illegally, but here I am calling myself out. I was telling my daughter that as beautiful as the water was ,it reminded me of Key West but different. If ever anyone visits the Keys I’m sure they had the same reaction as I. The first statement I made to my mama was “I know where they got the term ‘sea foam green’”. In Guam it is “sea foam blue”. It is where the color palette changes from just barely not green and barely not blue but amazingly beautiful. 

    We also have a National Park there at Guam. That was news to me but probably not to the my history buffs. I really was glad to get to tour the War in The Pacific National Park. I learned about the history of the war there and how those men fought hard to ensure the Chamorro people continued to thrive. Had they been left under Japanese rule at that time, it would have been a culture sadly lost. Thankfully, history has evolved and Japan is now an ally. Knowing the USA is there in the region working together with the Chamorros they can rest assured their culture will remain. 

    I understand why my daughter never wants to leave. I wouldn’t want to leave either. The trip is brutal on the body and I’m thankful I was physically able. Emotionally, well, that’s always a question in my world. LOL Twenty hours is a long span and crossing every time zone is daunting but I would do it again next week if I could. I am more appreciative of FaceTime every day and don’t know how long distance mamas did it before technology. Those were some strong women! 

    If ever the opportunity arises to visit Guam, jump at the chance. If you need a travel agent to help you along the way, my daughter is the go to girl! Palau is the next Micronesian region I would like to visit as I hear it is even more beautiful. I don’t think that possible and I may never see it but there is a goal. Actually, let’s look at going to Japan, Philippines, Australia, Bali, Indonesia, Europe……. The possibilities are endless!