From flip-flops to flannel … just like that (snapping fingers)!
The weather has been wacky this week; yep, a real rollercoaster ride and it left me a wee bit frazzled on this Friday.
Earlier this week we broke a longstanding record by reaching 89 degrees F (32C); the old record from 1897 was 88 degrees F.
But we were warned the warmth would disappear, and it did – the next day we dropped 25 degrees.
And in between we had torrential rain and rumbles … in the morning, of course, when your Roving Reporter likes to walk.
Scrambled is not just for eggs.
I got up this morning and it was 68 degrees in the house. Nope, I was not going to succumb to the chilly temps and put on the heat, as it’s supposed to warm up a bit on the weekend. Or so they say. But, it was only 50 degrees F (10C) outside. I shivered while eating my oatmeal, then wrapped my fingers around my cuppa joe. But, I remained steadfast that the heat would not be turned on.
So, what do I wear on my walk? The immediate dilemma was that I took all my Spring/Fall and Winter coats, (all sporting big pockets), to the cleaners on Tuesday. “Did you want them the next day?” they asked. With a wave of my hand, I dismissed that suggestion – after all it was 80 degrees at 10:30 a.m., so “no I don’t need a coat anytime soon” was my reply. So, we settled on a Saturday pickup date. Of course I could have taken all these coats in during the Summer, but I was waiting on the October 25% off sale. Sigh.
So this morning, I sure wasn’t going to pass up a sunny (finally) trek to the Park to visit my furry pals who will surely forget my name if I don’t show up soon. I scrambled around mightily, looking for clothing for 50-degree weather. I grumbled and beat myself up saying “why are you not more organized – it’s October already!?” I have a few dress coats downstairs but their pockets won’t do for the camera and the peanuts, they are tiny slit pockets. I held up a hoodie – definitely not warm enough. Well maybe with a sweatshirt underneath – nope, too bulky. A turtleneck under a sweatshirt – no, it’s not that cold yet and besides, I need pockets! Maybe I even need a hat and gloves – where are they? I settled on a flannel shirt under a sweatshirt and threw on an old coat of my mom’s which fit like it belonged to my little sister.
The basement was chilly, so I decided the furnace really needed to be turned on after all. I yanked out the old filter and noticed the new filter that Flame Furnace had brought on their last visit was not the same brand. I took off the shrink wrap and went to slide it into the four-inch slot … it wouldn’t go in easily, so I had to go find another filter, but wait … I couldn’t pull this one out, so had to find a pair of pliers to wrest it out of the slot. Whew! I poured some clean water in the water pump and ran upstairs to put the furnace on so I could ensure it was running okay before I left and it would be toasty warm when I returned.
Finally, I bolted out the door and arrived fashionably late at the Park- how did I know? Well, all the regular walkers were already gone – they are all retirees, so off to run errands, or hang out at the donut shop for coffee and a cruller.
Luckily the contingent of squirrels were there waiting on me. To make up for my week-long absence, I brought along a brand-new, whole bag of peanuts to make it up to them. “Happy Fall guys!”
Yes, they were there alright, with Parker wearing a pained look on his face and paws crossed over his chest and tapping one foot, er … paw. “Yes, my little friend I’ll try not to be a stranger as I know you and your pals are struggling to get nuts stored for Winter.” I had to laugh at this picture of Parker I took last week. He reminds me of the memes of the distinguished-looking gentleman who says “I don’t always …, but (fill in the blank).” So I’ve entitled this picture:
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Love the humour in your work
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Thank you for the kind comment Barbara.
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It’s supposed to get down to 47 tonight here… and 42 on Monday night. Brother!
Parker looks like he is all too human. 🙂 Those human-grade peanuts are changing him! Try to give them all raw peanuts or nuts. The roasted have a tendency to turn rancid easily, which is bad, health-wise.
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Hi Tom – Yes indeed, in this shot Parker looks scarily human, like a hundred pictures I posed for growing up growing up – same picture, all dressed up for some holiday or special occasion, standing by a tree or bush and holding onto it … no imagination on the part of my father who took 99% of the pictures. 🙂 I never noticed there were so many similar photos of me until I scanned in all the photo album pictures a few years ago.
I have bought the raw peanuts by Hampton Farms – they sell the bagged peanuts in raw, regular and unsalted/jumbo. I will go through these bags of peanuts long before they expire – I buy the unsalted/jumbo so they have no excessive sodium intake and these are all huge peanuts, usually two peanuts inside one shell. (That accounts for the look of delight when they get them) – if there are smaller peanuts (occasionally), I give them more to make up for it. The squirrels are still skinny and have not started bulking up with a fat layer yet.
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Their skinniness, at this point, may be indicative of the fact that we will have a mild winter; or maybe the national weather service is right and we will have a cold winter (and the squirrels realize that — with your help — they can fatten up easily). I often eat raw (previously soaked) peanuts with honey on Sundays; i am not going to bury any for winter just yet. 🙂
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I have to look at pictures in October and November from the last few years and see if they are pudgy or not. The other day I saw a post from December 31st as someone asked mehow many miles I walked in 2018 and the squirrels were downright roly poly., I wouldn’t bury any of your peanuts either – enjoy them with honey is better. I have never had honey and peanut butter and understand it is a treat – I like peanut butter and bananas (like Elvis only not fried). 🙂
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That was cute! and so true! I was close to turning on the furnace today but resisted and put on a fleece lined hoodie, and now tonight the house is too warm again. Should I put the A/C on again, open the windows or just wait and see if the frost alert they posted is true? Who can predict anymore?
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I did not want to put it on and if it was the weekend and I would be walking around more, it would have been fine, but I was sitting all day at work, not moving much, so I had to cave in – 50 degrees was cold! I wondered why I bothered with the whole-house insulation job in 2017 – the walls were ice cold! With a high efficiency furnace they say you only need to change the filter twice a year, even longer if you look at the filter to ensure there is no fluff or debris in the folds. When I had a regular furnace, I changed the filter and flushed the pump once a month. So I am leery not changing it as much in the Winter. And I need to get a new C02 alarm – going to order it this week from Amazon … I think every major road is under construction right now and the Home Depot which sells it is one of the roads messed up. The tech was just here in July (it was cold in Spring and so I did not even bother to schedule an appointment until late June and by then had to wait ’til July) … he looked at the filter and said it was clean – don’t change it til we come back for the furnace check (I have him coming October 26th, so it made me nervous to wait – my track record with the house issues this year – I’m taking no chances!. They sell different brands and this was a Honeywell filter and fit a little too snug … I’ll ask the tech when he comes if it’s a dud … the filters are around $25.00 apiece so I don’t want to toss it.
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PS. Thanks for the reminder, I need to change my mother’s furnace filter! I’ve only done it once so I hope it doesn’t get stuck.
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I never had that issue with the regular-sized filters – I have to use pliers or two screwdrivers to yank it out … they have a tab on the side but it’s hard to open up. Glad you liked this post – I liked the picture of Park – looked like a posed picture of him standing up next to the bush.
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Miss Linda…………………….yep, I had to do the very same thing…………..quickly go through my clothes to see what I could wear on my morning walk because it was chilly and windy…………..No I didn’t try to replace the furnace filter and have to get pliers to pull it out because it’s the wrong size!………………………………..I just love the picture you are showing of Mr. Parker and your title underneath for us to read……………You win a Fall prize!
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I really like having lots of room to move while I walk and my dressier coats from when I worked are not comfortable and have tiny pockets … I was scrambling around as I did not want to miss another walk at Council Point Park… when there are gray days, now that the sun gets up so late, I have just been walking in the neighborhood or a closer Park. Pagel is very torn up by Council Point Park and I have to detour which cuts into my walking time there. Glad you liked Parker – he is a real class act isn’t he? 🙂
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That is an adorable picture of Parker! It is 57 degrees right now and I have my window open…lol I hate the heat and am enjoying the fresh air….finally!
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Yes, he posed like a Ken doll – ha ha. I didn’t notice it so much when I took the picture as when I got home and uploaded the photos … he looked almost human! I am no fan of heat and humidity either, but we rushed headlong into this cold weather … don’t like that either. I wanted to hold out through the weekend … but since I am sitting all day at work, and not moving much it does get cold in the kitchen so I had to cave and put it on.
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wooow.!..i like cold seasons. with a full vodka bottle in my shelf.however i dont experience cold seasons here. Kenya is generally a warm place.and we experience the equator like freedom.
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I might have to join you in Kenya gichuru40, because our Winters have been terrible the last few years, more snow and the dreaded Polar Vortex events with brutal temps and windchills – last year we had -45F windchill (-42 C windchill) … to say it is bone chilling is being polite! I don’t like driving in the snow either, having taken the bus for decades and now I work from home … I am what they call here in North America “a Winter weenie”.
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hoohoo…you gotta seek some means.if you get a chance to come over hook me up..i will show you around.like the snow of mt.Kilimanjaro..
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That sounds beautiful to me … I have seen photos of Mt. Kilimanjaro and it is an awesome sight. I used to travel a lot when I was younger but have not been to Africa. My boss was in South Africa a few years ago on a 12-day excursion and enjoyed the safari portion and historical portions very much. He did not travel to other parts of Africa which was too bad as there are so many other things to see.
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you must be missing a lot.especially if you never visited Kenya.ooh!quite unlucky!
All the vast wild animals with hundreds of bird species.
Haven’t seen Mt.Kenya yet?
come on I will send you some pictures from over here.l hope that woldn’t drive your guts some sort of..curious.
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I would love the animal and bird adventure for sure Hermes. My boss visited South Africa a few years ago at Christmas/New Year’s. He had great weather, very hot, and went on some great tours, including a three-day safari. I saw all his pictures and really enjoyed them. I would like the warm right now – we are having very cold and ugly weather here in Southeast Michigan, uncharacteristically cold, with some snow … that usually happens in a few week’s time, not now so much.
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LOL – that picture is fantastic – he posed for you! We felt the same way about the weather this week. Shorts one day, and coats the next. We finally turned on the heat too. Sigh. I’m not enjoying the rapid change to cold. I hope it is nice one of these days so I can take a walk outside too. Your outfit sounded very clever by the way. I bet you’ll be happy to get your coats today!
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Yes, he looked like I said “pose” and he did, like when I see the professional photographers taking graduation or engagement pictures at Heritage Park. 🙂 I wavered too Shelley – if it was the weekend and I was walking around in the house or moving about, I would have left it, but sitting in place for many hours, just too cold and I put it to 70 and was still cold … I generally keep it at 75 all Winter, 76 for bitter cold. I finally cranked it up more – I just could not get warm. It was the rapid change – what happened to Fall and gradual cooler temps?
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He sure did! Yep, I agree with you – the sudden change in temps isn’t welcome here. But it has kick started the beautiful colors on the trees. We’re fighting the urge to turn the heat up too. Stay warm!
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We did have a gorgeous day today, started out cold and was windy but no rain … how nice to see the sun for a change.
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Yes, we saw the sun yesterday too…it’s amazing how much I had missed seeing it!! Hope you had a great time walking in it.
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I did – I had to go later as the morning was not so great with the rain. Luckily it was a weekend and I could salvage a walk; a weekday would have been another lost walk.
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I’m with you on this weather being frustrating. Hope you have sun today – it was gorgeous here yesterday while I was at work!
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Yes, it’s a slight isn’t it … Mother Nature needs to pay attention!
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LOL!!
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Although I hated to do so we did turn on the furnace. We should make sure it’s working properly before the real cold gets here – I justified. Time get the chimney cleaned and fire wood stacked.
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I like your justification Ruth. The furnace tech does not come for a check-up until October 26th … I could tell myself I wanted to ensure it was working fine before he gets here. I usually always have the heat on before they come for the furnace check – I’ve learned not to schedule too early in case we have hot weather and they need to reschedule. You are lucky you have a fireplace in case of a power outage but I remember your blog post about how you have your emergency preparedness measures down to an art.
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I think it’s important to be prepared for emergencies. It gives peace of mind.
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I agree with you Ruth – I have supplies here if the power goes out, many that were from when I had my canary. I was so worried the power would go out and he’d freeze and if it was that cold outside, going somewhere else made no sense as the cold air would be lethal to him. I have some battery-operated polarfleece scarves and a Nasa space blanket for starters, but my mom knit many afghans and out next-door neighbor crocheted many afghans, so that would be my next choice. I hope I never have a problem – the emergency shelter in the Summer for power outages is our police station but it is not all that close to me. I have battery-powered flashlights and lanterns too … what worries me most is that the pipes would freeze. You are fortunate to have the fireplace as that will keep you warm and warm the house for the pipes.
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Our furnace has been on the past month. It was turned on during the first cold snap. Then the temps went back up but our heat pump automatically shuts off when the temperature is above the setting. It is definitely running this morning as I type! Cold out there.
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Yes it got too cold too fast … it turned out nice today but very windy. I spent the day buying groceries (pantry items) to put away for Winter. I went grocery shopping two separate times and I never shop on a weekend afternoon, but they had great sales. I am pooped. I am not done with everything and was going to go back tomorrow, but I’ll wait til next week. Kind of grocery-shoppinged out.
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Cute photo. The weather turned cool on us in about 12 hours. Finally I’m beginning to feel alive again. Loves me flannel, oh yes I do.
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Thanks Ally – it struck me that he looked like a human standing there … like something out of “GQ” – I didn’t notice it until I uploaded the pictures. Fall is my favorite season – love the plaids, flannels, sweatshirts … it just happened so fast!
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The squirrel knows you’re a five-star food truck Linda!
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Yes, he has that “I’m posing for peanuts then hurry up and feed me ‘cuz I’m famished” look doesn’t he Terry?
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I’m glad you got to the park… did you get shopping? Hi parker 🤝 it’s good to see you
❤🕯✨
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Oh Ellie – I did two loads of shopping and thought I’d go again tomorrow and have now decided against it – I am positively worn out – what was I thinking? I left the house at 8:45 and brought stuff home at 12:30 then went back out again; finally in the house at 6:15 p.m. Didn’t stop for lunch or a break and my hall is full of stuff, living room too – looks like a disaster area. The weather was cooperative though and I wore my pedometer and got 4 1/4 miles walked, so still got my steps in, not as much as usual on a weekend, but all was not lost thankfully. Doesn’t Parker look handsome (and almost human) here? I took the picture and started laughing when I uploaded the pictures. He took the “posing for peanuts” idea seriously. 🙂
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He does!
And you can sort out your house tomorrow…
What were you thinking? That you have the energy you used to. You know for next time… I’m glad you’ve stocked up….
Love, light and glitter
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What happened to the girl with all the energy – she is in here somewhere. 🙂 Three more times and it’s all done, except for a few fresh items in between and that’s only in the morning before work once or twice a month. It’s a pain now, but I love it come Winter time. P.S. – I just looked at the mess and put it off like Scarlett O’Hara did in Gone With the Wind saying “I’ll think about it tomorrow” … I had some little things to do and wanted to write this post … I was in slo-mo today.
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She’s definitely there! It’s hard to remember…
That book made me cry. I’m still sad at the end.
No need to clear it up right away. You’ve the entire winter!!
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I read it a long time ago and saw the movie after that – there are some great lines and scenes in that movie. Did you know that “GWTW” and “The Wizard of Oz” both debuted the same year? I think I like “The Wizard of Oz” better – I’m a kid at heart.
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I’ve never watched the movie. Kids movies always win for me, hands down.
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It’s good to keep the “kid” in you as long as you can Ellie … our current world moves too fast for me most of the time. I turn on the news every morning and am filled with disgust and sadness. I’m glad to escape to the Park and get away from it all and soon the snow and ice and bad weather in general will make those escapes not as regular as I’d like. I loved all the Disney animal shows as a kid … sure the cartoons were fun, but the animal movies and stories win hands down. I also enjoyed reading the series of “All Creatures Great and Small” and a TV movie about British vet James Herriot – he was a country vet and wrote about the animals and families he dealt with. Fun reading. Enjoy your respite away for the holiday Ellie.
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There’s a reason I don’t listen to the news much…
I will! I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids (my nieces and nephews)
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The news of the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day sometimes. We have a week of great weather so I’m making the most of it Ellie. I hated to come back from my walk today as it was gorgeous … sunny and crisp weather, just like Fall always has been. Enjoy the kids. They don’t worry about the gloom and doom of the news and they live in the present.
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They are gorgeous! I’m so looking forward to seeing them!!
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Next thing we’ll read about will be Parker moving into the spare bedroom! 😉 He just about looks ready for it! Hopefully your winter won’t be too bad this year. Ours is supposed to be mild and less rainy than average. Only time will tell!
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Yes, he has a look like “take me home with you and I’ll be your pet forever” … what a life of Riley for Parker then. I am hoping it is not as bad as predicted and I hope you don’t get that unexpected snow like you got last year.
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We’ll have to see about winter! I don’t mind some snow as long as it goes away in a couple of days, but that’s my limit. I’m sure Parker would feel right at home with you and he could get his peanuts himself! 😉 I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you are spared the worst of it all!
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Yes, I remember you said last year that you are not equipped to handle big snowfalls/storms in the City and were lucky a neighbor took care of plowing nearby. Parker is very sweet – it’s too bad I live so far from the Park; I could get there every day in Winter (if there was no ice), but it is a mile away and not everyone clears their walks and I don’t like to drive in snow/ice … the car stays home then as do I.
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This weather needs to make up its mind. I loathe thr cold but it keeps going back and forth 20 degrees and my mind doesnt know how to behave, heh. So much happier when its warm.
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I agree with you Brian. I too loathe the Winter and if it anything like last Winter with its first snowfall in November and lingering almost til April, and the Polar Vortex, I’m ready to buy a lotto ticket and head somewhere warm. It was unbelievable how the weather was last week, dropping 25 degrees in one day.
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Great photo! I’m glad you finally cooled down some.
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Thanks Rebecca – Parker looks eerily human here doesn’t he? I listen to Accuweather on a Detroit AM radio station for my weather forecasts – the meteorologist said after a record 39 days without rain and all this heat, Lexington, Kentucky is finally getting rain. Hope you have not had similar drought conditions in Tennessee.
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Yes, he really does! It had gotten pretty dry here also, but probably good so that the crops can dry out and the farmers can harvest them (corn, soybeans, cotton). We also got some much needed rain this past weekend and the weather is cooler this week. I think the worst of the heat is past.
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Glad to hear that Rebecca. We are having a gorgeous week here – no rain until Friday night and crisp and cool weather. It is Fall as it has been all these years, not the new version of Fall.
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We don’t get the crazy swings in temps like you, but we’ve had on-again, off-again fall here too. Today it’s in the low 80s so I’m back in my shorts (Yikes, my legs are so white!). Parker sure looks happy to see you (and your peanuts)!
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Our temperature swings have been crazy Janis. Today was a normal weather day – such a refreshing change from too hot or too cold. It is like the story of the Three Bears and Goldilocks with the porridge and no happy medium. You have to have two wardrobes on the go, plus a jacket as well, as you never know what it will be doing outside.
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Oh I am so glad you got to meet up with Parker. My mother is staying with me at the moment and I showed her the picture you took which really brightened up her day x x x
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I am glad your mother liked the photo Zena. I just thought that was the cutest picture and Parker looked almost human. I got some more cute squirrel pictures taken during the last week when we had some beautiful weather, but have to sort them out first. Who will take care of your mother’s birds in her yard while she is visiting you?
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Cant wait to show her them. I have showed her lots of your photos which she absolutely adores. It’s fine, my father and brother are home to take care of the birds and her fish and chicken 😁
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OK, her backyard critters are taken care of … I know your father adores Munch … I figured he also is a fan of the backyard birds (and fish and a chicken). 🙂 My little Grady the Gray Squirrel is back and I am going to write a post about that cutie pie … your mom and you may remember him from last year. I fed him and his friends (two black squirrels, two cardinals and two blue jays) all Fall/Winter on the front porch.
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Hey Linda – I am getting caught up on my reading – but wanted to ask if you could share a few thoughts about walking?
any tips for newbies?
top three things you have learned walking
and how you stay motivated to keep walking
– oh – and do you miss days – and what if you do?
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Sure, no problem Yvette.
The best tip for newbies is MODERATION.
Pace yourself. I started out just a block at a time in 2011. In fact I wanted to start a walking regimen for a long time but with working full-time on site and always having tasks to be done in/outside the house, it seemed the first day I could take a long walk was in between raking up the leaves one last time and waiting for the snow to fly. Then I’d go out and enjoy the walk, usually Thanksgiving long weekend. I’d walk too long and end up with shin splints, which are very painful. That is why you always start out slow … a block at a time, building up slowly. Same thing if you don’t walk too much in the Winter. If you use a treadmill or you are a mall walker, then you’ve kept the same pace and steps per day, but if not, don’t expect to start out in Spring at 4-5 miles per day … moderation avoids shin splints and being out of commission for a while.
The top three things I have learned from walking are:
#1 – Always be mindful of your surroundings, especially if you walk in the neighborhoods. During the week, I go to my favorite Park and sometimes I drive to give the car a run since I work from home, but mostly I walk. While I like to see what is going on in the neighborhood, I must constantly have my eyes and ears in tune with my surroundings. People run out of the house, coffee cup in hand, kids in tow … they’re already late for work and dropping the kids off at school. They do not pay attention to me walking on the sidewalk or in the street. I have learned to avoid the streets where there are big dogs – sure they are behind gates and fences, but they are not the family pets; they are there to protect their property and their interest in me is piqued as I walk by … I see their icy glare and it is frightening sometimes, even though I like dogs.
# 2 – You must leave your phone at home unless you are bringing it for the sole purpose of taking photos while you are on your walk. I see a couple of walkers at the Park … a man and women. She saw me feeding the squirrels and interacting with them, so she now brings a bag of peanuts to share with them. She is looking around as she walks; he is always looking down at his phone, sometimes smiling, otherwise just staring at the phone. I will pass them several times on the walking path daily – it is always the same scenario. They do not even speak to one another.
#3 – Let your mind be a blank when you leave the house … leave any worries or concerns behind. Yes, pay attention to vehicles or trip-and-fall cracks or raised pavement as you walk along, but let this be a time to meditate, enjoy the fresh air, the sun on your head; it is up to you to make the most of your walking experience. Soon enough, you will be indoors again, whether it is home, or work and back to the routine and mundane routine once again.
I stay motivated for walking because:
I make a goal for myself each year … that goal is one more mile than the previous year. I always supersede that goal and that makes me happy. However, this year, egged on by fellow bloggers who are Canadian outdoors enthusiasts, they suggested I make my goal an even 2,000 km. This was 80 miles more than my intended goal. I agreed to do this when setting goals on January 1st, but we had a very long Winter which stretched into April, a very rainy Spring and a hot, humid and often rainy Summer and early Fall. I could not anticipate the weather, no more than I could anticipate all the house mishaps I had, necessitating contractors coming by for an emergency look-see, and then the install (garage door and water heater all within a few weeks) – that cut five days of walking time for me right there. I bought several items of footwear to walk in the rain this year – fellow bloggers who run, suggested I get waterproof shoes, vinyl seamless boots and just go out in the rain anyway. This is because I bemoaned going out in the rain after taking the bus and dealing with inclement weather for so many years. They said “change that channel of thinking to a new channel!” But the walks I missed due to rain, were due to torrential rain events … not a little drizzle here or there. I still hope to reach my goal of 2,000 km or 1,242 miles, but the days are shorter, the leaves will soon slicken up the roads and trails making walking a little dicey plus there is the dreaded black ice on the Park pathways near the Creek around late October a.
Making up days I missed:
Well, I have missed several days this year … if it rains in the morning, I go out in the evening (or afternoon if it is a work day). But I always have my pedometer on, and I have begun wearing it in the house as well. It is a small house, but as we transcend to Winter, I need all the steps I can, even though I prefer walking outside. I don’t own a treadmill, but have an exercise bike, but that doesn’t help step-wise. On the really hot and humid days I did laps at a large grocery store and doing a good-sized shopping can rack up four miles easily. I leave my cart in the one area of the store and run around and grab my items then schlepp bags in one at a time. Time consuming, yes … but it gives me more steps to add to my final goal.
Those are my thoughts – hope this helps you out.
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oh wow – thanks so much -may I share this on my blog? in a post… really appreciate your time
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You’re welcome Yvette – it was no problem at all; I really enjoy my walking regimen. Sure, you may share my thoughts and hope they encourage someone considering a walking regimen.
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thanks – and have a good rest of your night
🙂
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thanks – here is where the mini interview went up – I will add to a post later
https://priorhouse.blog/walking2019/
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Wow, that is great what you have done there Yvette … I am happy to help out and encourage anyone and I am laughing as I took similiar shadow pictures at the Park for an upcoming post. I have a ton of squirrel pictures taken last week when we had just gorgeous weather, but I don’t want to do just squirrels and I took some shadow pics as well. Shhh – don’t tell anyone … I am walking by doing errands this morning, not a nice walk at the Park – it is 38 degrees, we had some frost and I have a lot of errands as the week may be iffy for running around. I can squeak out a walk at the park two blocks from my house if need be, but I group all my errands in one batch to get them done – among the errands … picking up my Winter coats which I dropped off at the cleaners when it was 85 degrees in late September, a sweltering hot morning and then I went and got my flu shot in a sleeveless shirt … no sleeveless shirt this morning. Thanks again for asking my opinion on walking and I hope you get your 20-minute regiment in beginning today.
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Hi – yes my walking is starting today and in November or december I will share your min interview in a post – I had a post up for a few minutes – but I am getting ready to start a blog pause for a couple weeks (hard to do but I NEED to get some projects done and have misc stuff that needs my complete focus – but pauses are hard the first few days and i want to share the walk interview when I will be online more – so just a handful of weeks –
and thanks again for it !
my favorite tip was to go slow as you build up – to not get shin splints but also to get momentum
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and looking forward to seeing the walk shadow photos —
and be in touch in november
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hugs to you my blog friend
you are really sweet
peace out
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I really needed a blog break several times this year … I despair when I am behind like right now … if I post frequently I get behind in Reader. Plus this past weekend I had things to do and had to really step away. Good for you taking the break. Yes it is important to go slow – the first time I overdid it, it was such a gorgeous day and I walked and walked just enjoying myself. The next day felt like a Mack truck ran over me – moving just a few inches was painful. I took some fun long shadow photos and I was holding the “treat bag” … I look like I am on stilts! Hugs back to you Yvette – enjoy your respite.
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one the best things about a break is the freshness I feel coming back and so I MAKE myself take them.
but it is hard at first –
and side note – I was going to take a month break last April and it did not feel right – so I did not force it – and then I had one of my best blogging months ever! I promised the Lady by the River book and just had a blast. then I took a break-
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and this current pause – which started with my not posting anymore (and you are right about how when we post a lot it impacts our reading and other flow) and for me – there are three ways to start a blog pause.
1) – go cold turkey – and just force it – log out – and walk away and come back and pick back up – even if it means loose strings – this is sometimes the only way to get a blog pause going.
2) – Plan it and create a post letting readers know – so they do not worry about ya – and don’t feel cut off. Depends on how long the break will be – but I prefer doing it this way –
3) Schedule posts while away – I follow an artist (forthemo) who does this and I love it – the posts starts with “forthemo on break day 12” – something like that.
I have not done it this way yet – but want to try.
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and when you post the shadow photo – is it okay if I add that in to my interview post when I make my walking post later this fall?
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I almost did it this Summer – I was very frazzled to be honest, between work and all the house mishaps. I have recouped some, but my house and yard are a disaster as I was trying to do too many things at one time and did not want to forsake blogging or walking. Sigh. I know that Janis and Ally, both whom we follow, took blogging breaks and announced it beforehand. Sure, you can use any pictures you want – the shadow photo will be tomorrow morning, as I am going to work on that post shortly. It is just standing in the Park with the long shadows. My favorite shadow post was this one where I had on my squall coat that comes almost to my knees and Parker was nearby. It is an optical illusion and he is not really that close, but the shadows appear that he is:
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that photo was awesome and I get the op illusion – and I do recall the mishaps – because that was when I was anew follower 🙂 and glad you worked through it all –
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and guess what = I just got back in from my short walk (21 minutes) and that makes day 2 of my walking goal to end the year with daily walks (yesterday did 35 m)
and I almost grabbed my headphones to jame to some tunes and you were ringing in my head – the tip to just leave your mind open and all that – so thx
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I am so glad you are enjoying the walking Yvette. And you got more out of that walk, but just letting your mind be a blank. I really liked that picture as it was just an optical illusion. I am going to go through my photos and write that post now. I have several shadow pictures, including one of Parker – not of us together this time. 🙂
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I am still doing yoga during the week and other movement – but the walking was something I have been wanting to add in for a while.
and I did ponder doing steps vs amount of time – but the amount of time was more ideal for managing this as a new part of my routine.
I am going 20 minutes a day.
I did bring my phone and took a few photos (leaves on the ground so pretty and some odd items) but otherwise that it was enjoying the outdoors.
and best wishes with your next post
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I have to work on getting more limber Yvette, and will start that the beginning of November. I have to do so before the snow shoveling begins. Last year I had the problem with my shoulder which began in Fall. I may have told you this story when we discussed yoga, not sure, but a year ago right now, I had no range of motion and could not move my arm, nor raise it above my head without a lot of pain. I knew I did not injure myself. When it came time to get into that heavy squall coat (the one I was wearing in the Park with my shadow picture with Parker), I could not put it on. I have had it for several years and the coat is very heavy, goes almost to my knees and is lined in polar fleece. The coat is still not “broken in” and is extremely heavy. Also, this coat had no “glide” inside due to the polar fleece and I could not get it adjusted on my shoulder and put my arms in it on the left side. When I went for allergy shots, using another coat, I had to have someone help me get the coat back on so I could leave – it was difficult to do at home, and took several minutes. I resorted to wearing my mom’s coat most of the Winter as it was insulated but lightweight and I bulked up on layers beneath it – those layers were not my usual turtlenecks, but polar fleece PJ tops and a front zip vest. I was not going to pass up walking or being outside, but I felt like a stuffed sausage … I like my coats larger so I can move and my mom’s two coats were mediums. I could not even pull my blanket at night nor sleep with it on my left shoulder. My boss wanted me to see an orthopedic doctor, but after years and years of going to orthopedic appointments with my mom for her various ortho problems led me to conclude that no, I would not be doing physical therapy, I would not be getting cortisone shots, and not taking meds or any supplements. I saw my mom go through each of these regimens and nothing worked. Doctors experimented with her pain … pills, pills and more pills. I opted to find the root of the problem and I found it alright. It was sitting too much in one position at the kitchen table where I have my laptop.
I researched for weeks and determined, my left arm was pretty much immobile for many hours of the day and I was not getting up and walking away. I start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 5:00 – 5:30. I take a break at 3:00 for 1/2 hour and shut down my laptop, then return to the table/laptop until sometimes 10:00-11:00 at night on WordPress (Reader/commenting/writing my own posts). I had no followers until November 2017,just two friends who subscribed to my blog and commented on my posts and I responded to them … that was it. Suddenly I was on WordPress with more followers and following back, hours and hours past my normal amount of time sitting at the computer. It took a year of this to get to the shoulder issues. I like to work in the kitchen, have an old desktop (Vista) downstairs but can’t use that product as it is old and not supported by Microsoft. I have a small house, didn’t want to go into a separate room at the back of the house and wanted the kitchen as it is bigger, brighter and I needed my speaker phone and also the dictation equipment (rarely used) but all that, and the radio at the table. I could not change my ways, so decided to change how I sat. I got a “riser” and elevated the laptop so I was looking up, not down and then got a wireless keyboard. I also got a vertical mouse, but I’ve not used it yet … I’ve not started using my Windows 10 computer and had thought about getting voice-activated software to be able to stand more. I have an old laptop that I am typing on now … it is in my room and use it for pictures mostly, but I must stand to use it – that is a good thing.
I switch to this laptop often after I have dinner and stand the rest of the evening. Within a few months my arm/shoulder was much better. I know I did this to myself. I felt twinges in the Fall of 2018, where suddenly I had trouble closing the car door, could not reach behind my waist to fasten/unfasten my fanny pack. My boss, who said I should see an orthopod, encouraged me to get exercise bands to recover if I would not seek expert advise and a PT regimen. I bought some and will use them; at the time, since I did not know the origin of the pain, I did not want to aggravate my shoulder more. My boss is an avid swimmer (a mile each morning at 6:00 a.m., six days a week, and two nights a week, another mile during the school year at the high school pool). He also rides his bike when the weather is good (20+ miles per day) and uses an exercise bike in inclement weather. In 2016, he went headfirst over the handlebars and sustained a third degree shoulder separation. At the E.R., one orthopod recommended shoulder surgery. A friend of his is a defense attorney for hospitals/docs and gave him the name of an orthopod who specializes in shoulder injuries. That specialist said my boss did not need surgery and had strong shoulder/neck/chest from the shoulders and if he could live with the knob if the injury did not heal 100%, then to let it heal naturally. My boss opted for natural healing and resistance band exercises which he still does several times a day – completely healed. I took my cue from him. I paid for a snow removal service last year … they don’t show up under two inches of snow, so I simply pushed the snow with my other arm … it is all about being limber and I know I have to do something more this year as I still sit a lot and despite the walking, I could stand to be in better shape that way. Yoga is perfect … I have been watching simple yoga moves on YouTube and on suggestions by Silver Sneakers as well – I will implement those and have given myself another year to knock back this lingering arm issue altogether. I can now put on a turtleneck or pullover sweater – yay, I love them for layering up in Winter. 🙂
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thanks for sharing your story – and – yoga (the right classes) really are perfect for what you are aiming for!
and good for your boss for ” letting it heal naturally”
that is not usually the case –
and let’s talk more later about some ideas for getting more range of motion and all that – I do have some tips and maybe some vid resources –
and quick story to share – we have a class at our gym that is sorta like Zumba – called a different name and I went twice and the instructor was so fast and inconsiderate of newbies – there was only five of us in the class and there newbies – it was like the young athlete was showing off – out of hundreds of fitness teachers(many) – almost all have been amazing – but she was not – and Linda – I kept up but almost threw out my back with all the up and down. Thankfully I rebounded fine but was sacred for a few days – and will never ever again disrespect my body by keeping up – I should have dropped to the back (I did modify a bit – but not enough) or just walked out.
and so my issues with that class and Zumba in general is that they can be cardio and power moving – not necessarily body friendly and rang of motion opening.
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Okay, sounds good – thank you Yvette. I did the same thing with the yoga and pilates classes I signed up for. I had one on Monday, the other on Wednesday, taught by the same young women and attended by the same group, who were taking the classes to do the yoga in a group as she really gave no instruction. I was the only newbie for both and quit after the first week. I got my class fees returned and I bought a portable DVD player and some yoga and pilates tapes. But, I then saw why they attended the class. Without a structured class to get me doing the exercises, etc., I did not get it done. The classes were terrible – half of the time it was a gab session between “the girls” as opposed to a constructive class.
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that is very similar to my experience.. thanks for sharing
and by the way
my daily walks for ending 2019 with walking is going GREAT
(and I think you know my blog pause is starting so if I am not back for a while – that is why)
peace and happy trails Linda
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Glad you are enjoying your walking regimen Yvette. We had a gorgeous weekend and I got about 12 miles walked – I saw on a weather site today that after Halloween it is not looking good. So, I’m walking my socks off until then to meet that goal. Happy trails to you too Yvette. Enjoy your blog pause.
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