A Week of Ups and Downs
Peggy and John Wyke and Me in Camden
Quite a bit happened this week some of it planned and some of it not planned but not unexpected. Our little kitten, Immy, died sometime Tuesday night. It was not unexpected but it is still a shock when it finally happened. We were away visiting friends in Camden, Maine at the time. She was fine when we left or as fine as she had been and then she was gone. Somehow I think I am breathing a sigh of relief. She took the decision out of my hands but also I think I have been holding my breath all summer knowing that she was fighting a battle that she couldn’t win. Every morning I woke up and was relieved that she was there and she was still interested in us and in her treats. She was a truly beautiful cat, probably the prettiest that has ever lived with us and most certainly the softest. We were lucky to have her for as long as we did.
After a visit with John’s cousin who was on the East Coast visiting from California we set out for a planned trip to Camden, Maine so John could have his annual lobster. We had a beautiful drive down through the mountains of Maine to the coast. Didn’t see any moose but I always think we should as the region is not very populated and there are lots of marshy areas within sight of the road. We were able to bring Wyke with us as our friends are dog lovers and he was invited. He was a perfect gentleman and behaved as beautifully as a one year old Golden can. Yes, he turned one year old on the 29th of August. He and I were able to do two lovely longish walks in and around Camden. Walking gives you a unique chance to get to know a place from street level. We wandered up and down the hills around the town and down by the water. Love the smell of the salt water and the sound of the waves. Many years ago we lived on the coast of Maine but it was southern Maine where there are beaches as opposed to the rocky coast that is found farther north. It was a fun time in our lives and makes all subsequent visits very special.
Walking our Miles
Despite a rather slow start at the beginning of the month, I still managed to walk 99.8 miles. Shorter than the 125 I did in July but still respectable. What seems to have happened is that I am doing more longer walks and taking a day off here and there where I used to do a four mile walk every day. I love the longer walks and find that once I get to a good pace I could walk for hours. Our favorite walk is now the west side walk that passes through dairy farms. I cannot let Wyke off the leash when we are going by the fields as he has a special affinity for the rather stinky cow patties that are left behind. He does NOT like cows. When walking on Friday a group of cows followed along the fence as we walked by. A dog from a neighboring farmhouse came out to check on Wyke and then decided to go through the fence and chase the cows. That dog was barking at the heels of the cows and one of the cows kicked him. He was fine and went running home but it certainly made me realize that cows are not just gentle creatures. Wyke just looked horrified and backed as far away as he could from the cows. Smart dog! On that same walk we were chased down the road by fire trucks responding to what we can only assume was a false alarm as they passed us twice coming and going and didn’t stay long.
Introduced my granddaughter Libby to the new woods trail. She shamed me by running it while I walked. Thankfully she waited for me to get to the finish line. Thanks Libby!
Blue Zones and the Blue Zones Project
More and more I am reading about the Blue Zones throughout the world. I want to talk a bit about this as I am quite a believer in this philosophy. There are areas in the world where people live easily to 100 or more and Dan Buettner has been documenting these people and how they live. The Blue Zones Project is now helping to transform towns and communities through the US. There are nine basic tenets or commonalities amongst the people who live in the areas that are designated Blue Zones. Simply put they are:
1. Move Naturally – move, you don’t need to run a marathon but try to walk whenever and wherever you can
2. Purpose – why do you wake up each morning
3. Down Shift – take some time for yourself and beat stress
4. 80% Rule – stop eating when your stomach is 80% full
5. Plant Slant – eat plants and have meat as a treat
6. Wine @ 5 – drink moderately, preferably red wine, with friends.
7. Belong – to a church or some other faith based group
8. Loved Ones First – take care of your aging parents and prioritize your children (they’ll take care of you when you are old)
9. Right Tribe – have a good social network
I have summarized these nine cornerstones but if you want to read more, click here to the Blue Zones website. There are Blue Zones cookbooks and there is a Blue Zones diet too if you like to follow food guides.
Happy Ending to the Week
My niece had a baby in July and she lives in British Columbia. She came East to introduce her baby to her family and Katie, Libby and I drove into Montreal to meet her. Both mum and baby are doing well and we were charmed. I think Libby #2 great-grandchild really enjoyed meeting #9 – Rory. It was a fun visit and a fun day despite the rainy weather. There are more adventures to be had in the coming week and places to go. We are coming down to the wire and getting ready to transition from Canada to South Carolina once again. I am sitting here freezing with a big fire going and it won’t be long before we are back where air-conditioning is still in use.
Here’s a Blue Zones recipe to enjoy!
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