Visitors and Walking

When I am in Canada I do a lot of walking in the hills and on the roads around our lake.  Oftentimes, my brother Paul, along with his granddog Sunny, accompany me.  It is really a great joy for me and a very comfortable walk as he keeps my pace up but doesn’t push me too hard.  We both love the outdoors and we love walking as our father did for many years.  Sometimes I find myself telling my dad that I am still walking and I know he would have enjoyed walking with me.  I really think it is something so ingrained in us both that it is almost genetic.  Our mother, who is now 92+, still gets out for a walk whenever she can.  She is slower now but no less determined.  She worries her legs will get too weak to hold her so she really makes it a goal to at least get around her block.  Paul visited us this week along with his wife Carol.  It was such a pleasure to have him join us on our morning walk around the island.  We took him on quite the round about but he got to see a more interesting route.  He said he had no idea where he was but he liked it.  He follows me on Runkeeper and sees the maps of my walks but he really didn’t have a reference for where the map was.  Now he does and I hope he finds it more interesting to follow my miles.

Cats and Dogs

They are growing up now and getting into everything.  Wyke decided to chew up another sneaker and a pair of socks.  Our trainer says he is bored because he’s certainly not teething anymore.  I guess an hour and a half walk in the morning and a good half hour of running in the afternoon that is often with his girl friend Abby, isn’t enough.  So now we are going to try more mental stimulation and she has suggested rally obedience.  I know nothing about it but she says it can be done in the house so I guess it’s not too active or else I might find I have more broken lamps!  The cats have tempers.  Well. The white one, Cleo, does.  I was not paying attention to her and she decided that was not acceptable.  Next thing I know she has knocked over an African Violet – twice.  That wasn’t enough so then a full vase of water and flowers was next.  Still didn’t get me to stop what I was doing so I put her in the laundry room until I was finished.  That definitely was not a success.  I had no idea a four month old kitten could make such a loud noise.  She howled til I let her out and sent her with her sister to bother John.  She then proceeded to knock over a lamp and I pretty much gave up.  Needless to say I am now on holiday for the next week and all animals have caretakers.  Guess I’ll pay for it when I get back but right now it’s bliss.

A Fun Adventure

One of our clubs on the island is called the Yacht Club and even though we lost the marina in the hurricane this group is still extremely active.  Seems there is something going on almost every week.  We joined them for a Kayak trip this week and we couldn’t have picked a better day.  The water was like glass.  John and I used a tandem kayak which was really fun.  This is a good activity for me in particular because I don’t really use my arms when walking so I have strong legs but my upper body is not as strong.  Sure golf uses upper body and so does zumba and yoga but not in quite the same way or for as long and continuous.  I felt it after three hours.  Now we are thinking about getting a tandem and hauling it back and forth.  We did see dolphins when we arrived.  A crabber put in just before we did and the dolphins must know his boat as they were right there practically jumping in the boat.  He doesn’t feed them as it is illegal to do so but I bet some bait escapes when he cleans out the traps.  What a great day.  I knew it was a success when John thanked me for pursuing the trip and for encouraging him to go along.

Recipe for you to try

Trying to get John to eat salad is like a salmon trying to swim upstream.  The salmon just keeps on trying and eventually, if he avoids the bears, he gets to where he is going.  This week I made it at least to the salmon ladder as I hit upon a salad that he actually asked for.  He even went to the store and bought all the ingredients needed for it.  I made a few modifications to the recipe my walking friend Merilyn shared with me.  She had made it a couple of weeks ago and brought it to our house.  It is fast becoming a favorite and it is pretty simple to pull together.  You can buy frozen asparagus and bagged salad greens, and canned orange slices as well as a prepared salad dressing.  I admit to using the frozen asparagus but I try to use fresh ingredients or ones that I have cooked whenever possible.   Give it a try and let me know how you like it.

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What Makes a Great Week?

First a visit from family, second lots of exercise, third a new meditation program, fourth a lot of great meals at home with some new yummy salads, and fifth a peaceful paddle in a kayak in the wilderness. Well, you know what, there is a sixth, and that is an overnight in Charleston before picking up our grand daughter at the airport for a weeks holiday in Florida.  Here is her smiling face after flying solo for the first time from Boston to Charleston.  A big adventure for her and a thrill for us to have her here for the week.  That is what makes a great week.