Thursday, May 15, 2014

Okay, I took a bit of an unexpected blog break.

Mostly because I've been overwhelmed with working on the house, computer issues at work, and end of the school year activities. But I've been making an effort not to just let the best time of the year pass me by - May weather is just glorious here. I've fit in as many walks as possible, some with my younger son and some on my own.
One day last week was spent at a continuing education conference on ethics and legal issues presented by an attorney who seemed to think quite a lot of himself. HIPAA, HITECH and the Omnibus rule. Yep, that's just exactly as exciting as it sounds. When I noticed the woman next to me had the same last name as me, I struck up a conversation, so at least I had someone to snark with over the presenter's choice of clothing: jeans, an oversized polo shirt and Crocs. Seriously, Crocs. The most effective form of birth control. I celebrated my release from the seminar by walking downtown to sit outside with a wine and cheese. That day's overheard conversation from the neighboring table was a guy who said he isn't really with his girlfriend anymore except that they own a ferret together. I also learned that it is their second ferret together and also that she's in grad school and no longer knows how to have fun.
And more walking. My younger son is occasionally willing to accompany me, but he much prefers to go off-trail. I also fit in a visit on Friday from a friend who was in town just for a day and I enjoyed catching up.
Sunday afternoon I met up with another friend for dinner at an outside table. It was so beautiful out that we sat for a couple of hours and then walked across the square for ice cream cones.
And I did say I'd been walking? It is meditative for me - my mind stills when I walk. And lately, my mind has been in over-drive so I need to be outside and moving.

32 comments:

  1. hey at least you have been having fun...and taking in some exercise on those walks...i could use some wine and cheese about now....when is lunch? smiles.

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  2. Haha, crocs are the worst. If you're not mowing the lawn or digging weeds, crocs are strictly off limits! Sounds like a happy kind of busy going on in your world, and I agree that walking is fantastic for clearing the mind. Enjoy all that beautiful sunshine.

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    1. I actually do have a pair of fake crocs for gardening. But I'd never wear them in public!

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  3. So glad to see you back blogging. You were missed.

    "Seriously, Crocs. The most effective form of birth control."

    HAHAHAHAHA! I could never wear them even if I did like them because they're made of rubber/plastic, and I can't wear anything like that on my feet.

    That photo of the wine and cheese platter looks so inviting. Wine and cheese are such a great pairing aren't they?

    "It is meditative for me - my mind stills when I walk."

    I know what you mean because it's the same for me. Often during the early evening, I will take a nice, long relaxing walk. So therapeutic.
    X





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    1. They are just so ugly. I don't get it. Why not wear sneakers if you're going for comfort?

      I know I'm happier when I get a chance to walk.

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  4. I used to work in the continuing ed field (medical), and those are some boring topics right there! LOL on the conversation at the next table. I always wonder about who gets the pet. Is there ever shared custody?

    Yeah on wine and walks!

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    1. I ONLY went because we are required to get CE credits on state-specific law every two years.

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  5. I remember mind-numbing seminars, 'death by powerpoint', and unruly staff who'd offer bribes not to go to the mandatory purgatory.

    I also remember how time-consuming selling a house can be, you have my sympathies.

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    1. I much prefer on-line course that I can breeze through on my own. And thanks.

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  6. A bit of burnout there and I like your remedy. Reassembling of the body part, nothing like a walk. I'm not well myself at the moment and can hardly wait to get back to walking.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that and hope you are better soon.

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  7. Such beautiful shots of places you go walking and that wine and crackers look inviting and refreshing! I do agree with walking can be a great place to think things through and just enjoy looking what is around you.

    betty

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    1. Somehow when I'm walking, I see things more clearly.

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  8. Being outside this time of year is such a treat for us as well. We have not gotten as many hikes in, but kid activities will slow down in a few weeks and we can catch back up.

    Glad to hear that about the Crocs--I don't own any.

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    1. I haven't hikes since the last hike I blogged about, but just walking still works.

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  9. Walking is very revitalising, especially after sitting in a mind-numbing conference for a day! (I like Should Fish More's description - mandatory purgatory) And you have such great scenery for your walks.

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    1. I know I'm lucky to have beautiful places to walk.

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  10. I love walking as well. Between the trees and the river, my mind slows down and I can breathe. And of course there are the dogs. I walk at an off leash park and there are lots of dogs so I can get my fill of dog love.

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    1. That's exactly the way I feel - like my minds just slows and is peaceful.

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  11. Hey, I may no longer live in my crocks, but I still love them. And it doesn't surprise me at all that your youngest would prefer bush whacking. I tend to go half an half myself.

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    1. Comfortable, I'm sure. But so hideous!

      I like to go off-trail myself.

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  12. Lions, crocs and ferrets oh my! Have you been on the yellow brick road?

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  13. I know that it is not polite to eavesdrop, but really, there are so many interesting things that you can learn. And when people talk loudly enough that those around them would have to try harder not to hear their conversation, I figure it is fair game. I love to watch people too. So did the guy look like a ferret too?

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    1. I agree - if you are going to talk in a way that others can't help but hear, is it really even eavesdropping? And he just looked like an average guy, but I had my back to him and only caught a glimpse.

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  14. I love how you make the most out of everything. It all sounds so perfect to me. Glad you took this time for yourself!

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  15. Did you discover any connection because of the same surname? I recently met a young lad for the first time who turned out to be a distant relative as well as someone very close to my family in the South of India.

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    1. She asked where my people were from, but there didn't seem to be any overlap in the recent past. But she didn't know farther than than a couple of generations and I bet if we'd been able to trace back farther, we'd have found a connection.

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  16. Walking is something I find very relaxing as well, but one I have been avoiding lately. Must put an end to that.

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    1. I always find that once I get started, I'm glad I did.

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