Saturday:) Seven Sunset Surprise

“Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they will be pleasantly surprised.”

― Marty Rubin

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Every time I get a chance to walk at sunset, I’m always pleasantly surprised at the brilliant glowing sun, the tangerine skies, the reflective water, and the miracle of the sky before the sultry orb slithers below the horizon.

I have such a collection of sunsets on my phone that I can’t bear to part with, so I’ll share seven of the most recent in my collection. I could share a dozen or a hundred, but then there wouldn’t be that alliteration with the word Sunday, would there?

I didn’t push my walking too much today. You’re supposed to rest on the Sabbath, right? I’m not Jewish, but I’ll take what ever excuse I can get. Just kidding. I walked a bit in the morning and a little in the evening and several short ones with the dog during the course of the day. I was pretty pleased by the end of the day.

Happy Saturday, my friends.

Friday:) From Here to There and Two Pennies

“Every day is your lucky day. It’s all in your perception.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A nice morning walk with a few fun encounters. I decided to extend my walk by going down some streets that I normally don’t venture down. I crossed in the middle of the street to avoid some sprinklers and found a lucky penny. Cool!

Because it’s Friday, I wasn’t sure if I was going to feel like an evening walk, so I decided to just push myself and extend my morning routine. Playing that little mind game, I said, ” Let me see if I can do 3 or 4 miles today. I don’t think I’ll take my usual sunset stroll.” When I finally gave up and arrived home, I had gone over 5 miles. I am AMAZING! (But, you already knew that.)

It was starting to get warm, but I trudged on, crossing streets occasionally to get on the shady side. Another mid-block crossing offered yet another penny. Two lucky pennies in one day.

Later in the day, I got a text from my neighbor, Allison, saying that she had a brand new outdoor rug that she couldn’t use, and would I like it? Why yes! So, she threw it in her truck and dropped it off on her way to the store.

I took this opportunity to sweep up the back patio, hose down the cement, hose down all the really dirty furniture, and water all the plants, before putting down the new rug. Butterflies and dragonflies were fluttering around me as I worked, as if to say, “Nice job. Keep up the good work.”

BEFORE.

AFTER.

It was a good day, a lucky day, a gifted day, and…. of course, a Black Russian Friday. Cheers, my friends.

Quarantined Karaoke Thursday:) Virtual Duet-“Chances Are”

Mark Zuckerberg

“The incredible thing about the technology is that you feel like you’re actually present in another place with other people. People who try it say it’s different from anything they’ve ever experienced in their lives.”

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Still missing Thursday night karaoke with my friends. Bob and Joni always post an awesome karaoke song on Facebook on Thursday. Tonight, when Bob sang Johnny Mathis’ “Chances Are,” I started to sing along. Hey! Why not sing a virtual duet with Bob. Yes!

I hope you don’t mind the virtual duet idea Bob and Joni. I have a feeling it’s going to be a while before we get to get back to our old karaoke nights. 🎤

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And NOW, for my other SUPER POWER… (singing isn’t exactly my super power) But, I am proud of my determination and tenacity. I’m always pushing myself to walk a little bit more each day, as the weather permits. I think this is about my limit for one day. My feet are killing me!

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“I am lazy, but for some reason, I am so paranoid that I end up working hard.”

~Seth Rogen

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It was a pretty hazy lazy week, hot and humid and I felt pretty lazy. But, I did manage to walk every day and write my blog every day. Besides that, everything is a blur. 🤦‍♀️

A week in a peek…

My goal was to get at least two miles of walking in each day, but yesterday I did a little over 3 and today… tada…

It was finally cool enough (88) to add a little evening walk to my morning steps and catch the sunset.

I was missing my sunset walks.

Wednesday:) Walking On The Wild Side

“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

― Henry David Thoreau

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It was a beautiful warm and sunny day, the temps getting well into the 90’s. I’m very fortunate that my house stays cool, even on the warm days. Must be good insulation and sturdy windows. Most of the neighbors had their air conditioners humming when I went for my walk.

I love the beauty that Mother Nature shares while I walk on the wild side. “The tonic of wildness.” I enjoy taking pictures, observing, and soaking in the sights and sounds.

Two love birds by the pond, enjoying a Spring day.

Pretty pansies along the way.

A happy bird sharing a happy tune.

I’m proud to end the day in the greatest country in the world. We are going through some tough times, but count your blessings and not your troubles. Stay safe out there, folks.

Saturday:) Searching, Saving the Day, and a Sunset

“When you can’t make a decision, close your eyes, take a chance, and hope for the best.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I walk pretty much every day. I can count on one hand and have fingers left over, how many days I don’t get out for a walk in a year. It’s not only my thinking time, but I get to see beautiful sunrises and spectacular sunsets. Then, I also get to save the world from flat tires. Where’s my cape?

Dinner? What should I have for dinner? When I can’t decide, I close my eyes and reach into my over-stuffed jam-packed freezer.

I was hoping for chocolate ice cream, but pizza was good. Better than the cauliflower or cantaloupe in there.

After dinner, I went for a walk. I found a nail sitting smack dab in the middle of two different driveways along my route. I’ve picked up hundreds of nails on my daily walks throughout the years. I’ve gotten a few flat tires over the years, so I like to think that I’ve saved some neighbors and strangers from flat tires and the anguish and expense that goes along with it.

My reward for my caped crusader endeavors was yet another gorgeous sunset. Each evening, a perfect painting in the sky.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom:) Walking With the Angels

“If you seek creative ideas go walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes fora walk.” 

― Raymond I. Myers

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I walk pretty much everyday, sometimes twice. This is a great time for thinking, coming up with creative ideas, chatting with neighbors, but most of all, it’s the best time to pray. I’m not talking about praying the old fashioned way. Although, a few thousand Our Fathers and Hail Marys have been said, but, this is the time that I see a spectacular sunset or commune with fluttering butterfly. This is when I say “Thank you” to the Creator. This is when “the Angels whisper” to me.

The best advice I can give you is “GO FOR A WALK.” It’s good for your body, your mind, and your soul.

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom~ Walk a Mile in My Shoes

“Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes isn’t as much about the walk or the shoes; it’s to be able to think like they think, feel what they feel, and understand why they are who and where they are. Every step is about empathy.”― Toni Sorenson
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I often wonder how many pairs of gym shoes I’ve worn out during my many years of walking. How many miles have I walked, yet really haven’t wandered more than a mile or two from home? I’ve walked just about every day since I moved to Texas in ’04, and the 17 years in Hawthorn Woods, IL. Then, a few years in New Jersey. So, if you calculate about two miles a day for, let’s say 300 days a year for over 30 years…hmmm? That’s a minimum of 20,000 miles, but probably more than that. Some days I’ll walk 4 or 5 miles in one day. And where has it gotten me? It always takes me to a very good place.

Chicago is about 900 miles from McKinney, TX.  I could have walked there 22 times.

5,573 miles Distance from McKinney to Rome.  I could have walked there 3.5 times.(But I’d have to swim a little, but I don’t know how to swim.)

Well, you get my point. I walk for my health, for my recreation, and for my soul. It’s my thinking time, my happy time, my crying time. I need my walks.

But,  I do go through a lot of gym shoes. I’ve worn the soles off of these poor guys. 

Worn soles for worn souls. That’s why I share my daily blog. So, now you CAN walk a mile in my shoes. 

BY STEVE MUELLER LAST EDIT: MARCH 31ST, 2017 CONSCIOUS LIVING

The earliest traces of the enlightening proverb date back to the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans, who warned: “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”  

Nelle Harper Lee, an American authoress, was seemingly inspired by the saying of the Amerindians in her book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” where she wrote:

“You never really know a man until you understand things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1960

Tuesday Tip of the Day: Take Time For You

Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don’t believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it’s good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.Andrew Solomon

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Sometimes we don’t take care of ourselves, but we are more than willing to take care of others. Like the flight attendants say on the plane, “Put you mask on first , then assist others.” My take on it … You can’t help someone from a hospital bed or the cemetery. 

So, here’s where I share. I’ve been walking my neighborhood with friends or by myself for as long as I can remember. I enjoy it , but now I am taking it s lot more seriously. I’ve started incorporating some running too. Of course , I call it a joggle. 

I started joggling in June when I went to Chicago. I’d walk a little, then joggle a little. I got up to  1/ 3 mi run, then 2/3 mi walk, rinse and repeat for about 2 or 3 miles. I continued when I returned to Texas, smack dab in the middle of the Heat of summer. 

Yesterday morning ,  I finally got curious enough to map my run/walk. 

  
I was able to run almost 2 miles before I slowed down for a walk. Then , I ran at least another mile or more. In total I covered 6.46 mi before 10 am. Needless to say, I was very proud if myself. Exhausted …but proud. I did it for ME! 

And truth be told, as I’m running and pushing myself , I say  ( in my head of course ) “YOU are amazing!” And you know what! I AM!!! 

 
If you are reading this, thank you. Now, go and do something for yourself!

  
All red in the face, sweaty, and feeling AMAZING!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Inspiration

“Learn and grow all you can; serve and befriend all you can; enrich and inspire all you can.”~ William Arthur Ward

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The greatest honor one can receive is to be told that you are an inspiration. 

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Through all the painful hurdles, falling down, and  picking myself back up again, the one thing I am most proud of is my determination. When I set a goal for myself, I always complete it. 

My recent goal has been to keep up with my walking and exercise, even in this hot Texas weather. It’s way too easy to just give up and say it’s too dang hot. I’ve been going to kickboxing on Monday  and Friday, then Zumba  on Tuesday and Thursday at the YMCA. Wednesday is my non-Y day. The perfect opportunity to sleep late, but I can’t sleep anyway, so I set my alarm for 7 am. 

This morning was going to be a little cooler, so I was dressed and out the door by 7:15. I’ve added a little running to my walking routine. I walk a couple of blocks, then run around the pond, walk, then run, and keep going until I can’t go anymore. The last few times, I’ve managed four circuits, or about an hour. (Not bad for an old broad.)

  
But then, look at this beautiful view I have every day. 

There were several people out walking this morning, as opposed to the solitude on the scorching hot days. As I pass people walking their dog, or pushing a stroller, I always wave or say hi. 

Something pretty cool happened today. I was running around the pond, and I said, “Mornin'” to a young woman walking, all geared up with headphones, and a brisk gait. She replied the same with a smile and a wave. We continued in our opposite directions. About an hour later, as I ran past her with a slight wave for the fourth time, she took off her headphones as I passed, and said, “You are an inspiration!”

Wow!!! I said, “Why, thank you,” and continued my run around the pond, followed by my two block walk. Me, an inspiration to a neighbor? She must have seen me out on my daily walks before, and I was so honored that she took the time out to tell me that I inspired her. How cool is that? I actually got a little misty under my sunglasses.

Needless to say, I didn’t go home after my fourth loop around the neighborhood as usual. I continued to walk, then run a fifth lap around the pond, then walk back home to cool down. I was pumped.  After all, I AM AN INSPIRATION!