TRYING NEW THINGS

2022 will be about trying new things.

New things in clothing. 

Stepping out in my cheetah boots. 

New things in attitude. 

New ways of getting things done: better time management, and learning to pace myself 😉

I started the day off by going to Keenager’s this afternoon – it was a fun hour, as it always is. I was glad to see that everyone survived Winter illnesses, and avoided covid snares. I took Pam with me, and she enjoyed herself too 😊

When I got home, the temperature was a nice, sunny, 56-degrees; so, I changed my fancy blouse for a tee I don’t mind mucking up, and got busy tidying the front flowerbeds. Other homeowners have already begun pruning, pinching, weeding, ect. …

… but with my lungs, I like to wait until the outside weather is like today.

Huge flocks of geese flew overhead as I stepped outside the front door, but by the time the phone camera focused on the frenzied activity – they were winging into the distance.

The raucous uproar of migrating geese always makes me smile 😉

The geese are returning; I like it, but they are LOUD.

I weeded the front flowerbeds first, since those are the ones viewed the most: and liberally sprinkled Preen fertilizer over the exposed soil, fussed over the sprouting floral foliage, and placed supports where needed (upcoming rains will keep me indoors while the flowers grow up and up; supports need placed now); then I worked my way down the side property line … weeding and preening pots of sprouting tulips, jars of strawberry plants – the apple trees and blueberry bushes – the pots of dahlias, lilies, and lavender. I wrapped the yard work up by tidying the patch of foxgloves in the back of the house, and adding preen to the pots of miniature roses currently under shelter of the car port.

Colorful Primroses are blooming.

Crocuses are sprouting, and blooming.

The sheltered geraniums will be tidied, preened, … and set out in a sheltered section of the car port with the pots of roses to toughen up for their unsheltered placements, later on this month; when Jack Frost takes a hike until Fall 😉

My hands really take a beating when I am dinking around in my flowerbeds and garden area. It’s a good thing I am not a vain woman wrapped up in self-image: I like to feel the earth as I work it, so getting muddy dirt on my clothes and under my nails doesn’t bother me.

My nail polished nails are not looking very 'polished' after cleaning up the flowerbeds.

Salvaged nail job after a thorough cleaning with a soapy nailbrush.

I didn’t really do much more than an hour’s worth of garden chores outside, and that’s okay; enough got done in that short period of time to make a difference in the overall appearance of the lot to satisfy Management, and passersby. At 65, I don’t try to do a month’s work in one afternoon anymore – I’m learning to pace myself productively.

My Christmas Cactuses continue to pump out blossoms – the pink one in full bloom again, the white one with buds sprouting.

My 21-year-old Christmas Cactus has bloomed non-stop since the first of November 2021.

And the flowering slips I potted up in the Fall of 2021 need transplanting – that needs to get done before long because I need the space they occupy now, to start my veggie garden seedlings.

These Christmas Cactus and Geranium transplants will be divvied up and handed out as freebies to friends I’ve acquired in various local Senior Clubs I frequent – both plants will last forever if taken care of.

Christmas Cactus clippings are blooming - and have been labeled with flower colors; pink or white.

The Geraniums need repotting - they have bloomed, been color labeled, and pinched back twice.

My day was fun-filled, and productive: I am satisfied.

My thoughts were geared towards establishing {home} in this place Bob, and Elohim, insist I keep: I am trying a new thing by actually complying.

My evening was ushered in with a colorful flamingo-pink sunset: I am blessed.

Tonight's sunset ... it looks like the sky mimicked the tree top. LOL

The phone picture feature does not do the sunset colors justice; they were more vibrant.

4 MILE HIKE IN 3 PARTS

Recommendations from health and fitness experts is that one should walk 5 miles daily – even at 60+; I can’t do that with my gimpy leg.

WALKING BENEFITS: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/average-walking-speed#takeaway

But I think I should be able to handle 4-miles without inflaming that piriformis muscle.

So that is what my starting point is … and I got that underway this morning.

I stopped at the Short Stop Store, across from the Boondox, to grab a quick bite; it’s been a while since I’ve been there. It was strange walking into that store without Bob – I’d always been with Bob and the kids (all the kids; grands, includes). For 44 years, Bob and I had stopped there, off-n-on; getting from point A to point B along Ocean Beach Highway. Walking through the door went okay: my stomach did not get queasy, and tears did not sting my eyes. I found I could speak without a shaky voice while the cashier checked me. My heart is healing.

It was 60-degrees outside, and the Plan was to walk Lake Sacajawea, because that is a guaranteed 4-mile hike if one walks the entire Lake Trail. The trail was workable today (flood waters had abated) – parking was not. I drove around the lake three times hoping for open spot to slide into, before going elsewhere to do my 4-mile walk. There was curb-side parking, but I would rather park off-road, in the little off-road parking lot.

I left downtown Longview, and parked in the parking lot on 30^th and Pacific Way; to walk that end of the Pacific Way Trail.

I didn’t get very far into the hike (31 minutes – 15 minutes walking, turn around; 15 minutes back), before I had to leave due to drifting smoke on the air.

30th & Pacific Way.

A bedraggled fuzzy-wuzzy; did not look healthy, at all.

Mating Mallard Ducks.

“We’re Having a Baby, My Baby & Me”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrTPaa9kJ1o)

Goldeneye Ducks.

The Dike Hike ended after 31 minutes; due to brush burn smoke.

Brush burn with drifting smoke.

The 2nd fuzzy-wuzzy was a little livelier; healthier.

(https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/2020/04/02/creature-feature-woolly-bear-caterpillar/)

I was really beginning to think my walking aspirations were jinxed: no parking at the Lake … and now being run off the Pacific Way Trail by smoke.

But I was determined to get my 4-miles in!

So far, I’d only managed 1½ miles.

After the drifting smoke clouds forced me into the Highlander; I drove to Willow Grove, which is closer to home.

I added 2 more miles to my goal 😊

Exiting the Highlander at Willow Grove, I saw Mt. St. Helens - and a fluttering kite.

High tide.

The covered picnic areas are finished; last time I was here, the construction hadn't even begun yet - the founation was being laid.

The play area gym has been freed up - no more asinine covid barrier.

Kite man.

Snow-topped Mt. St. Helen's showing herself.

Busy Ocean Beach Highway - seen across Willow Grove's width.

All that is left of the white kite from 2019, is shredded tatters.

”Kites” 1969 song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQAm4wcK0vo)

Winter's sun in an afternoon sky.

Activities at Willow Grove.

Another reason masks are not a good idea.

The sun sliding over the horizon.

Moving into phase 3 of this 4-mile goal.

Willow Grove from Heron Pointe; 8 minutes.

The moon making an appearance.

Mt. St. Helens dominates the skyline; 3 mins to home.

After collecting the mail, and parking in the carport at home; I decided to relax my leg a bit. I balanced the checkbook, shredded the junk mail, and checked social media messages before putting my coat on and walking the final mile around the Park.

It was close to the dusking hour, but still light enough to walk without a light source.

The setting sun was lovely at the far end of the Park.

Sunset at the upper end of Heron Pointe; Industrial Way Rd in background.

Sunset over the Columbia; seen near my street.

Walking a daily 4 miles is doable without stressing that gimpy leg – and if necessary, I can even break it down into a 2-mile walk/twice a day 😉

ANOTHER YEAR OLDER

Happy Birthday To You/Heavy Metal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK5NLiCZyZo

Our oldest granddaughter texted me bright and early this morning, to say, “Happy Birthday”; I heard from our middle granddaughter, family, and friends throughout the day 😊

Today, I have outlived my mother – and both her parents.

Snow was still sticking around … but it has started melting.

The temperature is still in the low-30’s, but the sun rays peeking through the cloud layer was warm enough to melt the icy snow on tree limbs, and cause the ice layer on the street to soften, crack, and melt in places.

This melt is causing people to get overly confident and drive this street haphazardly; hearing the vehicles barrel down the street, and bounce off the high, concrete speed bumps, I am surprised none of them jumped the curb as they slid on the ice at speed too ridiculously high, given the circumstances.

32-degrees, and accumulated icy snow is melting; the drips look like sparkling diamonds.

Ice is visible now that the snow layer is melting away ... vehicles are driving way too fast for road conditions.

Snow doesn't stick around, here - but icy conditions DO.

I’m still feeling a little punk, so I took my temperature … but that appears to be normal.

Normal temperature range.

And I pulled my peak flow meter out of my purse, and paid attention to that reading.

Quick Relief Inhaler & Peak Flow Meter; I no longer use Flovent, but the concept is the same with the Albuterol steroid.

Out of the crisis zone, but still in the 'iffy' zone.

I have environmental asthma, which is easier to control. I don’t know what set my lungs spiraling out of control over the weekend:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/12/christmas-eve-asthma-attack.html)

I use an allergy blocking filter for the furnace, and I haven’t been outdoors in days. The house is as clean as a house can be when it’s lived in; and I use laundry soap/fabric softener, and bathing soap that is fragrance free. I’m careful what I eat, and drink. And I’m in relatively good health/physical shape, for a woman my age. There is little stress in my life at this point. And I’m mindful of the environments I expose my lungs to.

Asthma Attack: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20354268

3 Steps to Better Asthma Control: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-treatment/art-20044284

Asthma – Natural Remedies: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/home-remedies-for-asthma

What caused the severe attack is a mystery: nothing out of the ordinary has been happening. The sudden and unexpected attack is concerning. I have plans for 2022, that include out-of-state-travel – I do not want to be hogtied by asthma flareups.

So, I plotted road routes that stick to backroads … and also include medical facilities along the route. Though I am not supposed to be more than 20 minutes away from any medical help, I can’t allow asthma to make me a prisoner of my body or my location; some “nearest help” will be further away than the 20 minutes doctor’s want to allow me, and that can’t be helped – no one consulted me on highway layouts, or medical facility placements.

I do not make a place for fear in my life.

I have my inhaler with me at all times, and I keep my peak flow meter in my purse always “just in case”.

My throat is still tender, so I ate a light Supper, drank a couple cups of tea sweetened with honey … watched a few Martin Sheen movies, and ate a bit of ice cream 😉

Sweet & Spicy Tea with honey; SO GOOD!

1 serving of Peppermint Ice Cream for the Birthday Girl. LOL

By the time the last movie ended the evening sky was highlighted with pink clouds, backlit by a golden glow as the sun slipped over the horizon.

Sunset.

I want my remaining time to be as beautiful as that sunset; I am not going to allow my physical handicaps to keep me from enjoing a life worth living 😊