Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

A little break

This morning was the hottest morning yet for walking. I went on the connect the path route again knowing it would be a bit cooler under all the trees. A mile into my walk and I was soaked. I saw a few people out and they all looked as hot as I felt. I walked passed a yard with a sprinkler going and just walked right in it. Boy did that feel good and I felt lots better after getting cooled off. I probably should have cut my 6 mile walk down a mile or two. I'm sure glad I walk first thing in the morning.
Saturday I got a little bit of a sunburn on my shoulders and my sweating this morning made little water blisters and now my shoulders are peeling.
I'll be staying home today inside where it is nice and cool!

Today is my Sister in Law Kathy's birthday so I want to wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I just got off the phone with her. So nice to have a sister in law who is also a friend. :-)

This will be my last post for a little while. Taking a little break from blogging. Not long, I'll be back in a week or so. I'll still be posting on my photo blog and I'll still be around reading blogs.

Enjoy your days. Be back soon.
Happyone :-)
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
~Irish Blessing

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Garden, Water, Clouds

Hot once again this morning. I walked the connect the path route and stayed mostly under the trees along the paths where it was coolest. It really isn't bad walking first thing in the morning. Its only later on when it really heats up. I didn't see anyone I knew walking and just saw two others out. It was the last day I'll be seeing kids going to school because it's the last day for them. Traffic will be a lot less too during the summer. The kids had to go a bit longer this year because of all the days they had to take off because of the snowy winter. Not much wildlife about today either. Just saw the usual rabbits and birds. I walked my usual 6 miles.

After my walk this morning I was watering the flowers in front and a woman stopped by pushing the cutest little boy in a stroller. I've seen them walk by lots of times and assumed it was her grandson. She isn't the grandmother after all but the Nanny and she has been a nanny for quite a few years. She is on family number 14 now!! She says that every morning they stop by because Zackery likes to look at the flowers and watch the birds. I have a fake turtle sitting there too which he likes. She asked me if I minded them stopping. I said of course not!!! I'm just glad someone finds my little front garden pretty. :-)
Yesterday at my knitting group a few women were talking about a place they thought was a great restaurant called the Tomato Palace. I had never heard of it and on their recommendation Ken and I went there last night to check it out. We had pizza and it was pretty good. Not the best though and we probably won't go back for that, but maybe we'll try something else there some time. The nice part about the whole place was where it is located. It over looks a lake and you can eat outside on the patio looking out at the lake. We ate inside because it was very warm. But afterwards we sat in one of these benches and looked out over the water. Its only about two miles from home. I noticed it has a walking path around it. I could walk there from my house but I would have to cross a couple of busy streets. Maybe someday I'll drive over and walk around it.

Some areas got rain and thunder storms last night but we didn't get a drop of rain. The clouds were pretty spectacular looking and I took these standing by the front door.
Today I made birthday cards, packed up presents and got them ready for mailing for my two granddaughters whose birthdays are coming up.

A happy Wednesday to you!
Happyone :-)
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.
~Thomas à Kempis

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Box Turtle

Another hot morning walk but it was cloudy out so it didn't seem so bad though the humidity kicked in later during the day. Today I walked around the lake. I didn't see very many of the usual people I see but still plenty of people about. I asked Barb about the dog Angel that was missing and I'm sorry to say she has never been found.
Walking along the path by the water to the lake a deer jumped out in front of me across the path which startled me. I stopped to take a picture of this box turtle which I think is laying eggs.
Last night we finished watching the last of season 3 of Mad Men. Season 4 is due to air next month I think so it will probably be quite a while until we get to see it.
Last nights ice cream flavor for me was chocolate chip and Ken's was coffee (a flavor that I DON'T like).

After breakfast I gathered up my knitting and went to the Tuesday Knit group. We gathered around 2 tables and just added chairs as more people showed up. There were about 15 people there. I worked on a baby blanket. Every time I leave and walk back to my car there is another Corvette that always parks next to me. It's a C6 and dark red. I always mean to ask if it's one of the other knitters car but only think about it when I see the car parked next to mine.

I'm home this afternoon just doing a few things around the house.
Hope you all are enjoying your Tuesday.
Happyone :-)
I really like this quote!!
How often in life we complete a task
that was beyond the capability
of the person we were when we started it.
~Robert Brault

Monday, June 21, 2010

Swimming & fishing in the lake!

It was pretty warm out there walking the last couple of mornings, but oh so much better than all the ice and snow of winter. I will NOT complain about it being warm! :-) Yesterday I walked around the lake and the whole time I was walking there was someone swimming being followed by someone in a boat. A fisherman was also fishing from his boat.Though there is no swimming allowed in the lake, they probably got permission for some kind of training. I still don't see how anyone would want to be swimming in that water. Can you imagine all the geese poop there must be in there not to mention all the fish and snapping turtles!!
Down at the little end of the lake the water lilies have taken over and you can't even see any water. Lots of people out around the lake yesterday.
Today I stayed away from the lake and walked my connect the path route. Even though it was another hot morning, walking the paths is pretty cool under all the trees. Not many people out along them which always makes it nice. Bunnies, deer, and all the usual birds along the way. The only people I ran into were over by the school. A few kids riding their bikes to school and even a few skateboarders skated past me. One kid even said good morning to me!!
Yesterday I walked a bit under 6 miles and today was a 6 mile day.

I got a load of clothes hung out on the line and then left for the commissary. Just a quick trip in and out for a few things. I got to use one of the mini carts again and went in the 20 item checkout lane. Monday's are not very crowded but you don't have such a good selection of things after the busy weekend, but I got everything I needed.

Next stop was at Michael's to get some knitting needles for my next project but they didn't have the size I needed. I could have gone to Joann's but didn't feel like going there too because I wanted to make a stop at the library and I was starting to get hungry for lunch. At the library I returned a couple of books and got out another. I also finally got my address changed after living here for over a year now. As I was coming out of the parking lot the line painting truck was going the way I was going to go painting new yellow lines on the streets. I went the other way instead and went home another way. I didn't want to take any chance of getting yellow paint on my car. School was just letting out too and I was surprised they were painting the lines when there were cars all over the place.

I had some lunch when I got home. I picked up some nice tasty strawberries at the commissary so I had a strawberry sandwich for my lunch. Always a favorite of mine.

Now it's time to get those clothes off the line, folded and put away. Then maybe I'll start on that library book.

Haven't decided yet what I feel like making for supper but there is still time for that.

Hope your Monday is a happy day for you and a good start to your week.
Happyone :-)
Don't let anyone steal your dream.
It's your dream, not theirs.
~Dan Zadra

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Be Happy

Every morning I read a page out of a little devotional book, Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

This days devotional really spoke to me and I'd like to share it with you this Sunday. It is why I truly have joy in my life. No not every day is happy but you can find something to be joyful about each day and if something bad does come along God will be there to help you through it. :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colossians 3:23 & 24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Jesus died so that you can enjoy abundant life, not just the days you are off work or on vacation or when you get to go shopping or golfing --- but every day of your life.

He wants you to enjoy going to the grocery store. He wants you to enjoy driving the kids to school. He wants you to enjoy paying the bills. He wants you to enjoy cleaning the house or mowing the yard.

You can enjoy life if you determine to do so. Say, "I'm going to enjoy every aspect of my life, because Jesus died so that I could have joy unspeakable and full of glory."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a joyful day today and every day. God wants you to. :-)
Happyone :-)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
to all you Dads!!!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

A Full Day

Yesterday was the golf tournament that was sponsored by where Ken works. We were the volunteer photographers and we spent the whole day driving around in a golf cart taking pictures. There were 35 teams of 4 players each and we got group pictures of all 35 teams. We took lots of candid shots throughout the day and pictures at the beginning and ending ceremonies too. It was a fun thing to do and I had a great time driving the golf cart around. I let Ken have a turn too once in a while. :-) Ken put all the pictures on a CD and will hand it in and they can pick out the pictures they like. We took over 300 pictures. The weather cooperated and it was a gorgeous sunny, low humidity day. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

Back to walking this morning. No particular route today, just walked all over the place, some paths and some streets. I saw the fox, lots of bunnies and a deer. Nice and quiet walking early on a Saturday morning. I stopped for a short chat with Gertie while we sat on the bench.
I walked 6.2 miles.

When I got back from my walk Ken was washing his cars. I walked around front and watered all my plants. (Pam - I took your advice and water them each morning now.)

I made us pancakes for breakfast and then we headed out in Ken's nice shiny clean Corvette. Since it was such a nice day we took the roof off and went to a car show near our house. It was small but nice and I took some pictures.
Firebird, my favorite of the day.Chevy TruckRemember going to the drive in?
Next we went to another car show at a Ford dealer. It was mainly Mustangs but a few other kinds of cars were there too.
Here's a Shelby Cobra
By that time we were hungry so we stopped at Ann's and bought chili dogs and ate them outside on a picnic table that they thoughtfully put out there for just that reason.

Next we headed down the road some more and went to Downs Park which is right on the Chesapeake Bay. Walked down a couple of paths and found a nice place to sit on a deck over looking the water. We were glad that we brought some chairs with us because it was a perfect place to sit and relax. Ken brought along a sketch pad for a little drawing and I had some knitting with me to do.
There was on Osprey sitting on her nest near by out on a pole in the water and we watched her leave and return to the nest a couple of times. We saw at least one baby.
Not such a good picture because I had to zoom in.There is a freighter in the distance and the Osprey nest is on the pole on the left.A couple paddled by in a little boat.Here's looking through the deck fence where we were sitting.
After a few hours at the park we left for home.
Home for awhile and then back out we went. This time to eat out at The Green Turtle. There are two of them near our house and we have always gone to the one by the mall but tonight we went to the other one. We were showed to a table, sat down and after a moment we looked at each and other realized neither one of us liked this place. It was dark and dreary. So we just got up, told them we had to go and went to the one by the mall where we enjoyed our dinner. Ken's line for doing something like this is, "We are the grownups, we can do whatever we like." I love that line!!

Home again and this time to stay for the rest of the evening. I'm about to go take a shower, get comfortable and then have my ice cream. Tonight the flavor will be Chocolate Cookies N Cream Supreme.

We surely did enjoy our day. I hope you enjoyed yours too.
Happyone :-)
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
~Anaïs Nin

BTW - Remember those cookies I mailed to my Dad? I packed them well, not a one of them were broken! :-)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Nice new streets

A sunny morning with low humidity which made my walk super nice today. I walked around my neighborhood and then over to and around the lake. Along the path to the lake where the stream runs I saw two deer in the water. Once they saw me they took off running up the stream for a bit and than jumped out of the water and ran up the bank. As I approached the lake I saw two herons take off flying.
A lot of people out on such a nice morning. I don't usually see many bike riders around the lake but today there were 5 of them. I stopped to talk to a few people today and noticed others stopping more often than usual talking to people. Seems this kind of weather puts most everyone in a happy mood.
I walked 6 miles.
I won't be walking tomorrow morning because I'm leaving 6:45 in the morning to go with Ken. His work is having a golf tournament and we will be driving a golf cart around taking pictures of the event. It should be fun and I'm looking forward to it. I'll wear my new khaki jeans and they have provided a shirt and ball cap.

The final paving of the roads in my townhouse complex are being done today. Nice weather so they should finish all the streets. They did the road in front of my house first thing. I spent a lot of time looking at the front windows watching them work. I guess there are some things that we never get too old to like to watch. I took these pictures.

















The weather is nice today, a bit on the windy side but I ate my lunch outside on the deck. It was nice to sit out there and get a little reading done too.

A blue jay paid my bird feeder a visit. I know they are supposed to be mean but this one seems very nice and he sure is pretty.

We've been enjoying a bit of that ice cream each evening. Ken always dishes it out. That is the reason I don't eat too much of it at one time, and we only eat it in the evening.
The past nights we've been watching New Tricks and Mad Men. Today, an old movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's came in the mail from Netflix and we'll be watching that this evening.

Enjoy the rest of your day and I hope all is well in your part of the world!
Happyone :-)
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed
only if there is light from within.
~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A new route and a good cleaning





This morning was another warm one but today there were a couple of rain showers to cool me off though light enough that I didn't get wet. The rain felt good and it had that wet pavement smell that I like. I planned out a new route today walking down some paths and along the streets too. It's another connect a path route. I was trying for a 6 mile route but this one was a little bit longer at 6.5 miles. Its a nice walk with a good variety of walking places and no back tracks. I think most people walk the same route every day because I see the same people on the same paths. So I was surprised to see a walker that I see when walking around the lake on the path over by the school.
Didn't see very many people or animals, a very quite walk today.

A bit of paving did get done yesterday - two streets - and one of them happened to be our back street by the garage. More work got started this morning but after it started raining they all packed up and went home. So paving will continue tomorrow.

My two granddaughters have birthday's coming up next month. Taryn reads my blog sometimes, so I won't mention her present. But I can mention Scout's. She will be 7 and her present will be her first Vera Bradley purse. Its an Audrey and just the right size for her. :-)
I figured I'd get myself a little something too, so I got a Mini Hipster (red).
I'm having another stay at home day and today I'm cleaning the living room. Not just the everyday surface clean, but a "good clean." The kind that takes the whole day. I'm taking a break from it right now and will continue after I eat lunch, which I'll do when I get done here. A baked potato and salad sounds just the thing.

I hope this Wednesday you find bits of happiness scattered throughout your day.
Happyone :-)
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A pyramid of ice cream

We got up a little earlier than usual this morning so I was out of the house walking a couple of minutes after 6. Though it was still pretty warm out it was cooler than it has been the last couple of days. There was also a bit of a breeze which was nice. I walked around the lake and saw a few people who I haven't seen in a while. They told me that they have been walking earlier when it's cooler. I saw the people I see every day too, only a little farther into my walk.
The topic of conversation around the lake today was about a missing dog named Angel. Neighbors were watching her for neighbors who are on vacation and Angel ran away so we were all on the lookout for her. She was last seen by the lake.
One of the Canada geese was up from the lake on the grass pulling out a bunch of his feathers. I don't know why he would do that. I guess he's upset about something.
The baby geese are no longer babies and I can't tell them from the adults anymore.
There are a few places like this around the lake where you can get a nice cool cup of water and lots of people take advantage of it. I don't drink while I'm walking though because I'd just have to stop and go to the bathroom. I wait until I get back home to have a drink.
I had an enjoyable 6 mile walk.

We did go to Mama Lucia's last night for supper. We both had Penne Rose. Lots of left overs to bring home. I only ate a third of mine!!
We stopped at Weis before coming home to get some ice cream. It was on sale - two for $5.00 so we stocked up. We have a whole shelf in the freezer with nothing but ice cream on it. :-) That should last us quite a while!!!

Thanks to everyone who identified that big white flower as a saucer magnolia.

I baked chocolate chip cookies this morning and wrapped three dozen of them up and packed them in a box with lots of padding around them. I plan to mail them to my dad for Father's Day, now that I have the right day! :-) I've never mailed cookies before and hope my dad doesn't receive a box of crumbs. So if you're reading this Dad, be on the look out for your cookies!!

The final paving of the streets has begun. I've watched them clean the streets so far and as I write this that's about all that has gotten done so far. Hopefully things will start moving a bit faster this afternoon - the whole job is supposed to be done in two days.

I didn't go to my knitting group because I didn't want to get stuck not being able to get my car back in the garage. We can park across the street in the parking lot but I don't want to leave my car there overnight. As it turned out I could have went to the knitting group and been back home without a problem.

I didn't finish the ironing from yesterday so I'm off to do that now. Then I'll probably do some knitting or read afterwards.

Hope all is well in your part of the world and your day is a good one.
Happyone :-)
There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause
than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.
~Robert Brault

Monday, June 14, 2010

Happy Monday

Yesterday it was hot and humid as I took my morning walk around the lake. There were quite a few people out getting their exercise done before the heat of the day.
I saw deer, geese and the wild life I usually see with a couple of bonuses. I saw an owl sitting on a branch of a tree and it's big eyes looked as if they were looking straight at me. Really cool!! The other was a green heron! I didn't know what it was, but someone who also stopped to look at it told me. They are much smaller than the blue heron. I hope to get a picture of it one day!

All last week I thought that this past Sunday (yesterday) was Father's Day. Earlier in the week I made sure I got my Dad his Father's Day card in the mail on time and yesterday while I was walking, I called him and wished him a Happy Father's Day. With a laugh he said, "Thank you Karen, but Father's Day is next Sunday."
I can't believe I had the wrong day!! I guess that can't be considered a senior moment because it lasted for days!! Oh well, it's better early than late! I wished him a happy day anyway. :-)

I went to church yesterday and then we mostly stayed home. Just went out and did a few errands. Ken made us a dinner of sausage, peppers and onions, which we ate on a sub roll with some sauce. Yummy!!

Andrew - I did have ice cream for my snack last night and it was good! :-)

Well, now here it is Monday. I had my morning walk around the lake. I've taken lots of pictures of wildlife, flowers, paths, the lake, and even a unicyclist but today I saw something a bit different. A man taking his poodle for a walk in a pet stroller!! I asked if I could take a picture and he said yes. So here is Daphne enjoying her walk! :-)
This little bunny didn't run off as I walked by so I figured he was wanting his picture taken so I obliged him.It was another hot, humid morning and I was soaked by the time I walked 6 miles. Not so many people out as yesterday but still quite a few considering how warm it was.

I'm staying home today and doing a few things around the house. I have just taken my clothes off the line, and I'll be ironing later. I've started visiting blogs but have a long way to go yet. I'll do some more of that later too.

Here's a short video of the Muddy River Falls I took the other day. I'd hate to tumble over it!!



After being home all day I'm thinking I will want to go out for supper. At Mama Lucia's you get the second meal for only $3.99 on Monday's so maybe that's a good place to go. :-)

Starting tomorrow our streets throughout my townhouse complex will start getting its final paving! :-)

Well, off I go to get some of that ironing done.
Hope your Monday is a happy one.
Happyone :-)
Rejoice in the abundant
blessings that fill your life.
~ Thomas Kinkade

Saturday, another day trip

Saturday, right after my morning walk we got in the car and left for another day outing. This time we went in the other direction and drove over the Bay Bridgeand headed out to St. Michael's, which is a small town on the Eastern Shore. We walked along the street and stopped in a few of the shops along the main street in town.
I'm not sure what this flower is but it sure is big and beautiful.I thought all the hydrangeas along the porch here were beautiful and made the porch look so cozy and cool on a hot afternoon.Kim - I know they are not blue, but I thought of you when I saw them. :-)

We left the main street and walked down here to the water.
There was a marina at the end and we stopped in at a restaurant along the water and had lunch. I had a small salad with grilled shrimp on the top. We could have sat outside on the deck but it was very hot so we decided to eat inside sitting by the window which is where I took this picture.We watched a few boats pull in and were amazed how well they maneuvered in such tight spaces.

After lunch we drove farther down along the water and crossed over a small bridge and drove on to Tilghman Island. Not much at all down there but it was a beautiful drive. We stopped to take a few pictures of this church and walked around the cemetery looking at the tombstones - some very old.When we came to the end of the road and couldn't go an farther we stopped to took quite a few more pictures. Here is one of them.
I will be posting more pictures on my photo blog in the days to come.

On the way home we were driving behind a car that was having a hard time staying in the lane. We both figured some one was on the phone. Not this time, when we got closer we saw that it was a girl putting on her makeup. She had the rear view mirror twisted toward her and was busy putting on coat after coat of mascara. She must have put on 8 coats of the stuff. We ended up laughing every time another coat went on. When we finally got up to a traffic light, we pulled up next to her and I looked over to see what she looked like with so much mascara on and she put on her sunglasses!! I hope she got to where she was going safely.

We arrived home just before supper time. Didn't feel like cooking anything at home so after short stop at home we went out for Ledo's pizza.

And that was our Saturday.
A very nice day indeed.
Happyone :-)
You don't need to travel long distances to revel in natural beauty.
All you have to do, most of the time,
is go outside and look at the sky.
~ Thomas Kinkade

I'll be back later today.
I haven't had time to visit blogs in the last few days and oh my goodness am I ever behind, but I'll try to get caught up today.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Colossians 3:15-17

15
And let the peace of God rule in your heats,
to which also you were called in one body;
and be thankful.

16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17
And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Have a blessed Sunday.
Happyone :-)
No time for blogging now.
Will get caught up in the morning!!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Friday Part 2, Deep Creek, Swallow Falls State Park

A post of few words but lots of pictures!
We arrived at Deep Creek just before lunch and drove around taking a look at things. Found a nice place to have lunch and ate outside.
We then drove to Swallow Falls State park and walked along a couple of the trails.Down the steps we walkedand along this trail.Came upon a mini falls.Walked along the river.Here is Muddy Creek Falls - it is a 63 feet falls and the tallest one in Maryland.That's Ken at the top of it on the left of the picture.Ken looking at me through the tree.
We had such a nice time at the park and Deep Creek that we decided to come back later in the summer and spend a week here.
We checked out places to rent and decided on this condo. It comes complete with everything!!It's right on the water and seems the perfect place for us and we look forward to to spending a relaxing week later in the summer. :-)

Today we went on another day trip. This time in the opposite direction.
I'll tell you about that one tomorrow.
I hope your having a fun weekend too!!
Happyone. :-)