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, September 30, 2010

A walk in the rain

 I walked just a tad over 7 miles this morning in the pouring rain.  I walked around the lake and then some.  Great walking in the rain.  I wore my rain pants and took along that new huge golf umbrella.  This is going to sound silly but that umbrella got heavy after 7 miles!!  It was so nice listening to the rain on the umbrella and being practically the only person by the lake. The whole time out I only saw three men joggers and one other woman walking.  I see the woman all the time and we stopped to chat for a few minutes.  She is from Seattle and said she feels right at home in the rain. 
The only wild life I spotted today was ducks, geese, the heron and the white egret.  I stopped to watch the egret fly low over the water.  A few geese walked across the path in front of me and I could see the drops of water roll off their backs. 
The picture is of the little stream that runs along the path I walk on my way to the lake.  It is quite high already and it is supposed to rain a lot more today.  I'm sure later on it will overflow its banks.
I'm planning on staying home all day in this rain.
I may post again later tonight.
Enjoy your Thursday.
Happyone :-)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Baggers

This morning was a nice cool sunny morning for a walk.  I walked around the lake and then some and walked 7.1 miles.  A good start on the day with a good amount of steps already.  I walked the opposite way around the lake for a change so I got to see different people.  I'm not sure which way around the lake has the least amount of hills.  It's pretty much even no matter which way you go.  I spotted both the white egret and the heron.  I am pleased to say that they are both regulars at the lake now.  I saw four deer just as I started around the lake.  They stayed just long enough for me to get this picture before they all disappeared again.
 I also saw another one farther along.  I saw a few bunnies eating grass along the path but this one found something better to eat and had to stand up to reach it. Picture not very good but I was glad I could get him standing up.
The sunny morning turned into a cloudy morning as I headed out to the commissary.  I got there without any major traffic jams which was nice.  Things were done a little differently at the gate today.  More barriers were up to drive around and the guards scanned our ID's. 

Some renovations going on at the commissary.  They are putting in new freezers down at one end and enlarging the whole commissary.  Not really disruptive yet.  Just two aisles got moved and the entrance is down at the other end.  I had to get a lot of stuff so couldn't go through the fast checkout but there weren't many people and I didn't have any line to wait on at all.  Some of the cashiers were sitting there with no customers.  That is pretty rare!!!

The cashiers at the commissary only scan the prices. There are baggers who bag and bring your stuff to the car and only work for tips.  I always have the baggers just put my stuff back in the grocery cart and bring my own groceries to the car myself.  I ask them to put the bags in my cart because they use other carts to bring the groceries to the car. I park away from other cars and like to load my own.  I still tip the baggers though.  

I have green canvas bags to use and one of them is insulated for the cold stuff.  I always put all the cold stuff together so they can easily put it all in the insulated bag.  You wouldn't think it would be so hard for them to put the cold stuff in this bag, but they hardly ever do and today they didn't either.  The cold stuff was spread out in the other bags and the insulated one had cans and cereal in it.  They also put the bags in the wrong cart which I didn't notice until I had given them their tip.  When I said again that I wanted to bring my stuff to the car myself they just watched me load my cart again and repack everything.  I was so annoyed I wanted to ask for my tip back.  See I'm not always happy and can get annoyed too!!! :-) In the grand scheme of things this was no big deal and I was happy to leave them to their bagging, glad that it wasn't my job.

The cloudy morning has now turned into a rainy afternoon.  Just a light rain now but a lot more is supposed to be on the way tonight and tomorrow.  

I haven't started to read A Walk Across America yet because I have to get a couple of library books read, but I'll be reading it soon. 

As usual I have a few things to do around the house this afternoon and later will take some time to knit and read.

Hope all is well in your part of the world.  
Happyone :-)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Walking, Knitting, Reading

Back to my early morning walk today.  It was dark and rainy and I walked around the lake.  The rain was off and on so the umbrella was up and down quite a few times.  Walking around the first half of the lake I didn't see anyone and it was nice having the lake to myself.  People started showing up around the second half.  The white egret was in his usual spot by the foot bridge.  I think he was sleeping yet.  I also saw the heron standing at the edge of the water on the rocks.  Didn't spot any deer today but saw a few rabbits.  The geese were all on the water and were quite noisy.

We didn't go to the golf lesson yesterday because it was pouring rain.  I'm not sure if the lessons will just be extended a week or what.

It's Tuesday once again and I went to the knitting group.  It was inside at Savage Mill because of the weather.  It did clear up though and now it's sunny with big white puffy clouds and it's windy too.  More rain supposed to be coming in tomorrow afternoon.

After knitting I stopped off at the library.  Dropped a book off and got another one out.  Retired Knitter, a blogger friend and friend, gave me a book to read too called, A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins.  She did a review of the book this morning on her blog and I commented that I'd have to put that to the top of my reading list.  Being the nice person that she is, brought her book to knitting and gave it to me to read.  Thanks! :-)

I have a few house chores that need to be done and blogs to read before I can spend some time reading this afternoon.
Not sure what I'll be up to later yet. 

A happy Tuesday to you.
Happyone :-)

Monday, September 27, 2010

A late walk

It was rainy this morning when I got up and Ken and I had something to talk over before he left so I didn't walk until later this morning at 9:00.  It rained a bit yesterday, a lot last night and today the rain is off and on.  Good for me that during my walk it was one of those off times!! I was curious how many people I would see around the lake later in the morning.  There were a lot less people about.  I don't know if it was because of the rain though.  I saw one of the earlier walkers and we both commented that we were late today. 

I saw the white egret sitting on the bow of one of the boats for rent at the dock.  Looked like he was waiting for a ride.  There were quite a few ducks together on the water and once in a while one would chase the others and then they all started quacking.  One flew out of the water up on the grassy hill and then the others followed and they all started to eat.  It was almost has if they were arguing about where to go to eat. :-) 

I walked a bit slower this morning and stopped more than usual just to look at things.  Yesterday it was a bit cool and I thought today would be the same but it was quite muggy walking and I had to take my sweatshirt off. 
I snapped this picture to show that the trees are starting to slowly change color.
I got a late start today and I don't think I'm going to get much done today.  I might just as well have a do nothing day and read or something.  We have a golf lesson at 4:00 but not sure if it will be canceled because of the rain.  Will just have to wait and see.

A happy Monday to you.
Happyone :-)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Proverbs

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Have a blessed Sunday and enjoy this day that God has given us.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

A work day

A 6 mile walk this morning on the connect the path route.  A picture of the morning sky with the moon.
 Another warm morning and surprisingly quite a few people out.  I left little early and it was still dark out. 

Right after breakfast we went to the old house and did a little more painting.  I gave the trim in the living room another coat of paint while Ken started cutting the paint in at the ceiling edge.  This picture is the kitchen/dining room and I'm standing in the living room taking the tape off around the trim. 
The kit/din room used to be the blue color you can see through the cutout.  We decided to paint the living room a very light beige.  I will post pictures when it is finished.
Even though the house has hardwood floors they have been refinished too many times so we have decided to put new hardwood floors in the library, din/kit and living room.  We went out and priced some floors and found just what we wanted at a good price.  That will be another project.  Once the house gets all this stuff done I'll want to move back in it! :-)

While at the house I also worked in the yard for a while and Ken trimmed some trees.  While we were working a couple of friends from the neighborhood stopped by for a chat.

We had dinner out at a Mexican restaurant and then picked up a new supply of ice cream at Weis.   Just got finished watching an episode of Nurse Jackie while eating ice cream.  In just a bit we'll watch another episode and I think I'll do a little knitting.
And that's been my day.
Hope you had a happy Saturday.
Happyone :-)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fog, muffins and golf clubs

This morning I went for a walk in the fog.  This is the part of the path when I first get to the lake.  If you click to enlarge the photo you can barely see three people up ahead.  They look more like the shadow of a ghost.  Maybe if you can't see them and I can its because I know they are there.
 A very warm morning and because of the fog I was a bit damp.  Later when the sun came up and burned away the fog, it really warmed up and I was a lot damp from sweat!!  I saw two herons (one flying and one standing in the water), two chipmunks, and so many squirrels that I couldn't even guess how many!!!  Surprisingly there were quite a few people out in spite of the fog.  I ended up walking 7 miles.  I'm trying to keep my average steps up for the competition. :-)

This morning I did a couple of loads of laundry and hung them outside, got a loaf of bread started in the bread machine, and baked some chocolate chip muffins.  Muffins were from a mix so only took a few minutes to make.  The mix is a Martha White and the only thing I had to add to the mix was 1/2 cup of milk.  I like that the mix only makes six muffins.  Here they sit on a Fiestaware plate.
Since yesterday was a pretty busy day I didn't get to read any blogs.  Its amazing how far behind I can get in just a day or so.  While doing things around the house, every so often I would read a blog or two.  I'm just about caught up now.

I said yesterday that I would post pictures of our new Golf clubs and here they are.  I love the pink color of mine!! :-)  I'm sure having pink clubs will help my golf game!!

Charles Dickens is my favorite author.  I love all the characters he writes about.  They all come alive to me as I read his books.  One book of his I haven't read is Hard Times and in a little while I'm going to start reading it. :-)

I wish for you all a Happy Friday.
Happyone :-)
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
~ William James

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Quite a busy day

This morning it was pretty warm and I'm back to walking in shorts and a tee shirt.  The sun wasn't up yet when I left so I got to see the sunrise.
A tree limb broke off here and blocked the sidewalk.
Walking on the path that leads to the lake these balloons were at the edge of the road.  Looks like it was someones birthday and the balloons marked the way.  I had the urge to take a stick and pop them all! :-)  I didn't though!!
I walked around the lake and saw the usual wildlife.  I saw a heron in the water as I looked over the red foot bridge that I walked over.  Spotted the chipmunk again, saw a deer and her baby.  These were different than the ones I have been seeing because the baby was much smaller.  Cardinals, blue jays, ducks, geese and a groundhog were around the lake too.  People walking, running, fishing and a couple of boats out on the water.  I walked just a bit over 6 miles.

Ken took a vacation day and we spent the day together.  After breakfast we went to the golf course on base to look in the store there at the golf clubs.  They had lots of clubs but not complete sets with the bag like we saw at the other store.  We did see some golf gloves that we liked so we each got one.  Next stop was at the mall and we looked in a sporting store there.  They had some bags with clubs at pretty good prices but there was one other store we wanted to check out.  On the way to Dicks driving down Route 175  we see a truck coming off the off ramp from 95 who fails to stop at the red light at the end of the ramp.  Two cars ahead of us, a pickup truck tries to avoid the truck going through the light but doesn't quick make it and hits the truck.  The truck ends up on its side blocking the road.
and the front of the pickup is destroyed.  Luckily no was hurt, thanks to air bags and both men wearing seat belts.  The car in front of us had 4 military people in it who jumped out and got things under control until the police came.  Ken calling 911 hopped out of the car to help where he could.  It was pretty scary being so close to this accident and seeing it happen.

In a while we continued on our way to Dicks and there we ended up buying our golf clubs.  We couldn't resist because they were the least expensive ones we saw and were on sale for half price!! 
We saw this golf umbrella too and decided to buy it.  I might use this huge umbrella on a rainy morning when I go on my walk!!  Here I am in the parking lot checking it out while Ken takes the picture.
We had lunch at Ram's Head and then went home to check out our new clubs.  I didn't take pictures but will and post them tomorrow.  We went down the road to the golf course at the driving range and practiced some putting and driving.  It was pretty hot out and by the time we were done we were really hot and thirsty.  Back home to cool off and get a drink.  We ended up going out to eat for supper too at Longhorn. 

Quite a busy day we've had today and except for seeing that accident a very nice one too.
Hope your Thursday was a good one.
Happyone :-)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Hair day

A warmer than yesterday morning but still not too warm to enjoy a walk around the lake.  I saw squirrels digging holes and burying acorns, a snail making its way across the path, a cute little chipmunk, a groundhog, and a deer and her baby.  There were lots of people walking and running around the lake and a few fishing boats were out on the lake too.  My son David called while he was walking too so we talked and walked together for about a mile or so. :-)  I walked 6.6 miles. 

Yesterday Ken worked late and then went out to eat with a few of his coworkers so I went for another little walk in the evening.  I stayed on the sidewalks where it was lit.  I spotted these three deer.  Just on the other side of the trees where they is a busy road and I was hoping I wouldn't scare them and have them run out in the road.  I didn't and they just stayed there and let me take their picture.

When I mentioned about using up all my photo space on blogger a few people were wondering how much space they had left and didn't know  how to find out.  For those of you don't know, Blogger stores the pictures on Picasa and you can go there and see all the pictures you have posted on Blogger.  The amount of space you have used and how much you have left are shown at the bottom of the page.  Use your Blogger password to log on.

I had a hair appointment to get my hair dyed and trimmed this morning.  I thought it was for 11:00 and thought I had plenty of time and was doing this and that.  Then at 10:05 I looked at the calendar and realized that the appointment was for 10:30.  So I hurried up a bit and made it to my appointment with 3 minutes to spare.  It was nice to see Cheryl and catch up with her.  She hasn't been blogging that much lately so I didn't know what was going on with her.

I never did eat breakfast so had breakfast for lunch when I got back home.  It's mid afternoon now and I'm off do to my exercise tape and then I'll do a few things around the house and spend the rest of the time knitting or reading. 
I think its a good night to go out for pizza once again!!  Can't go more than a week without pizza!

Hope you get to do something fun today.
Happyone :-)
All the pictures on my blog can be clicked on to enlarge them.  I only say this because some have mentioned that the pictures are small.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A beautiful day

Quite cool this morning as I started out on my walk.  Only 46 degrees but it was a beautiful morning once the sun came up.  The air was crisp and cool and it really felt like Fall.  These kind of mornings are my favorite ones for walking!!  I walked the connect the path route and then some.  It was just so nice I wanted to keep walking.  Ended up walking 7.3 miles.  Along one path I saw a family of deer - mom, dad and two babies.  On another path I saw a mom and two babies.  Not many people out but then I don't see as many along the paths as around the lake.  The picture is one of the paths I walked along.

The golf lesson went well yesterday.  We did a little more putting, learned how to hit balls out of the sand trap, and practiced at the driving range.  The hour flies by.  Of the three of us taking the lessons, I am doing the worst but I'm having fun and Patrick is still very patient with me! :-)  I still haven't taken any pictures but I will try to take some by the end of the lessons.  Only 2 more to go.  Then it will just be lots of practicing.  It is really helpful having the lessons.  At least I know what I'm doing wrong!

After golf we went out to eat and right next door was a golf store so we went in and looked around after we ate.  I'd never been in a store that was entirely golf stuff.  What a fun time just walking around and looking at all the little extras!!  I've picked out a nice beginners woman's golf bag and clubs in a nice pink color!!  I'm thinking a very nice Christmas present perhaps!! :-)

I've just about used up the picture space on blogger with 98% used up.  I thought about not blogging, (for a few seconds) then thought about starting a new one but then just decided to buy more space.  It is very cheap - only $5 a year.  So I did that yesterday. 

Tuesday has rolled around once again so off to knitting I went this morning.  Enjoyed my time as usual talking and knitting with friends. 

I'm in the middle of ironing now and just took a break to post this blog and read a few more blogs.  Back to ironing now.

Have a happy Tuesday.
Happyone :-)

Monday, September 20, 2010

What a beautiful

day we are having - sunny and bright. I took my usual morning walk.  I walked around the lake and went 6.5 miles.  It started out very calm but the wind picked up a bit and I had trouble keeping my ball cap from blowing off my head.  Stopped to talk to a couple walking friends who I haven't seen for a while.  They are now walking later again since it has been staying dark longer in the morning.  I didn't hear very many birds this morning, though there are lots of crickets or grasshoppers around making for a noisy morning.  The cute little chipmunk was there once again but I didn't see any deer.  Mondays are pretty quite around the lake and I enjoy that.  Sometimes I feel that this is my very own lake.

A good day for laundry and I have two loads outside drying right now.  Staying home today getting some cleaning done.

Number two golf lesson is later today.  Ken will have to leave work a little early so we can be at our lesson at 4:00.  Looking forward to that.  Glad the weather has been so nice for these lessons.  I probably shouldn't have said that, next week it will be raining!

Well, I'd better get back to work.
Hope your Monday is bright and sunny.
Happyone :-)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

A Sunday morning walk

I walked to and around the little pond this morning.  I walk straight down the road I live on, make a right and the pond is down that road a ways.  Only saw a couple of people out walking and they were people I usually see walking around the lake.  They were on their way to the lake.  As I got to the pond I saw a heron at the waters edge, he flew up, around the lake and then left.  A couple of geese and ducks where there too. There were two fishermen there as well.  I've posted a picture of the misty pond on my photo blog if you care to take a look. A nice cool morning and I walked 6.8 miles.



Have a blessed Sunday and do something nice for someone.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Not a happy person

I got up just a little bit earlier than normal and was out the door walking at 6:10.  I walked the connect the path route around the neighborhoods.  Along the first path I came across four deer.  Didn't take a picture because it was too dark.  At the end of the path I saw a fox and that was it for the wildlife.  Not many people out either and one of the people I saw was not a happy person this morning.  I saw a young couple walking up the sidewalk walking their dog.  As they approached I smiled and said Good Morning.  He said Good Morning back and she just stared at me.  I know I shouldn't have said anything but I said, you don't look very happy.  She looked me in the eye and said **** You!  I said Whoa with a kind of smirk on my face and just kept on walking.  I hope her day turned out a bit better than the start of it!!
Except for that little incident I had a very nice early morning walk of 6.5 miles.

We had a pancake breakfast and then left to go to the RV show at the Timonium Fairgrounds.  No plans to buy any but just thought it would be fun to walk around and look.  They had everything from little pop ups to huge bus type ones.  I got a lot of extra steps in today there!!

We went to a pub near the fairgrounds for lunch and then headed back home.  We went the long way for a little ride. 
Went out again and did a few errands around town.

We have a movie called The Stepfather we got from Netflix.  We will watch that later and have some ice cream.

The weather here today was beautiful.  Temperatures in the 70's with lots of sunshine.
Hope all is well in your world this Saturday.

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Pole is Gone!!

I walked around the lake today and then up the road for a bit and walked seven miles.  It was a bit warmer out than it has been but not so warm that I was hot.  Saw lots of the regulars out and some people I've never seen before too.  The geese were all gathering in one of the open fields.  They look like they are getting organized to fly off to warmer climates for the winter.  A lot of geese stay at the lake throughout the winter.  I wonder why some go and some leave?  I saw lots of Robins too and a few Blue Jays.  The little chipmunk scurried across the path again.  I'm sure there are many of them but I saw this one in the same area.  In the grass along the path was a ground hog and a few rabbits were about as well.

I've joined another TrackerWalker competition and it started yesterday.  This is a LONG one and ends on Christmas Day!!  Even though my steps yesterday were over 20,000 I am only in 5th place so this will be a bit more difficult to come in number one!!  The goal is for everyone to walk 15,000 steps a day.  What I have going for me is that I walk regularly and not only a lot a few times a week.  I am kind of like the tortoise in the hare and tortoise.

A few weeks ago I got a notice in the mail saying it was time again to take my car for its emissions inspection.  It was said that Thursdays and Fridays have the shortest lines so I went there today.  They were right.  There were only two cars ahead of me in my line and it went without a hitch.  My car passed and she is good for the next two years.  I'm next in line here and took the picture through the windshield.

When I got home Verizon had taken their stuff off that pole in the middle of the street by my house and workers were there taking down the old telephone pole.  Of course I watched and took pictures.
Lifting the pole up.
 Out it comes.
 All the way out.
 Filling the hole with bags of stone. 
They didn't bother taking the stones out of the bags but just threw in the bag and all.  Only the last few bags did they open and just throw in the stones.
 The barrel goes back and waits for the road to get patched.

A nice sunny day so I washed a couple of loads of laundry and hung them outside.  My dryer sits inside not being used and I think of how much electricity I'm saving. :-)

The rest of the afternoon will just be routine.  Doing a few things around the house and then reading or knitting until supper. 

Not sure what we are doing for supper.
Hope your Friday is a bright sunny day for you.
Happyone :-)

Thursday, September 16, 2010


A cloudy morning for my walk today but I did get a peek at this sunrise before it clouded over.  I walked around the lake.  Walking along the path just as I got to the lake 8 deer crossed the path in front of me.  They were various ages and looked like an extended family.  I saw the Rouen ducks and got this not so good picture.  Six of them took off flying as I walked up the hill to take the picture.  These started running away so I was lucky to get even these.  I'll work on getting a better picture!  A cute little chipmunk ran in front of me across the path too.  They are quick little things!  I still see the rabbits around but not as many.
Not all that many people out by the lake which always makes walker around the lake nicer.

The new recipe I made last night was called Spicy Pork Chop Casserole.  It was okay but not something I'll make again. Though the pork chops were delicious the bottom mixture not so good.  I think it had too many different spices and I wouldn't put in the tomatoes.  I'm not bothering writing the recipe here unless someone would like it.  A while after supper we headed over to Rita's and had our snack there.  We both got a Gelati with vanilla ice cream and raspberry ice. 

I did a few things around the house and then decided to go out to the library.  Last night I finished reading the last book in the Miss Julia series, Miss Julia Renews Her Vows.  I'm sure there will be more books added to this series.  As I've said before the books are a bit silly but fun to read.  Anyway I returned that one and only got one more book out (have 2 others checked out already).  While out I stopped for some gas and I'm happy to say that today I had a nice pleasant ride. That's my car parked in the library parking lot far away from all the other cars.

I got home around noon and was really hungry.  That's when I realized that I had forgotten to eat breakfast!!  So for my breakfast/lunch I made myself a pancake.  I usually just make pancakes on the weekend so it was a nice treat to give myself. I even put a dollop of whipped cream on it.  :-)

I have a few more house chores to do yet before I can sit and knit or read. 
Hope this Thursday you find some happiness scattered throughout your day.
Happyone :-)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Not a good car day

A nice walk this morning on my connect the path route through the neighborhoods.  The sun is not up yet when I start out on my walk now but when it did rise, it was a nice cool sunny morning.  As I came to the end of one path by the school I saw a deer and her baby.  That's the only wildlife I saw except for the birds and squirrels.  Only saw a few other people out too. 
Walked my usual 6 miles.

I started out going to the commissary to get a few things.  Didn't need very many items but it was a nice day and the ride would be nice.  I am making a new recipe for supper tonight and needed the main ingredient.  My neighbor across the street pulled out of her driveway first and then I went.  We got down the end of the street and someone was sitting in their car smack in the middle of the road doing who knows what.  She tapped her horn to get the person moving,  we sat there, I blew my horn.  We sat there.  We both blew our horns and that finally got the person moving.   Farther down the road I was a few cars back in line at a red light.  The first person (not the same one) is busy doing something and she takes off at the last second it is green and the light turns red and the rest of us have to sit through the light again.  Later on I'm in the right lane turning left and the person in the left lane starts coming over in my lane.  Luckily I have room to move over onto the shoulder.  Now I'm only 2 miles from home!  Okay I think that is three incidents and things come in threes so I'm free and clear now.  I get a few miles from the base and traffic is stopped!!  We sit and slowly creep up a few feet a time with very few cars coming the other way.  I sit in this traffic for 1/2 hour and finally give up, make a U turn and just come back home.  I didn't even feel like going around and going in another gate.  That was my frustrating morning in the car.  I was not a Happyone!  But once home I'm glad to be back and think if that is the worse thing that happens today I'm pretty lucky. :-)
I was home but without the main ingredient for my new recipe tonight.  This is when its nice to live near to the Giant.  I just walked over there and picked up the stuff I needed for the new recipe.  I'll make that trip to the commissary for the other stuff another day.

Just doing a few things around the house this afternoon before I read or knit.  Then I'll make supper.  If the new recipe turns out good I'll post a picture and recipe tomorrow.

Enjoy your Wednesday and hope if you had to drive anywhere it was a pleasant trip. :-)
Happyone :-)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Golf Lesson

A nice cool sunny morning for walking around the lake.  I saw a beautiful sunrise as I got to the lake.  I tried to get a picture of the Rouen ducks but they kept running away from me so the pictures all came out blurry.  I'll try again and one of these days there will be a picture of them here!  I counted three deer on the path to the lake and six more around the lake.  Two white egrets where at the waters edge.  The Canadian Geese were very noisy today.  Big groups of them took off flying together and then landed again on the other side of the lake.  It looked like they were getting organized for some big event and they were arguing about what to do!
I walked just a tad over 6 miles.

Our golf lesson went quite well.  We learned about the different clubs and what they are used for, how to hold the clubs, and about putting and driving.  We practiced swinging the club and then got to practice actually hitting the ball.  There is a lot more to golfing than just hitting the ball in a little hole!!  I was surprised that there was only one other person besides Ken and I in the class! But it was nice because it was like we had a private lesson.  Our instructor Patrick was nice, friendly, knew what he was doing and was a good teacher.  He was very patient with me.  I had trouble with swinging the club back and just couldn't get my arms to go the way they should.  He didn't get annoyed with me and kept at it until I got it right. Ken did quite well! We have three more lessons to go.  I think I could really get into this golf thing.  It will be more walking too. :-)

I took the cookies over to the neighbor who helped with the hutch yesterday evening.  He was surprised that I actually baked cookies for him.

Tuesday is knitting day so off I went to meet up with my knitting friends.  Nice day so we met outside again. 

I've had my lunch.  Now I have a few things to do around the house and then I will be able to sit down and read.

Pizza night tonight.  :-)

Hope your Tuesday is one fine day for you.
Happyone :-) 

Monday, September 13, 2010

A walk, the hutch, cookies and something new

A cloudy morning for a walk today and it was perfectly still.  I walked around the lake and it was like glass.  I could hear people talking across the lake!!  Didn't check the temperature but it was cool enough for me to wear a sweatshirt.  I saw the deer again with her three babies who really aren't such babies anymore!  Another deer bounced out of the woods on one side of the path and bounced right back in on the other side. A fellow walker alerted me to a turtle they passed along the path but by the time I got there it was gone already.  There is a kind of duck that is common at the lake.  They look like female mallards but they have some blue on their wing feathers.  I just looked them up and they are Rouen ducks.  I'll try to get a picture of one tomorrow.  Less people than usual around the lake, though it is usually quieter on Mondays.


I had fun yesterday getting the hutch all set up with the Fiestaware and as promised here is a picture.  I have been collecting the 6 original colors for years and I would like to have one of everything in all 6 colors, but some of the pieces are just way too expensive and I just can't make myself spend the money for it.  I have quite a few pieces and I'm really happy with what I have. :-)
I put all of my other old dishes I've collected in the bottom of the hutch.  They are different patterns and I like how the table looks set with all the different patterns all together.  This works good too because if one breaks it's no big deal.  No pattern piece to replace.


Now that all those dishes on the hutch I had to rearrange the cabinets they came out of. I have lots of room to spread things out and even have cabinet space that is empty!!  I've never had that before!!




The sun came out later in the morning so I was able to get a couple loads of laundry out to dry.  Then time for the usual house stuff.  Nothing fun about vacuuming and dusting but it sure does feel good when you are done and things look nice and tidy.

I baked some chocolate chippers for a thank you to the helpful neighbor who helped move the hutch inside the house.  I'll drop them off this evening.
I only ate one, but did eat some of the cookie dough too.
I still haven't had lunch so when I get done here I'll go and have some lunch.
Ken should be home from work early today at 3:30.  Then the both of us are going down the road to the golf course to have a golf lesson.   We are trying something new.  We signed up for lessons, four of them, one each on the next four Mondays.  Hopefully this will be fun! :-)

Enjoy your Monday.
Happyone :-)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A rainy morning

At 6:15 my eyes popped open to a dark and rainy morning.  I almost turned over and went back to sleep but knew I would regret it if I didn't get up and walk.  It was on the cool side so I was able to wear my rain paints and slicker without getting hot.  Took along my umbrella too and I stayed nice and dry.  Walking along the street listening to the rain on the umbrella, I was glad I decided to walk.  I walked along the sidewalks and went 6 miles.  Didn't see anyone at until a mile into my walk when I saw a trio of women running.  Didn't see anyone else until I was almost home, then saw another woman walking. The only animals I saw were crows and squirrels.

Now to get started on the rest of my day. :-) 

A blessed Sunday to you. 
Enjoy your day.
Happyone  :-)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The hutch and an evening walk

No walk for me this morning.  We got up and were on the road by 7:00 in the FJ with our utility trailer behind us.  We were off to Pennsylvania to my parents house to pick up the hutch.  With a stop for breakfast we were at their house a little after 10:00.  Loaded the trailer with the hutch had a couple hours visit and were back on the road headed home.  The nice cool sunny day was perfect for the ride up and back. Parked in front of the house we started to unload the hutch to bring it inside.  Our neighbors Tom and Michele were walking by and saw me having a bit of trouble with Ken trying to get the hutch up the front stairs into the house. Tom offered to help and him and Ken had both pieces up the stairs and in the kitchen in no time at all.  I'm going to bake some chocolate chip cookies for him to say thank you.
This picture of the Hoosier and cabinet is where I planned to put the hutch.  
The cabinet is now up in my loft and the Hoosier is back in the old house.
This picture is the hutch in place.
 When I get all the Fiestaware on it I'll post another picture.  Didn't feel like doing it today because it will be a big and fun job.  I will have to rearrange some kitchen cabinets too. 

We went out to Bertucci's for supper and when we got home I decided to go for a short walk because I didn't go in the morning.  I headed out a little before 7 and walked over to the lake.  I couldn't believe how many people were there!! I didn't walk all around the lake because it was starting to get dark.  
I took this picture of the evening sky.
 I only walked a little over three miles and by the time I got home it was dark!  I didn't see any wild life this evening.  It was nice walking in the evening but I much prefer walking early morning and I'll be out there again walking in the morning. :-)

Hope you had a happy Friday.
Happone :-)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Another day, another walk :-)

Another perfect morning for walking and I went around the lake again.  The temperature was 48 degrees and I wore a sweatshirt over my tee shirt.  Lots of sunshine when it rose and with these beautiful mornings there were a lot of people out around the lake.  Once the temperature drops 20 degrees there are a lot less people about.  Those are some really nice walking days too.  Before long I'll be bundled up in layers walking.  There was a bit of a mist hanging low over the water with a few small fishing boats out.  In the picture I took this morning you can see one of the boats. The white egret was in his usual place today catching  fish.  I only saw one deer this morning but it was a BIG one.  He was along the path by the stream that leads to the lake.
I walked just a tad over 6 miles.

Some of you are wondering it that one telephone pole is still in the middle of the street.  Yes, it is.  I think verizon has to come out and move their stuff off of it before it will be taken down.  They were supposed to do that last year, so that pole may be there for a while yet!

We never did eat the pot roast for supper yesterday.  It just didn't cook to when the meat just falls apart so this morning I've put it back in the slow cooker and we will eat it tonight.  Ken got home late yesterday anyway so we just went out for a quick bite.

The poll about getting weighed is over.  I was surprised to see that most people, though only by one, stepped on the scale rarely. I step up and get weighed every morning.  It keeps me in check so I don't over eat.

I'm home today just doing stuff around the house.  Just taking a break on the computer.  I'm about done with work and plan to read or knit the rest of the afternoon. I might bake something too. 

I wish you a happy Friday.
Happyone :-)

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Perfect weather and a good laugh

This morning was just perfect weather for walking.  It was only 50 degrees with sunshine and a slight breeze.  I wore tights under my shorts and long sleeves and was neither hot nor cold.  The topic of conversation around the lake today was how beautiful it was out.  You just couldn't help but smile and say good morning to everyone you saw.  The white egret was there but not in his place by the bridge.  He was way over on the other side today.  I had to zoom in so the picture didn't come out so great.  Only one time around the lake for me today but I did take my usual longer route around it.  I made myself go in the house after walking 6.5 miles.  It's one of those days when you could just walk all day. :-)

As soon as I got in the house I put a roast in the slow cooker on top of some carrots and got dinner out of the way. I'll just make some mashed potatoes to go with it later.

The workers were back early this morning continuing their work with the poles, transferring the wires from the old pole to the new.  Every once in a while I would look out to see how they were doing.

Since it was such a nice day, I really wanted to get out and about so I hopped in the car to do that shopping that I never got around to yesterday.  Not so lucky with shopping and didn't get anything but I had a nice time out and about anyway.

The other night I was watching television and there was a baby laughing hysterically and it just made me laugh right along with him.  A laughing baby is my favorite all time sound.  I went to YouTube and found this baby laughing.  I bet you can't watch and not laugh! :-)


Enjoy the laugh!!
A good day to you.
Happyone :-)

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

A new telephone pole

This morning it was still nice but warmer than it has been.  Back to short sleeves again.   I was at the lake early enough to get this picture of the sun coming up.  Once it did come up it was sunny with few clouds.  I walked a little bit farther than usual for a total of 7.2 miles.  I walked directly to the lake this morning and then walked around the lake two times. I didn't take the upper path but just stayed on the path by the lake.  After walking around the lake I walked directly back home.
At one point I took this little path that runs along the paved path but goes down to the water.  It's not very long but I can pretend I'm hiking in the woods for a little while.  Quite a lot of people out walking and I stopped for a short chat with a few of my walker friends.  I don't usually see many bike riders around the lake but today there were 6 of them.  I saw the white egret again.  I have been spotting him in the same place each morning.  He hangs out over by one of the foot bridges.  Must be a good place for him to fish for his breakfast.  A bunch of low flying geese passed right over my head so low that I could hear their wings.  Thankfully I got "clean" away if you know what I mean. :-)  I also saw a few Goldfinches, rabbits and LOTS of squirrels and one cute little chipmunk. 
A family of deer stepped out of the woods as I walked along and I stopped and took this picture.  I was walking up very slowly trying to get a closer picture when a runner came around the bend and scared them off.  It was a great walk this morning and I am so thankful that I live where I do and can walk around this lake whenever I want to.  I am also thankful for the desire to walk. :-)

It was very windy later in the day and my clothes dried outside on the line in no time at all.  I had planned to go out and do a little shopping here and there but never made it out.  I got distracted watching the new telephone pole being put in right out on the side of my house.  I took lots of pictures and a few videos too.  It was fascinating watching it all.  Here are just a few of the pictures I took.
Moving the pole near to the hole.
 Lining the pole up.
 Mission accomplished.
 High up there moving the wires.
 When he came down and they all left the top of the pole looked like this.
It wasn't that the pole needed to be replaced because of age, but it needed to be higher for the wires. Now they just have to take down the shorter pole and take the one out of the middle of the street which you can see in the first picture.

This afternoon I ironed and did a few chores around the house.  I'll go out tomorrow to do that shopping.
Now I'm going to go walk down to the end of the street and pick up the mail.
I am looking forward to sitting down then and reading. :-)

Hope all is well with you today.
Happyone :-)