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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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Out and about today

I believed the weatherman this morning that the rain wasn't coming until later in the day, so I didn't take my umbrella when I left the house.  A mile into my walk it started to drizzle and it never did stop. The temperature was 50 degrees (23 degrees warmer than yesterday) so even though I got wet, I wasn't cold.  We are supposed to end up with 2 inches of rain by the time it stops sometime tomorrow.  I'm glad it's warm out because I hate to think of it all being snow!!
Not very many people out walking around the lake but I did see some of the regular walkers.  My walking friend Joanne is back from visiting her daughter who just had a baby boy which made her a grandma for the first time and she is walking with a little extra bounce in her steps today. :-)
Except for the geese and ducks all other wildlife were hiding from me.
It was nice getting home to a nice dry house after walking 6.1 miles in the rain.
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Today, being the last day in November is the last day of the Giving Thanks Day Challenge, but of course it isn't the last day of giving thanks.  That continues day after day.
I saved the thing I am most thankful for, for the last day. 
What I am most thankful for is
God's Gift of Salvation
and knowing that God is the one
who has given me everything I have. 
Without Him, I wouldn't be Happyone. 
He puts the joy in my heart. 
No it's not always easy,
but I trust God to do what's best for me. 
I lift up a thankful heart to God. :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was out and about enjoying my day today.   Didn't have time to do much of anything in the house before I left this morning for my knitting group.  Always enjoy my time with my knitting friends.  

I left there a little after 12:00 and went to the Shoe Repair store. You don't see many of them around anymore and in fact this is the only one I know about.  This was the first time I've ever been in the shop.  An older couple own the shop and they were very friendly.  He was sitting there behind the counter working on a pair of shoes while his wife took my boots.  I have a pair of low boots that are really nice and comfortable that I like a lot!!! They aren't expensive but I wasn't ready to throw them out yet. The heel has worn down and I left them there to get new ones.  The boots will be ready on Friday.  It was a pleasant experience to go there. 

I bet you can guess where my next stop was - the library.  I had a couple of books to drop off and I picked up three more.  I have to see how close I can get to that 75 goal.

One more stop for me and it was to pick up a Christmas present for Ken.  Can't tell you what I got him because once in a while he reads my blog and then he wouldn't be surprised. 

I was back home a little after 2:00. Ordered some stuff on line and did some things around the house that I usually do in the morning.  I ended up eating lunch at 3:40.   I made up one last Thanksgiving left over plate and I am now done with turkey. Since Ken is working late that was my supper too.  I'll just have a little something when he gets home.

That's my day so far. 
Some knitting and reading is next.

Hope your Tuesday was a good one.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
He who has faith has...
An inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, 
and assuring trust that all will come out well -
even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.
~ B.C.Forbes

Monday, November 29, 2010

The tree and lights are up

It was a cold one out there this morning, the coldest so far this year at 27 degrees.  There was no wind and the sun came up so it wasn't bad at all.  I've walked in colder weather and will again.  I walked around the lake and saw only a few people.  A nice quiet walk.  Lots and lots of geese out on the water and on land and for a change they were all quiet.  I stopped on the bridge down at the narrow end of the lake to watch the ducks and saw the heron fly from one side of the lake to the other.  I had taken this picture earlier at about the middle of the lake.  Can you spot the heron at the waters edge?
 I was walking home  on the path away from the lake when I saw this.  At first glance I thought that it was a dead heron that had been there for a while.
A closer look and I saw that it was just some black building fencing material and some sticks that looked like the heron's legs.
 On this cold but beautiful morning I walked 6.5 miles
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Giving Thanks Day Number 29
I am thankful for the Police, Fire and Rescue people.
It is good to know that with a phone call
they will be on their way to help us.
I thank all of you!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken had a good day at the train show yesterday.  Did better than he expected for a Sunday afternoon.  He is happy and planning on going to the next one at Timomuim in February.

Yesterday afternoon I put the tree up, untangled the red and white lights, strung them  on the tree and put the angel on top.  Our tree is a small artificial one.  No more real ones for us.  I miss the smell but oh well......  The tree is in the front window and looks so pretty all lit up from outside as well as inside.  I put up some greenery with lights on the banister and hung more lights around the house.  I like lots of little lights all around.
I don't usually decorate this early but I am in the Christmas mood early this year.  Last year I felt like we missed the holiday because we were on the cruise.

Today I got out the ornaments and hung them on the tree.  I still have to put the tinsel on and will do that another day.  Was thinking about not putting any on but the tree to me it just doesn't seem complete without it.

This afternoon I started knitting a Christmas stocking and listened to the rest of the audio book.  It was The Colorado Kid by Stephen King read by Jeffrey DeMunn.  The book was okay but I didn't like the end at all. I find that a lot with Stephen King books.
I also finished reading another book, The Rage Against God by Peter Hitchens.  Peter is the brother of prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens. The leaf of the book describes the book,  "Hitchens chronicles his personal journey through disbelief into a committed Christian faith."  I thought it would be more personal and it was more of a debate so I was a bit disappointed in it.  It was okay.
These last two books are number 44 and 45 for the year.  With a month to go and a goal of 75, looks like it ain't gonna happen.  I wonder how close I can get!?

I was knitting at 2:30 and heard a little toot of a horn.  Ken usually does that as he passes the front of the house going to the back.  I thought that couldn't be him so early, but it was.  A very early day for him.  A late day tomorrow so he decided to come home early today.  We put some red and blue Christmas lights up outside on the front railing on both sides of the steps and a wreath on the door. 

We went out to do a few errands and came home in the dark and it was nice to see the lights on and the tree in the window.
 
Last night we finished up the last of the pumpkin pie.  We've eaten one piece every day.  Since we are out of pie, we stopped at Weiss to get some ice cream.  I'm going to have some Chocolate Fudge Swirl for my snack and Ken is going to have some Cherry Vanilla as we watch some TV.  
That is later, right now I'm going to start another book.

 Hope your Monday was a good one for you.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
People are so worried about what they eat 
between Christmas and the New Year,
but they really should be worried about what they eat 
between the New Year and Christmas.
~ Author Unknown

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A heron video :-)

I have many favorite Bible verses.  Here are a couple of them.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him,
shall not perish
but have ever lasting life.

That assures me that I'm going to heaven.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.

And that lets me know that I get through anything down here until then. 
:-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 28
As I was walking around the lake this morning I was thinking what I would post for the thankful challenge today.  I looked up and saw the heron standing down by the water.  I took a video while slowly walking down to the water.  I got real close and got this cool video of him.  There it was my thankful post for today.  :-)
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So now you already know that I walked around the lake this morning.  Even though I don't usually walk the lake on the weekend, I figured since it was cold out (30 degrees) there wouldn't be too many people out yet.  I was right.  I had a great early morning walk and walked 6.2 miles.

Yesterday when Ken got home he helped with getting the shaker boxes down so this afternoon I can get started on some decorating.
He left just a little while ago for another day with the trains (sales were pretty good yesterday), and I'll be leaving in just a little while to go to church.

Have a blessed Sunday.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Not today

Back to cold mornings again, but it was nice for walking.  I walked one of my connect the path routes.  Hardly anyone out today so I had the paths mostly to myself.  I love these mornings.  Walking along the path in the woods, the sun filtering through the trees, hearing a stream off to my right, the birds singing a morning song, and watching three deer munching on breakfast.  I feel close to God, and all seems right in the world.  I wish I could bottle that feeling. :-)
I walked passed the liquor store on the way home and looked for coins - no luck today, but I did see this penny stuck in the road.  That will never see the inside of one of my glass banks!!
I walked 6.3 miles on a nice sunny morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 27
I am thankful for indoor plumbing.
Need I say more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday afternoon I went with Ken to Turf Valley to check out the place for the train sale and to see where his two tables were going to be.  The hotel there is very nice and the train sale is throughout the lobbies and conference rooms.  There are also train layouts set up by railroad clubs which aren't for sale but just there for folks to look at.  These shows are put on 6 times a year, usually at the Timonium Fair Grounds and this is the first time it will be held here.  Nice for us because it's just up the road a few miles from our house. 
We went back home to get the rest of Ken's stuff loaded up and then headed back there.  Had supper in the dining room and then unloaded and set up. My job was mainly putting the price tags on things, though I did my fair share of carrying things in too. 
A few picture of Ken's tables.
Ken setting up.
 Train stuff for sale.
 This is a close up of one of the models that Ken scratch built.
He is there now, hopefully making some sales and having a fun time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile I'm back at home.  I was planning on getting out the Christmas decorations but couldn't seem to manage on my own and have to wait for help.  I have them stored in big shaker boxes which are high up on a ledge in our bedroom.
They were too heavy to lift them all down and I couldn't reach the top one with the step ladder.  The big ladder is at the old house.  So it looks like that will have to wait for another day.

I did a load of clothes and hung them out on the line, but it ended up being very windy with the clothes getting all tangled around the lines.  Some of the clothes dried but I ended up bringing them inside and now they are all over the place drying.

Lunch didn't go as expected either.  I was going to eat the other half of the subway sandwich from yesterday but it was so soggy I chucked it out.  I ended up making a plate of some more Thanksgiving leftovers.

This afternoon I've played around on the computer for a bit.  Then listened to some more of an audio book and knitted.
Not sure what I'm going to do with the rest of the day yet.
Hope you are enjoying your Saturday.

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
I don't know the key to success,
but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
~ Bill Cosby

Friday, November 26, 2010

A cute little tree

It was pretty warm outside this morning.  I was back to wearing my tights and shorts, a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt. It started drizzling soon after I left, but didn't feel like going back for the umbrella.  It did stop and it was very light so I was just a bit damp.  Another walk around the lake.  Very few people out this morning.  Maybe they were all out shopping!?  Not me, I don't do shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but Ken left right after I did do to some.  Hope its for me and he finds something good! :-) Only kidding!
I didn't see any wildlife except for the ducks and geese.
I walked 6.2 miles.  I should have walked farther today to work off some of those extra calories from yesterday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 26
I am thankful for the kindness of people I come across.
The ones who stop at crosswalks so you can cross the street,
or when you're driving, they give you a break and let you in.
The people who smile at you and say good morning.
People who still hold the door open for you.
People who ask can I help you 
when you look like you need some.
The everyday people, 
who care about others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Ours was very nice.  We had the parade on television and I ran back and forth watching and cooking.  All the food was delicious from the turkey down to the pumpkin pie and of course we ate a bit too much.

I spent the morning doing this and that this morning.  Ken was back home a little after 9 already from shopping.  He said it was crowded but not that bad yet.
There is another train show sale this weekend and Ken was getting his train stuff ready for the sale.
Ken is already tired of eating turkey so we went to Subway for lunch.  I had half a veggie one.

The warm rainy morning has turned into a cold windy one and I'm beginning to see some blue, so I'm sure the sun will be shining before long.

Later this afternoon I am going with Ken to help him set up for the train sale.  It's not far from our house at the Turf Valley golf course.  I've driven by but have never been there.  Though I've never seen it, supposedly there is a hotel with a restaurant there with big halls to rent for such things as the train show sale.  We are planning to take a break from setting up and having supper there.

Ken came across this cute little tree and it has been sitting on the window sill in the kitchen for a couple of weeks now. 
 Now that Thanksgiving is over I think tomorrow I'll get down the Christmas things and start decorating.

No time for reading blogs today but I'll be visiting you all tomorrow.
Enjoy your day.
Have you been out shopping!?

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
A woman has got to love a bad man once or twice in her life,
to be thankful for a good one.
~ Marjorie Kinnan Rowlings

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Walking in the rain


Yes, I did walk today. :-)  I went around the lake.  It was raining so out came the rain pants and the umbrella.  There was a light on and off rain the whole time I was walking and the umbrella went up and down quite a lot. Not a whole lot of people out but more than I thought there would be.  They were mostly runners.
I saw a few deer and a couple of woodpeckers.  The ducks and geese were out on the lake.  The rain doesn't bother them. 
I walked 6.5 miles around the lake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 25
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful to have Kenny in my life
and that he loves me. :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm off now to get the turkey stuffed and into the oven.
To all of you who are celebrating the holiday,
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
If you want to turn your life around,
try thankfulness.
It will change your life mightily.
~Gerald Good

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Baking Day

A sunny but chilly morning as I made my way around the lake.  Instead of posting a still photo from my walk this morning, for something different I took a short video while walking along the path around the lake. 
 
I was surprised to see as many people as I did out today, but then again maybe a lot of them are trying to use up some of those extra calories that will be eaten tomorrow!
I saw the heron again walking at the edge of the water looking for breakfast.  I spotted five deer among the trees off the upper path.  One was big with a huge rack.  He looked
majestic.
Walking past the Giant for the second day in a row I smelled of all things tomato soup.  Strange I know, but that is what I smelled. :-)
I walked 6.6 miles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 24
I am thankful for my good health.
For the physical ability that allows me to
walk for miles every day.
For eyes to see and appreciate all things around me.
For ears to hear all the beautiful sounds
and to hear someone say
I love you.
I am blessed with good health. (So far anyway!!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken and I will be having a quiet Thanksgiving with just the two of us but I am cooking a turkey with all the trimmings.
Today I've spent the morning in the kitchen baking and it smells delicious in here.  I made pumpkin bread and a pumpkin pie, including the crust from scratch.  Making the crust I thought of the first time I tried to make crust when I was about 16 or so.  I followed the recipe, rolled it all out and thought I was doing quite well.  Then came the time to take it off the counter and put it in the pie plate.  It would not come up off the counter.  I had not used enough flour and hadn't picked it up and turned it while rolling it out.  I was so frustrated that I scraped it off the counter and threw the whole mess at the wall.  Then I had to spend time cleaning it up before my mother came home and saw it.  I never did make a pie that day.  My gramma finally was the one who showed and told me how to make a good, flaky crust.  I am happy to say that my crust came out very good today and didn't end up on the wall!!
While in the kitchen I listened to the start of a video book, The Colorado Kid by Stephen King.  It's a pretty short one with only 4 discs and I've listened to half of it.

A nice sunny, but chilly and breezy day and I decided to get some laundry done and hung up outside.  My fingers were freezing.  I did three loads and used up all the line space. 

The pumpkin pie is about to come out of the oven and then I'm going to have some lunch. I have some cleaning to finish, computer work to do, a clean up around my computer,  and then like most afternoons I'm hoping to spend time reading or knitting.

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.
~ Psalm 107:1

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A lunch date

This morning the temperature was in the 50's and there wasn't a breeze to be felt.  There was a bit of fog across the field here as you can see from the picture.  Notice the morning moon too. I walked on one of my connect the path routes.  Only saw two other people out and they were both walking their dogs.  Walking down one of the paths I came across three deer.  Two on one side of the path and one on the other.  I walked very slowly right between them.  There must have only been about 12 feet between all of us.  They just stood there as I went past.  It was really cool.  Didn't even try for the camera because I'm sure they would have run away if I went for it.  I saw four more deer along my walk.
I walked 6.2 miles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 23
I am thankful for all of my friends.
Friends are great.
They help you through hard times.
They are happy for you when times are good.
They are great to spend time with
doing fun things.
There is lots of talking, laughter, hugs, and love
and sometimes tears
between friends.
Sometimes you don't even meet your friends in person.
But know them only through blogs.
I have a very special friend Bernice,
who I have known all my life. 
Since I am only child she is the sister I never had.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rushed around this morning trying to get my morning routine and a few other things done before leaving for my Tuesday morning knitting group.  Didn't quite get things done so finished up when I got home later. 
Left the knitting group right at 12:00 today because I met Ken for lunch at Ma's Kettle, a cute little homey place in Savage.  They have great BBQ sandwiches there.  I had a pulled chicken one, Ken had the beef one and we shared some home made potato chips. 
We don't meet often for lunch so it is special when we do.

Ken went back to work and I made a stop at the library.  Dropped off The Cat Who Said Cheese by Lilian Jackson Braun and picked up the next one in the cat series. 
I also finished reading A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins which I borrowed from a knitting group friend.  (Returned it to her today.)  This book was excellent!!  It's a true story about a young man in his early 20's back in the 70's who has become disillusioned with America.  He decides to walk across America to see the country and this book is the first part of his walk.  He starts out in Alfred, NY and ends in New Orleans.  His experiences and the many different people he meets along the way make for a super book.  I look forward to reading the next book which is The Walk West.  I looked it up in the library but they don't have it. 

Kathy, my sister in law gave us a bamboo plant when we first moved here almost two years ago.  It has done very well and today I transplanted it to a bigger pot.  It  did well being in small stones and water so I am keeping it in that.
In the old flower pot.
 The new flower pot.
So that's what I've been up to today so far.  Haven't read any blogs yet today so that's next on my agenda.  Then if I have time, I'll knit till supper time.
 
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Got no check books, got no banks.
Still I'd like to express my thanks -
I got the sun in the morning and moon at night.
~Irving Berlin 

Monday, November 22, 2010

Hair day

This morning I walked in the fog and it was pretty warm out.  I never know what kind of weather I will be walking in.  Our weather is anything but predicable here in Maryland.  It keeps things interesting.  I walked around the lake on this Monday morning.  Not many people as usual for this day but I did see a few of the regulars.  I walked part way around with Barbara until she took off up the path to the road that leads her back home.  As you can see from the picture I saw the heron again.  I spotted a couple of deer out too.  One by the lake and the other on the path to the lake.
I walked 6.3 miles.  I have been wearing my pedometer all day counting up all my steps for a few months now but today I decided to once again only wear it on my walks.  I feel I am active enough during the day that I don't have to keep track of all my steps so I will walk more.  I have been feeling a bit obsessed about the steps and this way I don't have to think about all the steps I'm taking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 22
I am thankful for grocery stores.
I can walk into a store and pick anything I need right off a shelf.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was home in the morning getting started on the work for the week around the house.  
I had a hair appointment in the afternoon to get those roots of mine colored again.  I never realized how fast my hair grew before.  Cheryl also took two inches or so off my hair so it looks and feels thicker and healthier.  It's nice having a friend do your hair because we had a nice visit too.

So that's been my day so far.  Ken should be home soon and we are going out to eat at Longhorns.  They have a terrific salad with toasted nuts in it that I'm going to get.  Hope you had a happy day.

A smile from me to you. 
Happyone :-)
Not what we say about our blessings,
but how we use them,
is the true measure of our thanksgiving.
~ W.T. Purkiser

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sunday Afternoon Walk

I'm back once again today.  This morning I slept in until 7:00 so I didn't walk first thing in the morning.  Ken was planning on going over to the old house when I left for church so I stayed home and made us pancakes for breakfast.  He left a little before me to get some more train stuff ready for another train show sale next weekend.

I got back from church around 12:00, changed and headed out for my walk.  It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and the temperature in the 50's.  It was nice walking in the afternoon for a change when it was warmer. 
Looking at the bright blue sky through the trees.
I walked one of my connect the path routes and here is one of the paths I walked down.
Walking along the paths I didn't see anyone.  It was nice and quiet and walking along I heard the squirrels rustling around in the leaves.  I could hear the stream gurgling in the back ground and every once in a while I heard an airplane in the distance.  I had such a nice peaceful feeling and so thankful that I was out walking on such a beautiful afternoon.
Though I didn't see people along the paths, there were lots of people outside and I saw them when I was walking along the streets.  People on bicycles, couples out for a Sunday stroll and quite a few people out in their yards blowing and raking leaves.  Most everyone friendly and enjoying their day.  I saw a young couple with their two small children in the yard playing!!  You don't see that very often any more.  There were all playing with a huge ball, laughing and having a grand time.
Walking along I looked down and was so surprised to see this bright yellow dandelion.  It must think it's spring. 
I would prefer it be springtime too. :-)
I walked a little over 6 miles by the time I got back home again. 

The rest of the afternoon I'll will read blogs, read my book and probably end up knitting.
Ken is due home supper time and we are going to make Nachos! 
I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say "Thank You?"
~ William A Ward

Giving Thanks Challenge Day 21

Giving Thanks Day Number 21
Last Sunday when I wrote about being thankful for my church I was going to include my pastor in that post, but I thought he deserved his own day.
I am very thankful for my pastor.
He is kind, considerate, thoughtful and caring.
Always ready to comfort, support, and share our joy.
A smile for everyone and he truly cares.
A man of God who lives what he preaches.
In just a little while when I go to church
I am going to thank him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't walk this morning, but I will later this afternoon.  I'll post again later today.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

A new path

Once again it was a great day to be outside walking first thing this morning.  A cold morning but lots of sunshine and bright blue skies.  I walked no special route today and just wandered about.  I went off the main path and walked along the stream a little way until the path ran out.
Took a side path off the main path that I haven't been on before. 
It took me up to a street and I didn't know exactly where I was but a couple of turns down a couple of streets brought me back to familiar surroundings.
I walked over to the lake but not around it.  I don't usually like to walk around the lake on Saturday because of all the runners.  A club of runners meet on Saturdays and the lake is way too crowded.
I saw a large deer and zoomed in on him from across the stream walking to the lake.  
Not many people out on the paths or streets.
I found two lucky pennies and walked 6.4 miles.
Sunrise 6:56
Sunset 4:49
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 20
I am thankful for my Dad.
Growing up my dad was always there for me.
He never said I don't have time
and I always felt loved.
I miss him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I spent the morning at home doing my morning routine and a few chores around the house while Ken was at the old house.  He came back for lunch and this afternoon we are just hanging around the house.  We will go out later to do a few errands around town.

Enjoy your Saturday.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it,
is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
~William Ward

Friday, November 19, 2010

A visit to the nuthouse

A frosty but sunny morning.  There was even a bit of ice on one of the foot bridges.  It was very still out so it didn't seem that cold.  It was a great morning for walking and there were quite a few people out walking around the lake.  Stopped to talk to a few of the regulars.  We often remark to each other how lucky we are to be able to walk here every day!  The heron was standing down by the water and I walked very slowly and got as near as I could and took a few pictures.  A couple of people walking past with a dog scared the heron off, but it was beautiful to watch him take off flying.
 Some geese flying away from the lake in the bright blue sky.
 They are still working on the pier.
Here's the progress so far.  
Once it is finished they will be able to let the water level back up in the lake.  The one end of the lake is now all mud.
I walked 6.6 miles.
Sunrise 6:55
Sunset 4:50
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 19
I am thankful for the Gift of Each New Day.
It's a blessing each morning to wake up and have a brand new day.
When I start out on my walk I say a little prayer.
Thank you God for this day.
Walk with me along my way.
Do with me what you may.
Make me a better person today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had cold fingers this morning hanging the clothes out on the line, but the sun is shinning and it's now in the 50's.  The clothes always smell even better when it is colder out.  The cool air makes them smell fresher. 

I made a fun trip to Ann's House of Nuts today. I love going to that store, makes you feel like a kid checking out all the nuts and candy.
Here is what I ended up buying today.  Cashews, Walnuts, Mints, look a like M&M's, only they taste better, and since Ken really likes Licorice I got some of that too.  I had to try a few pieces of everything, except the licorice.
Since I was out and went kind of near the library I stopped in there too.  Got a book and two audio books.  I can't listen to them in the car because my mind is on my driving and I just can't concentrate on listening to the book.  But I do like to listen to one while I'm cooking/baking, knitting or doing some other needlework.

Just doing a bit of this and that this afternoon.   A few chores around the house, my exercise DVD, reading blogs and trying not to eat more of those M&M look a likes. :-)

Have to get those clothes off the line and folded and then I'll do some reading.
Tonight we are going out to the diner for supper.  I think a nice Turkey Club will be just the thing!

Enjoy your Friday.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Hem your blessing with thankfulness
so they don't unravel.
~ Author Unknown

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sunrise 6:54
Sunset 4:51
The days are getting shorter by minutes every day.
The wind was gone and cooler temperatures were back this morning.  Not cold, just not as warm as yesterday.  It was a nice sunny morning once it came up.  I walked on one of my connect the path routes.  A few small trees were blown down from the wind yesterday and most  had already been cut up and taken off the paths.  One of the paths was just about to get resurfaced and I made it down just before they got started.  The resurfacing has been going on for the past month or so.  I heard a woodpecker, looked up and spotted a downy woodpecker.  Up too high and not bright enough to get a good photo. I also saw five deer, each one on its own.  Not that many people out along the paths and the ones I saw were walking dogs.  Didn't see anyone I knew.
I walked 6.3 miles.
Kathy, I didn't see the ringed bird yesterday at the lake.  There are a couple of people who are bird watchers.  I'll ask one of them when I next see them.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 18
Today I am thankful for Comments left on my blogs.
I find it flattering that so many of you read my blogs,
But I am so thankful when someone takes the time to leave a comment.  I think reading and commenting is how we get to know each other better than just reading.
I am thankful for all of my blogger friends.
You all add to my happiness.
Thanks to you all. :-)
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I didn't really feel like going to the commissary today but I thought this would probably be the best day to go because of Thanksgiving coming up next week.  Next week it will be a madhouse.  As with most things once I made up my mind to go and started out I was glad that I did.  A bit of a line but not bad.  I got most of what I need for Turkey day except for the turkey!!  I can get the turkey cheaper off base.  We only need a small turkey because it will just be the two of us, but I will be cooking a great meal with all the trimmings!!

I spent the afternoon sewing another row of white squares onto the white sampler afghan that I've been working on for years. 
Made another banana bread with chocolate chips in it. ( I must really start eating more bananas before they turn brown).
Did my exercise DVD.
And now I'm off to read for a while. 

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~ William Shakespeare

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Out for lunch

 Sunrise 6:53
Sunset 4:51
What a gorgeous morning out there today for my walk around the lake.  No rain, lots of sun, and in the 50's.  No extra layers needed.  It was still when I started out but it started getting breezy and by the time I got home I had to hold my hat on or it would have blown off.  If you look closely at the picture you can see a couple of birds soaring on the wind.  I saw the white egret out amongst the geese at the edge of the water.  No deer or other wildlife did I see.  Quite a few people out walking and running and everyone seemed to be happy this morning.  Must be the nice sunny day after all the rain.
I walked 6.4 miles.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 17
I am Thankful for Lunch Dates with friends.
It is nice to take a break out of your day
and meet with a friend or two for lunch.
A time for catching up
and making new memories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was one of those days when I met a friend for lunch. :-)  RetiredKnitter, who I met in my knitting group, and I met at Panera's this afternoon.  We haven't really had a chance to talk much lately because we haven't sat together knitting so decided to meet for lunch.  It was the first time and I'm sure there will be more times.  She is a happy person and I'm glad to have her for a friend.
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My friend Pam had the following story from the Bible about Jonah told by a little girl on her blog.  I was so impressed with it that I decided to put it on my blog too.  It's over seven minutes but it is so worth listening to. This little girl really has a talent for story telling. 


The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.
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It has gotten very windy throughout the day and you can see the clouds go racing by in the sky.
I never did knit on the white square yesterday so I'm going to try again to finish it today.

A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessing
than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.
~ A.W.Tozer

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A rainy day

Sunrise 6:52
Sunset 4:52
A rainy morning walk today.  I wore my rain pants and took along the huge golf umbrella.  Didn't wear my slicker because I would have been too warm.  For the first mile it wasn't raining, but then a nice gentle rain started and lasted throughout the rest of my walk.  I saw four deer, three together and the other one on its own.  All the geese are back at the lake today and as noisy as ever.  Huge numbers of them would take off flying from one side of the lake and go to the other side.  I saw that bird from yesterday again.  The head had gray on it too, not all black like I thought.  When it flew away it made a sound kind of like a cicada. I still have no idea what it could be.
Only a few people decided to go walking in the rain today so I pretty much had the lake to myself.
I walked 6.2 miles.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 16
I am thankful for all the wonderful Smells.
Some of my favorites are:
Clothes dried out on the line
The streets after a spring rain
Baking Bread or anything baking
Lilacs
Coffee Perking (though I don't like it to drink)
What are some of your favorites?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It has been raining all day and I almost didn't go to my knitting group because it just seemed like a nice day to stay home.  But I did go and once I got there and saw my friends I was glad I went. :-)  The time zoomed by and then off I went to the library, just to drop off a book that was due today.  Didn't stay to look around.  Then I stopped in at the place where I get my hair dyed and made an appointment for next week.  Time to get those roots touched up again!  Then it was back home for a late lunch.

I did a load of laundry and one of the rare times I put the clothes in the dryer.  Though I don't use the dryer often, its nice to have it there when needed.  When we lived in the old house I didn't even own a dyer for all the 14 years we lived there.  I used to hang them up in the house.  That's another thing to be thankful for - my dryer.

BTW - Ken never did discover who sent that card to him.  He put it up at work with a note on it that said, "I'd like to know who." but never heard anything.  I have my suspicions but Ken doesn't agree.  I don't think we will ever know.  This is the second time that this has happened.

Since I only knitted two rows at my knitting group today I think I'll go and try to finish a white square this afternoon.

A smile from me to you. :-)
Happyone
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,
but the parent of all the other virtues.
~ Cicero

Monday, November 15, 2010

A basket of thanks

Early Monday morning found me walking around the lake.  The usual few amount of people for the start of the week were out as well.  The man in the picture walking down the path is one of the regulars.  I don't know his name but we always say good morning when we pass.  I find him to be an inspiration.  He walks with a cane and yet there he is every morning walking around the lake.  He goes slow but he makes it all the way around.
There were NO geese on the lake.  Weird not to see any.  This is the second time.  I saw two deer, a cute little chipmunk, and a few rabbits.  I saw a heron fly low over the water and then a second one came by following the first one.  Really cool to see two of them flying low together!  I also saw a bird with a gray body, with a white stripe around his neck, and a black crested head.  I looked for it in my bird book but couldn't find it.  Tried looking it up on line too but no luck.  Maybe I'll see it again and will be able to get a picture. It was too far away to get a good picture today.
It was on the warm side but cloudy and dreary.  Some fog around at first too.  I walked 6.1 miles.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 15
This one might sound a bit strange but 
I am Thankful for Thank You notes and cards. :-)
When I do something or give something to someone,
I really don't expect anything in return, 
not even thank you notes.
But when I do get one it makes me happy.
I keep a basket where I put all my thank you notes and cards.
Some times when my day isn't going so great,
I stop and read those thank you notes
and it really does make me smile once again.
A Thank You for all the people who have ever sent me one
because you have brightened my day. :-)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every once in a while where Ken works they have something called a "Pig in Day" where everyone brings in some food dish and they sit around and eat for an hour or so during work.  Ken was going to make chili himself but I volunteered to make it for him.  I had most of the ingredients already but needed a few things, so this morning I walked over to the Giant and bought them.  Then I put everything together in the slow cooker to cook for the next 8 hours or so.  House smells good and I wish I was making this chili for me!
I also made Apple Cinnamon Muffins.  Very easy from a Martha White mix.
Supper tonight is going to be Baked Ziti, one of our favorites.  I cooked the ziti this morning and just have to put it all together and bake it later.

I did some ironing and other house chores and now I'm going to go and finish that book that I didn't quite finish yesterday. 

Hope your Monday was a good one.
Happyone :-)
He who sits by the fire,
thankless for the fire,
is just as if he had no fire.
Nothing is possessed save in appreciation,
of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient.
But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.
~W.J.Cameron

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday

Sunrise 6:50
Sunset 4:45
This morning I walked straight down the road turned right and walked to the little Wet Land Pond, around it, and then back home.  Very few people out.  Didn't see anyone until I was walking around the pond and that was a man fishing.  Saw a few people on the way home.  The only wildlife I saw were birds and they must have been happy because they sure were singing some beautiful songs.
The sky was beautiful this morning.  It was another cool crisp sunny morning.  I just love these mornings.
I walked 6.5 miles.
Found a lucky penny. :-)
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 Since it is Sunday and I just got back from church a little bit ago,
My Giving Thanks Day Number 14
is that I'm thankful for my church.
I started going to this church last year when life wasn't going so great for me.
 Though God has always been part of my life I had stopped going to church years ago.
I would pass this church all the time and each time I passed it
something kept saying you should go there and check it out.
One Sunday morning I did, it was like coming home again.
I thank God every day for leading me to this wonderful church.
I took a couple of pictures of the church for you Helen.
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Ken had to go to work today so I'm home this afternoon on my own.  I intend to have a nice relaxing day and not to any work at all.  I'm going to knit and finish reading my book.

A blessed Sunday to you.
Happyone :-)
Let us remember that,
as much as been given us,
much will be expected from us,
and that true homage comes from the heart
as well as from the lips,
and shows itself in deeds.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Applesauce

 Sunrise 6:49
Sunset 4:45
Up early on this Saturday morning and out walking when it was still quite chilly out.  The sun was shining and it had that nice crisp Fall morning feeling.  No special route for me today, just walked where ever I felt like going at the time.  Walked down paths, streets, and in parking lots.  Very few people out.  I saw four deer off in the woods.  Now that most of the leaves are gone the deer can't hide from view behind all the greenery but now they blend in so well into the brown trees.  Their white tails bobbing along give them away.
My friend Lin who is out of town A LOT with work is back in town and called me this morning.  She always calls in the morning when I'm walking.  She walks in the morning too and we walked and talked.  Nice to walk along with her today. :-)
I walked 6.2 miles and found two dimes.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 13
I just have to add Ice Cream to this thankful list!
I really do enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream.
All those delicious flavors to choose from.
Some of my favorites.
Chocolate
Chocolate Chip
Chocolate Chip Mint
Vanilla Fudge
Chocolate Marshmallow
 Notice a theme there?
I'm already looking forward to my bowl of ice cream this evening!! :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the morning Ken did some work at the old house and I was at home doing things around the house.  Got some laundry done and hung out to dry.  These nice sunny days are good for that.  I finally got around to dusting the ceiling fans.  That is something I don't think of doing when I'm doing my usual cleaning.  Lots of dust had been collecting up there for quite a while! 
Ken came home at lunch time and we went to subway for a sandwich.  Then he went back to work finishing up the floors in the old house.  It was nice having a lunch break with him. :-) 

I had a bunch of apples that I had to use up so I made some applesauce this afternoon.  My gramma used to make applesauce all the time and I made it the way she used to.  When I asked her for the recipe years ago she said there wasn't a recipe.  Just mix tart apples, some water, nutmeg, sugar, and lemon juice together and cook for 1/2 hour.  I also added some cinnamon.
Ingredients in the pot cooking.
 Yummy and ready to eat.
 I just couldn't resist having this treat.  Some chunky applesauce with a bit of vanilla ice cream.  Gramma would be proud!!
 I guess I'll just have to have two treats today.  It is Saturday after all.

I have to go and take my clothes off the line now.  Then I am going to finish knitting a white square and then read.  I'm about half finished with the new book by James Patterson, The Postcard Killers and it is due at the library on Tuesday.  No problem to have it finished by then, his books are quick reads.

I hope this Saturday finds you doing something fun that makes you smile.
Happyone :-) 
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies;
but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and,
as the magnet finds the iron, 
so it will find,
in every hour,
some heavenly blessings!
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Friday, November 12, 2010

Saying your ABC's

I was glad to be able to take my morning walk again.  I really missed going yesterday.  Today it was pretty chilly out there but it has warmed up nicely through the day with another sunny day in the 60's.  I walked around the lake and then up the road and along one of the paths.  Walked 6.9 miles.  A very quiet morning out there.  People must have been waiting for it to warm up before venturing out.  I see this one woman quite often walking around the lake.  The last couple of times I've seen her walking backwards.  Today when I saw her, I said to her, "I just have to ask, why the walking backwards?"  She laughed and told me it uses different muscles and it makes your brain work harder.  I tried it a little way up the hill, thought is was silly and turned around and walked the right way. :-)
The only wildlife I saw was birds, ducks, and geese.
I'm walking down the sidewalk here on the way to the path.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving Thanks Day Number 12
I am thankful for public libraries.
There are excellent libraries in the county where I live and as you already know I'm always stopping in at them.  I live a few miles away from four of them!  We are allowed to have out 30!!!! items at a time.  Books, Audio Books, DVD's, Magazines, Puzzles for kids, and even some Educational toys.  I'm sure there are other things too but I just don't know about them.
I love libraries!!
Where else can you go and walk around and pick out the things you want and take them home without paying for them.  It is grand!!!
At this time I should thank Mrs Claxton, my first grade teacher.
She taught me how to read and I've loved books ever since.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After being out ALL day yesterday, it is nice to be spending the day at home.  It sure doesn't seem like Friday because Ken was off yesterday.  I keep thinking it's Monday.
Just hanging around home doing a bit of laundry, cleaning, and just everyday house stuff. 
We started watching a new British show from Netflix called Lark Rise to Candleford.  It's set in the late 19th century England.  It is about a young girl moving from rural Lark Rise to the market town of Candleford and how she handles life there.  It's really pretty good and I enjoyed the first episode. 
Most evenings I'm still having my ice cream snack.  Lately my flavor of choice has been chocolate chip mint.  I don't really think I have a favorite any more.  I like too many to have a favorite!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We watch Cops on television every so often.  A lot of times they arrest people for DWI.  One of the sobriety tests is to have the person say the alphabet.  The cop will tell them  to start with L (or some other letter than A) and recite the alphabet and they just can't do it.  That always surprises me because you would think you could do that without even thinking about it.  Last weekend I had two drinks and since I don't usually drink I was feeling pretty good.  There was no way I would want to drive a car, but I could say the alphabet perfectly no matter what letter Ken gave me to start with.  I wanted to have more drinks and after each one try to say the alphabet and just see how many drinks it would take me to not be able to.  But I thought maybe that was not such a good idea, I wouldn't feel so hot the next day. :-)  I wonder though just how many drinks it would take!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, its 2:30 now and time for me to go and do my exercise DVD.  I've been good about doing it 3 or 4 times a week again.

A happy Friday to you all.
Happyone :-)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day.

Giving Thanks Day Number 11
Today I am thankful for all the Veterans who are serving and have served in the military.
I thank them all for the freedom we enjoy today.
Veterans in my family.
Grandfather
Father 
Uncles
StepDad
Father-in-law
Kenny
I'm proud of you all. :-)
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No morning walk today.  Leaving early this morning to go to Hagerstown Outlet mall to do our Christmas shopping.  I'll probably do quite a bit of walking there anyway.

Enjoy your Thursday.
Happyone :-)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

At home today

Another morning just like yesterday.  Temperature in the 40's, sunny and perfect for walking.  I walked around the lake, but didn't take the upper path and stayed near the water.  When I got near home I only had 5 miles on my pedometer.  Thought about going home anyway but decided I would just walk 1/2 mile up the road and then back to make 6 miles.  But once I got up to the path, I thought I might just as well walk down the path too.  It just looked too inviting.  So by the time I got home I had walked 7.3 miles.
Not very many people out today around the lake and I didn't see anyone out on the path. 
 I saw a couple of deer and took a picture of one of them. 
 This picture is the path when I walk along and the lake is just up ahead to the right.
 A pretty quiet walk today.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 10
I am thankful for all the beautiful colors in nature.
We live in a beautifully colored world.
Brilliant blue skies, 
white puffy clouds,
Green leaves and then colorful Fall leaves 
are beautiful against the blue sky.
Green grass,
Rainbows,
Mountains, and
Flowers of every color.
The beautifully colored birds
and fish in the sea.
Even the fruits and vegetables that we eat.
Thank you God,
For the beautifully colored world that you created for us.
:-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stayed home today and got some cleaning done around the house.  I'm a bit behind schedule this week and have just finished the upstairs.  I start cleaning the upstairs on Mondays and just work my way down through the house during the week and by Friday I'm supposed to be done with it all so on Monday I can start all over again!

The shredding basket was full so I spent some fun time shredding things up.
Not much else going on around here.  Ken is working late again but we are going to go out for pizza when he gets home.  I told him  I don't care what time I'll wait.

Still need to put the clean sheets back on the bed which have been drying outside on the line and there are some dishes to wash so I'd better go and do that. 

Hope all is well in your part of the world.
Happyone :-)
Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessing had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~ George Herbert

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

A sunny path to walk down

It was warmer than I expected out this morning. The sun was out and there was a slight breeze.  After the last few frosty days a 42 degree morning was warm and by the time I got home my sweatshirt was unzipped and my hood was down.  Lots of geese coming to the lake.  I wonder if these geese come from up north and stay here for the winter where it is warmer then where they come from.  Then the ones that are here for the summer go farther south for the winter where it's warmer for them.  I enjoyed my walk around the lake.  I stopped a few times just to look and take in the beauty of my surroundings.  So many people just hurry by without really seeing anything.  The picture I took this morning of the sunny path, I have as my desk top picture on the computer.  It just looks so inviting to me.  Makes me want to go back out and take another walk around the lake. :-)
Today I walked 6.6 miles.
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Giving Thanks Day Number 9
I am Thankful for my Car.
As many of you know I have a red Corvette.
My car is not just transportation for me.  I have always loved Vettes and always dreamed of having one since I've been a little girl.  I really never thought I'd ever have one.  Then in 2002 Ken bought me my car.
He made a dream come true for me.
Thanks Kenny! :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rushed about the house doing my morning routine and then left for my Tuesday knitting group. Always a fun time to sit with other women to talk and knit. 

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.  Didn't have to use the oven today. :-)  The house still smells from yesterdays oven cleaning.  I should be baking something!! 

Have some blog reading to catch up on so until next time.....
be happy.
Happyone :-)
As we express our gratitude, 
we must never forget that 
the highest appreciation is 
not to utter words, 
but to live by them.
~ John F Kennedy