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

Translate

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A morning walk again : )

Ah, how great it was getting back to my morning walk.  I really did miss it yesterday.  Just didn't feel right the whole day!
It was 38 degrees this morning.  No rain and no wind at all!!  I walked on over to the lake.  About half way around the lake the sky looked like this. (You were right MJ, I was out there with my camera!)  A few minutes later there was nothing but a cloudy sky.
I saw a few deer or at least part of them - it was dark, I heard something rustling in the leaves and then saw the white of their tails bobbing along in the woods.
Lots of geese around and I saw two heron flying over the water together.

Not that many people out around the lake.  As the weather turns cooler there are less and less people around and this will be the usual now.  I love this time of year for walking.

The little stream I walk along on the way to the lake was high but not over it's banks like it was.  You can tell from the picture how the grass is along the sides that the water was high over it's banks.  I took this picture on the way home when it was light out. 
I walked 6.5 miles.
Sunrise 7:35
Sunset 6:07
********************
I am happy to say that my friend Bernice who lives in New Jersey down by the shore where Sandy hit is fine and well.  Her neighborhood held up fine but the flooding came close!!  We talked this morning on the phone for quite a while. 
I have another friend who I haven't been able to get in touch with yet who lives on the bay side in Point Pleasant.  I pray all is well with her and her family too.

Yesterday we got a call from our neighbor Ron up at Happy Trails to tell us that all is well at our place and they got 2 feet of snow up there!!! 

I read The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg yesterday.  It is about Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.  Berg wrote of the feelings Mary and Joseph must have felt way back then.  I thought it was very good.

I went to the commissary late this morning.  Just got 20 items again so I could get in and out.  Had to get the ingredients for a cheese cake.  Ken has a birthday coming up and I always bake him a cheese cake - his favorite!!
I like using the little carts they have for just a few items.  I've mentioned before that I keep my items nice and neat in my cart.  I took a picture of my cart. : )
I have some chores that need doing so I'd better see about doing them.  After I do a little blog visiting. : )

Hope your day is happy and bright.
Happyone
To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk
or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird's nest
or a wildflower in spring.
These are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~ John Burroughs
Comment replies:
Dot - no sorry don't remember the man with the strawberry cart.  I lived there in 1972.  Maybe he was gone by then.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

No walking today

Just a quick post this morning.  It is still raining out but the wind has died down to just a normal wind now.  The rain gauge on the deck is over flowing so I don't know how much rain we got over 5 inches or have yet to get.
Ken stayed home from work and thought it was a good idea for me not to walk so I listened to him and stayed home, though it was hard for me not to go. : )
There is flooding all over the place and many streets are closed.
I would have liked to see how high the streams have gotten but I will be able to do that tomorrow! 

Planning on staying home today and having a nice cozy day of it.
I am thankful that we never did lose power, though we had a lot of flickering of lights.

Hope all of you in the path of Sandy have weathered the storm and are safe and all those going through it now remain safe.

Till next time.....
A happy day to you.
Happyone


Monday, October 29, 2012

A walk in the rain

The temperature this morning was 46 degrees.  Since it was raining I wore my rain pants and took my big golf umbrella along on my walk.  I headed on over to the lake and had a lovely walk around the lake.  The schools have been closed because of Sandy coming and a lot of people must have stayed home from work too because it was like an early Sunday morning.  Hardly any cars at all!!

I thought there would only be a few people out because of it being Monday and the rain but I didn't expect not to see anyone.  I had the whole lake to myself, didn't see a soul, not even a car in the parking lot.  This is the first time that I've never anyone!!!!

I really enjoyed my walk in the rain.  I liked listening to the rain on the umbrella, the rain in the trees, and hearing it drip on down through the leaves to the path.  In the background I could hear the stream running along.  The water was rising a bit in the stream and I'm sure by tomorrow morning it will be quite high and maybe over it's banks.

I saw a few deer, some rabbits and all the geese were just sitting in the water down at the little end of the lake.
The only place that it was a bit windy was the open area down by the dam side of the lake.

I stayed dried except for my feet - my shoes got soaked!!
No pictures today.  Took a couple but they didn't turn out.
I walked 6.5 miles.
Sunrise 7:33
Sunset 6:09
********************
I'm at home for the day watching the rain come down.  Just hanging around doing a bit of this and that around the house.

I finished reading Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy which I thought was really good.

Looking at my old rocking chair this morning I thought back to when we first bought it.  We were just married and my step grandparents had given us $50.  We were living in Norfolk, Va. in a small furnished apartment and didn't have very much money. We used to go walking around in a big furniture store called Wicks and pick out furniture we would like to buy some day.  There was a section in the store marked damaged goods and one day walking around the store with that $50 we came across a rocking chair that I really liked.  It had a slight scratch on the arm and the best part was that there hanging on the chair was a price tag of $50.  We bought it and this rocking chair became the first piece of furniture that we ever bought.  It has traveled all over with us. : ) When the kids were little every birthday they had their picture taken in this chair for years.  I'll have to go look for those pictures and maybe post a few of them.
Have a good day and if you are anywhere where Sandy is coming through hope all is well.
Take care and be safe.
Happyone : )
If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.
Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.
~Raymond Inmon

A few people were wondering about the Drane House that I took a picture of this weekend.  Here's a link if you would like to read more about it.  DRANE HOUSE.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday

Man's goings are of the Lord;
how can a man then understand his own way.
Proverbs 20:24

Jesus said unto him,
If thou canst believe,
all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:23
A blessed Sunday to you.
Believe and know that God loves you.
Happyone : )

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A walk, a little work and home again

55 degrees again this morning when I went for my walk into town.  Cloudy too but this time the clouds DID NOT make way for the sun.  It was  dreary and a little misty at times, though not enough to get me wet.  Still it was a nice walk around town.  Stopped on the way into town to take a picture of these few cows down below there getting a drink in the little stream.  I said good morning to them and then continued on.
Walked my usual town route.  I saw about a dozen wild turkeys and a few deer here and there too.
Walked up by the Drane House again which is believed to be the oldest structure in Garret County.
Ken picked me up in town again after I'd walk 6 miles.
Sunrise 7:30
Sunset 6:12
*******************
Didn't do any more work on the tractor barn today.  We spent the morning cutting down some little trees and worked on getting some more land cleared down in front of the trailer.

We got things put away and left for home about 12:30.  Stopped in Cumberland and had lunch there and then made for home.
Just a couple little rain showers while driving but nothing to speak of.

It's always nice to get back home.  Our townhouse seems huge after being in the little trailer. : )

Hope your Saturday has been a good one.
Happyone
 Walking is the exercise that needs no gym.
It is the prescription without medicine,
the weight control without diet,
the cosmetic that is sold in no drugstore.
It is the tranquilizer without a pill,
the therapy without a psychoanalyst,
the fountain of youth that is no legend.
A walk is the vacation that does not cost a cent.
~Aaron Sussman

Friday, October 26, 2012

Work at Happy Trails

A mild morning up here at Happy Trails.  55 degrees as I walked into town.  It was cloudy at first but the sun was shining not long afterwards.  Passed by a dead skunk in the road that a car ran over.  I smelled it before I saw it!

I passed by this big old bull taking a rest.  I walked up to him to take his picture and he didn't move a muscle.
On the main street in town I've walked passed this bakery many times and it always smells so good.  It was open this morning and I stepped inside to take a look around.  I met the owner who has the odd name of Bird, who was very nice and friendly. : )  We talked for a bit and I told her I'd be back later with some money!
I walked down a side street in town that I hadn't been on before and saw these chickens in a back yard.
Ken picked me up in town this morning after I'd walked 6 miles.  We did go back to the bakery and bought an apple fritter for me and Ken got an apple pastry.  We ate them for breakfast!! 
*********************                          
While I was walking Ken got started putting up some siding on the side of the tractor barn.
After breakfast he went back to work and I did the usual cleaning up of the trailer and then went outside to help with the siding.
We worked pretty much all day on the siding and got the two sides of the second floor done and the front by the garage door.
Right Side
Left side and front

We had perfect working weather.  Sunny all day with a few clouds and temperatures in the low 70's.  It was a delightful day.

We did take a little time out and went walking around Happy Trails.  Most all of the leaves have fallen now.

Tomorrow rain is expected so we might not get much work done.  Will work until it rains and then pack up and go back home.

We had supper at Uno's which is practically right across the street from MacDonalds where we are now sitting in the parking lot so I can write this blog post.

Hope your Friday was a good one.
Happyone : )

Thursday, October 25, 2012

My willpower secrets

This morning was a warm one with a temperature of 60 degrees.  It was damp out and felt like rain but it just stayed cloudy.
Lots of leaves along all the paths now and when the slightest breeze came along leaves fell from the trees all around me as I walked.  It was raining leaves.  I tried to catch them as the came down and caught quite a few of them.  That reminded me of my friend Bernice.  When we were kids while we were walking - I did a lot of walking as a kid too : ) - we would try to catch the leaves.  We said we would have good luck if we caught the falling leaves.
I walked the same connect the path route as I did yesterday.
I only saw one deer this morning and it was a little one.  I didn't see mom anywhere about.  I suppose she could have been around and I just didn't see her but with so many deer getting hit by cars I wonder if this one is on its own.

Only a few people about again walking dogs.
I passed by the crossing guard and she was in her car reading. 

It was still cloudy when I got home and still 60 degrees.
I walked 6.3 miles.
Sunrise 7:28
Sunset 6:14
********************
I'm home during the day doing a bit of this and that.  We are planning on leaving for Happy Trails later this afternoon when Ken gets home from work. The weather doesn't really look that promising up there but we decided to go anyway.  Really want to get the siding done before the cold weather.  It is supposed to be on the warm side so a little rain won't be too bad.  I've been packing up some stuff to take along with us.  Don't have all that much to pack because we can keep quite a lot of stuff up there in the trailer.  I always take along the current book I'm reading and a knitting project.

I've done a little cooking this morning.
In a little olive oil I've cooked up some onion, garlic, celery, yellow squash, and artichoke hearts.
Then added a can of tomatoes and cooked a couple minutes longer.
I've put it in the refrigerator and now on Saturday evening when we get back home, I just have to heat it up and make a bit of pasta to add to it. And supper is ready.

Enjoy your day.  My next post will probably be from MacDonald's parking lot tomorrow evening! : )

Till next time....
Happyone : )
We live in a fast-paced society.
Walking slows us down.
~Robert Sweetgall

Comment reply from yesterday:
Auntie -  My will power not to eat desserts until snack time takes a few different strategies.  First, I keep a food journal and don't like to add extra items to it. 
I think of how many miles I'd have to walk to take off those extra calories. (only 100 calories per mile.) 
I say to myself, "Would you rather be thin or eat that?" Thin wins out. 
If I really want to eat it, I go do something. 
I don't deny myself goodies, I just put off having them until evening.  I get to look forward to it all day and when I finally get to eat it, I enjoy every mouthful. : ) 
A piece of fruit or a handful of pretzels during the day is good if I really need something between meals.  There was that too much detail?!! : )   Those are my willpower secrets.  I think I'm just stubborn too and once I make up my mind not to eat it, I just stick to it.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Another warm sunny day

This morning it was a warm 55 degrees at 6:30 when I left on my walk.  I walked one of my connect the path routes and made a few little tweaks in it.
Part of the footbridge was in need of repair and since the last time I've been down this way it the job has been done.
Only a few people out again this morning and I only came across one man walking his dogs along the paths.
A few deer were scattered here and there, three of which were a mom and her two babies.

Didn't see much of a sunrise this morning.  The sky just got a brightening up and the sun stayed behind the clouds while I walked.

The leaves are all still so pretty and everywhere I look I see beautifully colored trees.  Here's another path I walked down.
I think this must be the prettiest fall I've seen in many years.

I walked 6.3 miles.
Sunrise 6:27
Sunset 6:15
********************
Well we got that pumpkin carved last night.  I think Ken did a great job!!

We kept it turned into the room last night so we could look at it, but from now on we will turn it around and open up the curtains so all who go by can see it too.
********************
Today it was commissary day once again.  Wednesday I think really is the best time for grocery shopping like they say.
I made sure I made time for breakfast today because by lunch time yesterday I was starving!!
I made up my list - just a short one today - kept it to 20 items I could go through the express lane. I had a heck of a time finding Egg Beaters.  Up and down the aisles I went and I finally spotted it.  The reason I had a hard time finding them is because there was only one left!!  Well, I got a few more steps in and I did finally find it. : )
I was sitting at a traffic light and had trucks on all four sides of me.  I felt so small looking up.  I reached over took my camera and snapped a picture.  You can see the headlights of another truck in my rear view mirror.
I was just about home and one of the streets near my house was closed off for some road work. I couldn't go straight or make a left hand turn so I had to make quite a detour to reach my street so I could get home.  But I got home safe and sound, put things away and had some lunch.

Still have a few things to do around the house but nothing urgent.  There will be some time for relaxing too.

The sun did eventually come out today and we are having another summer like day. : )

Hope all is well with you. 
A happy day to you.
Happyone : )
I dressed and went for a walk,
determined not to return 
until I took in what Nature had to offer.
~Raymond Carver

I'd like to thank those of you who left comments and emailed me about the recipe I was trying to find.  I didn't get the exact one, but one that was VERY close to it.  All the recipes sound good and I'll be making all of them.  Thanks again - blogger friends are super!! : )
Oh by the way Auntie I keep forgetting to answer your question about how the two of us finish off a big dessert.  Just keep it covered in the refrigerator and it lasts for days.  There are still two servings left in there now!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A summer like day

A lovely fall morning for walking.  45 degrees and the sun rose and stayed out again. 
I walked on over to and around the lake pretty much on my own this morning.  Very few people about.  Just a couple of the regulars.
The heron was at the edge of the water all hunkered down still sleeping.  A little later I saw the white egret.  By this time it was lighter out and he was flying low over the water - maybe looking for a fish or two for breakfast.  The geese made their usual morning racket waking up. : )

I took a couple little paths down to the water as I walked around the lake just to stop and take a look at how pretty everything looked.  What a beautiful morning!!

I walked 6.8 miles.
It was a lucky penny day. : )
Sunrise 7:26
Sunset 6:17
********************
I got another load of wash hung out on the line and did a few quick morning chores around the house.  Got my weave-it stuff together and left for my Tuesday morning knitting group.  No time for breakfast today.

A small group at knitting - only 11 of us.  We did a lot of talking as usual and I only managed to make two weave-it squares.  We sure do talk on a wide variety of subjects.  Today was knitting of course, but also movies, plays, world hunger, bears, cruises and vacations to name a few topics.

I left right at 12:00 to pick up my friend Mary Jo and we went to Applebees for lunch.  We had to cancel last weeks lunch so we made up for that today.  We ate, talked, laughed, and just had a good time catching up. : )

Once I got home, I took the clothes in, folded them and put away and now here I am at the computer.  I really don't feel like doing another thing until I have to get supper ready and I'm not even sure what I'll be making yet.  Ken plans on being a little late from work so I have some time yet to decide.

We didn't get that huge 30 pounder pumpkin carved yet but here it sits on the round table in front of the window.  When we do carve it, it will be an old fashioned jack o lantern - triangles for eyes and nose and a smile with only a few teeth left and a candle shining inside.
This day has turned out to be almost summer like - sunny and in the mid 70's.  Wow what a nice day!!

Hope your day is bright and sunny as well. : )
Happyone 
With the first step, 
the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite,
but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along,
though freedom remains total with each step:
any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse,
or any wild patch of woods can be explored.
~A.R. Ammons

Comment replies from yesterday:
Anonymous, Thanks for the recipe link but I'm sorry to say that it isn't the one I'm looking for, though I'll give it a try - it sounds good! : ) The one I'm looking for has  cranraisins in it. 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Pampered Chef Apple Crisp Recipe?

A nice cool, crisp fall morning.  Temperature was 34 degrees and when the sun rose it stayed out and didn't go hiding under the clouds.  Walked around the lake on this fine Monday morning.
Very few people out but it is Monday and it is usually quiet then.
I saw the white egret flying around, counted five deer and saw and heard all the geese waking up and saying good morning.  Boy they are noisy!!
The path around the lake here is about three quarters of the way around.
Here I am just getting home.  That's my townhouse there on the corner through the pretty colored tree.
I walked 6.5 miles.
Sunrise 7:25
Sunset 6:18
*********************
Started a load of laundry first thing when I got back home. One more load followed that one and then hung both out on the line.

I took some of those granny smith apples we bought the other day and before I ate them all up I made an Apple Cobbler with some of them.
Apples cooked with some sugar, water, and lemon juice and sitting in the baking dish waiting for the topping to be put over them before baking. 
Topping on, baked and ready to eat.
It will be hard to wait for snack time tonight before eating some of it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!!


I had a recipe from Pampered Chef for an apple crisp.  It had cranraisins in it too and was made to go in the deep dish pie plate.  I was going to make that but couldn't find the recipe.  I looked high and low and it was nowhere to be found.  Does anyone have that recipe?  I've tried to find it on line at Pampered Chef.  There are apple crisp recipes there but not the one I had.  I got it about 8 years ago at a party.

I also made Three Bean Salad (super fast and easy) to go with the chili (that I made last week) hot dogs we are having tonight for supper.
I ironed a few of Ken's shirts so I could watch an episode of I Love Lucy which I just bought.  I started Season 6.  The first episode is where Lucy meets Bob Hope at a baseball game! 

Still have to get those clothes off the line, folded and put away and clean up the kitchen.  This day is just flying right by.  Still hoping to be able to get some reading in before Ken gets home.

A happy Monday to you.
Happyone : )
The man who makes no mistakes
does not usually make anything.
~Edward Phelps

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Samuel

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:
and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me:
so that my feet did not slip.
II Samuel 22: 36-37

A blessed Sunday to you all.
Enjoy your day.
God loves you. : )

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A walk and Baugher Orchard

Back to a cool morning walk.  It was 44 degrees and still damp from last nights heavy rains but then shortly after sunrise the clouds made way for the sun.
I had a random walk this morning - walked down a couple of different paths and also down a few streets and made my mind up of which way to go when I got there.  This is one of the paths I walked along.
I only saw two other people out and they were on the streets - no one along the paths.  Walking down a street I watched a deer slowly walk across the street, he stopped and had a bite to eat along a fence. When he saw me he jumped over the fence like his legs were springs.  It was more like he bounced over it.
I saw three more deer along one of the paths.

I walked 6.2 miles.
Sunrise 7:23
Sunset 6:21
********************
We decided to not to go to Happy Trails but we did have a fun day.  We drove out to Baugher Orchard which is about an hour or so from our house.  The weather was nice for walking and looking around the place.
We bought this 30 pound pumpkin!! Ken will have the job of carving it.
We also each took our own bag and picked out some apples for ourselves.  I got some Granny Smiths and Galas.  I love the tartness of the Granny Smiths and also the sweetness of the Galas. 
Ken got some Galas as well and his favorite which are Red Delicious.  We bought some apple cider too.
There were plenty of different kinds of gourds in all shapes and sizes.  Here's a couple that I took pictures of.

There were hayrides going on, face painting, and you could make your own scarecrow.  Lots of families picking out their pumpkins and everyone seeming to have a good time.
There is another part of the Orchards farther down with road which is a farmers market that has  many delicious looking fruits and vegetables.  They also sell pies, bread and have a restaurant.  We had lunch there and for my lunch I had a piece of lemon meringue pie!  : ) 

On the way home we stopped in the Tractor Farm Supply store.  Didn't buy anything but we love walking around in that store.  So many neat stuff in there!!

When we got home I ate one of my Gala apples - it was crisp and sweet!!  Ken had one of his Delicious and liked his as much as I liked mine.

That's been my day so far.
Hope your enjoying your Saturday.
Happyone
Wherever you go,
no matter what the weather,
always bring your own sunshine.
~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Comment replies from yesterday:
Vee - I get a lot of quotes from The Quote Garden but I also will google for quotes.  Yesterday's quote came from a ' rain quotes' search.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Walking in the rain

It rained a lot over night and when I started walking this morning the rain had stopped so I didn't bother taking my umbrella. The little stream along the path on the way to the lake was quite full and I heard it rushing along.  Couldn't see much because it was dark out yet.
The weather was mild with the temperature at 60 degrees.  Only a handful of people out and I didn't see any one until I got more than a quarter way around the lake.
Once it was light out I spotted quite a few rabbits along the edges of the path.
About half way around the lake it started to drizzle, just a little at first but by the time I circled the lake the drizzle got to be a little heavier and by the time I was on the path along the stream behind the church heading home it was just plain out raining and I got pretty wet.
I had my hooded sweat shirt on with the hood up so at least my head stayed dried.  I  didn't mind walking in the rain and in fact I like it.  With it being warm the rain actually felt good, and I like listening to the rain coming down through the trees. 

I walked 6.4 miles
Sunrise 7:22
Sunset 6:22
********************
Well, we didn't go up to Happy Trails yesterday afternoon and we are still here today.  I't's supposed to be raining in western Maryland tomorrow too but we still might head up there tomorrow afternoon.  Not sure yet.

So Ken is home today.  I made him pancakes for breakfast when I got back from walking.  I did the usual morning chores around the house and when we left to go out to do some errands the sun was shining in a bright blue sky.  Made a lot of stops.
Weis
Target
BJ's
MVA
Post Office
Ace Hardware 
Took a break in the middle of the stops and went to Subway for sandwiches.  Ken got a spicy Italian and I had turkey, cheddar cheese with lettuce and spinach.

Now here it is mid afternoon and we are home once again.  
Hope your having a bright and sunny day.
Happyone
 Some people walk in the rain,
others just get wet.
~Roger Miller

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Tree lined street

This morning the temperature was 45 degrees and of course dark when I left.  There was some haze around here and there and it felt a bit damp and right at sunrise it was cloudy but by the time I had gotten home the sun was shining.
I walked my circles route which are two streets that go in a circle off of one big circle route.  One of the circle streets was spectacular with these beautiful trees lining both sides the street.  The picture is not very good because it was kind of dark yet.  I've tried to lightened the picture up.  It was just so pretty and amazing to walk down the middle of it all. : )
I didn't see any wild life except for birds and not that many people out either.  Just a couple people walking dogs and a runner.

I found two lucky pennies. : ) 
Walked 6.5 miles.
Sunrise 7:21
Sunset 6:24
*********************
We ended up eating a bowl of the chili last night for supper after all.  Ken had to work late and the last couple hours of cooking the chili I turned the crock pot on high and it was done by the time Ken got home.  I like to sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top of by bowl of chili.  It was delicious and it's very easy to make.  If you'd like the recipe you can find it HERE. I made plenty so there is enough for another meal or two.
********************
Today is a day at home for me.  Was going to meet a friend for lunch, but something came up and she had to cancel but we made new plans for next week and we can now look forward to that.

I've cleaned a little, read a little, knitted a little, and daydreamed a little.  : )
Planned on leaving for Happy Trails when Ken got home from work but not sure now because of the weather.  Rain is on the way so we shall have to see.  Maybe we'll leave tomorrow or perhaps not go this weekend after all.

House for sale update:
The young couple did come back for a second look - they are going away for a week and will decide when they get back.
Two more house showings happening this weekend. 
We are optimistic!! : )

I wish for you, a bright happy day.
Happyone : )
 I would rather sit on a pumpkin
and have it all to myself
than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
~Henry David Thoreau
Comment replies from yesterday:
Vee, No I really don't get lost.  I may lose my way for a bit, but I'm never lost! : )

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

One more pretty tree

A chilly start to the day - only 35 degrees, but there was no breeze and once the sun came up it warmed things up and it was a beautiful morning.
I headed on over to the lake again but this time when I walked around it I went in the opposite direction that I usually walk.  A while back when they did some repair work on the paths and they were closed, there was a detour trail through the woods that we could take.  I went up past the tennis courts and behind the baseball field to walk on that trail, but it was all overgrown up that way and I couldn't find the right trail.  Started down a couple places that I thought was the trail but they were deer trails and not the one I was looking for.  So I had to back track and walk back down to the path.  I ended up walking up this trail here that leads to the north entrance to the park and walked the road back home.
I saw many deer, some rabbits, the heron, robins, a blue jay, a couple cardinals and though I didn't see an owl I heard it.  The usual ducks and geese were about as well.

Didn't see many people but then I didn't stay down by the water.
I wasn't going to take any more pictures of fall leaves because I've taken quite a few already but this was just too pretty to pass up.  It is two blocks from home.
I ended up walking a little farther than usual at 7.1 miles.
Sunrise 7:20
Sunset 6:25
********************
My pantry was getting kind of low so it was once again time to go the commissary.  Security was tighter than usual at the base so there was a line to get through the gate.  Don't know why.  I finally got on and to the commissary and got my shopping done.  No lines to wait on and I got all that was on my list.  I stick to my list pretty good.  How about you?  Do you make a list and stick to it?

I went the back way to the base and it was 13.5 miles.  Coming home I went the highway and it was 16.6 miles.

Got all the stuff put away and then got a batch of chili going in the crock pot.  It won't be for supper though because it takes 8 hours to cook and I didn't get it started until a little after 1:00.  Chili is one of those meals that tastes better the day after.  I'm going to take some of it with us this weekend when we go up to Happy Trails.  It should taste good after a hard days work.
I also got some bread started in the bread machine.

I still have to clean up the kitchen, take the clothes off the line and fold them.
Then there is supper for tonight to think of.  Don't know what I'm in the mood for.  If it was up to me I'd just skip supper tonight, but somehow I don't think Ken would like that idea. : )

Hope your day is sunny and bright.
Happyone
 Around and around the house the leaves fall thick,
but never fast,
for they come circling down 
with a dead lightness
that is somber and slow.
~ Charles Dickens

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Note Card Party

Vee is hosting the Note Card Party once again.
I usually do this on my picture blog
but decided to do it with this blog for a change.
You post four pictures that 
you think would make nice note cards.
The pictures have to have been posted
 on your blog previously.
These are my four pictures and
they are all from my morning walks.



Hop on over to Vee's if you would like to see more
Note Cards.
Or why not post some of your own.
Thanks for hosting Vee.
Happyone : )

A beautiful fall day

This morning the temperature was back down to 44 degrees - more normal for this time of year.  It was a bright, sunny, crisp, morning and especially beautiful around the lake.  The header picture is one of the pictures I took this morning.  Here's another one.  I just had to stop awhile and gaze at this.  It was breath taking!! 
Quite a few people out this morning and most of the regulars were around.  Some have just been leaving later in the morning because of it being dark.

I counted four deer around the lake, a heron sleeping at the edge of the lake and a white egret sitting in a tree.  If you look at the picture you can barely see a white speck in the red/orange tree in just about the middle of the picture.  That speck is the egret.
I also saw a Kingfisher. 

What a beautiful morning to be out walking.
I found a lucky penny. : )
I walked 6.4 miles.
Sunrise 7:19
Sunset 6:26
********************
Yesterday afternoon I finished reading Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg.  I thought the book was excellent. It's about a writer who is recently widowed and finds out that her husband had withdrawn a huge amount of money out of the bank just before he died.
A quote from the book:
It seems to her that life is like 
gathering berries into an apron with a hole.  
Why do we keep on?  
Because the berries are beautiful, 
and we must eat to survive. 
 We catch what we can.  
We walk past what we lose 
for the promise of more, just ahead.
********************
I went to the post office first thing this morning to mail a package.  Someone I know has just become a grandma and I sent the baby a little something that I knitted. : )  

From there I went to my knitting group.  I hadn't been for the past two weeks and it was nice to get back and meet with friends. : )  There were 11 of us there.  I worked on some weave-it squares.  I can tell I did more talking then weaving because I only made three.

What a pretty day we have to enjoy here in Maryland today.
Hope your day is a pretty one too.
Happyone
There ought to be a way to combine 
autumn and morning into one word,
the combination of the two 
is special enough to be its own entity.
~ Terri Guillemets

Monday, October 15, 2012

A new look

It was pretty warm out there this morning when I walked.  64 degrees but there was a nice cool breeze so it was nice walking weather.   I walked around the lake and got to watch the sunrise.  The color doesn't last long and only takes seconds to change.  I take quite a lot of pictures from this spot because it is one of the best spots to see the sun rise.  It is about a quarter of the way around the lake from where I start. 
Once the sun rose there was a little bit of blue sky around but it was mostly cloudy.

It is amazing to see a heron fly low over the lake but this morning it was doubly amazing to see two of the flying together back and forth a couple of times!!  I stopped in my tracks and watched.

A few of the regulars were around but it was a pretty quiet morning.  I met a fellow walker.  She two had stopped to watch the herons and then we started talking and walked a little way together until I left on the path for home.  Her name is Pam.  I've seen her before but just to say good morning.  Always nice to meet a fellow walker. : )

Stopped on the path home to talk to walker friends Bridget and Gearmo for a little bit, and their dog Harley.  Haven't seen them for a while and we had to catch up.

So nice to be outside walking this morning and I walked 6.5 miles.
Sunrise 7:18
Sunset 6:28
********************
As the morning wore on there was less blue sky and more clouds and then later the rain came.  Not a hard rain, just a soft drizzly kind and then later in the afternoon the rain came down in buckets.  Then later still the sun came out again.  That's Maryland weather for you.

We have only had a few people look at the old house for sale but a couple is coming back for a second look in the next day or two.  That sounds like a good sign - sure hope we get an offer!! 

I spent the morning on the computer.  As you probably noticed I've changed my blog look which takes me such a long time to do.  So many choices and I like too many things.  I still may tweak it a bit.

I have been pretty bad about doing my Body Electric exercise routine for the last month and have only done it a few times.  Today I decided to get back on track with that.  I really didn't want to do it and had to talk myself into it.  But then after I was done, it felt so good to have done it.  I have to remember that after feeling and disregard the before feeling!! : )

Hope your Monday is filled with good things. 
 Happyone : )
I'm just a simple guy,
I live from day to day.
A ray of sunshine melts my frown
and blows my blues away.
~On The Tiles - Led Zeppelin

Sunday, October 14, 2012

An afternoon walk

I over slept this morning which left no time for a walk before Sunday school and church. 
The rare times I miss my morning walk I say to myself that I'll just walk later in the day but somehow never get around to it.  But today I did go for that afternoon walk.  Ken was washing the truck so I thought that would be a good time to go.
It was a beautiful fall day - sunny with a breeze that made the leaves fall down all around me.  I love the sound of the rustling leaves as I walk through them.
I walked along a few of the paths.  Don't know how far I walked because I forgot to look at my pedometer before I left, but I probably walked about five miles.
Here are some of the pictures I took along the way.



I saw quite a lot of people out along the paths enjoying this pretty day.  A father and his two little boys were some of the people I came across.  The dad was walking along with his twin boys who were riding the tiniest two wheelers I've ever seen.  I mentioned how tiny the bikes were and also how young the boys were for riding a two wheeler.  Dad told me they were just 3 1/2 years old.  One had a yellow bike and the other a red one with matching helmets.  It was the cutest thing to see. : )  I would have loved to take a picture but didn't ask.

Though it was nice to be out walking this afternoon it is still not the same as my morning walk.  There is just something about walking in the morning for me.
I'm already looking forward to walking around the lake in the morning.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Happyone
Peace be to you, fear not.
Genesis 43:23

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The tractor at home. : )

It was pretty chilly up at Happy Trails last night and when morning came along and I got up and took my walk down into town it was only 30 degrees.  I had  my layers on though and was toasty warm.  This morning was the first time I've seen frost this season.
I walked through the cemetery again and took these pictures.
I thought this was a great name to have.  I've never heard of Friend for a last name before, have you?
This guy must of have been a sailor.
 After an hour and a half of walking (walked 6 miles) I met Ken at the gas station where we got one of our propane gas bottles filled. 
Back to the trailer for breakfast.

Then as usual I stayed in and got things cleaned and straightened up while Ken got started working on the tractor barn.

The sun came out in a bright blue sky and warmed things up and we had perfect weather for working.  Temperatures were in the high 50's.

We finished the siding on the back of the upper level.  I handed Ken the pieces of siding up to him and saved him from going up and down the ladder.  Here is a picture of the finished back.
Here's the front of the tractor barn with the ramp finished and the tractor parked inside it's new home.
 I cleared out some more debris of the area in front of the trailer that we are trying to clear of brush to make an open area.
We walked along the trails that we've made so far and planned out others and just enjoyed being on our land. : )
The day went by fast and before we knew it, it was time to head back down home. 

Hope your Saturday was a happy day for you too.
Happyone
Life is really simple,
but we insist on making it complicated.
~Confucius