This EXACT moment is all you have.
I made it to Day 90 and only Covid-19 had the power to stop me! Not bad! And the truth is, the process of just going for a walk got a lot easier with this kind of repetition.
I am continuing to walk. The curse of the threshold has been broken!
Cheers!
This is my mantra today.
Slow and steady wins the race.
– Aesop
Started back to work this week, so I had to choose work or walk. I didn’t quite have the energy for both. Naps have been my friend. They probably will continue to be for a while, but that’s ok. The reality is, I got sick and I’m recovering. In the past, I’ve struggled with allowing myself to rest while sick. I’m learning that fighting against reality does no one good, so now my energy is going toward active recovery. Choosing to do things that are restorative, like sleep, and hydration, and the miracles of modern medicine. 🙂
To any who have been following along my walking saga, I wish you health and happiness this holiday season. There are a lot of good days ahead.
Cheers.
It’s been a rough few weeks. I walked. I got the ‘rona.
Here are the past 19 days in photo summary form:
So, yes, Covid-19 has hit our home. J4 is out of the quarantine range, and I should be able to call “All Clear” by the end of the week. It sucked the life out of us both. I still feel like I got the wind knocked out of me. But the last couple of days have been a bit better.
Initially, I thought I would “pause” my 90 day challenge, but I decided to keep going. Yes, I skipped a few days, but having the ‘rona was a good enough reason to take a break. It wasn’t for lack of desire to go out. Finally got myself outside today and it was lovely. I was exhausted when I was done, but the cold, fresh air was wonderful.
Yes, in one of my workout pics above (Nov 14) I forgot to end the walk tracker, then came inside and made bacon wrapped goats’ cheese stuffed dates. So that was the only pic I had for that day! They were scrummy! 🙂
Yesterday, we put up the Christmas Tree and that also qualified as a workout!
Here are a few other pics from the past couple weeks to enjoy! I particularly loved this chonky squirrel who really wanted me to just move on. He didn’t seem all that thrilled with hefting himself up the tree since he was busy eating!
Thanksgiving, sadly, was just the three of us. J4 made a wonderful meal, and I am grateful we were all together. It was also our 25th wedding anniversary. Go us! Can’t wait for us to get past this year, be healthy, and social again!
Cheers.
The walking is going strong. Over the past almost 2 weeks we hit temps in the 20s and temps in the upper 70s. And tomorrow evening into Wednesday I think we are going to revisit the 20s. Well, Illinois is nothing if not variable when it comes to the weather!
Also in there, “Tortellini Crack Soup”, a recipe from my friend BK, blue skies, and a good luck lady bug. Finished off with a shot of Sabian in her usual spot waiting for me to get home.
Cheers.
Half way through the 90 day challenge today!!
The walks continue. The time of day varies now, as it keeps getting darker, and the last few days, rainier. Today, snow. None of it is sticking, though, which is good. I’ve never looked so forward to the time change. I do think after this time change we should stop dorking around with the time though. There’s no need to “Spring Ahead” anymore.
Saturday’s walk was the best in a while. Sunny, with brilliant blue skies to contrast the fall colors.
I haven’t spent much time listening to podcasts or books this week. As I get further into my Tonglen practice, I find that my walking is giving me additional opportunities for meditation. As we get closer to the election, my energy is becoming more and more turbulent. My walks help me burn off some of the physical part of the energy, and meditating at the same time stills the mental energy.
One of the good things that has come with the cold weather is a renewed interest in making crock pot meals. Yesterday I made crock pot mushroom wild rice soup and fresh baked bread in my long unused bread machine. There are few smells as good as baking bread.
Cheers.
Monday was my first “after work” walk. Morning schedule didn’t work out. Not walking had me anxious all day. Such a perfectionist…that needs some work.
The daylight is getting away from me in the mornings. Grateful to still be working from home and able to walk later without dealing with commute complications.
No tree pics today. A school bus was parked in front of my usual tree pic spot. Maybe they’re gearing up for the “return to learn” plan — except that was postponed yet again yesterday.
The walk was short but good. Can’t remember what I listened to.
Lunchtime walk today! The rain this morning was prohibitive.
Cheers!
Tonglen, or the practice of sending and taking, reverses this process of hardening and shutting down by cultivating love and compassion. In tonglen practice, instead of running from pain and discomfort, we acknowledge them and own them fully.
Tonglen, by Pema Chödrön, pp. 3-4
Cheers.
It’s so cold. Weather continues to change. Neighborhood is all about the Halloween now. So cute. Maybe I’ll try to grab some pics in the next few days. Just don’t want to be the crazy lady in the neighborhood (more than I already am!).
Finished listening to Pete’s book this morning. Sobbed happy tears at the end. So, so, good. Having listened Chasten’s “I Have Something To Tell You“, it just felt like a great “full circle” story. (The books are read by the authors themselves.) What makes me especially happy is knowing that even today Pete has not quit. He’s doing EXACTLY what he said he would do — everything in his power to continue to unify. I’m so proud to have been a witness to Pete and Chasten’s stories along the way, and consider myself a full-fledged member of #TeamPete.
I have started Tonglen meditation. Day 1/90.
Strive at first to meditate
Shantidiva, “The Way of the Bodhisattva”
Upon the sameness of yourself and others.
In joy and sorrow all are equal.
Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself.
To be continued.
Cheers.
The brilliant crisp sunny fall days may be behind us. The mornings are starting later as the days are getting shorter. This may be where my actual challenge lies – keeping my routine timeframe as it is still dark when I really want to walk. It can be done!
Continued listening to Trust. Still very much enjoying it, and am impressed with the passion Pete has for the American Project and returning to the intent of our Democracy.
As far as listening in general goes, the darker it gets in the morning, the less I feel comfortable being too focused on what I’m listening to. I only listen with one ear anyway, but lately, especially with the leaves on the ground, I’m much more aware of critters around me. I don’t really want to come face to face with any of the fox or coyote that live in the drainage pond area behind our home. (We hear the yipping late at night quite often!)
Cheers.
I think we’ve hit the peak of fall colors. The temp has dropped and my favorite trees are passing their prime and losing leaves. Still have a few trees turning, but there are a lot more leaves on the ground than not.
I think we’ve hit the peak of fall colors. The temp has dropped and my favorite trees are passing their prime and losing leaves. Still have a few trees turning, but there are a lot more leaves on the ground than not.
Today’s Listening:
Trust, by Pete Buttigieg
(Audible.com Sample)
I really wish he had been our nominee.
Cheers.
