No Pain… No gain

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

This body that we live in is one that has been uniquely created. It carries us from place to place, gives us the ability to communicate, and processes information through the brain. The body was created to move and not be stationary for very long.

With that being said, outdoor activities is my cup of tea. Walking through the woods or along the water of a river or lake brings such enjoyment. It is a moment to escape the daily routine and enjoy the peace that surrounds the every moment of the walk.

Working in a job that one can like and offers physical labor. I was blessed with a job that offers this. Every part of the body can function, and the lifting allows the muscles to work. Having an awesome manager does help as he gives the freedom to be mobile as long as work is done at the end of the day and the orders are going out.

There is much to do around a home and yard, or even in the fields. The list can go on, and the body is moving, and calories are being burnt. This list never runs out. From house cleaning to mowing the yard. Prunning trees and raising flowers, gardens of sorts in flowers and vegetables, and more of the same makes a wonderful way to exercise and get some fresh air.

Spending time with family members and planning for outings together. Have cookouts, go fishing, or camp for a weekend.

Activities come in a mixture of many and can benefit us as myself.  I enjoy many things that require physical movement, which is considered exercise in some way. In the end, it is activities and can be very enjoyable with the right mind space.

Beep Beep!

So many cartoons to watch in the 60’s and 70’s, But one of my favorites is the Road Runner. He never could be out-witted by the rabbit. Fast and furious as he moved as fast as lightening with his, “Beep Beep!”

This was an era of good cartoons with characters such as Bullwinkle, Tweety Bird, Bugs and Friends, and so many more. Plenty for a small child to escape into a fantasy of wonder with. As a child, my brother and I, would make a fort out of a large box, have our stick pony, and guns to play cowboys while watching the cartoons.

In came the late 60’s to early 70’s and with it was Scooby-Doo Where Are You? One of my favorites! Every Saturday morning, I would hurry and do my chores, so I could sit down and watch it. This made my day! It had a little comedy and mystery to set the stage. In their little flowered van known as the ‘Mystery Van’ rolling down the road with them in it looking for mysteries to solve. And they didn’t have to go far as the mysteries seem to find them first. Scooby, was everyone’s pal! Shaggy and Scooby was always getting into mischief. What a pair!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite cartoon?

Unneeded Mental Work

Too often when we are stationary in one spot for any length of time, the mind begins to work in over-drive, which I am at fault in this as well. And this is something I need to do less of.

Too much thinking on any given subject can bring anxiety and stress over situations that we have no control over. I spend four hours on the road driving to and from my job. It is dark going and coming from work on top of it. So, that leaves plenty of time to over-think a situation that I can’t do nothing with, and frankly none of my business. So, I spend time singing songs and talking with the Lord. I’ve talked about getting CD’s with books on them and listen to stories and educational CD’s. Looking for ways to be more productive mentally, while on the road.

Daily writing prompt
What could you do less of?

Overcoming A Painful Loss

It is never easy to let go of someone we love so dearly, especially our parents or siblings. It’s been three years, since my mother went on to the other side. She was not just my mother, but my best friend, my pal, my running partner, and more. She was my world!! One day she was healthy for her age and still working, remodeling her home, and enjoying life to becoming ill. It happened so fast! And what transpired while in the hospital to a rehab facility leading to her death, is what I struggled with over the following two to three years.
I won’t go into details of what transpired, but it left me with nightmares nearly every night, and sometimes two to three times a night. I was not only trying to cope with the loss, but the added issues of how she died. My heart was broken!
After months of going through the nightmares, the tears, my mind clouded, and no interest in the things I enjoyed doing; my son got a book for my birthday. It was a book on how to prepare and recover from a loss. Reading it helped me to better understand the grieving process and the time needed to go through it. It was a huge help!
Then, early this year, I had a dream… A beautiful dream! My mother and I was together again, and she was laughing and carrying on. As with my brother that passed a few years ago, she smiled at me and said, “Everything is okay!” After that night of having this dream, gradually everything that I felt and carried on my shoulders was lifted with a sweet peace. Since then, things have been getting better through the year, and I have started to pick back up my hobbies and work again. Oh, I still have moments where I shed some tears and I tell my mother that I miss her always, but I am able to go on with life as she would have wanted me to do. Today, I am able to visit her grave along with my brother and step-father, and sit with them for a spell, and enjoy the time.

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

The Free & The Wild

Life today moves so fast, even on the road as people are in a hurry to get to point A to point B. But if we are to slow down and allow enough time to get to our destination, we might just get a chance to view a wild animal running close to the road or flying above us.

When I was in Alaska, I seen many wild animals. Driving along the Inlet, there would be mountain goats and doll sheep on one side of the highway on the side of the mountains, and whales swimming in the waters along the other side of the highway. Waking up and looking out of the window early morning, only to find a moose grazing in the front yard. A spectacular sight!

However, being green behind the ears and the lack of understanding of these animals and the danger they could have, I always wanted to see a grizzly bear. Now that I’m older and understand clearly what they could do if paths crossed, the desire to stand face-to-face with any types of bear is not something I would want to do. They are beautiful creatures of the wild, fast, and massively strong in which it is impossible to out-run one of these animals. They have a strong sense of smell, very good eye-sight, and sensitive to what is around them. I know better today and going into the wild, and an individual needs to carry some sort of protection. Study and learn the behavior of the animals in the area, and always carry bear spray and/or a firearm with you. Well, I never got to fulfill this dream, and that is okay!

In the lower forty-eight, driving on the ridge of the Quachita Mountains between Oklahoma and Arkansas, I had to use the bathroom. With no man-made facilities, I went out in nature to take care of business. A little nervous as it was and still is bear country, I didn’t mess around in getting back to the car. It was a warm beautiful day, and the brush was heavy between the trees. Swiftly moving to get in the car, a black bear crossed the road about 100 feet in front of me. Boy, was I glad to be back at the car! He was a sight to see! Free in the wild!

Nature is all around us if we take the time to see it. Wild animals are among us large and small. They live in our yard, take shelter in our home if not careful, and other places. They roam in the night, and may awake us with a horrible smell that comes from a skunk. No matter what animal, we can always enjoy them from a distance.

Nourishing the Body

Meat… Each individual has their own opinion, and I too have my own. It serves it’s purpose through the protein and fats that the body needs. And… It doesn’t take much meat to meet the daily needs required. I use to be a vegan and vegetarian, and still today I may have a meatless day here and there. But for the most part, I do eat meat to feed the body. I have noticed a difference from no meat in the diet to having meat in the diet. For me, my skin is healthier with fats from meat in the diet. My body feels healthier

Daily writing prompt
What are your feelings about eating meat?

Shake It Out:

After a long week of work and driving three to four hours a day to get to work and back home, I look forward to the weekend. I look forward to spending my free three days off shaking out the stiffness from sitting and standing for long periods of time. In doing so, I love wearing the most comfortable clothing such as warm pj’s or sweats with a lose fitting button shirt. Pin my hair up enough to look and feel put together, and get on the treadmill, make a cozy meal, and enjoy my coffee outside while watching the sun come up.

Daily writing prompt
What are your two favorite things to wear?

Sweet Memories

Last week, I was at a homeless shelter store looking for fabric of sorts. Didn’t find any fabric, but found other things. In the back of the store tucked away on the bottom shelf was this vintage machine. I was not familiar with the brand, and put it back on the shelf and checked out in front. The remainder of the day, the image of that machine did not leave my mind. So, when I awoke the next morning, I did a little research on the brand, and found it to be quite interesting and very colorful. Going back to that store, I sat in the parking lot thirty-minutes before they opened, and I walked out with this 1950’s Nelco for less than $25. Took her home and cleaned her up, replaced the light, adjusted the tension, and she is running.
They don’t make machines like they use to…!
It seems as I am getting older, I am beginning to appreciate the old things more and more. It might require a little more effort, but it will last through time. My eldest always tells me ‘Old is Gold’, and I am growing more and more fond of that statement. And surrounding the living space of the old, surely brings back sweet and happy childhood memories of my grandmother, mother, and my father. My father introduced me to sewing and the sewing machine, when I was seven years of age… And it stayed with me.

Old Is Gold

There is nothing as good as the older products. I took a day to look around at the thrift stores, and boy did I find a jewel. Not just one, but found two.

A 1924 Singer Sewing Machine. Manufactured in, New Jersey. Simply Beautiful!!
A 1949 Singer Sewing Machine, that is still in great condition. It was manufactured in, Canada. I’m looking forward to using it to make garments.

Getting Feet Back on Ground

The greatest joy outside of giving birth, is having a mother as your best friend. Someone, that understands you well as you are very much a part of them. You just have that connection!!
I lost my mother last year, and not by natural causes. It was induced by circumstances, legalities, and neglect. No matter how the picture is painted, it is what it is. Even though, it pains my heart every time I think about it, I am able to talk about it and move forward… Maybe with a tear or two. Oh, how I miss her, but never would I wish her back on this earth. That would be too selfish to want. However, she may not be here with her love ones physically, but her presence is felt all around us.

As life moves forward, the sun is shining, and spring is upon us; life begins anew. The heart is in a battle between what was, what is, and what is to come as it is trying to hold on to all of the lovely memories. Feeling again…. Feeling the breeze as it sweeps across the skin. The beautiful colors of the flowers, trees, vegetables, and the bright blue sky as everything is thrust into another new adventure. Oh, how magnificent of the creation of the newness of life! Spring has a way to bring life back into a broken heart, and give hope to new beginnings.

With that hope, I have my little family of three boys and daughters, and nine grandchildren to watch grow and develop into towering trees and beautiful flowers. What a blessing to have!
The cycle of life.