Feeling Good Monday-Weekend Wanders

     Finally a break from the deep freeze and pup and I were ready to explore. Our old haunts look different than November before winter took hold.It's a picture heavy post, and not really in a great cohesive order, but join me if you would like. 

Saturday we walked  at a local park that has water falls in several spots, and an interesting old railroad bridge, now a walking and bike path. 

A little bit of moving water at the base of the falls.

Snowy woods.

The top of the falls.

View from the bridge.

View from the East side of the railroad bridge. 

A steep look down to the frozen river, with trickles still running.

A closer view of the frozen falls.

The falls from a step back.

Pup just nosing around the look out pavilion.

View from the West side of the railroad bridge.

The walls of the current mill in the back ground. 

     Sunday was less rustic, walking along the big river and downtown to see the remains of last weekends ice sculptures before sun and warmth knocked them all down.

The one outside one of our favorite
restaurants and near the brewery

Oh, cupid!

Pup had curiosity with this one.

this was a favorite-I love how the winter decorations in the
planters, remnants of snow, and a cute pup all combine for 
a Hallmark kind of scene.

Pup was less interested in the ice and more the smells.
This one looks salvaged from a broken base.

And the river walk from a different view. No boats, no barges and no bikes or skateboards. 

The fireplace was a good idea but has pretty much
been out of order. No skating rink this year.
 

A tiny little sitting area nestled in downtown by the river. 

The  amphitheater/pavilion that has live music, community
movies, and  other performances. Not much Sunday!

     Not much more to tell or show. It was snowing on Sunday and pup and I were both  pretty wet by the time we got back to the car. We got hi dried off and he cuddled up with DH for the afternoon until our daughters concert was available for streaming at 4:30. I hope you  enjoyed coming along with me. 

On Golden Pond

Spring walks, a simple pleasure.  Pup and I bundled up as despite the sun, it was a frosty morning. As much as the ridiculous fool of a dog barks at things inside the house, outside on walks, he just takes all things in stride and gives the ducks nothing more than a glance. As he was so busy sniffy and digging, I couldn't get him still enough, so no pictures of him. There are two families with ducklings this year, smaller counts than other years. They have plenty of uncles hanging around as well. The pond is tiny, really just a man made ponding basin. This is not the mighty Mississippi, nor the falls near our house, or the expanse of where the large two rivers meet in the valley, but it provides a little respite from the busyness of the neighborhood. Welcome to our little pond. 

10,000 Steps

I had a pedometer at one time though I cannot attest to the accuracy as it was a freebie received with buying a couple boxes of Special K cereal. A whole crew of coworkers wear them as their daily accessory, but I haven't purchased a new one.  I mentioned the walking bug is part of my new office culture, but unfortunately, my job has me quite sedentary much of the day as I am huddled  at my desk doing research, number crunching, and policy  development. This is stimulating mind work, but I'm feeling and seeing the lifestyle change in my butt. We've had another bought of cold and dreary weather, so I've been more inclined to cuddle with my computer at night than an extra block or two on pup's walk.

But no more.  I don't need a Fit Bit to tell me I better increase my walking and exercise, but I might need some clever tricks and inspiration to do so. I stumbled upon this site that helps outline simple starting goals and strategies and move to other goals if inclined.

10,000 Steps is roughly five miles.  I know from my front door, around the large block and back to my front door is one mile, and easily doable time wise both before work and again at the end of the day.  I need better strategies during the day.  I've recently started parking in the far corner of the lot, but since I've been car pooling, I've had door drop off service.  That ends on Friday, so I naturally should be able to get those 500 steps back. Adding steps by using the farthest away bathroom, and using the farthest break room for lunch ads some steps as well and very step matters.  Where do you find extra steps?  Do you think a pedometer would be a good investment, or just another gadget? 

Pretty Places

I appreciate  unstructured time spent in space that is comfortable and visually appealing. 
When I am out of town and have a little spare time, I try to seek out the little areas probably well known to locals, but when stumbled upon when you're not expecting them, have an added appeal.

I was in Oklahoma city for a couple days for business  most flights are connecting flights, and  in order to navigate the best price for my work budget, I took a later flight, which gave me a few extra hours before having to get to the airport.  I enjoyed some unexpected sites.  There is a canal that runs along the back side of  what used to be a series of warehouses.  Most have been refurbished into bars and restaurants. and there were so many outdoor seating areas, but also a walk way along the canal.  if you've never been to Oklahoma City, the prettiness of the area, and the friendliness of the people cannot be overlooked.  On the canal, I ended my walk at the Devon Mosaic.  Look at the detail up-close, and you see the women in the mosaic pouring water, that then aligns with the real water feature.  Clever and soothing to sit and watch on a 80 degree October day. 



My angle is not the best, but the water from the picture appears to be flowing right form the jugs.

Business trips are usually short, and as costs to send employees on trips  becomes a steeper luxury, it gets harder to not cram every minute with work time. With the  advent of Facetime, Skype, and Go to Meeting, you can have virtual group meetings  with people in places all over the world.  There is still something though about  really being in the same space, seeing each others work environments, and the communities they engage in.  I appreciate the extra hours I had, to take my walk. Though it was a long route getting home, this mosaic was a little water oasis.



There is also Devon Bridge.

Is There a Lost and Found for Motivation?

It's gone.  i know i had it earlier in the week and am hoping I just misplaced it.  I'm talking about that most valuable of intangibles, motivation.  I learned taking a Thursday off work, and then trying to reengage on Friday is not a great idea.  Of course I did things-the things that had to be done.  I had meetings at 8:15, 9:30, 11:00, 2:00, and lastly, at 3:30. I participated fully, but if I stop to think about what I actually accomplished, very little.  I hope those I met with got more out of the day than I did.  

Tomorrow though is the weekend, time for a a good hunt and search and with luck, motivation will be hanging out on a shelf somewhere.  The weather is supposed to be cold and gray, just like today.  Perhaps that might be where my motivation was hiding. After the glorious day of warmth and sun yesterday, there was a  dull, cold, colorless feeling in the air today.  I usually don't mind a gray day-good for reading, and thinking, and coming up with ideas.  Today though, the clouds just covered up needed energy. Tomorrow though, I'm going to put the weather to my favor and set the alarm, even though it is a weekend, and not rely on my natural clock to wake me up.  I think pup and I will drive down to the Mississippi River walking trails, or to one of the rural nature centers, and get an extra long walk in.  I'm going to tackle some purging of closets, and perhaps follow my daughters lead, and haul some used books and movies to a second hand shop and see if I can generate a little cash.  

Here is my motivational check list for tomorrow:

• Wake up early; do not linger in bed and waste away precious daylight
• Walk a long time, slow and patient and let pup sniff away
• Purge at least one shelf, cupboard, or closet-determine if for sale, donation or throw
• Clean and organize pantry, fridge, and freezer-there is something causing an odd smell somewhere
• Take a picture of my food waste so I hold my self accountable next time to use what we have
• Bake!!  
• Wash bedding and get it out on the line so I can sleep with sweet smells of fall
• Open a bottle of red, and marvel at all I've accomplished

What about you?  How do you start your weekends, and how do you decide what to tackle first?

Change of Season's and Footwear

As the weather get's chillier in my part world, and the sun sets earlier, I spend more time indoors than I probably should.  Part of what I love about having my little dog is rain or shine, night or day, he needs his time outdoors, and is just as happy dodging puddles as he is chasing a ball.  I don't mind a walk in the rain if the ends result means I can hole up in my p.j's and slippers with a cup of tea when we're back home.  I'm really not a fan of having to be out in the rain, and then have to slog back to my office, or sit at a sports event in soggy socks and shoes.  I don't know why Americans never developed the practical wearing of puddle boots past the age of 6.  I think I would mortify my daughter if I started sporting them around town, but if I could find a decent pair without special ordering them for a small fortune, I am at the point where my foot comfort is ahead of her  appall. I've never had a second thought on wearing snow boots-no way am I going to have frost bit numb toes all winter for the sake of fashion.

Footwear at the change of the season amuses me.  Last week my daughter asked if it was cold out-cold enough to wear her Bear Paws's boots.  If you are not familiar these are fuzzy lined suede boots that are amazingly comfortable and warm, but also a fashion must have for all 12-16 year old girls in the state of Minnesota. They are a compromise price wise to the ridiculously over the top priced, Ugg's. When I responded that it was cool, but was supposed to get to 60 and sunny, she went for her second choice, strappy sandals.  Now, while both are on the spectrum of footwear choices, silly me to not think strappy sandals are your next choice if it is not cold enough for fuzzy boots.

What really amuses me is the grown ups that have almost "rules" for their footwear.  I used to work with a women who wore flip flops 6-8 months of the year.  She would not start wearing shoes that covered her foot until snow had fallen and was guaranteed to stay on the ground.  In the spring, she switched back to flip flops at the first sign of exposed grass. A relative of mine will safely wear boots while driving, and keep those boots in the car for an emergency, but changes once she parks her car into her almost stiletto height heels. I'll let you imagine the sight of her less than graceful balancing act between car, house, or  office, as she manipulates her route around ice patches or mini-pot holes. At the office, we had to add "was employee wearing appropriate foot wear" to the incident report tool, for any mishaps on the job when we realized too many of our staff that are out and about during the day were having slips and falls, usually  the result of inappropriate for the weather footwear. 

I do think the change of seasons is a great time to think ahead and buy this years models, on clearance, and tuck away for the following start of the season ahead.  If you are more of a re-stocker, and not trying to stay top of the hour current in style, this is a good strategy.  For the last few years, I started looking this time of year for flip flops for my kids, as they make really inexpensive stocking stuffers, and know they will be used come warm weather.  My older two have loved this gift. When DD#2 was in her growing stage, though I think she is almost full sized in her foot growth, I'd guess and buy a size bigger.  I never  was off, but if I had been, I picked them up cheap enough that it wasn't a worry, and could be donated brand new to someone else. My husband has very specific brands and styles, as he is on his feet all day long, and needs a very comfortable and stable shoe after a minor stroke a few years back. When they go on sale, or jackpot, finds them on clearance, he buys in multiples.  

Footwear seems to be a personal thing.  I admit to being one of those people that while I don't mind a hand me down or a vintage piece of clothing, I want to be the first wearer of a pair of shoes. I also have a fondness for tall leather/suede boots to wear with jeans and dresses.  I have a large calf, so rarely can I get these on sale, other than the annual Macy's boot sale each October.  I figure I can make a pair last three years, and I am starting year number three with my present pair.  Knowing I'll need to replace, means I'll scrimp in other clothing areas the rest of the year so I can hit the boot sale next fall.  How do you manage footwear at the change of seasons? If it is your biggest clothing cost, what ideas do you have to keep your budget manageable? Can you be a slave to style, or does practicality and comfort win out every time?

Our little guy makes sure we are out rain or shine.

He is always sure to find something that smells interesting.

Early Fall in the River valley

Today is the first full day of fall.  We have had some quite chilly mornings, mixed with wonderful sun, slowly heating up the air.  It was a little hazardous vision wise on my drive to work but I was stopped and able to take a couple quick photos of the fog coming off the Mississippi.  Pardon the dash board.  I could live year round in these kind of temperatures.  The fog has such allure, particularly seeing it over a river when you can't tell where the land, water, or sky meet. 

I was loaded, over loaded in fact at work, so couldn't so much as get a walk around the building.  I made up for it at home, and Kota, my darling dog, even scored two walks-one before dinner, and a second just a bit ago, in the dark.    I got dinner started, some simple rice, beans, and cheese with tortilla, and headed for walk one. Once back, the girls and I went to town on the makeshift tex-mex, eating out on the deck rather than inside.  I polished off the remaining premixed margarita's, hiding in my fridge for just such a dinner happy hour.  Walk two required a flashlight as there wasn't so much as a star to help guide us on the path. 

We met loads of other dogs and owners both times. It is so hard keeping indoors on these warmer fall nights in Minnesota.  We are anticipating another 80 degree high on Wednesday, but know we must brace for the 30-40 degree swing south, potentially coming in the same week. While I raved about my dream to relocate to the UK, this is the season, and kind of weather, that draws folks into my part of Minnesota.  Sadly, after fall lures them in, winter freezes the feet to the ground.  I'm a long way from retirement, but I think I might have a seasonal living plan for when I do.  Minnesota gets dibs on September -early November.  


Just a foggy haze on the other side of the bridge



You can see the fog rising up from the river

I want to thank all of you that have given my site a read or two.  On Sunday I hit my first milestone and went over 1,000 page views.  Now granted, I probably might be a fair share of those even with trying to not track my own.  While I read blogs that have thousands of views a day,  sharing my ideas and thoughts with any of you readers has been a wonderful outlet for the random things going through my head.  Trying to adjust to a new framework, and see life with a realistic, but open minded lens to other perspectives and writing about it has been more difficult than I thought.  Trying to not sound whiny, insensitive, dull, or self indulgent is a challenge.  I hope my posts get better, lighter, and are infused with more fun.  As I move into the next phase, I intend to bring in a little content with some research behind it.  Comments and ideas are appreciated.  For those who found me, and came back more than once, and those that did so from outside the US, let me know what's working, or what maybe isn't.  Thanks again.