Another day in the deep freeze

This morning I awoke to see what the temperature might be for the walk with the Fairhaven group. I really wanted to go, but I said I wouldn't even try to go if the wind was still blowing. It's been simply awful: all day yesterday it blew from the northeast so hard that the walls of our apartment that face that direction were cold to the touch. Last night I added another blanket to the bed, as my usual covers just weren't doing the trick.

As you can see from the screen shot from my iPhone just after 7:00am this morning, I was disheartened to see that the wind was still strong, with a wind chill of 1 deg F. But you know what I did, don't you? I decided to bundle up and go see if any other women would be so crazy as to try a walk this morning. There were fourteen of us, all wearing enough clothes to manage a brisk walk for an hour and a half! It was very exhilarating, and I must say I feel really fortunate to have met such a diehard bunch as these ladies. Afterwards, we went inside to have coffee and spend some time chatting.

Warm and cozy now!

Since I am in the process of trying to keep from gaining any more weight over the holidays, I was glad to have burned a few calories so I can eat a bit more than I would have allowed myself otherwise. I worried a little about the birds, wondering how they will get enough water, since all the standing water is frozen. There's been a discussion on the bird listserv that I follow about how to keep hummingbird feeders and water warm for those of us who worry about such things. Joe Meche, a very active local birder, told us about his new hummingbird feeder. He tried it out this morning and wrote this about a female Anna at his feeder: "In no more than five minutes (just minutes ago), she was feeding....taking deep draws on the fresh/unfrozen nectar. What a delight to observe!"

Picture by Joe Meche

This community is filled with people like Joe, and I am so glad that, although I no longer feed the birds, there are other people out there who are, and worrying about them like I do. Plus Joe is a really exceptional photographer, don't you think?
:-)

Frigid Blanchard Mountain

On the trail to Lily Lake

Do we look cold? Fifteen Senior Trailblazers showed up for a very chilly hike from the south side of Blanchard Mountain to Lily and Lizard Lakes, along with a stop at the North Butte lookout. The temperature today never rose above freezing, and the overcast sky when we started out meant that we were all a little worried about whether we would be able to stay warm.

Ice bouquet

All along the frosty trail, we saw this frozen ice that had extruded up from the ground, ice crystals giving us every indication of how cold it was. There were several places reminiscent of bouquets of flowers. We don't usually see this sort of thing, since we only had a few days last year when the temperature got as cold as we've had for several days now. With many more ahead.

Lily Lake

By the time we reached Lily Lake, the first of our stops, the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds. Although at this time of year the angle of the sun is quite low, there were a few spots where we began to cast a shadow. The lake is mostly frozen, but it doesn't extend very deep.

North Butte

By the time we had reached the high point of today's hike, North Butte, the sun was out! Although it wasn't very warm, there wasn't even a little bit of breeze, so we decided to go ahead and have lunch, even though it was just a little after 11:00am. Every other place we might choose to stop afterwards would be in the shade and very cold. We also enjoyed the view from this spot, looking out over Samish Bay.

The view

We weren't sure whether we would be able to navigate the rocks to get up this high, because ice and snow were everywhere that the sun didn't reach. But we managed; however, the return trip back down the steep rocks was a bit dicey. We took our time, and as soon as we left the warmth of the sun, it began to get really cold and uncomfortable. Several of us had the water in our hydration tubes freeze right up. Yes, it was that brisk!

Ten of the fifteen

The last part of the seven-mile-long hike was on a road, and at one point we had a nice view of Mt. Baker (right over Doug's head). Although the picture quality isn't perfect, I used my camera and never tried to use my cell phone because I would have had to remove my gloves, and I wasn't willing to do that! Other than the temperature, it was just a lovely day. After we returned to the cars, Amy pulled out three candles to place on her homemade cupcakes to celebrate the three December birthdays: me, Fred, and Carol. I learned that Carol was born on Christmas Eve, which explains her name.

All in all, it was a great day with wonderful friends. When I got home I learned that our TV had finally bit the dust, so I headed over to Best Buy for a replacement. Smart Guy is busy setting it up while I write this post. Although our old TV was only six years old, I was completely floored by the advancement in technology and the reduced cost! I guess you could say this has been a pretty darn good day after all.
:-)

Life's little interruptions

Hilda, our superb RN

Well, now that it's in the past, I think I can share what the little "minor interruption" I mentioned in my last post was all about. While I was finishing up the post mid-afternoon Saturday, I learned that Smart Guy had experienced some vertigo and broke out in a sweat. After calling our doctor's office and ascertaining that a visit to the Emergency Room was in order, we spent the next four hours there, having all kinds of tests run. Hilda checked us in and monitored our progress during that time. The doctor ruled out several possible causes and put him on an antibiotic, determining that a sinus or inner-ear infection was the likely cause of the vertigo.

It's three days later and he hasn't had another episode, and in general is feeling much, much better. It was very reassuring to learn that our emergency care is so good. Within an hour after it happened, he had had an EKG, blood drawn, a chest x-ray, and was on his way to get a CT scan of his head, when I left to go back home to get my book and some sustenance. By the time I returned, he was getting ready to be discharged, with anti-vertigo medication and a prescription for an antibiotic.

We bonded with Hilda and learned that Saturday was her very last day on the job, as she is retiring and looking forward to the next chapter in her life. We all three felt it was very fortuitous to have met each other, and I commented on the quality of the care we received. Hilda said it is the best place she has ever worked! In five years of being here in Bellingham, this is the first time we've needed to take advantage of the emergency care, and now I'm reassured that we are indeed in the right place for our golden years.

And in a few minutes I'm off to the movies with my friend Judy to see The Dallas Buyers Club. It's gotten rave reviews, and my sister saw it and said I simply have to see it, so I am happy to oblige. This is the season when we've got tons of good movies to see. I guess they wait until the holiday season to release them, partly because they will be uppermost in the mind of the audience when the Oscar nominees are chosen. That's what I think, anyway. There are numerous good movies that I'd like to see. I'll let you know what I think of this one.
:-)

Battening down the hatches

From Climate Prediction Center

It looks like the majority of the country has got some cold weather a-comin' our way. The dark blue shows an 80% confidence level in the forecast that the weather will be colder than normal for the next week or so. My sister who lives in Florida will be having warmer than normal. I guess I should have made that plane reservation, but for now I'm staying home, battening down the hatches, and expecting to have temperatures 10–20 degrees F below normal. My hike next Thursday will be FRIGID, with the high for the day not getting close to freezing. We've done it before, but last winter never had any days this cold, if I'm not mistaken. I'll be ready.

Pretty blue skies

Yesterday five of us Trailblazers went out on an impromptu hike. It was supposed to rain later in the day, but it was quite mild and we never got any rain. In fact, the skies started to clear, and we even saw some sunshine. Today is another matter, however; it's been raining on and off, and tomorrow it's supposed to really rain, as in buckets, while the wind is predicted to blow a gale. The only place I'll exercise will be at the Y to use the treadmill, if I even do that much.

Our Thanksgiving table (sans salmon)

We had a wonderful dinner, and although I had seconds, I didn't overdo it. The salmon was just coming out of the oven when I took this picture so we could sit down and eat. Okay, the salmon's done. Here's a closeup of our magnificent meal.

Salmon, squash casserole, salad, wine

Today (Saturday), we finished up the last of our leftovers and Smart Guy is in the kitchen preparing our week's worth of steamed veggies. (We just had a minor interruption in our day, so I'll just sign off here, and look forward to writing more later, like on Tuesday.)
:-)

Thanksgiving 2013

Wild turkeys

I just got this nice picture of two local wild turkeys, a picture placed on the Whatcom Birders' site just a few minutes ago. It gave me a perfect lead-in for my post. Joe Meche, the photographer, put the following comment along with the picture: "Here are two happy Wild Turkeys on the top of Squalicum Mountain, happy to be there and not on someone's table."

I have eaten plenty of Thanksgiving turkeys over the years, and last year in Texas with my siblings I enjoyed it for several days. This year, however, I'm at home and will prepare wild Atlantic salmon (NB: I mean "Alaska" salmon) caught by my fisherman friend Gene, along with all the trimmings.

None of the places I normally go for coffee this morning are open, since all independent coffee shops are closed for the day. I headed off to the local Haggen's grocery store, which is open 24/7 and has a Starbucks inside. While there, I bought a new ice scraper for the upcoming cold snap, and a young man in line in front of me was buying a 10-pound bag of potatoes and two dozen eggs. Then he took his unicycle out of the cart and proceeded to get everything ready to transport home. I asked if I could take his picture as he balanced the potatoes and the eggs in his backpack and took off!

A fall would make an omelet

I suspect he didn't have far to go, but there was little traffic on the streets in any event. I watched in admiration as he navigated his unique mode of transportation. Bellingham is filled with people who follow a bit of a different path. Like me, for instance. This is another sport I don't think I'll take up any time soon, even though it sure looks like fun!

A list of all the reasons I am grateful to be here, today, would be way too long and cumbersome. But just a few things:

1. Being healthy, hale and hearty, and having plenty to eat.
2. Having a partner who shares my life with me.
3. My extended family, siblings and their mates, nieces and nephews.
4. Blogaritaville, where my other extended family lives.
5. Not needing a lot of "stuff" to be happy (no shopping tomorrow).
6. All the blessings that come from living in a place where I fit in.
7. The gift of technology (as I sit here with my laptop).

Yes, this is a good year to take some time to sit back and reflect on my blessings. It doesn't get much better than this, right here, right now. Blessings to you and yours! Oh, and don't forget to take a walk after dinner, if you can. You'll sleep better. 

:-)

Front porch sunrise

Starting my day

We have been having lots of sunshiny mornings, like this one. I think it's been almost two weeks in a row, which is very unusual for us at this time of the year. It must be because the rest of the country is getting our usual weather. We've got some changes coming up by the weekend, but right now it's awfully nice. I will continue to enjoy it.

Just got back from seeing Catching Fire, the second movie adapted from the Hunger Games trilogy of books written by Suzanne Collins. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen. I just learned that the third book in the series will be made into two more movies (sigh), I guess to capture maximum dollars from the audience. I won't miss either one, because I enjoyed the books and, so far, both movies. I was ready today with my ear plugs firmly settled in my ears. This film was so loud that I never took them out once the movie started, and I was glad I had them. It made me feel actually comfortable, although I jumped in my seat every now and then at scary parts. The ear plugs didn't make me miss a single word of dialog. I enjoyed it, but it's not the kind of movie that might keep me up at night wondering about it. Entertainment, pure and simple. And loud.

I've been getting a few things every day to prepare for our Thanksgiving dinner of salmon from my fisherman friend Gene (the fifth year in a row he has given us our sumptuous meal). We'll also have a nice green salad (with avocado of course) and a squash casserole as in past years. It's going to be a lot of food for the two of us, but we will definitely enjoy a fine Thanksgiving feast together.

I won't be going on a hike on Thursday, but I'm hoping that maybe Al will get something going for Friday. Otherwise, I'll be going through withdrawal.
:-)

Almost in my prime

Twin primes

Next week I will turn 71, which is a prime number. Al is 73, another prime number, for a couple more months, so you are looking at two people who are in their prime, so to speak. You gotta have something to look forward to when you get up there in years. This picture was taken last Thursday, when we did a really challenging hike, well over eleven miles long with almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. I managed, but I sure did collapse when I got home and wrote my last post.

The next morning, yesterday, I woke up and groaned as I climbed out of bed. Everything hurt: my knee, which is still bothering me, my right Achilles tendon, and pretty much every muscle in my legs. They are still pretty sore, but I got up, had breakfast, got dressed for the cold weather and made my way to my exercise class. I know it sounds counterproductive, but by the time I finished my hour-long aerobic class, showered, and walked back to the bus, I was feeling pretty darn good. The exercise worked out my muscles and the hot shower was just what the doctor ordered.

Yes, I know that I'm getting older. I feel it every day, but this morning when I went out to walk with the Fairhaven group of ladies, I decided to wear my knee brace. It was a good move, because now, after five miles at a brisk 4-mile-an-hour pace, it doesn't hurt at all. In a few minutes I'll head out the door to see a movie with my friend Judy. And I've got a spring in my step.

Oh, and by the way, how long can YOU hold your breath? I read this article about a guy who died while trying to set a freediving record. This is where you dive underwater and come back up without using any kind of breathing apparatus, other than your own lungs. I was astounded to learn that the record for holding your breath is now up to 22 minutes!! And if you read the article, you'll learn that professional freedivers can get better with age (and practice).

No, I don't think I'll be taking up freediving after I stop skydiving. I can read your mind, you know.
:-)