Tuesday, January 29, 2013

She is wearing me out!

Norma Jean finishing her 3/4 mile swim
Before I got here, I did think I get a lot of exercise, but I am not kidding: Norma Jean makes me feel like a wimp. I haven't been swimming at the YMCA regularly lately, since I can't seem to get a lane to myself during the times I want to swim.

But here in Florida, Norma Jean took me to her YMCA, where the outdoor pool is not all that busy when it first opens at 6:30. Yes, that is 6:30 in the morning! She swims three-quarters of a mile, without stopping, before coming home, changing clothes, and going out for a four-mile walk with her dog. If you can call it a "walk," since I must jog alongside her to keep up. She is most comfortable with covering four and a half miles every hour. That means before 8:30, she's had enough exercise that would be the envy of someone decades younger.
Checking email
This is where she sits when we have our wonderful video chats twice a week. Notice that it's early and quite foggy outside. Although it's been sunny every day I've been here, there have been several mornings with dense fog. Yesterday it was over 80 deg F, and I was almost too hot as I rode Norma Jean's bicycle around the community.
Many of the trees around here are covered with this beautiful Spanish moss. The squirrels are abundant, with Sandhill cranes and Muscovy ducks everywhere around the ponds as well. I'll try to get some pictures, but so far I'm so tired after trying to keep up with my younger sister that you'll just have to wait a bit. Maybe on Thursday...
:-)

28 comments:

  1. ah i miss the spanish moss as well...the road to our home down there had a canopy of it...ha...i am surprised a bit she could wear you out...smiles...

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  2. It sounds like you are having a great time!! You BOTH put me to shame! Have fun and enjoy your visit. Two weeks goes by fast!

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  3. I have my serious doubts that she can wear you out, my friend.
    You both are in terrific shape, and I'm so glad that you are spending time together. I love the photos...Norma Jean in the pool, at the computer, and of course, I love our Spanish Moss.
    Glad you are here...enjoy your visit.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  4. You poor thing..tough keeping up with the younger generation:)

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  5. This is so funny, DJan. I simply cannot believe that you are winded and tired after all that exercise. Lol. I mean, look at all the hiking, walking, and gym work you do in WA. Anyway, I just love your photos and commentary. Keep them coming! Cheers!

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  6. What a great sisters' reunion. At the pace you gals are going I would not be able to get out of bed the next morning. And I have to admit one thing I like about not working in an office is being able to sleep beyond 6:30 a.m.!

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  7. she is a DYNAMO!!! it obviously runs in the family...

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  8. Woah! I wish I could keep up that rythm! I really need to start going back to the pool... but it's no fun when you have to share lanes with several other people and not everyone swims at the same speed...

    Good luck keeping up with her! I foresee some good physical fatigue in your near future! ;o)

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  9. Oh the moss almost makes the tree look as if it's covered in ice. Just lovely. You and your sis sure are active. And it sounds like you're only a teeny bit competitive. Maybe. ;)

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  10. Just reading all that has exhausted me...much to my chagrin!

    Have a wonderful time....in between all the exercise.

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  11. Four and a half miles per hour is very fast walking! I can't do that anymore It takes me about one hour 13 minutes to do four miles, and that has me sweating. It does include hills.
    Not being a morning person I would never recover if I did that much that early in the day. Wow. She's the Energizer Bunny. take care that you don't overdo it, DJan.

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  12. Norma Jean has the right idea. Keep very active. It pays off in so many ways. I quit running two years ago and i really miss it.
    Enjoy the fine weather.

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  13. Ah, the muscovys...we used to rescue the ducklings, raise them, then release them. And your sister's exercise routine...wow.

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  14. I am obsessed with spanish moss on the oak trees...whenever I go to Savannah I can't get enough of them!!!

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  15. Your sister is amazing. Good for her for getting out there early and covering that much territory. I know a few people in their early 40's who do this type of a routine, but few in, if any, in beyond 45 who are able to work out to this degree. I can't imagine you not being able to keep up. I admire both of you.

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  16. OH MY, that is way too much exercise for me. Well done, Norma Jean! It sounds like you're enjoying yourself. I've always been quite captivated with Spanish Moss.

    Enjoy your stay ~ xx

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  17. I can't believe there's somebody who is more energetic than you! Good gosh! It must run in the genes. Your sister is amazing and I am thoroughly envious! Florida sounds beautiful. I've never been there and would love to see it.

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  18. I loved that photo at the computer. It is the same kind of computer I am using to type this message on.

    My wife of nearly 58 years just got my new PC cleaned up and running again. Thankfully. I enjoy using it and having to "look" all over for the simplest things. I have forgotten how to do things I just do without thinking on the iMac.

    Remember that today is making tomorrow's history.

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  19. Hey, that's OK DJan, you and your sister are just exercising different muscles, the air is different and the types of muscle draining activities is different too. You should take her on a hike up one of your mountains - then again, she might surprise you. ha,ha What a nice healthy life your sister has and you are right, not just young people would admire her fitness - then again she is a little younger, Eh. Love the spanish moss on the trees.

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  20. Those ducks are quite homely! LOL

    Boy, it sounds like once you get back home you're gonna need a vacation of rest and relaxation to recoup. LOL I know you're enjoying it tho.

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  21. Wow! Norma Jean puts me to shame. Isn't it nice to have your sister push you beyond your comfort zone a little? I always respond to sisterly peer pressue, especially since I'm older and feel compelled not to use that as an excuse!

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  22. Did you say you were on holiday or at boot camp?

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  23. That kind of exercise is good for just about everything to do with our body- good for her, good for you. It's one of the things regarding our health that we do have control over.

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  24. Lol....and I envied your stamina, it must be the genes in your family, only two gears....fast and faster :)
    Enjoy your visit it looks like you already have !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  25. It's hard to believe you are having trouble keep up with your sister. Maybe you haven't gotten over the jet lag yet.

    I love seeing the Spanish moss, I do miss it. And the Muscovy ducks too, I have only seen a couple here.

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  26. LOL...the competition between sisters never quits, does it ?

    You're my hero...I am experiencing a bit of muscle loss for some reason--probably because I'm such a slug these days. Having a time walking...I need gardens to keep me hopping!

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  27. LOL you are tired? I get tried reading your posts because you are so active.

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