Monday, April 20, 2020

Got off my backside today

Two trillium today
My friend Melanie suggested that we go for a hike today, as it's been awhile since we got together to enjoy the outdoors. I told her that I have been feeling more than lethargic, even downright lazy and unwilling to rouse myself from the easy chair. But upon her urging, we met this morning at the local trailhead to head up Chuckanut Mountain, one of our favorite places. And the trillium are out and abundant!
Salmonberry (Mel's picture)
As we began the hike, I kept thinking I would have to turn around and let her go without me, since my hip hurt and the uphill sections seemed enormously difficult. She slowed down as I whined about not being in shape, etc., but after a short break, I realized that there is a reason I need to keep doing this exercise regularly: since I have nerve damage and compromised circulation in my right leg, only constant exercise keeps it from deteriorating. And my recent vacation from any kind of physical effort had taken its toll. So I kept going.
Red currant in bloom
After we had been out for an hour or so, I began to perk up a little and felt the wonderful environment, green and lush, revive my interest. We stopped lots to take pictures, and before I knew it, I was happy and feeling much better about everything, including my hip. Guess I just needed a bit of a push from a dear friend, eh?
Is that a cigarette or a joint?
Someone noticed striations on this tree's bark that reminded them of a face, so he or she added a rock for a nose and stuck something in his mouth. The science of seeing faces in inanimate objects is called Pareidolia, which at one time was considered a symptom of human psychosis, but it is now seen as a normal human tendency. (That link takes you to Wikipedia and explains more about the phenomenon.) Whoever first noticed this one was quite clever in making it impossible for passersby not to see the face and injected some joy into at least two observers.

By the time we finished our lovely outing, I was feeling like a new person myself. My hip had loosened after having gotten the kinks worked out, and the wonderful day, along with Melanie's company, made me very happy to have spent my morning and afternoon out and about. I did, however, binge-watch a wonderful show yesterday, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for a fascinating series: Undone. I would tell you what it's about, but I can't. Suffice it to say it got a score of 10/10 from Rotten Tomatoes, so I must not be alone in having enjoyed it so much.

And now, I've settled back into my easy chair, but this time I no longer feel guilty but instead sated by another wonderful day outdoors. Perhaps I will be more enthusiastic next time Melanie suggests a hike and won't look for excuses so readily. (P.S.: we were physically distant from each other as per usual, and we both wore face masks, saw only a few people on the trail, and everyone was polite and kept their distance.)
:-)

20 comments:

  1. Good for you. It really helps our mental state to be active. I have been battling sciatica again, so I did not walk today, but I cleaned house and did my physical therapy and did eight miles on my stationary bike. I am proud of myself for keeping going. You should be too.

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  2. Good for you! It’s sure good for the soul isn’t it?! That’s how I felt last Thursday. Ah...forest trails❤️

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  3. I'm glad you got out there and walked through the pain. Walking is so good for our mental state as well as our physical well being.

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  4. We have to get out of the house. there are many opportunities for exercise. Like you we have to get out and take advantage of the situation.

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  5. I am thrilled that you got out and walked through your pain.
    And very, very grateful that you took us with you.
    Love that face in the tree.

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  6. You did a good thing. I am a wee bit jealous. To be able to walk longer and with less difficulty would be nice. It’s one of the little things that we take for granted until it becomes problematic.

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  7. That was a good hike with a good outcome. Thanks for the pretty photos. That cigarette or joint in that tree made me smile.

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  8. Melanie is a good friend, indeed! The trilliums are so pretty and I love the tree face. What a happy day! :)

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  9. I tried leaving a comment earlier this morning, but it wouldn't go thru!

    I enjoyed the beauty of nature's gifts you shared while you two masked bandits hike the trail! Now, if I'm not mistaken trilium flowers turn pink as the age, correct? Tell me if I'm wrong, okay?

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  10. I am delighted you have a friend who wouldn't take no for an answer. At first I was worried about your pain but then realized along with you that exercise was the best thing for the pain--and the mental attitude. You scared me a bit about seeing faces in inanimate objects being a form of human psychosis for I have been guilty. Glad it is now considered normal. Phew.
    Hope you keep up the effort to keep moving and glad you have a friend to encourage you. Keep moving.

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  11. So glad your outing was successful. Anything to boost one's spirits (even if a bit painful) is good these days. Love the pic of the tree with the face.

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  12. How good for you! You really do need to be out every day, doing some exercise, walking or gardening. You have to keep moving to keep moving. You just don't have to hike 10 miles a day to do it!

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  13. That day sounds perfect. Isn’t it amazing how quickly we can get out of shape? It is important to push ourselves as you did if we want to stay as mobile.

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  14. Happy to read you had a lovely day hiking with your friend, old joints are a problem, but moving them seems to be the answer.
    Lovely Trilliums, it's most definitely springtime.
    Stay well dear friend,
    Jo

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  15. I learned something new. And I hope you had a good walk!

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  16. And you saw pretty flowers too! Glad you got out for a hike! :)

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  17. Like you, we're finding that these days are living proof of the law of inertia, so it takes a bit of extra effort just to accomplish even our everyday activities. So ... keep on truckin'!

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  18. Sounds like a great outing! And that face on the tree...

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  19. Yay! I’m so glad you were able to get out there and just enjoy nature again. I love that tree face. I saw it immediately. I know what you mean about sometimes getting the joints moving and stretching out again. I guess we need to get out and move. I keep resisting it, but I do have a life coach living with me who prods me along every morning.

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