Thursday, April 30, 2020

What day is it?

Yesterday's lovely trail
I keep forgetting what day it is. Even though it's my usual hiking day, since our hikes are not happening because of everything being canceled, my ability to remember what day it is has slipped its moorings. So when my friend Melanie asked if I'd like to go for a hike yesterday, I readily agreed. We had clouds and filtered sun, and the occasional little shower. Perfect, really.
Hey, come back here!
Before I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I had never before seen anything like this. Up here, these strange trees are everywhere. There was obviously a "nurse log" underneath the tree, which caused the roots to reach down for the ground, and then the log eventually disappeared, leaving the tree looking like it's ready to go somewhere.
Aging trillium
We were on the trails behind Lake Padden, and we saw an incredible number of trillium, dozens and dozens. This one had been around awhile and has begun to turn pink, as they do when they are close to the end of their lives. Even though I was really enjoying the day, my cell phone pinged to remind me that I had completely forgotten about my monthly FaceTime call with my sister. So I skedaddled from the trail and headed home to get online with Norma Jean.

It was truly a lovely outing anyway, so I'm glad I keep forgetting my remaining obligations and get the chance to enjoy the outdoors, even if it isn't on a Thursday. Today is the last day of the month, and I can only hope that by the time we get to the end of May, our social distancing rules, while not gone, will be relaxed enough for us to get close enough to each other to have a beer together. I miss my friends.

We did have a Zoom gathering with other hikers this week, thanks to Al inviting us to see each others' faces at least. We will be doing that again soon, I'm sure, but it's just not the same. Better than nothing, but still. This extrovert (me) is simply not accustomed to all this solitude. Then again, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and if I get through it intact as an old timer I will consider it a win.
:-)

17 comments:

  1. Isn’t it amazing how the technology keeps us in touch today. There is nothing like the real thing however.

    Our restrictions are relaxing a bit tomorrow. It won’t mean we spend time with our grandkids but we can will be able to drive around the island, go for hikes and picnics. That is great!

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  2. Hugs.
    I am so very glad that you were able to have a mini-hike with Melanie, and to spend some virtual time with those who are dear to you.

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  3. I'm glad you got out in the woods today!
    My outing today was to the grocery store. Thursday means food shopping now. And since it is the last day of the month, it is also bill paying day. Got all of that done, plus a long phone appointment with our financial advisor. Today I needed to know what day it was. I had time for my exercises, eight miles on my stationary bike, and an hour outside playing with plants.I had a good day too.

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  4. Any day that is a Hiking Day is a good day no matter what day it is.

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  5. Just after your post I had a blogger with the same topic...what day is it.

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  6. Oh my oh my...such a great time away from home. With a friend, beautiful trail, and fresh air/exercise!!

    Like the song says...I will survive. You will, and come out of this healthy, happy & eager to "go again".

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  7. That had to be so nice to get dirt under your shoes again. I think these times are hardest on active folks like you.
    As for what day it is, I too suffer. Just this morning I debated whether it was Tuesday or Wednesday. I thought surely it's no later than Thursday and was a bit shocked to realize it is Friday. Yikes.

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  8. Agree Zoom is keeping us sane, if not entirely happy. We just had a Zoom conference on Wednesday ... or was it Thursday?

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  9. I have never tried a Zoom meeting and probably never will. You definitely are an extrovert. Nice photo of that tree with its roots.

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  10. Glad you got out for a bit. Those trees with "legs" do look strange.
    Yes, having some kind of schedule keeps a person more aware of what day it is. Have a wonderful weekend. ;)

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  11. I'm still hiking and exercising but mostly alone these days. This morning Bob came along, and I wondered if he'd want to cut the walk short, but he didn't. Our Dr has been doing weekly zoom meetings with all his patients who want to join. Bob had a teleconference with a Dr this week, and I thought it went well. I was glad he didn't have to go to the facility to see her. We lose track of days too - it's because of the solitude and nothing on the calendar such as meeting a friend for lunch. Stay well.

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  12. Yes we lose track of days here also! You are not alone! Beautiful Trillium we are still about a month away from Trillium:) You are correct you can do this!

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  13. Dear DJan, like you, I'm thinking this is a "once in a lifetime" occurrence, but I'm so hoping that it brings with it change to our culture with regarding to an underlying greed and disregard for the inequality that is so evident.

    Yes, this must all be so hard for an extrovert. You must miss going not only to the cafe where you meet with friends but also the movies. But you always seem to me to be so resourceful. Peace.

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  14. I love the idea of the ZOOM get together, but I don’t really have a whole bunch of people to do it with. I have small groups of people that I’ve been texting back and forth with though.

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  15. Beautiful forest!!!

    My days tend to run in together too, especially over the Easter holiday when I didn't even have work to at least force me to look at the calendar to make sure I didn't have any Zoom meetings.

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