Bunny tales

Can you see him in there?

Another rainy morning, so I decided to make my walk home from the coffee shop shorter than normal. I walked just over a mile, and during that time I saw this cute little bunny run across the trail in front of me. I wondered if he would hold still long enough for me to get a picture, and sure enough he did.

I also heard a rooster crowing, which I sometimes manage to hear on my walk, and it always makes me happy to hear his insistent voice. Although I pass by the same way every day, even on my shortened walk, I don't often hear him. And a bit later on the walk, I also heard a hooty-owl calling. There is probably much more wildlife than I am aware of, but it's lovely when the sounds of nature fills my ears.

Although I got enough sleep last night, I'm still feeling a little drowsy, even after my usual coffee and a good breakfast. In another hour, I've got a lunchtime yoga Zoom class to attend, and after that a massage scheduled downtown. Not a bad way to spend a rainy day, eh?

:-)

Best time of the year

Melanie took this

Last Thursday, Melanie and I walked twice around Lake Padden. It was a bit cloudy but it didn't rain, and the cool breeze kept us comfortable as we journeyed our 5.2 miles. It was just what I needed, what the doctor ordered, so to speak. I've been unable to do long hikes without injury, so this was just right.

Then yesterday on Facebook, I saw that Mel had gone on a much longer and steeper hike with two of our Trailblazers, and I realized that I've been holding her back. I don't think I could have done the 9+ miles and 2,500 feet elevation. It's a bit jarring to realize that if the Trailblazers were to begin hiking together again right now, I couldn't join them.

We have just moved to Phase 2 in the reopening plan, and that means now some establishments are allowing people to come inside and enjoy coffee while remaining and not having to leave right away. Yesterday I went looking for someplace to get my hair cut, and every single place I went had no openings until the middle of next week. Apparently, I'm not the only shaggy-haired person in town. I did eventually go to my regular hair salon to find out why I haven't been getting through. Same story, but she promised to call me and get me on the schedule. She's booked through June 17th!

When I got home, she called me and said she'd come in early on Tuesday if I were willing. Willing? I can't wait! Tomorrow at the crack of 8:00 I'll be there. And she knows I'll give her a hefty tip for getting me in.

Thursday I'll see my acupuncturist, and then on Friday my first massage in three months! For someone who has been getting one every 3 weeks for years, it will be a real joy to finally, once again, put myself under her capable hands. Phase 2, here I come!
:-)

Shorter walk today

Ducks relaxing in the grass

Today I asked Melanie if she would be willing to join me for a couple loops around Lake Padden, rather than try anything more difficult, considering my back. It's so much better than it was last week, but I realize that I'm pushing it by going on any long excursions these days. That said, I am hoping that eventually I'll be able to join my fellow Trailblazers whenever we are able to start our hikes again. She and I set out early and took lots of pictures along the way.

Bunny

We saw this little guy holding very still as we took pictures of him. I think he thought if he didn't move, we wouldn't see him. There were plenty of people out with their dogs, so I suspect he didn't stay here very long. It was cool and breezy, with us wanting to keep moving so we wouldn't get too cold, but we enjoyed walking and talking as we covered the trails.

Lots of pretty flowers

June is such a lovely time of the year, and flowers are abundant everywhere one looks. I don't know what these are, but they come in several different shades of pink and lavender.

Think he knows how to catch a fish?

We saw these two fishermen, who have been joined with someone who knows what they're going to be pulling out of the water. I wish I'd been around to see who ended up with the first catch. Wonder if they even know he's back there.

It was nice to be outdoors today, even if the temperature could have been a little warmer. We saw lots of people with their dogs, and perhaps half of those we saw were wearing a mask. Although it's certainly easier to walk and hike without one, it just seems like a thoughtful thing to wear, just in case.

Sign of the times

Hanging on the rear view mirror, something that the owner of the car probably uses when inside. Masks are required indoors, while we are still in Phase I of our reopening strategy. Our county has petitioned to move to Phase II, which hopefully will happen soon. Then I will be able to go spend money at REI, as well as see my acupuncturist and massage therapist again. In any event, I had a lovely time today with my friend Mel.
:-)

Hoping for inspiration this holiday season

A favorite picture from a hike this summer

I just finished a yoga class, the last one for this semester, save a “restorative“ class. Then we have a break until January. We will have some holiday classes, and then we start up again, most of us in the class taking level one again.

Just back from my acupuncture treatment. I can still feel where he put the needles, and I know from experience that the benefits will continue to be noticeable for another few days. If I could afford to have acupuncture once a week, I would, just because of how much better I feel for days afterwards.

This Friday, Black Friday, I'll be getting a massage, my other feel-good treatment that I get as often as I can. In between time I'll be preparing our usual Thanksgiving fare: salmon, a squash casserole that I simply love (made with delicata squash), and a hefty salad. We're skipping the sweet stuff this year, unless I sneak something into the fridge without him noticing. Not likely. Pictures to come on Thursday.
:-)

Whales in my future

Luena in her airbnb rental

I'm sorry that you cannot see the marvelous view of the bay from Luena's apartment she rented while visiting us in Bellingham. It was either her, or the view, but the sunshine made it impossible, with my cellphone camera anyway, to get both.

She and I are going on a whale watching tour of the San Juan islands on Saturday. It's an all-day thing, and I've been wanting to do this for a while. It's wonderful to have her to do it with. Here's the scoop, if you want to know more about it. Anyway, we will be spending all day long hoping to see some orca whales. She is here visiting from southern California, and I'm glad she will get to see the San Juans, a real treat. I'm not sure when I'll be posting the pictures that you KNOW I will be taking, because we won't be back until late (well, relatively speaking, that is).

We're having a great time while she's here. She will even be taking a few yoga classes with my favorite teacher, and she asked for my massage therapist's number, so I'm glad she will be enjoying that, too. Anyway, more later.
:-)

Next week's trip

Me with Norma Jean last November

I can hardly contain my excitement about getting to see Norma Jean and the rest of my Florida relatives soon. At this time next week, I'll be in the air somewhere over the country on my way from the northwest corner of the nation to the southern tip in central Florida.

It turns out that the day I fly south, we here in the Pacific Northwest will be experiencing a cold snap. Not me, though: I'll be able to wear shorts and t-shirts for the first time in ages, it seems. Plus I'll be swimming with my sister in the mornings, and it's been a year since I've even been in the water. I know my muscles will be sore, but a good sore, you know?

When I last saw my grand-niece Alicia, she was crawling, nearly walking. Now she's a toddler, and little Lexie is not so little any more. How time flies! A visit once a year is barely often enough to keep up. And between now and then I'll have a birthday, a massage, and three yoga classes! Life is good.
:-)

End of a very full day

Bellingham Bay at sunset

This picture was not taken today, but earlier this year. I was looking for something that would feel just right, after such a full day. It started not as usual with a walk, but with a memorial service for my friend Beth, who died a couple of weeks ago. She was only 58, but is another woman who left early because of breast cancer. I was completely taken by surprise at how quickly she died, just a few months after diagnosis.

I really needed the service, which was held at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, a place I have visited in the past. It was exactly what I needed. The experience was moving and personal, and it gave me the closure I so sorely needed. I learned many new things about Beth, but mostly I saw how many people other than me were touched by her life. She was my massage therapist for several months.

As soon as I got home, I ate a quick lunch and Smart Guy and I drove the 75 miles south to Snohomish to take my parachute rig in for its six-month checkup. Yes, that's right: I decided that I am not done yet, and the Drop Zone will open in the first week of January and, weather permitting, I will be out there once again. Or twice or more, who knows? I drove down and he drove back, so we had plenty of time to be together and process our journey.

As we drove back in the sunshine and clouds, we were also both so happy to realize the good choice we made seven years ago to move to Bellingham. It's a beautiful place to live, the just the right place for us.

Magnificent clouds

When it comes my time to cross over, I feel fortunate to know that the community that surrounds me now will support me then, too. Blue skies, Beth! Fly free...
:-)

Feeling pretty worn out today

Some of the beautiful mountains we saw

We had our first "extra" hike of the season yesterday, heading out for an all-day outing south to the Mountain Loop Highway, to Mt. Dickerman. It's my third time to hike it, having gone last year and the year before. The first time was in mid-September; last year in mid-August, and this year at the end of July. However, this one was by far the driest and the one with the least snow.

Glacier Peak, with its top hidden in clouds

We counted the switchbacks this time: there are 71 of them, and after the 68 of last Thursday's hike up Welcome Pass, I have to say my legs are feeling very well used. Yesterday we climbed almost 4,000 feet from the trailhead to the summit, and it is so worth it, since you get the payoff of 360-degree views of all the mountains for miles and miles around.

Our lunch spot

We lingered up on top for about an hour before heading back down to the cars. Although we started the actual hiking at 9:30, we didn't get back down until 4:30. It made for a very long day, and I was plenty tired by the time I returned to the trailhead.

On the trail, with flowers and views (thanks for the picture, Diane)

We headed off to Granite Falls, where we stopped at our favorite spot from past excursions. It's a pizza place, but it also has plenty of other fare. The one that was most appreciated (by me, at least) was the Mack and Jack beer! Cold and refreshing, served in frosty glasses, I was happy to stray from my usual glass of wine and steamed veggies to enjoy beer and pizza! And the company was just the best.

An appropriate place for day's end

I pulled into my parking spot at the apartment complex right at 8:00pm, after having left home 13 hours before. The two hard hikes this week made me realize I've reached my limit: when I went to my exercise class today, I became aware of the fact that I had zero energy and went home after an hour. In a few minutes I will leave to get a massage, which is very much needed today.

And as a final note, I'd like to wish my mom a happy birthday, wherever she is. She would have been ninety years old today, but she's been gone for twenty years now. Birthdays can still be celebrated, though, even when the recipient has moved on. Without her, I wouldn't be here at all!
:-)

Hot stone massage

Last week I tried something a little different when I got my massage: hot stones. It was pretty special, I must say! My massage therapist spent about 90 minutes with me instead of the usual 60, since she had to reheat the stones and place new warm ones on me several times. She had oiled stones of various sizes and when I was lying face down (as in the picture), she put warm oiled stones into my hands and onto the soles of my feet while she worked my back with the hot stones.

Also while I was face down, as she worked on my arms and legs she left nice warm stones up and down my back, and then when I was turned face up, she had some nice flat warm stones in a towel under my back. By the time I was finished with the massage, I had some difficulty getting up off the table and dressed, because I was SO RELAXED.

Although this was a delightful treat, I don't think I will do it on a regular basis. This is only because I usually feel energized after a massage. But if you have this available somewhere in your own town, I would recommend it as a fabulous Valentine's Day gift, either for yourself or your partner.
:-)