It's here and we've been waiting all winter long. We're down to the final four and wonder who will win this year. It will, of course, be the one who wins every year: Mother Nature.
This week has begun the official planting season. I haven't seen the guys during the daylight hours unless they are heading out first thing in the morning or coming in to get a snack to get them by about 5:00 until supper at nightfall.
This is the time of year that I sometimes question my coping abilities. I need to come up with suppers that are "flexible", whatever that is. There needs to be a cookbook on that one. I never know when to start a project, grade papers, or begin cooking something as I am "on call" at the ring of a phone.
I don't know where to find the guys if I need them. Cells make that so much easier. Who knows what farm they might be at. I sit in the house and listen for the sound of a tractor or truck to pull in the driveway and then I hightail it to the kitchen to begin the final preps for supper: start the potatoes boiling, cut up the salad, finish the veggies, etc. They never mind waiting if my timing is exact.
It is supposed to get to 80 on Thursday and nice through Friday. We'll get a lot done. The air smells so good being turned over and there is an anticipation amongst those who till the earth. God bless them all for their hard work and dedication.
Until then, I'll figure out what to do until the guys get in for supper!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Miles and Miles of Walking and Riding
Old age has been knocking at our door and desperately wants to get in. Steve and I are doing everything in our power to keep the invader out and do our best to stay healthy and wise (wealthy we will never be as it has NEVER knocked on our door). So we have established a nightly routine that looks something like this.
I come home from school and try to do my best to get my walk in. I purchased a treadmill last autumn and have dedicated a room upstairs to its use. I don my walking apparel, grab my latest book, decide what routine I want to work on that evening, and get on the treadmill for my workout. Usually it's a good 60-90 minutes, if I can get that much in before I have to begin supper. When the winds were howling this winter and I was still able to walk, I thanked the heavens above for the treadmill. Now that spring is showing itself a little around here, I will make more treks on the outside.
As I started my walking tonight, I noticed that I have walked 207.41 miles since I got the treadmill. I have spent 83 hours on it and have lost a total of about 15 pounds. I feel great, energetic, sleep well at night, and have a positive attitude about most things. One of the biggest advantages is that I now have over 83 hours of books read. I'm progressing in more ways than one.
Steve, on the other hand, walks almost all day so has bought himself a stationary bike. Although I think he gets more exercise than most people half his age, he eats supper and then religiously rides his bike for 30 minutes most nights. Sometimes I'm on the treadmill in the same room and we chat about the day, but usually it's his solitary time. He doesn't read a book, listen to my iPod, or chat much. I think he just enjoys the lack of stimuli that otherwise surrounds him throughout the day.
I can't tell you how far or how long he has ridden, but I imagine that we are well on our way to a nice visit with our children if we were walking/riding to DC. We have become conscious of the foods we are eating and are so grateful that most of what we put on our table is from our farm or is non-processed food. We rarely eat out, but enjoy it when we do.
We'll keep on keepin' on. Who knows. Maybe there will be a Marathon for us to participate in soon or, who knows........we may show up on your doorstep having walked/ridden all the way there.
I come home from school and try to do my best to get my walk in. I purchased a treadmill last autumn and have dedicated a room upstairs to its use. I don my walking apparel, grab my latest book, decide what routine I want to work on that evening, and get on the treadmill for my workout. Usually it's a good 60-90 minutes, if I can get that much in before I have to begin supper. When the winds were howling this winter and I was still able to walk, I thanked the heavens above for the treadmill. Now that spring is showing itself a little around here, I will make more treks on the outside.
As I started my walking tonight, I noticed that I have walked 207.41 miles since I got the treadmill. I have spent 83 hours on it and have lost a total of about 15 pounds. I feel great, energetic, sleep well at night, and have a positive attitude about most things. One of the biggest advantages is that I now have over 83 hours of books read. I'm progressing in more ways than one.
Steve, on the other hand, walks almost all day so has bought himself a stationary bike. Although I think he gets more exercise than most people half his age, he eats supper and then religiously rides his bike for 30 minutes most nights. Sometimes I'm on the treadmill in the same room and we chat about the day, but usually it's his solitary time. He doesn't read a book, listen to my iPod, or chat much. I think he just enjoys the lack of stimuli that otherwise surrounds him throughout the day.
I can't tell you how far or how long he has ridden, but I imagine that we are well on our way to a nice visit with our children if we were walking/riding to DC. We have become conscious of the foods we are eating and are so grateful that most of what we put on our table is from our farm or is non-processed food. We rarely eat out, but enjoy it when we do.
We'll keep on keepin' on. Who knows. Maybe there will be a Marathon for us to participate in soon or, who knows........we may show up on your doorstep having walked/ridden all the way there.
Monday, March 1, 2010
What Would You Do?
The ministers at our church are doing a Lenten series of sermons on the book, 30 Days To Live. It basically asks the question, "If you had only 30 days left in this life, what would you do and how would you spend it?"
I usually attend the early service which is a more contemporary version of the typical Sunday service. While giving the sermon, there is interaction between the minister and the congregation, some give and take, and a few laughs. I wasn't prepared for what I heard one Sunday on this subject.
After asking the congregation the above question, "What would you do if you had 30 days to live?", there were many typical answers thrown out by those of us present. "I would quit my job!" "I would spend it with those I love." " I would definitely travel." On and on as I would expect. Then a man on the left raised his hand and put us all in stitches.
"I would go to live with my mother-in-law. Then it would seem like a lifetime!"
Gotta give him credit for that one. His wife sitting next to him wasn't as amused but the rest of us sure got a good laugh at her expense. Love those early morning services!
I usually attend the early service which is a more contemporary version of the typical Sunday service. While giving the sermon, there is interaction between the minister and the congregation, some give and take, and a few laughs. I wasn't prepared for what I heard one Sunday on this subject.
After asking the congregation the above question, "What would you do if you had 30 days to live?", there were many typical answers thrown out by those of us present. "I would quit my job!" "I would spend it with those I love." " I would definitely travel." On and on as I would expect. Then a man on the left raised his hand and put us all in stitches.
"I would go to live with my mother-in-law. Then it would seem like a lifetime!"
Gotta give him credit for that one. His wife sitting next to him wasn't as amused but the rest of us sure got a good laugh at her expense. Love those early morning services!
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