Morning notes

Back to doing morning walks. 9:30 am, 75 degrees F and hazy/muggy, but some breeze helped me up the hill. Up to the entrance to the parking lot, then look at the flowers planted by the first 4 apartments...but not to take their photos today. Then the wonderful surprise nature gave me on the way down the hill.

I heard them first. 8 lovely Canada Geese honking as they fly, coming over the trees. Then their shadows cast across the driveway before they flew in formation across the sky...and then the bit of moisture that hit my forehead after they'd passed. Fortunately it was just moisture, not poop. Thanks guys. Good to see you too!

Basil is on it's way out. So I've clipped the tops about 6 inches, and am trying to root them in water inside.

The volunteer Four O'Clocks have survived the Japanese Beetles, and one (the tall one on the left) is beginning to bloom. The original seed pack said they had a good scent, but somehow I've never been able to pick it up. Today I didn't even smell the marigolds.

As I took a few pictures of my own porch flowers, I heard sirens in the distance. I went inside, then realized the firetruck had come up the driveway where I'd just walked. Did I miss the ambulance? They always come together, though most of our calls are for the Medical team rather than fires. Ah, there comes the ambulance. I didn't wait around to see where the EMT's went. 

I gladly came inside to my lower humidity air conditioned kitchen and fixed my breakfast of granola and blue berries with rice milk, and my second cup of coffee (this week with just honey it it.) I'm trying to wean myself from milk products, and sugar is not good for me, but I can't do coffee black.

So I've made a start. Of "Just Do It."

Walking on Walker Rd.

As I started up the hill from our driveway into the apartment complex, I saw a sunlit post which I'd never noticed before. However it's not exactly new. And what the heck kind of barrier did it connect to? Closing off the driveway to the apartments? 

It's in a very strange place, in the middle of a bunch of overgrown vines and grasses.

I love seeing all the bamboo mixed in with the pines in the small amount of forest.

Looking to the tops, some greenery continues in the bamboo as well as the pines...a surprise after many nights of frost.

At someone's mailbox is a tiny turquoise plastic chair. Perhaps for visitors to find them easily?

The destination of my walk, the dead end with 4 driveways - I can only see the two closest houses. I walk around the circle and turn back down the hill. Having accomplished this big hill is one way I know I'm doing good things for my heart by walking like this.

Today's quote:

"Putting something called Nature on a pedestal and admiring it from afar does for the environment what patriarchy does for the figure of Woman. It is a paradoxical act of sadistic admiration."

Timothy Morton 

 

That week in between holidays

Some take various presents back to exchange, for size, color, fit, taste, or just the fun of choosing another version of the gift.

Some take advantage of the sales the day after Christmas.

As always, I avoid the stores.  Especially on the days everyone else goes to them.

Remember I'm an introvert.  And maybe even anti-traffic, anti-social, and certainly anti-spending.  I chose these opportunities to read a book.

Fall 2012 Blue Ridge Parkway

Just because there are bargains on things I don't need, I still don't need them.

I'll probably be cleaning up stuff anyway.  Or going for a ride and walk and taking more pictures  if the weather is nice.

My family is still visiting, so I'm doing whatever they chose to do just to spend a few more precious minutes with them.  Yesterday we drove up to Bakersville in cold rain to see Crimson Laurel's great collection of good pottery.  Then we swung around Penland while it was closed, just so an out-of-state person could see what the layout looked like.

Today, if the weather permits, the young ones will go hiking with friends.  I will be free to do something on my own...but want to be available whenever they get back from their muddy pursuits.  I'll let 'cha know what happens!