Sunday, June 04, 2023

Weekly Morning Walks

Monday, May 29th, 6:48 a.m.

You may be looking at these photos, thinking I made a mistake and posted the same photo over & over again...

Tuesday, May 30th, 7:02 a.m.

...but if you look closely, you'll see the sun is higher up as the week goes on.

Wednesday, May 31st, 7:27 a.m.

This is because I managed to sleep a wee bit later during my time away from work.

Thursday, June 1st, 7:03 a.m.

But not too much later.

Friday, June 2nd, 7:17 a.m.

The heat let up on Saturday and the day started pretty hazy.

Saturday, June 3rd, 6:48 a.m.

And of course today was back to gorgeous sun, but nicely cooled off.

Sunday, June 4th, 7:39 a.m.

{Stay}Cation

I took the last week off and celebrated after work last Friday with the first "picnic" of the season (Arby's take-out at Bullhead Point Pavilion on Lake Neatahwanta), and a little Pokémon Go, with my love.

Team Mystic for the win!

Saturday, we woke up at our usual weekday time, despite wanting to sleep later, and although we hit traffic delays from the Memorial Day parade and carnival -- and had to shop at the store that takes us the longest! -- we had everything done and were back home earlier than usual! I even had time to bake a tasty treat: Ultimate Pretzel-Crusted Peanut Butter Cookie Candy Brownie Bars to which I added Rolos and Dark Chocolate PB Thins instead of the regular PB cups. I do not recommend the Rolos, but the thins were perfect.

Misty Morning Sunrise

Sunday felt strange. Like it was still a regular weekend day, but I did so much! Most Sundays, I'm either resting or in some state of anxiety-induced inertia, but last week I did a lot of gardening, some painting, some organizing, and watched two movies! 

Marigolds in my new garden!

Monday was just as strange as Sunday. I did a little more gardening, sorted through my seeds, did a LOT of painting, but didn't *finish* anything. I went to bed feeling like I did a lot, but still felt bad because I didn't really accomplish anything. Productivity culture really messes with your head.

Cleaned up garden-to-be area

Tuesday saw more moving plants around, replanting them in new places, continuing on some art projects, and dinner out, courtesy of Jacqueline's sister & brother-in-law, after which we toured their gardens and brought home a leafy peony to add to our gardens!

BBQ Pit stone-fired pizza and a coconut mojito mocktail for me!

Wednesday was an arting day. I tried to do some gardening but it was far too hot once the sun got over the trees. I created two pieces for the final day of Mermay (you can see them on my Facebook), testing out the supplies from my last two Sketchboxes, and finished some pieces for a coworker that I've been working on for quite a while.

So many half-finished projects!

Thursday was another hot day. I got the peonies planted, with Jacqueline's help, before the sun got to high in the sky, and then spent much time in the house under fans. I took quite a bit of time researching  for yet another yard & garden project I hope to accomplish soon.

Radishes planted and surrounded by a protective ring of marigolds.
Tomatoes struggling in the heat after transplanting.

Friday, we did all our usual Saturday errands and the usual Friday night laundry. It was a full day, but we were still home well before dinner and I still have two days of vacation left!

The perfect unofficial start to the summer:
a mango pineapple coconut refresher and a free donut!

Saturday morning my beloved left for an overnight trip to see Ed Sheeran in Philadelphia. I am so happy she got to go! However, by Saturday night, I remembered one of the things she does best. She lets me hyperfocus, but reminds me to eat and take breaks. I spent so many hours gardening and taking care of houseplants, planting and watering, separating, repotting and potting up cuttings... It was almost 8 p.m. when I realized how long it had been since I last ate! I was glad to have gotten all that work done, as it really had been too hot earlier in the week, but wow did I not feel so good!

Buttercups! Not one of the plants I took care of,
just wild on the side of the road on our morning walk.

Today is the last day of my {stay}cation and my beloved will be home. I cleaned up all my messes from yesterday in both the front yard and in the kitchen and living room. I can't wait for her to come home and tell me everything. I could wait longer for the vacation to end, but tomorrow I return to work. *sadface*

One of the regulars at out feeder visited with me this morning.

If you've made it this far, woot! Thank you for reading! ♥

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Walking into Summer

Monday, May 22nd, 6:33 a.m.

Monday was our anniversary. NINETEEN YEARS! It's hard to believe but the level of trust and support that I have found with Jacqueline is like no other.

Tuesday, May 23rd, 6:39 a.m.

Tuesday was Jacqueline's birthday! Our son & his close friend came for dinner (store-made refrigerator pizza) and one of our daughters made a delicious angel food cake with strawberries and strawberry whipped cream.

Wednesday, May 24th, 6:40 a.m.

The mornings are still chilly, but summer is closing in!

Thursday, May 25th, 6:41 a.m.

I think I've been doing this long enough that I can say for sure that the morning light is indeed helping me fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and wake up better.

Friday, May 26th, 6:41 a.m.

And those few moments of fresh air, bird song, and quiet connection with Jacqueline and nature are like a moving meditation, perhaps helping me handle stress through out the day?

Saturday, May 27th, 6:43 a.m.

Saturday was the first official day of my stay-cation. Still up at our weekday time, and we actually finished our usual errands in record time, despite running into Memorial Day parade and carnival traffic, both coming and going!

Sunday, May 28th, 6:58 a.m.

Today we were up early again, about the usual time, and I feel like I've already done so much!!! This week is going to be awesome -- if it doesn't get too hot!

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Two Months Down

Monday, May 15th, 6:40 a.m.

This week, I've chosen to share photos all from the other angle/location I've been sure to capture every day.

Tuesday, May 16th, 6:44 a.m.

This curvy sumac tree, I was beginning to think it would never grow leaves!

Wednesday, May 17th, 6:44 a.m.

But it has sprouted these little palm tree-looking shoots off the top.

Thursday, May 18th, 6:39 a.m.

We actually had a frost on Thursday morning!

Bonus shot: Frost on Red Clover, 6:39 a.m.

The weather's been appropriately seasonable lately though.

Friday, May 19th, 6:42 a.m.

Sometimes sun, sometimes rain, cold nights, warmer days...

Saturday, May 20th, 9:02 a.m.

I think this is latest we've slept since starting this walking habit. 

Sunday, May 21st, 7:41 a.m.

I am eager for more warmth and sun though!

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Eight Weeks of Morning Walks

Monday, May 8th, 6:41 a.m.

Has it become a habit now? To get up, get dressed, stumble down the steps and down the street...

Tuesday, May 9th, 6:42 a.m.

 Or is it just because the mornings are well lit from the sun and the weather is pleasant?

Wednesday, May 10th, 6:40 a.m.

This week, I chose to post photos all from the same spot.

Thursday, May 11th, 6:40 a.m.

I suppose I am not so careful of on which side of the driveway or how far down it I am, so the sun seems to be in different positions.

Friday, May 12th, 6:37 a.m.

Even without an alarm, I'm waking up at the same time.

Saturday, May 13th, 6:40 a.m.

This morning, though I slept a little later, I still woke up, got dressed, stumbled down the steps and down the street...

Sunday, May 14th, 7:17 a.m.


Sunday, May 07, 2023

On Point

Monday, May 1st, 6:40 a.m.

This morning we slept so late. Last night was our granddaughter's first dance recital en pointe. It was a beautiful event. We have been watching many of the kids dance for years now, and to see them grow and improve their art is so inspiring. But it was a late night, much later than we're used to.

Tuesday, May 2nd, 6:38 a.m.

Most of the week was rainy, but the mornings weren't too bad. Lovely clouds and blue sky.

Wednesday, May 3rd, 6:40 a.m.

Except when it wasn't.

Thursday, May 4th, 6:40 a.m.

The fog was really lovely on Thursday, but it didn't photograph well. I tried.

Friday, May 5th, 6:40 a.m.

It's really beginning to be more like summer though.

Saturday, May 6th, 7:38 a.m.

The sun is so high up when we get up.

Sunday, May 7th, 9:29 a.m.

Especially when you sleep until nine!

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Walking Walking Walking

Most of the mornings this week were lovely, with sun and flowers, and SO. MANY. SINGING. BIRDS!

Monday, April24th, 6:45 a.m.

Most mornings I am pretty groggy when we leave the house, but am eager to get a photo for this blog.

Tuesday, April 25th, 6:45 a.m.

A few times, I've managed to pull myself out of bed before Jacqueline tries to get me up, even when it's grey.

Wednesday, April 26th, 6:40 a.m.

When I first started this, I was going to take a photo of the exact same spot, for comparison, and while I do take photos in two different places, they're not always the ones I choose.

Thursday, April 27th, 6:47 a.m.

Thursday was so cold! The tulips were all bent over from the frost that had formed on them.

Friday, April 28th, 6:42 a.m.

We missed another day this week. Saturday morning was too rainy to walk. I suppose, if we managed to find raincoats and something to keep our feet dry, this wouldn't be an obstacle, but for now it is.

Saturday, April 29th, 2:24 p.m.

We did take a nice walk at Onondaga Lake Park with friends, where we saw big old trees like this one. Seriously, this photo does not really give a good sense of scale here.

Sunday, April 30th, 7:36 a.m.

The red maples have started to put out their helicopter seeds, so I know summer will be here before too long!