it's hot

So what else is new! I walked 5.08 miles on Wednesday and 5.22 miles yesterday (Thursday) at the crack of dawn. I stayed in my neighborhood, walked to the middle school track and was back home before it really got steamy. Today I piddled and decided not to push it when it was nine o'clock and I was still in my pajamas. I have learned to be kind to my body and avoid stress whenever I can. Today I am especially mindful of the people and animals living in Colorado. Dear Jesus, You have power over fire and water. Please help the brave firefighters as they battle to get the fire in Colorado under control. Help the little animals find safety and help the people who have lost their homes find a way to rebuild. Thank you for blessing me and my family.  

picture dump

I've taken a break from blogging but I'm still walking, eighteen and some miles so far this week. I have finished reading That Girl (the book about Wallis Simpson, very good if you like history!) and Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill, (quick read but just okay). I've also been to the Doctor for a yearly exam. Yuck, now all I have to worry about is the mammogram scheduled for next week. Oh pictures, I forgot!

I declared war on Japanese Beetles and I'm winning!

My stone basket after I replaced the flowers that Babee Deer and his mother ate. Maybe with this hot Missouri weather more flowers will start blooming.

The white trim framing the opening to our new kitchen was installed this week. I like it.

The blackberries up the hill are getting ripe so I've been picking/eating my fill. Lots of fiber you know!

Hubby got back from his fishing trip to Canada. Sam and I are glad he's home!

swim suit

It was another glorious morning but I had carpenters in the house installing some trim so I couldn't walk. I had time for an extra cup of coffee and read my book. Oh, I also ordered a new swim suit and cover-up. I don't get a new one every year so this is a real splurge. I hope it arrives soon and I hope it fits!

appointments

I walked 5.14 miles yesterday and 5.06 miles today. I also made two appointments, a doctor's appointment and a mammogram. It's so silly. I was without insurance for three years. I would lie in bed at night so scared that I would have an accident or get really sick and when I got to the hospital, they would just close the door on me. Now that I have insurance I really need to take advantage of it and get all those tests that I'm supposed to have. And like all good teachers I schedule all my personal appointments in the summertime!

honey

I use it every morning. On my face. Just regular honey out of a plastic honey bear. I squirt a quarter size amount in my hand and smear it on my face. Sometimes I wait ten minutes and sometimes not, but I rinse off with a baby washcloth and very warm water. It's easy and my face feels soft and wonderful. Remember, always use an upward motion when rinsing off!

taking a break

from walking. This is the second day in a row that I haven't hit any trail, except up the hill to walk Sam. When I feel this way I don't force it. I'm keeping busy, just not walking. The baby deer must have connected to it's momma because they found their way into my front yard early this morning and helped themselves to the flowers that I had planted in my stone basket. So that became my first project- to replace the eaten-off flowers with new ones.The nursery has them marked down to half price this week so I wasn't too upset. Tomorrow I need to make my way to the Federal Tax Office on the other side of town to make a quarterly payment. I'll be close to the Conservation Trail so I'll walk there. BTW, the weather here is beautiful!

praying

In church yesterday we heard about praying. Pastor in his sermon mentioned that Martin Luther strongly advised his flock and members of his household to pray at least five times a day, morning and evening and before each meal. In fact, he would not let them eat until they did so. When I heard this I thought about my sweet Grandma from Germany who not only prayed before each meal but also said a short prayer after the meal as well.
My special prayer today is about the little deer that spent the night in the bushes in the front of my house. I'm afraid Sammy scared her out of her hiding place and she jumped off the retaining wall. Please Jesus, she is so tiny. I heard her cry. Please help her find her mommy in the woods behind our house.