Called Up -- Show Time

A few updates. 

Friday was a full and fun day. Start to finish. 

I talked and talked and talked. 

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Dropped the first arugula donation to the food bank. Not a huge amount yet, but enough for 4 families. I'll have another donation on Wednesday when I'm back from Asheville. 

4 banded bundles

I never received "more information" on the volunteer day in Clarkston yesterday. I pinged them again the day before. The event was off their website. Last time I went to the information presentation, they didn't inform the details until the day before so I hadn't been concerned. Maybe I missed a cancellation email? It was frustrating, but I was happy to have a day off from plans.

Drumroll ...

Today is the BIG HIKE. First of 2 (assuming this goes well). 

I have feelings about it, of course I do.

A little excitement.

A little dread (it's going to hurt). 

A little just-get-this-done feeling. 

A little nervous.

The unexpected. 

Don't know where I'm going. 

Don't know the trails. 

Don't know how I'm going to feel. 

I've done the distance and the elevation, but not together. I don't feel particularly energized this week. Recovery from a cold, lack of sleep, knee and ankle pain after that one hike (not horrible, but it's there).

We're taking this hike more slowly than this hike leader normally does. It'll be a nice pace, but not a big push. Good and bad. Slower means more time on my joints and that's a concern. My guess is all will be well until about 8-9 miles and then I'm going to struggle. 

I'm hiking with extremely experienced hikers. There are 5 hike leaders on this hike. I'm the least experienced by far. Called up to the big show -- lord help me. None of my hiking "friends" and that's also a bummer because chatting = distraction. Guess I'll get a lot of eavesdropping on conversations. 

Will this elevate me or put me out of my league?

Next week's hike is even harder. 

Oh geez. I didn't go out yesterday because the volunteering was canceled and that means I didn't get gas in the car. Crap. 

Okay, I've got to get going to leave a little earlier than planned. Wish me luck.

Have a good one. Later gators. 

I Did it Again -- WHY??

I'm glad I got to hike with a friend. It was her first time on this mountain and we hiked slowly, but it was nice to have company. I ran into a hike leader toward the end -- lots of conversation which makes time fly. 

We waited at the trail head for it to get light enough to hike. The sun coming over the mountain was beautiful. Maybe a sunrise hike in the future. (Of course, time change coming and light a lot earlier and this mountain gets icy ... so it might be a minute hah.) 

My friend took this picture. 

"A prickly pear and a prickly hiker."

Says me ...  not her.

I like the perspective. 

The ghost tour was just meh. We got the tour guide who's also a historian and the stories were LONG and drawn out and very little haunting until the end. We bagged at 10:45 -- good lord, it was too long. 

Some fun energy stuff at the cemetery though, but a lot of the rest I could have done without. I'm interested in the history of the town, but not at 10 o'clock at night. The ghost stories and pictures we heard were fun though. I still wonder why all hauntings are from historical times and not the person who died in the house 10 years ago. (You hear people argue this same thing when discussing if spirits are real.)

The tour was supposed to have no bathroom stops, but we stopped at a restaurant for "10 minutes" which turned into 30 because people got drinks to go at the bar (it's an open cup town). The tour guide's time management wasn't good and the 2 hour tour was rounding to 3 when we left. 

Sadly, our little town has a torrid history. Indian land taken from its people, slaves, mass relocation to work camps during the industrial times. All primed for unhappy spirits, if you believe in ghosts. 

It was nice to get together with our friends and new neighbors and a different activity though. When we passed the trail to our house, we all left the tour -- not planned, but unanimous. 

So I've done it again. The calendar is TOO FULL. 

How??

Why did I do it??

A few weeks of better scheduling and life backed up. 

I said yes to things on a whim.

Will I have fun ... yep. 

Is it too much ... for sure. 

Am I driving the bus on it all -- of course I am. 

(I did decline a couple of things that I already thought out. Thank the lord for small favors. I wish I could go back on a couple of the yeses, but I won't. Where is a cancel week when I need one?!?)

That said, I had two pings yesterday about balance. 

One was an article quoting Martha Stewart saying there is no such thing longterm balance. And, if you achieve it, life is boring and you are uninteresting. A bit harsh, but a curious perspective to consider.

I heard something of a similar note from a podcast comment.

Maybe I shouldn't strive to do less, but manage how it comes together. 

Late night activity -- don't plan an early morning.

Out of town -- give an open day on either side of the trip. 

And do better with open spaces again. I failed to keep these couple of weeks open enough and now I have to squeeze in life stuff which makes it a lot.

I'm in a couple week frenzy by my own hand, but November has some opportunities to practice something different again, and I'm going to give it a go.

Maybe a good night's sleep will make it feel better.

I even tried to nap yesterday, but my dog woke me up just as I was dozing off. 

Have to run. 

Such a full day. 

ALL fun things (I know, poor me.)

I wish more of it was sleep related hah.

Have a great day. 

Later gators. 

Long Chat -- No Rants!!

GM. Up early to hike at daybreak ... with a friend, yea!! 

Pretty please don't let her cancel.

This is her first time on this mountain and it'll be a challenge for her.

Kind of relaxes me since we'll take it slowly. 

We have lots and lots to catch up on so time should fly. 

I did NOT go to the meeting last night after they posted the agenda. 

A night of calling and texting numbers to "get out and vote."

Essentially a phone bank -- nope.

And I was so happy to stay home, guilt-free decision. 

Dear Diary, 

Today I saw a fire hydrant dressed and ready for Halloween ... a gnome, a witch?? ... and,

a leaf practicing it's magic right before my eyes.

Speaking of magic, and Halloween, and spooky. Tonight we're heading out for a ghost walking tour in our neighborhood. This is a very, very late night, but I'm really looking forward to the tour and the hang with our neighbors. 

We had our gardeners call last evening and some of my arugula is ready for harvest. I need to fit that in for tomorrow morning. Picking and delivering. I have a full, full day -- all fun, but non-stop. It'll be tight, but I should be able to figure it out. It must be picked and delivered early. I'll have to leave the coffee meeting early. 

Now for a little reflection. 

I had a change of heart, decided to revisit a decision I made. 

Hear me out. It's going to feel like a justification and that's probably a little true. 

"That" friend who I had a falling out with is back in play. I decided to take the temperature down and I gifted her something I knew she'd like (very inexpensive, but totally her). It worked. Things felt more comfortable when we were together. I hated that level of tension. Our worlds overlap regularly and it wasn't fun. I also decided to quit poking her -- I was aggravating the situation with little jabs. 

Last week we bonded over that horrible phone bank experience and being treated like garbage. She suggested a couple's dinner tomorrow (like we used to do regularly). We haven't gone out with them since December of last year. 

I said yes. 

This will totally end the drama. 

We can all relax. 

It's not the same and never will be, but it doesn't have to be awful.

When she's happy, she's a delight. 

When she's hurt or insecure, she's a huge jerk. 

Is that someone I want to call a friend?!?

I've thought and thought about it. 

Her nastiness comes from insecurity. 

I don't want her as a true friend, but I want to be friendly. 

As I said, our worlds overlap regularly and this will calm the waters (for now, this time). I'll give it a try to see if we can start again. Nothing deep, just hanging out sometimes. This also helps the group dynamic too. There was a sort of split in that world because of our falling out. 

You know I'll keep you posted. Maybe you'll tell me "I told you so" at some point. That's totally fair. 

Friendship is a tough go at this stage of my life. I didn't see that issue happening in my 50s. I'm still trying to figure out how to hold tension and relationship. Can I fight with a friend? Can a person who I need to fight with be someone I want to be friends with? Every situation is different. It's taking a lot of hit and misses to figure this out. 

I need to be open to being wrong, changing my mind, taking time to figure it out. 

Was I wrong before ... no. We needed the fight. I needed to stand up. 

But I'm reconsidering what it looks like going forward. 

I don't think either of us like the tension. 

The little gift was my olive branch. 

The invitation was her olive branch.

That was the not-a-rant, but a reflection issue I mentioned a while ago. One of them. I'm not sure if or when I'll go into the other situation. It's another long explanation. Nothing earth shattering, but on my mind.

Have a good day!

Later gators. 

Sleep, Finally

Maybe not hiking was for the best. My ankle is a bit wonky (from that crazy portion of the hike on Saturday) and it's noticeably uncomfortable. Best give it some rest.

Looks like Thursday's hike will be with a friend -- that'll be nice to have company. I won't add extra mileage because it's close to the big hike. 

I ended up with a pleasant day. 

Peloton ride.

Long dog walk (squirts seemed to be over)

Garden donation (another 8 lbs of produce)

Walked to lunch with a friend.

Volunteer home visit for the evening (chatted with a friend on the long drive).

On the way back from lunch we swung by the library to pick up a book and my friend mentioned she hadn't voted (new to the state). Perfect. Go vote. And she did. I felt like that was a voter assist our group is trying to facilitate. Sort of a good deed to introduce her to our early voting system. 

I FINALLY slept last night. Almost 2 hours of REM and boy did I dream. Good deep sleep too. 

Today is full with meetings, appointments, chores. 

I'm forcing myself to go to the action group meeting. We took the summer off and I haven't been to a meeting since. I need to go. I don't want to go (it's from 7-10). I think I'll leave early. I hope I don't talk myself out of it. 

Also, I have a TEAMS meeting about gardening right before. They're on the same schedule -- that's a bummer. 

I saw some fun "Dear Diary" pictures, but I was with a friend and I didn't want to explain myself (I'm weird enough). Maybe I'll see them on the walk today. 

Off to get the day going. 

Have a good one!

Later gators. 

Fussy Week

No hike today. 

Duke is back to having the squirts every couple of hours. 

I think he had too much to eat ... maybe too much pumpkin (it's a balance between helping and too much fiber).

I'll hike on Thursday. 

Not ideal, but it's the only option. 

Sometimes I get grumpy about this. 

When do I ever get to take care of JUST myself???????

I'm feeling better from the cold. Was nicely tired and relaxed from the massage. Wanted a good night's sleep (haven't slept well in a week because of the cold). Out late next 4 nights with early mornings the next day. Up 6 times with him last night. 

Sleep was crap. 

Just get back to a full sleep and I'd hear him jump off the bed and cry at the door. 

(Poor baby -- I also feel for him and he doesn't want to poo in the house, good boy.)

It's one of those mornings that I want to move to an island and live totally alone. 

I'm trying to be ready for the hike challenge on Sunday and the universe is bringing all the drama. Honest to god .... why????

Fussy seems to be the week's theme. 

Lots of hiccups. Annoyances. 

I'm going to make the best of it today. Find some fun. Maybe some "Dear Diary" pictures too. 

Hope you're having a smoother week.

Later gators. 

One, Three, Right?!?

Hello, Monday.

Duke had the BEST time at the race. We ran the entire thing with no walking -- he wasn't tired at all. The cold temps helped. It's a 3 loop trail run with rolling hills. 

We finished at about 29 minutes -- the announcer was congratulating everyone by name. Got to me and asked if I had run all 3 loops. WTH? Yes. Then said seems unlikely with such a small dog. Am I sure I counted correctly? All this on the PA system, blasted to everyone. Honest to god -- I try hard to like men, but they make it very difficult. 

I know how to count ... one, three, done ... right!?!? hahaha

There were only 3 vendors this year (probably a dozen last year). No dog swag. No dog toys for the finish. About 1/2 the participants. That's a bummer, but Duke had a blast. He loves to run and really loves to run in a race. The volunteers (bunch of teenagers along the loop) cheered and cheered for him. He looks so adorable when he's focused on "going fast." 

We'll plan to run again next year if both of us are able bodied, not injured, all the senior things.

BTW, one of the vendors who said the announcer was an ass told me Duke was the second dog to finish. Go, Duke!!

Only picture.
Duke was so excited
to get running.

Sign waving went well. Windy to hold the sign, but beautiful day. 

Then I came home, took cold meds, pjs & bathrobe, and finished watching The Diplomat. Wow -- biggest cliffhanger yet. Bed early to read. The book is scary -- home invasion murderer so I stopped reading because I was getting scared. Geez. I need to read earlier in the day with this book. 

Setting up for a full week. Tonight is the only evening at home and I'll take it. I'm feeling improved this morning so I hope I'm on the mend. The days aren't bad, just evening heavy.

I have a rather full day of house chores, paperwork ... that kind of thing. 

Massage in the afternoon so I'm doing my heaviest chores before I go.  

I need one more hike before the first BIG one on Sunday. I can't decide which I should train -- distance or elevation. I'll hike tomorrow. I'll have time to think about it today. 

I'm treating this little cluster of hiking challenges as a group challenge. I'm not doing the hiking trip next summer, but this has been fun month of leveling up my hiking. Harder, more technical, new trails. It's a fun challenge and a better option than the trip -- that was too big of a jump for me. Next on my sights is a weekend hiking trip with the group (not a full week), assuming the big hikes go well. 

Hope you have a good start to the week. 

Later gators. 

Sunday Updates

 

The hike was good. 

9.5 miles. 2200 elevation (which is primarily in 2 very steep assents).

Technical climbing -- not a ridge line, but it was treacherous. Not planning to THAT part again. 

I'm not the only one either.

Great group. 

Beautiful weather, but 30 mile/hour wind gusts on the top. It was CRAZY!!

No pictures because we were moving quickly and I keep my phone in my backpack when I'm on granite hikes so I don't smash it in my pants pocket if I slip. 

Made it to my aunt's art show and did the title transfer with my son. 

Best news -- I'm not sore at all today. Blister from my new shoes again and I'll need to figure that out for next Sunday, but everything else feels fine. And I have a cold and still had no issue. This bodes well for doing the BIG hike next weekend.

I need one more hard hike on Tuesday for training. 

I haven't decided whether to focus on elevation or distance. 

This morning Duke and I are "running" the rescue 5k. This year we'll run/walk because he's not trained and I have a cold. The weather has been too warm to run him. We've done up to 1.5 miles, but not often. I need to protect his little senior self. Either way, he's going to have so much fun and that's the only reason I'm going this morning.

P.S. 40 degrees at the start -- not hot today!

Then sign waving for "Get out the vote" message. I didn't do a No Kings yesterday because of the hike, but I passed one and it's so uplifting to beep and wave. 

My cold isn't bad, but it's moving to my head (started in my chest). Still negative for COVID. Not sure if I'll need to cancel the massage tomorrow. She canceled for a cold last week. I hope not. If it stays this way, I'll be fine. If I get more congested, I'll need to reschedule. 

I have a few updates on some prickly things. 

Story for another day, but prepare yourself. 

Actually, not really bad, but trying to figure it out. 

Have a good Sunday. Later gators.