WHAT A DAY

WOW!  What a day.  I woke around 6:30 and debated about going for a walk.  I had a conversation with myself, do I stay HOME or go walking?  HOME?  WALK?  

Then agreed to go walking because the weather was a gentle 71 degrees.  Good walking weather.    

It's been a few days since I walked the neighborhood.  I'm in motion when out shopping, but still I like to make sure I get a complete mile in.

Around 7 in the morning, I was out the door headed toward the Football Field to walk the big track.  This is a great plan for someone like me.  The closer I got to the track, I could see that there was activity going on by the Football Field.  A bicycle event.  Trucks, cars and bicycles crowded the area with people walking about.  I managed to walk through their camp onto the track.

People love their Bike Rides around here. My Grandson.  Doing great for a three and a half year old. No training wheels.

The walk to the field is about a half mile distance.  By the time I circled the track 3 times I was heated up, so I skipped the 4th time around the track and headed HOME a different way than I came.  By the time I made it HOME, I had a mile and a half under my belt and was extremely HOT giving a different meaning for one HOT momma.  

I went straight for my recliner where a miniature fan blows directly on my body.  I had been in motion a complete hour and it took about a hour to cool off as well.  A whole HOUR.  Burning calories is hard work for me.

🥑🥚Ate a delicious egg omelet with avocado toast for Breakfast and took a much needed NAP for an old woman.  I had a difficult time waking up from it.  I felt like I was a ruined woman.  🩸My blood pressure was excellent, but for some reason I was not waking energized.  groggy.  

The day will be what it is and I will delight in it. 

I continue to sort through piles of papers.  This isn't a hard thing to do, but it needs done.  I give it a week.

🌸Blessings to you,

~d  

James Beard's Famous Onion Sandwich Recipe | Jacques Pépin Cooking at Ho...

NOW WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE???  I've made cucumber sandwiches before, but never thought of onion and radish sandwiches.  I will try these in the near future.  

🥪Talk about economical and nutritious sandwiches.  Yes-sir-ree-bob.  Fresh and crunchy.

Are you wanting to feed your family for less?  This would be an option for sure.

Yummers,
~d

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!
All the best always.

During the month of JUNE, 
my Baby turned a half of a century old.

Such memories I have of the past 50 years.

In a cardboard box that was mailed to him from us, were two helium balloons for my oldest son.  I wanted to surprise him since we would not be there in person.  They safely arrived, but were deflated a bit.  That's alright.  They made it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"

LOVE,
Mom

STAYING HOME

STAYING HOME TODAY.  I found myself gone most of the week and seriously needed to stay HOME today.  Laundry has piled up and the dining room table is covered again with papers that need sorted through, stapled and grouped.  TODAY, I have plans to work on just that.

Hubby will be putting up one more shelf in our pantry then he plans on building a SPICE RACK.  Shall see how this goes.  Hopefully well.

I started the day well.  Woke at a good time.  Bathed, placed a load of laundry in, and watered the porch plants.  I was thrilled that the large geranium I planted earlier this SPRING in a galvanized container has new leaves on it.  BABIES are what I call them.  A couple of branches had broke so I clipped them off the main plant and simply stuck them in the new soil and have been watering them often in hopes that some new roots would happen.  They did and I couldn't be more thrilled over a plant as this.  Simple pleasures.

I may get into the habit of propagating more plants.  The only plant I've had success with doing this to are the Coleus I've had.  I may try some roses.  There are some Iris pods growing out back and when they are ready to take off the plant I will in hopes of growing more Irises.  My GREEN thumb is growing. 

CITRONELLA.  The Mosquito Plant I bought a few weeks ago and potted has taken off as it sits on the porch.  She's growing taller.  I placed a miniature American Flag in the container with her.  The Mosquito Plant is actually a type of Geranium that has a citrus smell that mosquitoes dislike.  I didn't know these were Geraniums.  Nice surprise.

I snipped a sprig for a starter and placed it in a jar full of water.  There's a shelf on the front window where I placed the jar.  I think I need a shelf in the Utility room's window for such starters.

Having a greenhouse would be lovely.

A busy day ahead of me.

The sooner I get my chores finished for the day 

the better.

TODAY is a gift.  May I appreciate it the best way possible. 
Being at HOME is truly a blessing.  

~d

Jack LaLanne - Talks about the best meal plan....

WATCHING THE SHORT VIDEO OF JACK ON NUTRITION DAY IS WORTH SEEING.

In a nut shell, the meals are as follow:

BREAKFAST

FRESH FRUIT OR FRESH FRUIT JUICE

EGGS, MEAT OR BOTH

WHOLE WHEAT TOAST WITH HONEY

BLACK COFFEE OR SKIM MILK

LUNCH

RAW VEGETABLE SALAD

MEAT, FISH OR LOW CALORIE COTTAGE CHEESE

DINNER

RAW VEGGIE SALAD

2 OR MORE UNDERCOOKED VEGETABLES

MEAT OR FOWL

FRESH FRUIT AND YOGURT

ARE THESE STILL A BEST MEAL PLAN?

AS THE YEARS WENT BY, Jack let it be known that he did not drink coffee or eat meat.  He did eat fish so I suppose he meant he didn't eat beef, chicken, lamb, or pork.  Wine was acceptable with dinner.

Brown Rice helps with fighting diabetes.  

That's a good one to know.

Exercise

1) Coffee  2) Sugar

3) Dairy

Milk



Jack was ahead of the times in many ways and he appealed to stay-at-home HOMEMAKERS that were isolated taking care of families and housework.  If my memory serves me correctly, at 9 in the morning his television program came on.  My Mom watched him and as a child when I was HOME from school, 

I watched him.

He was enthusiastic and easy to listen to.  

I like the idea of doing easy exercises in my own HOME 

using kitchen chairs, brooms and towels.

Many of the weight machines that we use today were created by him.  Doctors and so many thought he was nuts.  He was into juicing before it was popular.  

He was one man with ambition to help others.

AFTER TWO YEARS OR SO, Intermittent FASTING does not work for me.  Okay.  I'm one of those that falls through the cracks.  Will try Jack LaLanne's meal plans and see if I stabilize and lose weight.  I seem stuck to stay FAT.  If a woman eats fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and whole wheat  plus exercises BUT doesn't lose weight, which hormones should be checked?  Cortisol???      

PAPERWORK TODAY this afternoon after my soaking bath.  Going to soak for at least 30 minutes.  Isn't that something for setting a GOAL for the day?  Take a SOAKING bath?

Typical Day here on the prairie.  Laundry is rumbling in the wash machine.  Banking Business taken care of.  Medical information taken care of.  Called Mom and chatted.  Took a short NAP around 2:30.  Weighed myself and am getting frustrated.  

Had 2 cups (180 calories) of Potato Leek Soup for Breakfast and three fried eggs (210 calories) for Lunch.  Snack was a mashed up banana (105 calories) to make banana pudding sprinkled with shredded coconut (48.5 calories) on top and iced green tea.  Supper will be veggies and protein?  May have Black Bean Salsa with Organic Blue Chips.  A treat.  Can't remember the last time I had chips.  If not, salad is always a good choice for me.  

I believe I need to rise early in the mornings and dedicate this time to exercise and devotions.  Eat three square meals a day about the same time each day for each meal.  8 for breakfast, 1 for lunch and 6 for supper.  

At my July Physical I will talk to my Doctor about checking my cortisol levels, going off of meds that cause weight gain, increased cholesterols and increased blood glucose switching to something else.  I have greatly changed what and when I eat so I think I need some attention directed to my hormones.  Period.  🩺If the doc won't help me, I need to help myself and I think that's what I am working on.  Spoken like a TROOPER.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father, I will study your beautiful WORD about foods, clothing and attitude.  I so love you and know there is no one higher than you.  You are my GOD.  You are what matters.  Walking uprightly before you matters.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

~d

🥒🧅🥕🍍🫘🌱🌿🥫🥘🍲🪺🐔🐄🐟🦃🍗🧀🥛🍫🍛🍯🍞🥖🧈🫚🍿🥝🫒🍒🍐🥜🫛🥗🌶🫑🍎🥬🍏💚🍌🍓🫐🍅🍇🍉🥦🍠🥔🍜🥩🍚🥚🍳🍋🥯🎃

  

ANTI-CANCER CHOPPED SALAD

ANTI-CANCER CHOPPED SALAD

 

Can't be all bad to be good for you,

~d

A VERY GOOD TIME TO THINK, ADMIRE THE SURROUNDINGS AND PRAY

HERE I SIT with a fan blowing on my ole sweaty bod, cooling off from my morning walk.  Jumping in a pool looks very inviting right about now.

After I get cooled off, I want to get in the car and clock how far I went since it was a new route for me.

Hubby woke me this morning to tell me it is probably the coolest temp it will be for this Summer day with a cool breeze blowing.  He was outside mowing our lawn.  I got up, put my hair in a pony tail and got dressed.  Out the door I went and decided to take a new route.  A very good time to think, admire the surroundings and pray.

It was wonderful conditions for a morning hike.  About 77 degrees out with a gentle breeze.  I timed myself and was HOME close to 30 minutes later.  Sweat was dripping in my eyes.  Need to carry a hankie in my pocket on these walks or were a bandana.  

When I walk the neighborhoods, I always see things that I haven't noticed before.  I truly need to walk more in the cool of the day.  After I have completed my walks, it lifts my spirits that I actually have done it.  Now to get lighter in my weight.  This would certainly help make my walks easier carrying less weight.  Let it be.

This walking thing is my newest HOBBY.  I have to look at it this way so I don't feel burdened down.  I weighed myself this morning and not much has changed.  Which can be looked at as a positive that I didn't gain.  I think of the character ROCKY sometimes when I walk.  grins.

The head cold I've been fighting off is still hanging around.  More Vitamin C, please.  I'm feeling slightly better, but still have the sniffles, a slight cough and watery eyes.  Shucks.

If I can cut this off at the pass perhaps I will be able to stop the train wreck of a cold.  A simple cold can cause such misery.

It's been a couple of years since I watched THE GILDED AGE.  Last night was episode one of season 3.  I think the costumes are getting a little more elaborate for the women.  How's the story line going?  Will I stay interested in this drama?  Hard to say.  At least there is no swearing. 

I started watching THE BETTER SISTER and should have turned it off right away when the verbiage included the  F  b o m b.  I suppose the actors get paid more to swear foul language, show skin and grunt.  

If I can break the habit of watching television during the daylight hours, which I did along time ago, then I can break the habit of watching programs with foul language.  

As for TV I'll be watching OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY tonite on youtube to see what Doug says if anything about the  b o m b i n g  of Iran.  Concerned about WW3.  sigh.

TODAY's PLANS.  Walk, blog, research on the internet, laundry, write out our bills, work in the front bedroom, track the milage of the new walking route, water the plants, work on paperwork, take a nap, fix a huge salad for Lunch, shuffle some things about the house, oil down the dining room chairs and table.  Scrambled eggs with spinach for Breakfast.  Some fruit later.  Water of course.

HAPPY ABOUT IT.  I got the dining room table cleared off.  PTL.  It was a long time in the coming.  Now to conquer the pile of paper accumulating.  Just do it and be happy. 

Looked after our youngest grandson on Sunday.  He is such a live wire and a talker.  Love him.  Took him to the swimming pool and let him play in the Baby Pool for an hour.  Temps hit 93.  I sat in the sun with a hat on and a towel laying over my exposed legs which were burning.  It was HOT and I was ready to be back indoors once we got HOME.  We walked there and back.  Not bad for an old lady. 

                                           ~d

THE TEA CUP TUMBLE

SOUNDS LIKE A NEW DANCE, DOESN'T IT?

THE LIDDED CUP OF TEA just took a tumble off the table.  I knocked it over by mistake.  Better it tumbled than me.  Funny thing is, hardly any tea spilled out of it.  Easy clean up.  Earl Grey would be so happy if he only knew.

I know that while we were out shopping, I dragged the tip of my foot which startled me when I started to fall.  No damage done.  I didn't fall.  This has happened to me a few times and I don't know if I should be concerned yet or not.  Hum.  It might just be that the shoes are a tad bit too long.  With this particular style I had to buy one size up to fit.  3 pairs later, I still have them and have used them to walk the CROSS COUNTRY meets and TRACK and FIELD events.  Now they are my every day walking friends which I love because I just slip them on and away I go.

Those tumbles can be awful.  My sister took one and it broke off her front tooth, bruised her face, jarred her artificial knee and hurt her back.  Her tooth was capped and her bruises faded.  Still some issues with her knee and back.  My last tumble was about a year and a half ago which didn't hurt the knee or hip which I landed on, but did a number on my tailbone which still causes pain.

Step lightly and be careful.

With falling asleep so late and waking early, I am warding off a head cold.  Extra Vitamin C.  The tea is helping to open up my stuffy nose.  Hurray for that.  I dreaded the thought of a summer head cold.  Not out of the woods yet, but trying.

I LOVE BLOGGING.  I've been at it for about 17 years.  Amazing that I have stuck with it.  I read one of my past post from over 15 years ago.  Many comments were posted.  I checked the bloggers in which only three are still blogging.  Sobering.  I still read their blogs.  Others have died or stopped altogether.  Life is fleeting.  I know this and I know it's important to get the projects done quickly and not to drag my feet.  SO this SUMMER I will purpose it in my heart to be quicker.  Amen.  When I begin to lose my temper, I need to ask if it's worth it?  Do I really want to get all upset?  No.  Not worth it.

ON THE WEIGHT JOURNEY.  It's a lifestyle.  The exercising continues.  Soups and salads for me.  I weighed myself and frowned.  Mustn't give up.  Want to, but mustn't.  Think I'll go take a bath and soak.

HUGS and may you be blessed,

~d

HEAD COLD IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER

SNIFFLING SOME WITH A TINY BIT OF A SORE THROAT.  Woke the other morning with a stuffed up nostril.  Next day the other nostril was plugged up.  Watery eyes.  Popped some extra vitamin C and will throughout the day.  Will see if this stops this from getting worse.

A cold is not what I wanted.  Tis almost July.  I've had co vid twice that I know of with both times being in July.  Is my immune system so run down by July that I am a easy target?  Perhaps this won't be co vid at all and just a head cold.

STILL, being miserable with a head cold in the Summer is a pain.  Not sure what I could have done to prevent this other than taking Vitamin C all year long.  I had taken a sabbatical a few months ago from taking vitamins.  Back to it.   

Having soups will help me regain my strength.  Especially chicken noodle.  I will need to get some ASAP.  The soups I bought last week were without meat in them.  No broths.

I will force myself to do some laundry and finish cleaning off the dining room table.  So close to getting this done.  Seems like a simple goal, but has been difficult for me as I have been on the go so much and not HOME.  

Okay, here we go.  Drink more fluids, take more Vitamin C, and rest, but will I?  Better.

ON THE OTHER HAND.  I watched a video by a young artist who paints fluffy clouds in blue skies making it look incredibly easy.  I believe that after we get the art studio set up, I will try her technics.  I'd love to have a large oil painting in my Living room above the sofa.  Blue skies with fluffy clouds would be a nice decorating touch in my HAVEN.

Blessings to you,

~d

103 IN THE SHADE

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER.

AT 4 IN THE AFTERNOON THE TEMPS HIT 103 IN THE SHADE IN MANHATTAN.  It didn't seem this HOT.  We were out shopping for plants and soil plus a few groceries.  The heat wasn't too bad.  

On the way to Manhattan, we stopped off at the Post Office to mail a few letters I had written and Hubby stopped off at the City Building to pay the monthly bill. While he was taking care of this, I spied an old galvanized tub for $8.  I've been wanting some for plants.  I didn't have my purse with me, but told my Husband that I would like to have this one.  He took care of this and I was a HAPPY CAMPER.

Off to the Pharmacy then onto Manhattan.  Nice scenery on the way.  Luscious green pastures full of gentle hills speckled with lonely trees where cattle dine under their branches.  

AND the shopping began.  Starbucks, Target, Menards, Aldis, a Hardware store and another grocery store.  Back HOME.  Unloaded the goods and had supper.  Watching a movie and resting up from the outing.  First day of Summer is done.  I had a very pleasant first day of Summer.  I'd take more just like this one. 🌞

While at Target, I hit the dollar section.  More like $3 these days.  Picked up some fun books for pre-schoolers like my Grandson.  I think he'll like what I bought.

MEALS FOR THE DAY.  My meals for the day were good.  No Breakfast, but Lunch was a low cal trio of broccoli, corn on the cob and a sweet potato.  Supper was a bean burrito.  A small candy bar for a treat.  

Day two...I'll be eating soups and salad for my meals.  Easy enough.  I'll continue working on clearing off the dining table.  Made progress.  So very happy about this.  

The week-end is here.  

Hows 'bout that,

~d