Exercise Regime

I like that word - "regime"; it makes my attempts to be physically fit seem more intensive and important than they really are. So far my regime includes playing volleyball for 2 hours 3 times a week. I've joined - now don't laugh! - the Huffn'Puff sports/activities club for those 55 and older! For a mere $70 a year I can play tennis, badminton, softball, darts, learn clogging, go swimming etc etc etc. There's something for everyone and for me it's volleyball. The first day I went I anticipated a bunch of feeble, white-haired 80 year olds limply tapping the ball into the net. I couldn't have been more wrong! While there was plenty of white hair these folks are in it to win it! Holy crap! There was spiking and over hand serves sizzling over the net! And lots of good-natured teasing - I am loving it!

The days I don't play v-ball I am attempting to get out for a good walk/hike. Today I timed it just right and arrived home just as a hard rain arrived. There's veggie chilli in the crockpot and nice soft olive ciabatta buns to go with it. A good day.

At first I noticed there wasn't a lot of colour in the woods today - but then as I looked more closely I found there is still some vibrant colour and beauty, even in November.

No one can sneak up on me today - the crispy crunchy leaves will give them away! (I also carry a heavy stick in case of attack!)

Lots of leaves down but still more hanging on in the trees.

Someone has been a busy beaver!

I'm all keyed up!

I saw the devil in this twisted limb - should I be worried?

 I much prefer the woods in the spring when there is so much to look forward to. However, today the stillness, although a bit grey, was very serene, very calm. A gradual settling down of birds and ducks, trees and bushes, preparing for the cold days ahead.

This large fungus projected out from a tree over my head like a streetlight.

And look at the brightness of these flowers - I guess no one told them summer was over!

Still some bursts of bight yellow here and there.

This short segment of the trail winds behind some houses whose occupants have imposed a little civility on the nearby forest.

An angel playing the ever popular wind chimes harp.

A bit of colour.

Milk pod explosion!

While not overly colourful, the shapes of nature in autumn have their own fragile beauty.

A spanish dancer :)

Berries for the winter birds.

Quiet trails.

I briefly saw a white-tailed buck - he had an impressive set of antlers but mostly showed me his white tail bobbing along a trail. I tried to catch up but lost him in a thicket. He never made a sound.

I've been a Bad Bad Blogger...

Turning 60 is a LOT of WORK!! Yup, it's official, I'm starting a new decade. But as my sister said, "you'll always be the youngest!" Thank God for small mercies :)  During the month of May I did a "nature challenge", spending a minimum of 30 minutes for 30 consecutive days "in nature." My chosen spot is called Kilally Meadows and has become a very magical place for me. Watching the daily changes was fascinating as was the weather! I experienced everything from snow, strong winds to sultry humid days of +30c!! 

(I've started another challenge for the month of June - more on that in my next post! I might also show you some photos from my 60th birthday party if you're nice!)

I watched as trees came into bud, then blossomed into flowers - white, yellow and pink. In the past week the tropical weather has caused the vegetation to grow at least 2 feet! Trails are getting narrower as the plants fight for space.

One thing I came to appreciate about the forest is nothing really dies. A fallen tree (above) becomes a fertile environment for fungus, new plant life, birds and animals. Nothing is wasted.

I loved watching the "greening" of the area as first grass started to grow, trees unfurled their leaves and bushes and wild flowers sprang up literally overnight! When I started going to Kilally there was no colour at all - now I am overwhelmed with it all!

One of my next purchases will be books about wildlife and plant life in Ontario - I've learned a few new names of birds etc but there is so much to learn! I took a friend out with me about a week and a half ago - she said "I love how you talk to the plants!" I didn't even realize I did! Am I senile? I prefer to think I've "connected" with nature. I greet the birds and the rabbits and the toads and I tell the flowers how beautiful they are. It's spontaneous - I can't help myself.

Every day over the 30+ days spent in nature I wondered if I would see anything new - and I always did. Even on the final day I saw a swallowtail butterfly that I'd never seen before.

I continue to find new areas to explore, new birds, new plants. The diversity is astounding.

I would definitely recommend this challenge to everyone! Nature has a calming effect on the brain and I can say, without question, that I feel happier, more grounded (pun intended!) At one point I thought there were no ferns as I had observed for weeks and saw nary a one...until one day...a small treasure trove.

There are dozens of plants whose name are a mystery to me but feel I am on a quest of discovery.

Wild iris!!

 Lilacs!

I have a couple photos left to share for today - you may have seen them already if you're a friend on Facebook. When I was young my connection to nature was something I took for granted. I'm glad I've come full circle and have become reacquainted. It's the best thing we've got!!

Jane hanging out in the lilac tree :)

An even younger Jane hanging out in the same tree.

May Challenge

So far I have gotten out into the forest every day this month! It's quickly becoming a habit and a time that I look forward to each day. Every other day I do 1.5km of trail running - I'd like to say it's becoming easier but it isn't yet. I complain to myself the whole time but force myself to keep running. Fortunately I do my trail running on a portion of trail that very few people venture onto saving my humiliation and panting/swearing for myself.

Yesterday I had another "deer moment" - she was laying under a tree with lots of ground cover but I could see her head and we stared at each other for a few moments and then she took off at a run. No photo as any movement would have startled her. But I did get a great bunny picture yesterday.

 Unlike my goldfinch photo - have you ever tried to take a picture of one? - they flit from twig to twig, tree to tree about every nano-second! Little meanies! You'll need a magnifying glass to see it!

Wild leeks by the bushel full - I just have no idea when they are ready to eat!?

If you bend down and look under the may apple's big leaves this is what you'll see right now.  I'm not sure if it is going to flower or if it has already flowered and this is the apple forming. I tend to think it's going to flower, but what do I know?

May apple leaves..

the most beautiful fungus I think I've ever seen! And I've seen some!

These flowers were in a very boggy area but I managed to get up close by walking on two logs using a big stick for balance.

Yup, out there...

 Exploring in a new area...

Heading home...

Due to having to purchase yet another charging cord I've gotten a bit behind with my posting, but hey, it is what it is. So I'll do a financial report tomorrow...if I remember! I'm getting OLD!!

A Lost Day: Stupid Toe

I lost a day yesterday.

It all began when clipping my toenails Monday. Just so you know I'm NOT going to show you any photos! There's nothing to see here folks, just move along!

One of my toes started hurting a few days ago so I figured the nails were due for a clipping. I don't really examine my toes closely on a daily basis - they're just there at the end of my feet and make themselves known when they need some care. I do trim my toenails on a fairly regular basis as when they get too long they can start digging into the toe beside them.

The one toe that hurt a little did look a bit red. I noticed the nail was lifting up too and that there was something between the nail bed and the nail. At first I thought - FUNGUS - HORRORS! But then as I clipped the nail I knicked the skin and it drained like a blister. From my reading it appears that I could lose my toenail (but grow a new one) and that's ok with me as long as it's not FUNGUS!! 

So yesterday was spent researching and gazing in horror at fungus photos, blister photos, trying home remedies (just in case) and generally being in a funk. I have a doctor's app't tomorrow.

I was so focussed on my stupid toe yesterday I forgot to put out my recycling (actually...I took it out this morning and then realized I missed a day...) I forgot to exercise, forgot to go to meditation...a lost day. Stupid toe. Here it is Wednesday but I'm thinking it's only Tuesday.

Drat!