tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236927219659911382024-03-13T12:33:06.772-06:00Perpetual Peregrino"Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage." --Psalm 84:5, NKJVRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-79045145938364644682016-06-24T04:38:00.001-06:002016-06-24T04:38:54.827-06:00Let the Biking Adventure Begin!So, my feet dictated that I take several days off, so I hopped on a bus from Belorado to Burgos, and then spent 3 nights in Burgos. While there, I decided to rent a bicycle for the next stages of my Camino. I have the Bike for 10 days, and have already done 2. I'm actually supposed to give my bike back in Astorga, but I may see of I can keep it all the way to Santiago. I haven't decided that yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need to get better at selfies.</td></tr>
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One thing I noticed yesterday was that riding the bike felt a lot like the first day of Summer when I was a kid. There is a joy in the speed and the wind blowing in your face. I remember spending days on end exploring the neighborhoods in the area I was allowed to ride in (Solano to Triviz and Missouri to Lehman). And, I would ride as long as my mom would let me, even if it was incredibly hot outside. Sometimes, I'd take a lunch with me to eat in the park as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Meseta is a lot of trail without any shade. </td></tr>
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Today, after riding about 34 km, my butt is pretty sore, and I suspect that it will take a few days to get used to riding every days. However, it is kind of nice to be done for the day after only 3ish hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I like big butts and I cannot lie..."</td></tr>
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The great mystery is how my Fitbit knows that I'm biking. It is registering that I'm not walking, and that I find kind of eery. I'm also finding that I'm taking fewer pictures, but that is ok, too.<br />
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Each day is richer for having the ability to stop when I'm tired because all of my stuff is on my bike. Biking the rest of the way would be worth it just for that freedom, even if it means a few days where I'm pushing my bike more than I'm riding it.<br />
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I am truly blessed!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-55830254114719204322016-06-16T07:10:00.000-06:002016-06-16T07:10:05.115-06:00Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real, Camino edition.So, I'm not using nearly all of my pictures from my days as I write here, so I thought that I would join <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a> today in order to give you a few more pictures of my Camino. If you are also my Facebook friend, you have probably seen some of these, so bear with me.<br />
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<h2>
Pretty</h2>
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Happy</h2>
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<h2>
Funny</h2>
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<h2>
<b>Real</b></h2>
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These are some of my favorite pictures so far, and yet, it is hard to capture the beauty of the countryside or the experience of meeting the world on pilgrimage. Each day brings its own joys and pains, but that is true of real life as well.</div>
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Buen Camino, my friends.</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-91389841122018490212016-06-14T09:47:00.002-06:002016-06-14T09:47:59.426-06:00Pilgrim vs. TouristA fellow pilgrim said something to me that has me thinking this night as I am wide awake. He said, "You are the first American I have been willing to spend any time talking to. You are a pilgrim. All the other Americans I've met are just tourists."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at an 11th century church with fellow pilgrims. Even in disrepair and disuse, it seems sturdier than my house.</td></tr>
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I guess I have to wonder: what makes a pilgrim? Some might point to where a person stays, or whether they carry their pack, or something else. I'm not sure that is what he was getting at, though. I suspect that he is avoiding Americans because of the ugly American stereotype that has all too much truth to it sometimes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot, dusty trails with no shade bring out the worst in me...had this guy met me on the way to Los Arcos or another day where I was struggling to finish without turning into a lobster, I suspect he wouldn't have wanted to talk to me either.</td></tr>
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I think the question merits contemplating though: what makes a pilgrim? Anyone can take a long walk over multiple days, and people do it all the time on the Appalachian trail or other long trails. They usually carry heavier packs, too. And, tourists visit holy places to say they saw it as well--that is what I did when I visited Rome... I was a tourist, not a pilgrim.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0uJM4UOZ0k/V2AdVhwONHI/AAAAAAAAGoM/F2GYa2HQtoMGkBPEN0MJ_L2Q-XJNd3gDwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160607_150239443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0uJM4UOZ0k/V2AdVhwONHI/AAAAAAAAGoM/F2GYa2HQtoMGkBPEN0MJ_L2Q-XJNd3gDwCLcB/s320/IMG_20160607_150239443.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a little church about 10k outside Pamplona. The nuns who run an albergue there have arrow shaped post-its to write a prayer on and leave. </td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Honestly, I think it is the <u style="font-weight: bold;">why</u> of a trip that makes it a pilgrimage. Is it a spiritual exercise in some way, shape, or form? Are you open to letting the trip change you or your perspective?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix_l_dk4bCw/V2AePaeuHrI/AAAAAAAAGoY/PDGr-KTlm6s2b7oxgwGQbgSv2TKzef6gwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160608_193117601_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix_l_dk4bCw/V2AePaeuHrI/AAAAAAAAGoY/PDGr-KTlm6s2b7oxgwGQbgSv2TKzef6gwCLcB/s320/IMG_20160608_193117601_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of those God moments for me: I got off the bus in Pamplona too early, and ended up having to walk to the center of the city a couple of km away. In the process, I found this, and got to spend about a half hour in Adoration.</td></tr>
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<br />
I think that the gentleman I talked to was losing out because of his attitude... I've met several pilgrims who are doing an upscale pilgrimage, but are on a pilgrimage nonetheless. And my time so far has been the richer in sharing their stories, burdens and experiences as we travel. Looking at a person and whether they are staying in hostels or sending their pack ahead will not tell you the whole story. I am always privileged when a fellow pilgrim allows me to look deeper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azNB74GgUic/V2AfQ7MJSnI/AAAAAAAAGok/vmYdeSni4IcHk9CyD6J2lpIS40EJR89HwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160613_074736299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azNB74GgUic/V2AfQ7MJSnI/AAAAAAAAGok/vmYdeSni4IcHk9CyD6J2lpIS40EJR89HwCLcB/s320/IMG_20160613_074736299.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even when they are anonymous, fellow pilgrims help each other!</td></tr>
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-10601598092068500322016-06-13T03:08:00.000-06:002016-06-13T03:08:32.279-06:0010 Reasons Why I Will Not Be Losing Weight <br />
<ol>
<li><b>Gluten Free Bread:</b> there have been several places now that carry GF bread, and it is way better than the commercial GF bread in the States. It looks and tastes like a baguette, and it travels well. This has been one of my go-to trail foods.</li>
<li><b>Low Kilometers: </b>because I'm not walking as far as many pilgrims, I'm not getting as much exercise each day.</li>
<li><b>Not Carrying my Backpack: </b>while I realize that this a a personal necessity, it means that, even when I am walking, I'm burning fewer calories.</li>
<li><b>Cafe con Leche: </b>dude, this stuff is like crack... espresso, steamed milk, and a tiny bit of sugar... I could drink it all day, except that it also has a much higher caffeine content than coffee at home, and it keeps me up if I drink it too late.</li>
<li><b>Wine: </b>wine is part of the price of pilgrims menus, as well as many menu del dias. Add to that the fact that much of the Camino goes through the middle of prime wine country, and that local wine is usually very inexpensive.... I think you get the picture.</li>
<li><b>Menu Peregrino/del dia: </b>if you order either of these, you get 2 courses and dessert. This isn't that big of an issue if you are walking 20-30km/day....you are burning upward of 4000 calories. And, the food is VERY good.</li>
<li><b>Roadside food/beverage stands:</b> there have been several places where someone has set up a stand in places that are very far from the next town, or where my guide says there is nothing for 6-15 km, depending on the place. I feel that it is important to buy from them so that they continue to be there for future pilgrims. Besides, I love their pluck.</li>
<li><b>My dang sweet tooth:</b> when I DO get dessert, I can't just say, no thanks, or choose something with fewer calories, like yogurt. Nope--if Flan is an option, I'm choosing it. At least I've been staying away from the ubiquitous chocolate bars this time around.</li>
<li><b>Not drinking enough water:</b> this is something I really need to work on. Theoretically, because I'm using a water bladder, I should be able to get enough because I can keep walking while sipping my water. However, unless it is a day when I feel like my brain is going to cook inside my skull, I tend to forget that I'm carrying water, and I'm drinking about 1/3 of my 1.5 liter bladder. I feel stupid to say this, but I'm seriously thinking about setting an alarm for every 15 minutes to remember to drink.</li>
<li><b>The heat is curbing my appetite:</b> this is kind of on the other side of the spectrum, but I'm noticing that really hot days both saps my strength and makes me not hungry AT ALL. On those days, I don't touch my trail food, and often skip lunch altogether. If it's hot enough, eating dinner can be a struggle as well. Thankfully, it has only happened once or twice, but I haven't gotten to the Meseta yet. </li>
</ol>
<div>
There you have it. I suspect that I will gain weight this trip.</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-35113606080571783062016-06-12T00:27:00.000-06:002016-06-12T00:27:17.646-06:00A Town too far...I've been walking with, first a group, and recently another fellow Texan for the last few days. While it has been really good to have company, there are some things that are unavoidable when traveling with others. For me, that has been walking more km than I thought I could. It also meant going by someone else's schedule to some extent....journaling and writing here has suffered because of it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqHNqu4yq7Q/V1z_DTbs1MI/AAAAAAAAGe8/S7ZztoOFa-kIjpf5Mhy2p6LVscqiFqEiACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160611_142553144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqHNqu4yq7Q/V1z_DTbs1MI/AAAAAAAAGe8/S7ZztoOFa-kIjpf5Mhy2p6LVscqiFqEiACLcB/s320/IMG_20160611_142553144.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I completely understand the sentiment behind abandoning your shoes. No matter what shoes you wear, your feet take a real pounding when walking 20+ km day after day</td></tr>
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<br />
Yesterday, my feet told me that I couldn't continue at that pace anymore. In fact, I actually went to the doctor about my feet last night, and he said that I needed to scale waaay back on my km for a while. Today will be 7km. At least he didn't say that I have tendinitis again...and he didn't tell me that I have to take full rest days. Instead, he told me to ice, take ibuprofen, and no more than 10-12 km for the next few days. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMbFXQC0-eQ/V1z_8oJ6xEI/AAAAAAAAGfI/4OOfOl6FGqwl5rtn3xKI_4H0bzHmqmBcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160609_165110766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMbFXQC0-eQ/V1z_8oJ6xEI/AAAAAAAAGfI/4OOfOl6FGqwl5rtn3xKI_4H0bzHmqmBcgCLcB/s320/IMG_20160609_165110766.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of those pleasant surprises to be found on the Camino...at the Albergue Jakue in Puente la Reina. Exactly what I needed after a hard day of walking in the brutal sun.</td></tr>
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<br />
So, I will be walking solo again for a while, and that will be good. I'm ahead of my tentative schedule by 3 days, and will see how things go. I suspect that I will settle into a routine of walking 15-20 km per day once my feet have recovered a bit. And, I will attempt to write here more often.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-47174192339164249772016-06-07T17:04:00.001-06:002016-06-07T17:04:36.122-06:00Eating Humble PieToday I came to realization that my thinking that I could carry my own bag each day was stupid and unrealistic. Walking from Roncesvalles to Zubiri, the only reason why I was able to make it was because I didn't have a full pack on my back. My chiropractor tried to tell me this, but I wanted to be able to carry my bag at some point. I cut my stuff to bare bones in order to make a weight I might eventually be able to walk with. Now, I'm finding that I probably cut away a bit of muscle in addition to fat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKiExvD4Xc8/V1dL1ZOGdrI/AAAAAAAAGMc/XUpXdUhe1J0drz2cxC-drF1pXcIsTEUcACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160606_135034197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKiExvD4Xc8/V1dL1ZOGdrI/AAAAAAAAGMc/XUpXdUhe1J0drz2cxC-drF1pXcIsTEUcACLcB/s320/IMG_20160606_135034197.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been trying to ice my feet in the middle of the day at least once, and it has really been helping, along with stretching on a semi-regular basis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
At the same time, I'm also realizing that I can probably go further each day than I thought I could.... walking 22km yesterday and 18km today with soreness, but no pain due to injury has shown me that planning for only 15km a day was very conservative. I also have blisters on both of my big toes, in spite of using bandaid blister protection, but my tendons are actually doing way better than I ever could have anticipated. As long as they continue this way, I should have days that I can use for rest periodically or maybe visiting somewhere else here in Europe when I'm done.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RCk5adgg4Q/V1dMElm-3UI/AAAAAAAAGMk/Ql1m7TyO9twijZUB66NKAdABwcT3U-3VACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160606_152808315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RCk5adgg4Q/V1dMElm-3UI/AAAAAAAAGMk/Ql1m7TyO9twijZUB66NKAdABwcT3U-3VACLcB/s320/IMG_20160606_152808315.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About a half hour before I got caught up in a rain storm, I saw this sign. Side note: my poncho is never going to be sent ahead in my backpack again. I don't like pretending to be a drowned rat.</td></tr>
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<br />
I'm actually going to use one of the rest days that I have already stored up here in Pamplona (had I have stuck with my original plan, I wouldn't have reached Pamplona until tomorrow or the next day. So, sometime while I am in Pamplona, I will see if there is a cheaper service than Jacotrans, or a discount for booking multiple days. And, I need to buy some things while here, most of which I left back at home.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnMd26AmoHU/V1dM5NnRgYI/AAAAAAAAGMw/w7bxeADJ02EF0hKnK7WmYSSIuw3MSCDuwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160607_192314360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnMd26AmoHU/V1dM5NnRgYI/AAAAAAAAGMw/w7bxeADJ02EF0hKnK7WmYSSIuw3MSCDuwCLcB/s320/IMG_20160607_192314360.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My upgraded day pack, with bladder. I'm hoping the bladder will help me drink more, as I've had dehydration headaches twice so far on my trip.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdfQdRv3NV8/V1dNMDAqbyI/AAAAAAAAGNE/EDIoXJVelQMIsmfiIM7Sink8ioaPz5-EACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_083527188_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdfQdRv3NV8/V1dNMDAqbyI/AAAAAAAAGNE/EDIoXJVelQMIsmfiIM7Sink8ioaPz5-EACLcB/s320/IMG_20160604_083527188_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I brought with me as a day pack. The draw strings were rubbing me on the longer days.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXXBtf-BkDA/V1dQFFQOuPI/AAAAAAAAGNg/xb7v3TI7v28IdhIr_bmpiM0JWgsHAVT-QCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160606_091322621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXXBtf-BkDA/V1dQFFQOuPI/AAAAAAAAGNg/xb7v3TI7v28IdhIr_bmpiM0JWgsHAVT-QCLcB/s320/IMG_20160606_091322621.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the people I've been walking with. Teresa, Marianne, and Carma are sisters from Ireland who are travelling with their cousin Martin the P (he is celebrating his 25th anniversary of ordination later this month) And Keith and Shari are a couple from Austin. Shari is walking the whole Camino and Keith will be walking here and there with her between business trips. Martin and his cousins are leaving tomorrow to go back home. We will all miss them.</td></tr>
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-23212066291054831322016-06-04T20:09:00.000-06:002016-06-04T20:09:55.975-06:00Gratitude, and letting God provideSo, I'm currently wide awake at almost 3 in the morning because I made a rookie jet lag mistake: I took a nap after finishing my walking for the day, and I didn't give myself ample time to acclimate to Spain time yet. But, that means I get to have time to write here. Part of me wishes I could write in my journal, but I really don't want to leave my bed--the blankets are quite cozy, and it would be nice if I could get tired enough to actually get some more sleep tonight.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfo1460O9HM/V1N8vbyfgBI/AAAAAAAAF9s/YiRxeRbCn0I0koB2o_7uXEZSlHsXQZMgACKgB/s1600/IMG_20160603_192305972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfo1460O9HM/V1N8vbyfgBI/AAAAAAAAF9s/YiRxeRbCn0I0koB2o_7uXEZSlHsXQZMgACKgB/s320/IMG_20160603_192305972.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Anyway, last night, I stayed in the Beilari, a small albergue with about 20 beds. As a private albergue, it was a bit pricey at 30 euros, but it included dinner and breakfast today, so it was very worth it. The owner, Joseph, had us play some games with an imaginary ball in order to get to know one another...kind of cheesy, but also fun. The last one was to sum up in one word what we were feeling at the moment, and I chose gratitude as my word.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWGNMIYoTJk/V1N88jvrGSI/AAAAAAAAF9s/uwMeTX9NIbYBDuUVBpXdB2d9lUxpbYYXQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160604_085333295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWGNMIYoTJk/V1N88jvrGSI/AAAAAAAAF9s/uwMeTX9NIbYBDuUVBpXdB2d9lUxpbYYXQCKgB/s320/IMG_20160604_085333295.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the white sign with the blue square right above the red arrow? That is what trail markers look like in France. I was so glad to see my first yellow arrow.</td></tr>
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Once I started walking today, I realized how apropos that word is for me. My laundry didn't dry overnight because I was so late washing it, but the pilgrims office allowed me to use their dryer so that I could be on my way. This could have been very bad, since bag carrying services usually have a cut off time for giving your pack to them, but they held the transport for me so I could squeak my pack in. Just as I was getting so hungry that I thought my stomach would start to digest itself, I walked by a supermarket that had a bar attached, and I was able to spend a pleasant half hour resting my feet and drinking green tea. The list goes on...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHXaas2sJiI/V1N9Om5MszI/AAAAAAAAF94/M2T7-Y4p55wFEcUsOfsC4aWG7cvKbT8vACKgB/s1600/IMG_20160604_102231875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHXaas2sJiI/V1N9Om5MszI/AAAAAAAAF94/M2T7-Y4p55wFEcUsOfsC4aWG7cvKbT8vACKgB/s320/IMG_20160604_102231875.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the many wildflowers I saw on my walk today... I was traveling over several hills, so seeing pretty flowers was a good pretext for stopping to rest a moment.</td></tr>
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As I was walking, I didn't see another pilgrim, and it gave me a lot of time to think and pray--and that time meant realizing that I was also grateful that I didn't let the volunteers at the pilgrims office persuade me to take the higher route over the Pyrenees. I took the easier route, which meant walking along several rural roads--the route Napoleon is a dedicated walking trail, but is much more vertical. Cars on the narrow lanes meant stepping to the side in order to let them pass, and staying on the rural roads meant that I walked about 15km rather than only 12km, but I think I saw a total of 10 cars all day, and the walk through farmland and small towns was gorgeous.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj0KGLOFvxU/V1N9iba6DhI/AAAAAAAAF98/NCUqvlW_RI0ABtvtGZ8u2X0p04BocdXDgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160604_103030011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj0KGLOFvxU/V1N9iba6DhI/AAAAAAAAF98/NCUqvlW_RI0ABtvtGZ8u2X0p04BocdXDgCKgB/s320/IMG_20160604_103030011.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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At the same time, I started to feel a bit worried that I would not see another pilgrim tonight as well, so I began praying that I could at least be able to meet at least one other pilgrim this evening. After eating lunch by myself, I was pleasantly surprised to see the French couple from my stay at the Beilari at the albergue. Then, after my nap, I went out to explore the town a bit, and settled in a bar/cafe with wifi. While there, I overheard one of the people that came in say something about walking, so I piped up and asked if they were pilgrims...they were, and this couple at the end of the bar said they were, too. The couple is from Austin, and their son went to Blinn, where I work. The other pilgrims I met are 3 sisters and their cousin the priest walking together to celebrate Fr. Martin's 25th anniversary of ordination. They are from Ireland, and are only walking a very short part of the Camino, but we all had a very pleasant dinner and conversation. The highlight was listening to Martin and Keith (the Austenite) discuss middle eastern politics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFPKE4b7TRE/V1N9DzZtFMI/AAAAAAAAF94/If-rT2Xaj9sCmNq6rUT7SsLRzXViQKzWgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160604_174722493_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFPKE4b7TRE/V1N9DzZtFMI/AAAAAAAAF94/If-rT2Xaj9sCmNq6rUT7SsLRzXViQKzWgCKgB/s320/IMG_20160604_174722493_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a video to add to my summer classes, and first, accidentally took a selfie with the Val Carlos country side in the background. Of course, stupid me didn't think to get pictures of my dinner friends.</td></tr>
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One thing I didn't do today was change my socks halfway through, and I probably should have. When I finally stopped, the person at the supermarket told me that I was only 3km from my destination, Val Carlos. At that point, I thought about doing so, but decided that it wasn't far enough to make a difference. <br />
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Then, there came a choice of ways to walk into Val Carlos, and I chose the one that looked like it would wind through villages on rural roads rather than follow the local highway. And, that is how I ended up walking a good extra 3 km. By the time I got here, I could feel some places where my feet were rubbing, and was sure that I had a blister (I didn't, but I learned my lesson--another thing to be grateful for!).<br />
<br />
So, God has again blessed me and given me more than I needed...no rain, good people to interact with, and a hope that there will be more of the same tomorrow. Even when it is hard, I am so grateful, and that makes even unpleasant experiences more pleasant.<br />
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-13235583069271749632016-06-04T00:32:00.000-06:002016-06-04T00:34:30.730-06:00The long, long dayAs I wait for my clothes to dry this morning, the sky is spitting a little bit of precipitation....not really misting, not really sprinkling, but still getting wet from time to time. <br />
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Last night was my first night "on" the Camino, although traditionally, one's pilgrimage starts at the front door of your house. Already, I have been lost, so here is hoping that I got that out of my system. All I have to say is that I am eternally grateful for friendly locals who take pity on pilgrims who have confused/worried looks on their faces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9iEPuZbHYhc/V1JymInQFAI/AAAAAAAAF4w/yJJe83XkMGUJkWPwaw3HHa-MwgGY4bTFACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160603_020141924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9iEPuZbHYhc/V1JymInQFAI/AAAAAAAAF4w/yJJe83XkMGUJkWPwaw3HHa-MwgGY4bTFACLcB/s320/IMG_20160603_020141924.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Madrid airport. I find the colors and the sunlight very pretty.</td></tr>
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Yesterday was a long day...it began at 7:00a, and didn't end until about 10:00p on Jun 3. In that time, I drove to Houston, flew to Dulles airport, flew to Madrid, took the bus to the train station, took the train to Pamplona, another bus to the bus station, a bus to St. Jean Pied-de-Port, and then walked to my Albergue.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old rampart in Pamplona. It was right behind the bus station. </td></tr>
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I forgot about how the Camino specializes in vertical cities. My Albergue was near the top of this hill.</div>
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And, it is time for me to get walking. My pack has been sent forward, all but one of my pairs of socks are dry (they are safety-pinned to my day pack), and the day is perfect for a long walk. Ultreia!</div>
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-90075393587188304932016-06-02T10:48:00.001-06:002016-06-02T10:48:59.540-06:00The rip off, or everything is more expensive at the airport.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All of us know that airports take advantage of people because they are captive audiences. And, to an extent, we plan for it and/or avoid having to buy things there. I didn't think this would carry over to money exchange, though, and I should have. In essence, I spent about $17 for every $100 I exchanged into Euros, which adds up pretty quickly when you want to have a strategic cash reserve. </div>
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And yet, it is very ok, and bumps in the road are to be expected. This IS a pilgrimage, after all, and as human beings, hardship is usually the best teacher. There is a reason that the adage, "the burned hand teaches best" exists. I'm hoping that the rest of my trip to Spain will be smooth, but who knows? That is the fun of a pilgrimage, too.</div>
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All I really need to do right now is try to keep from grinning from ear to ear like a crazy woman and keep my enthusiasm in check. They just called the first group for boarding, so the first steps have begun. </div>
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Bien Camino to me!!!</div>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-28985072667036819932016-05-30T18:51:00.000-06:002016-05-30T18:51:36.812-06:00I think this has to be my all time favorite poem...<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>The Road Goes Ever On</u></b><i>By JRR Tolkein</i></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />Roads go ever ever on,<br />Over rock and under tree,<br />By caves where never sun has shone,<br />By streams that never find the sea;<br />Over snow by winter sown,<br />And through the merry flowers of June,<br />Over grass and over stone,<br />And under mountains in the moon.</blockquote>
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Roads go ever ever on,<br />Under cloud and under star.<br />Yet feet that wandering have gone<br />Turn at last to home afar.<br />Eyes that fire and sword have seen,<br />And horror in the halls of stone<br />Look at last on meadows green,<br />And trees and hills they long have known.</blockquote>
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The Road goes ever on and on<br />Down from the door where it began.<br />Now far ahead the Road has gone,<br />And I must follow, if I can,<br />Pursuing it with eager feet,<br />Until it joins some larger way,<br />Where many paths and errands meet.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Road goes ever on and on<br />Down from the door where it began.<br />Now far ahead the Road has gone,<br />And I must follow, if I can,<br />Pursuing it with weary feet,<br />Until it joins some larger way,<br />Where many paths and errands meet.<br />And whither then? I cannot say.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Road goes ever on and on<br />Out from the door where it began.<br />Now far ahead the Road has gone.<br />Let others follow, if they can!<br />Let them a journey new begin.<br />But I at last with weary feet<br />Will turn towards the lighted inn,<br />My evening-rest and sleep to meet.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Still 'round the corner there may wait<br />A new road or secret gate;<br />And though I oft have passed them by,<br />A day will come at last when I<br />Shall take the hidden paths that run<br />West of the Moon, East of the Sun.</blockquote>
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I love this poem because it is all about pilgrimage, or quest, I think. And, as you travel with the writer, you see the stages of pilgrimage--the eager beginning, the dudgeonly middle, and the end when you rest a bit, then beckon others to join you. Lastly, it alludes to the eternal pilgrimage that all of us are on, and the final end that all of us must grapple with. <br />
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As I prepare for my own pilgrimage, it seems appropriate that I am reading the beginning of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy aloud so that my dogs have something with my voice to listen to while I'm gone. I seem to take something new out of these books every time that I read them. And, as an added bonus, I was re-introduced to this poem a few chapters ago. <br />
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Ultreia, everyone, Ultreia, until we all take those hidden paths.<br />
<br />
RuthRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-84054261217702078082016-05-29T22:59:00.000-06:002016-05-29T22:59:05.132-06:00Leaving Thursday....As it gets closer and closer to my departure, I find myself scrambling to get everything done that I need to in order to be ready for my trip, and my To-Do list fluctuates daily...Some days I find myself adding 2 items for every one that I cross off, and then some days, I am able to make a sizable dent in the stuff to do. <br />
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Even so, there will likely be things that won't get done, and that is ok. What is really important will be completed, and the less important things will fall by the wayside: this, too is part of the pilgrimage process. You tend to find what is essential very quickly when you are carrying everything on your back for hours on end, just as you figure out what "ABSOLUTELY MUST BE DONE" while the "kinda sorta would be nice" fall off the list when time becomes short. I wonder if this is how people with terminal illness feel--the important things sift their way to the top.<br />
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One of my AMBD items is to ask for prayer requests. If anyone has something that they would like me to pray about for them while I'm walking, please send them to me...only one request per person, please. I will keep them as my intentions for my pilgrimage. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My prayer request list so far--in the front flap of my journal.</td></tr>
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I can't promise that I will pray for each intention every day, but I will be praying for at least a few every day. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rock from my front yard and my journal--the rock kind of looks like a human heart.</td></tr>
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Last time, I took rocks from all of my friends as well, and then ended up not being able to stop at the Cruz de Ferro to lay them down. This time, all I'm taking is my own, since it will be more than enough weight for my poor feet and back, but I'm still carrying all of you with me through your prayer requests and through my thoughts of you as I go. <br />
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Please keep me in your prayers as well--first that I can get everything done that I need to before I leave; Second that I can stay fit and healthy throughout my trip; and thirdly, that the classes that I'm supposed to teach this summer will "make"--they get cancelled if there are less than 20 students in a class, and only one class is currently anywhere near that number.<br />
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I'm looking forward to walking this journey with all of you. I hope you are looking forward to it, too.</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-39507545134263415272016-05-22T20:18:00.000-06:002016-05-22T20:19:32.661-06:00What AM I looking for? or, "Ditch the plan, Ruth!"This was one of my favorite songs from growing up:<br />
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At least part of the reason why I like the song is that it captures the essence of Wanderlust for me...That elusive feeling that you don't know what it is, but you are missing something.<br />
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As I'm about 10 days away from my second Camino, I'm a little perplexed as to why I'm going. I really don't have any burning questions to ask God, and I don't really have any kind of spiritual or psychological healing that I feel I need. I'm in my dream job, I'm part of an awesome parish, I get to go to Adoration 2x/ week, and I (and the bank) own my home. I don't have that feeling of missing something, and honestly, that is something that I tend to feel at the two year mark of any position I've ever been in before. <br />
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I can honestly say that I'm content--or maybe blessed and grateful are better terms for what I'm feeling. Which brings me back to the question, "Why am I going? What am I looking for?" <br />
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I know that I've been called to do this Camino, and I AM looking forward to it, even though I know that it won't be anything like the first one. For one, I will be working as I go--I will be teaching all summer long online. This means that I will be more plugged in to what is going on in the world as well, since I have to stay on top of emails, etc. I'm also going to be tuned into every little thing my body tells me, and I know that, if my body tells me to, I will be skipping to the end. I don't anticipate that happening, but it is a possibility. I also know that, if things go really south, the pilgrim's office in Santiago are always looking for volunteers, so I could very well end up most or part of the summer volunteering until my plane trip home. <br />
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Even so, I really wonder what this Camino will be like, and how it will be the same/different from the last one. Something that many pilgrims say is the phrase, "The Camino Provides." As a Catholic Christian, I believe that it is God providing what we need through the intercession of St. James, but, based on my experience, those of us who are Christians and doing this as a spiritual exercise are in the minority. No matter what, you often find yourself at the right place at the right time, and you get exactly what you need to be encouraged/helped/taught along the way. Also, the lessons you learn may or may not be the ones that you start your trek hoping to learn. <br />
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Actually, I suspect that God really wants to teach me about His provision this trip: every time I start to think about where I might want to end my stages or figure out mileage or make sure that I have enough time to finish the full Camino, I feel like the Holy Spirit is whispering in my ear, "Ditch the plan, Ruth. Trust Me." And, that is why I think that God hasn't laid some burning question on my heart or my mind. My job is to be open to whatever lesson He wants to teach me. <br />
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With that in mind, I'm on the lookout for a short prayer that I can pray daily while on the Camino, and which reflects that openness. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. <br />
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And, one good song from my childhood deserves another. This is also my prayer:<br />
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-91105665728600470172016-05-04T22:44:00.000-06:002016-05-04T22:44:19.701-06:0028 Days!!!I'm getting closer to the end of the semester, but more importantly, I'm getting closer to my Camino. Things are coming in that I need for my trip...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The order of the Mass in English and Spanish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pilgrim's Passports (I need two, since I will be in Spain for so long).</td></tr>
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I'm gathering my things for my trip, and I'm figuring out what I'm planning taking on my trip. Things will be a bit different this time around as I will be teaching online for the duration, so there are also a few things that I'm going to need to take with me that I didn't the first time around. I'm using what I learned from the first time around and my backpack is weighing in at 13.6 lbs, including everything in the following picture:<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only thing missing is what I will be wearing, and some of my meds.</td></tr>
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<br />My packing list:<div>
<ul>
<li>one Osprey backpack with a rain cover</li>
<li>one pair Oofos for wearing after my hike is done</li>
<li>one fleece sleeping bag and net case</li>
<li>one silk sleeping bag liner</li>
<li>one sarong</li>
<li>one neck pillow</li>
<li>one massaging ball to help with keeping my feet in fine form</li>
<li>half of a composition book (for taking notes while grading speeches--I will be throwing away paper as I use it, so that it will be less weight as I go along)</li>
<li>one lightweight jacket</li>
<li>one water resistant windbreaker</li>
<li>one emergency poncho if it really starts raining</li>
<li>2 sets of clothing containing:</li>
<ul>
<li>one thin pair of socks</li>
<li>one thick pair of socks</li>
<li>one sports bra</li>
<li>one pair hiking underwear</li>
<li>one short-sleeved running shirt</li>
<li>one pair of running capris</li>
<li>one gallon size ziplock bag</li>
</ul>
<li>one old-fashioned ice bag (to help keep my feet iced--ice is readily available at the bars and cafes along the way)</li>
<li>One collapsible water bottle</li>
<li>2 journals--One in my backpack, and one in my fanny pack for while I'm writing in it. I will send it home once the first is full.</li>
<li> One quart size ziplock bag full of toiletries: </li>
<ul>
<li>one full bar of soap</li>
<li>one full size bar of solid deoderant</li>
<li>one razor</li>
<li>one toothbrush</li>
<li>one travel size toothpaste</li>
<li>one travel size shampoo</li>
<li>one travel size conditioner</li>
<li>leftover bug spray from my last camino</li>
<li>one bottle sun screen</li>
<li>one comb</li>
<li>2 hair ties (in case I lose one)</li>
<li>one bandana</li>
</ul>
<li>One rosary</li>
<li>One baseball cap</li>
<li>All of my meds:</li>
<ul>
<li>qnasl</li>
<li>cetirizine</li>
<li>Allegra</li>
<li>ranitidine</li>
<li>singulair</li>
<li>epi pen</li>
</ul>
<li>fingernail clippers</li>
<li>pocket knife</li>
<li>shell</li>
<li>charger for my phone that is compatible with europe</li>
<li>fitbit charger</li>
<li>about 12 safety pins</li>
<li>one extra gallon ziplock bag</li>
<li>hiking poles</li>
</ul>
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And my fanny pack:</div>
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<li>English-Spanish order of the mass</li>
<li>one glue stick</li>
<li>earbuds for my phone</li>
<li>pencil sharpener</li>
<li>colored pencils</li>
<li>epi-pen</li>
<li>six sharpie pens and a mechanical pencil</li>
<li>(journal that I talked about earlier)</li>
<li>Passport and pilgrim's credentials</li>
<li>1.40 in euros from my last trip to Spain</li>
<li>chapstick</li>
<li>prescriptions of meds</li>
<li>Passport</li>
<li>credit card and debit card.</li>
<li>Sunglasses</li>
<li>pnone (not shown--it will be my camera/tablet/laptop/ipod on my trip)</li>
</ul>
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I will have on my person:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bC9S-ttzOM/Vyq7HO0l5hI/AAAAAAAAFgM/rj-8ifZfE6UsXzprWZjxCL7Agh4vDtIeACKgB/s1600/2016-04-25%2B17.28.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bC9S-ttzOM/Vyq7HO0l5hI/AAAAAAAAFgM/rj-8ifZfE6UsXzprWZjxCL7Agh4vDtIeACKgB/s320/2016-04-25%2B17.28.17.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>my trail runners with orthopedic inserts inside</li>
<li>one set of clothing (see above)</li>
<li>my fitbit</li>
</ul>
<div>
It looks like a whole lot, but it feels like not a lot of stuff at all. My guess is that my skin out weight is about 20 lbs, but I haven't put everything on to check. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will be flying out of Houston on June second, which doesn't give me a whole lot of time to be ready for this. Hopefully, I can get it all done in the time that I have--June second will come whether I'm ready or not, though. </div>
</div>
</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-27991131544560503402016-04-26T11:35:00.000-06:002016-04-26T11:59:10.863-06:00A poem by a fellow pilgrim...This poem was found on the Camino de Santiago Forums, posted by <a href="https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/tell-me-again.40105/" target="_blank">William Garza</a>. I believe he is the one who wrote it, but I really don't know. As I am inching closer to my own return (37 DAYS !!!!), it speaks of the call to go, and the rhythm of the walk. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Tell me again</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px; margin-top: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Oh Pilgrim fair</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Why I Must</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Travel the Way?</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Why Must i be drawn from afar, to some land..known to my heart</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Unknown to my feet</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Known to my soul</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Yet have never breathed the air</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Why..old Pilgrim there</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Why does my heart beat in time</span><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">In between dreaming..and awake</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">To the footsteps</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">To the winds...whispers in my ears</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">To my footsteps</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">One by one</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Until ime done</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">To a footstep in the night</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">That reminds me </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Ime not yet gone?</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Tell me Pilgrim</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Tell me of far off places</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Close to your heart...</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Of places close</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">That have no feel of home.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">The long empty stretches</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Bereft of steps</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Silent but for the whispers to your soul.</span><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">The Wind talks to no one there</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">They're there..all for their own sake?</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I think not.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Why must..I</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I! Go.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Ultrea</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Buen Camino</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Que..te Vaya Bien</span><br style=font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I have known Freedom</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Because I have known cages</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I have known Happiness</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Because of Sorrow</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I have known Life</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Because I have seen too much.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Pilgrim</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Your days are counted</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Get busy Living or stay busy trying.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Surrounded by Infinite sorrow...</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">You Pilgrim</span><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">You Know Joy,</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">You have stepped out of Chrysalis</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">And into the winds</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">You will never be the same.</span><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I know you</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I know you by your eyes.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">They have seen the light</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I Remember now</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">The Call..is why.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Pilgrim on the Way</span><br style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Dont worry why your there</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style=" font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Be..There...</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Spend your Time</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Do you understand?</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Every moment important</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Live fully within your time</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Be Blessed on Your Way</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-hXKZB2ejU/Uix_ZFfQAaI/AAAAAAAABBY/2E0K1w2NwOouQ0afV7-ScA1neg88aQdcQCKgB/s1600/blogger-image-1632941938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-hXKZB2ejU/Uix_ZFfQAaI/AAAAAAAABBY/2E0K1w2NwOouQ0afV7-ScA1neg88aQdcQCKgB/s320/blogger-image-1632941938.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">While the planning is easier this time around, this Camino feels like a very different prospect than the last one. In many ways, my last Camino was a search and a prayer for healing and wholeness after my divorce, and this time, there is a joy, a wonder that is inherent in the journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">Even in spite of the physical hurdles that I'm working to overcome, this pilgrimage is all about joy and thanksgiving, not mourning and healing. Maybe that is why I'm going to be travelling in the height of summer, when the path and the vegetation will be at its peak of beauty. Last time, I walked in the Autumn, when the harvest had been or was in the process of being brought in, and the land was beginning to prepare for winter--still mostly green, but a sign here and there of the winter to come. I was able to harvest what I needed from that trip, and I am very thankful, but this trip....this trip is full of possibilities and promise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;">I don't know what the fruit will be, but I know that it will be exactly what I need. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultreia!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.5333px;"><br /></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-57217045689504122092016-04-17T22:47:00.001-06:002016-04-17T22:47:07.470-06:00Stark Raving Terror<p dir="ltr">Thursday was a weird day for me...I had someone tell me that I should join Tumblr, and in the process, I discovered that there are a lot of people who have posted about the Camino there (I had to choose some stuff I was interested in for my news feed...). Then, I made the mistake of reading the posts of others about their pilgrimages... Which made me really wish that I could go back to the Camino this year like I said I would. So, as a break from grading, I ended up looking at how much it would cost to fly to Spain this summer.<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Do you see where this is going? Yep. I booked a flight to Madrid, leaving June 2nd and returning on August 5th. It was really exciting at the time, but now I am confronted with the fact that I haven't really been exercising to speak of, and I just signed up to walk <b>500 MILES </b>in the space of two months, and I only have 46 days to physically prepare myself. Either this is God nudging me in this direction, or I'm being very, <b>very</b> stupid. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I can handle the lists and the planning and the gathering of necessities for my pack. I can get mentally and spiritually ready. I can swing the cost and the expenses along the way. What I have no idea if I can handle is the physical aspect of this pilgrimage. What if I have to fly home early because of a recurrence of my tendinitis? What if I make my already bad back worse? </p>
<p dir="ltr">And then, this recurring thought also pops into my head: what if I wait and miss this opportunity because all of my problems are worse? Backs tend to degenerate over time, not get better. Something tells me that, if I'm going to be doing anything that requires physical prowess, now is the time, not later. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I just don't know if I made the right decision, and could use a little peace. Barring a clear sign that I am not supposed to do this, I could use lots of prayer for this time of preparation: that I can gain the fitness I need, and that I can finish the Camino without injury. Health is my word for this year, so it would be great if I could gain some health in these areas, too.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I could also use some peace in all of this. St. James, pray for me!</p>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0Bryan, Bryan30.674364 -96.369965tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-12645068997999511732016-04-04T14:54:00.001-06:002016-04-04T14:54:59.313-06:00The Year of the ButterflyButterflies have a lot of symbolism that is tied to death and re-birth...it is often a way for us to remember the death and resurrection of Christ, for instance. One website I was looking at mentioned that butterflies are also a reminder of our own bodily resurrection that is promised in scripture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_nSDPul9Yo/VwLKIwD8DtI/AAAAAAAAFLM/DazHsLzPTiU4Vye6ZATBxiHfis1ZL8nsA/s1600/ButterflyTime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_nSDPul9Yo/VwLKIwD8DtI/AAAAAAAAFLM/DazHsLzPTiU4Vye6ZATBxiHfis1ZL8nsA/s320/ButterflyTime.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: http://in5d.com/the-esoteric-meaning-of-the-butterfly/ I just really like the picture, not necessarily the content of the website...</td></tr>
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As is usual for me, the advent of my birthday makes me (some would say overly) contemplative, and as this coming birthday is the big 4-0, I'm finding myself thinking a lot about this coming year and what I both want and where I want to head. <div>
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Usually, this entails finding a theme verse from the Bible, and maybe making a few goals that I want to work on. Sometimes, it means looking at what I'm doing and adjusting accordingly, or it means scrapping stuff that clearly isn't working. </div>
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This year, even though I have been thinking and praying about it for close to a month, I can't seem to settle on a verse from scripture, but I have kind of decided on a theme for the year....In my mind, this coming year has become the Year of the Butterfly. </div>
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To that end, I've already chosen my journals for the year, and every single one of them has some sort of Butterfly on the cover. I just love the hope and the joy that butterflies evoke in me, and I also feel like there has been a huge transformation of who I am over the last few years--the resurrection has happened, and now, I must learn to fly. </div>
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This may also sound a bit crazy, but one of my favorite movies is City Slickers with Billy Crystal. It has a lot of wisdom in it, and I will leave you with this little gem as I close today:</div>
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May we all discover our One Thing.</div>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-67219977848514125252016-03-31T10:17:00.000-06:002016-03-31T10:18:52.467-06:00The Best Laid Plans (PHFR #11)You know those trees I planted back in November? Well, of the three I planted, only one is still living--the digdogs destroyed the two that I planted in the back yard. I'm probably going to have to buy older trees if I want to plant them in the back yard--preferably at a size that the dogs can't chew up. I actually thought that all three of them had died, since the one in my side yard didn't begin blooming and putting out leaves when all of the rest of the trees in the neighborhood did. <br />
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So, when I saw this, it made me incredibly<br />
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Happy</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg6-GDZaIko/Vv1B4XvnoFI/AAAAAAAAFIE/VukNglP_12E-nQArUrmAZxLn72YKqEHjQ/s1600/2016-03-30%2B16.34.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg6-GDZaIko/Vv1B4XvnoFI/AAAAAAAAFIE/VukNglP_12E-nQArUrmAZxLn72YKqEHjQ/s320/2016-03-30%2B16.34.26.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is blooming and putting out leaves!!!</td></tr>
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<h2>
Pretty/Real</h2>
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And, the pollen counts and weather have been cooperating lately, so I've been spending more time outside again. Have I mentioned before that I love my deck? I do, and I really want to replace it/spruce it up. Eventually, I may see about extending the roof so that it is covered and I can sit outside when it is raining, but that is a project for another year. :-) No one told me when I bought my house that I would perpetually have projects that I want to do on it. Don't get me wrong. I love my house as is, but I keep looking at things and thinking, "this room would be better if..." One of these days, I'm going to look around and say, "this house is perfect." At least I hope so!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuz_BybA75Y/Vv1B3Ov_9lI/AAAAAAAAFII/8fIsoiI4JCQjNqbIHbqZyV79fkkY41OvA/s1600/2016-03-27%2B14.21.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuz_BybA75Y/Vv1B3Ov_9lI/AAAAAAAAFII/8fIsoiI4JCQjNqbIHbqZyV79fkkY41OvA/s320/2016-03-27%2B14.21.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure the dogs like spending the afternoon/evening outside as much as I do.</td></tr>
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Of course, having the dogs means that at least some of the things I want to change are because of them...See the scratch marks on the screen door? At some point, I want to change the screen door and back door to a set that has a built in doggie door through both of them. Then I don't have to play the "I want out. No, I want in. No, I want out" game that they play sometimes, and I don't have to worry about them when I leave for work. <br />
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<b>Compost bin update: </b><br />
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So, the inexpensive option is not going to work for me... The youngest digdogs figured out how to get into it, and had a grand old time playing in the leaves. Once they were done, this is what it looked like:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N74FGUt9DYY/Vv1B2P1wBQI/AAAAAAAAFII/JqgePNBI3Wgw7Umu9NjJSr1jycccD8rkg/s1600/2016-03-08%2B09.53.45-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N74FGUt9DYY/Vv1B2P1wBQI/AAAAAAAAFII/JqgePNBI3Wgw7Umu9NjJSr1jycccD8rkg/s320/2016-03-08%2B09.53.45-2.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually about 2 weeks ago. They have since spread the leaves around the yard further through play.</td></tr>
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So, I'm kind of back to square one, and will probably be buying some wood and power tools in order to build something that is dog proof. I was really hoping that the cheap option would work, at least for a while! I saw some pictures of a 3 bin system, which look like they might be workable. They better be pretty big bins, though, as the leaves you see in this picture is only half of my front yard, and the front trees have since lost the last of their winter coat (what kind of tree keeps hold of its dead leaves until it grows new ones, anyway???), along with boatloads of what reminds me of the pollen stamens of non-bearing mulberry trees. <br />
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Funny</h2>
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Taking pictures of the animals is always a bit tricky: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-YfdghtIeg/Vv1B3uTzVlI/AAAAAAAAFII/1CklSK5ScwYtjQ_qYhWPZbIHkYv-tRJFg/s1600/2016-03-28%2B21.07.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-YfdghtIeg/Vv1B3uTzVlI/AAAAAAAAFII/1CklSK5ScwYtjQ_qYhWPZbIHkYv-tRJFg/s320/2016-03-28%2B21.07.11.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are they real, or are they Robo-dogs?!?!?</td></tr>
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I love this picture except for the eyes--It shows that Ginger is finally warming up to Sassy, and that they could eventually become friends. I keep hoping, anyway. I have other pictures of them together under the table, which is Ginger's safe place, but they are either too dark, or Ginger looks incredibly sad and long-suffering. </div>
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An example: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UUAdcBsbaI/Vv1B3ntE7SI/AAAAAAAAFII/HSFj0od94QsCjmUY9BkliiMiXtNnEl5WQ/s1600/2016-03-29%2B13.32.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UUAdcBsbaI/Vv1B3ntE7SI/AAAAAAAAFII/HSFj0od94QsCjmUY9BkliiMiXtNnEl5WQ/s320/2016-03-29%2B13.32.54.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? dark AND sad.</td></tr>
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But then they do crazy stuff like this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlpjUUGFHWQ/Vv1B22SzU-I/AAAAAAAAFII/ibca1txxyywoYBRyWfwo484CAwUtL1MTg/s1600/2016-03-26%2B10.31.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlpjUUGFHWQ/Vv1B22SzU-I/AAAAAAAAFII/ibca1txxyywoYBRyWfwo484CAwUtL1MTg/s320/2016-03-26%2B10.31.48.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm really a cat, mom! I promise!</td></tr>
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Ginger usually does stunts like this when she feels like I'm spending too much time focusing on something other than her--in this case, it was my computer, as I was working on grading. </div>
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And, when they are just being cute and sweet, it is often so fleeting that, once you get your camera, you've missed it. I was lucky to catch Ginger cuddling with Bubba, though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRHSN8zUevc/Vv1B2MpkD0I/AAAAAAAAFII/xF60UtwI9lYV2SUsk3TE_RscPLtmvJ0BQ/s1600/2016-03-13%2B21.35.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRHSN8zUevc/Vv1B2MpkD0I/AAAAAAAAFII/xF60UtwI9lYV2SUsk3TE_RscPLtmvJ0BQ/s320/2016-03-13%2B21.35.18.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roommate actually took the picture--I'm quilting in the background.</td></tr>
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There is a reason why people should not allow me near gardens: I have the black thumb of death. The newest proof:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTNph4obAI0/Vv1B2md4YvI/AAAAAAAAFII/OcjD1AXabOQBg4YodEQT_xeSIHiwdurNw/s1600/2016-03-21%2B11.56.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTNph4obAI0/Vv1B2md4YvI/AAAAAAAAFII/OcjD1AXabOQBg4YodEQT_xeSIHiwdurNw/s320/2016-03-21%2B11.56.30.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These mini roses were really beautiful before Spring Break, I promise!!!</td></tr>
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I thought that making sure it was nice and moist before leaving for spring break would be enough, but this is what I came back to. Thankfully, they weren't that expensive, and I was able to enjoy them while they lasted. Since I've been here, I've bought 3 plants for my office, and only one is still living--my first orchid died over the summer because I over-watered it while I was working from home, and my current orchid is thriving here in my office. I may need to give it away before I leave for the summer, or it may be doomed as well! <br />
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Please go over to <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2016/03/phfr-easter-recap/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a> to visit others that are seeking to capture contentment in everyday life!<br />
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-14901964423514198802016-03-21T19:10:00.000-06:002016-03-21T19:10:00.995-06:00The Power of the WordYesterday was Palm Sunday, and the gospel is something that is a bit different from normal--as a congregation we get to interact and read part of the story, because the narrative of Christ's passion is broken up into parts, and those of us in the pews become the voices of the crowd. This is something very powerful for me, and I don't know that I have ever gotten through the gospel reading on Palm Sunday with a dry eye.<br />
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The point where I tend to get a little teary is when we must cry out, "Crucify him." It is a visceral reminder that <u style="font-weight: bold;">I</u> am the reason for Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and that I'm always one decision away from denying Christ as Peter did. <br />
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Yet again, I am in amazement at the wisdom of the Church and of the liturgical year. This has been a rough lent, with my discipline and being able to follow through with my Lenten discipline being spotty at best. However, I'm also so incredibly thankful for the reminder of Christ's sacrifice for each of us, and for this coming week when we finally celebrate our Risen Lord. <br />
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Even as the darkest days are yet to come, with Good Friday this week, we don't have to stay there. As at the beginning of the Easter vigil, when we start with the words, "the Light of Christ," so too can we say with Isaiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!" <br />
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May He illuminate our lives and our hearts, and may Lenten mourning be transformed into Easter Joy!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-81471576934090800852016-03-03T10:27:00.002-07:002016-03-03T10:27:34.710-07:00Breaking the 180 barrier (PHFR#10)Monday morning was the first time I have weighed under 180 lbs. in a really long time. I was kind of expecting to not keep the weight off, since Sunday was one of those weird food days when you end up accidentally missing a meal or two. Amazingly, I'm still under 180 lbs, for which I'm really thankful. It also makes me<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">177.8 lbs. This dress is actually a little loose, and only another 5 lbs until my next stitch fix box!</td></tr>
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I'm also really happy that I'm doing well at sticking with the GAPS diet. I tried another new recipe this past weekend, and am glad I did: <a href="http://eatnourishing.com/recipe/parsnip-fries-lambs-quarter-pesto/" target="_blank">Parsnip Fries</a>. Of course, after I made them, I realized that it actually wasn't GAPS legal, so I'm thinking of trying this with carrots instead of parsnips as some point. As an added bonus, you can actually buy carrot sticks already cut up, so the prep time would be way shorter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8uKKXd2K4k/VthoGQ0wrhI/AAAAAAAAE6o/YdJ0UzAlXho/s1600/100_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8uKKXd2K4k/VthoGQ0wrhI/AAAAAAAAE6o/YdJ0UzAlXho/s320/100_1087.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They got a little brown...but the ones that aren't burnt tasted really good!</td></tr>
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I followed the recipe, but the fries ended up burning. I'm wondering if the size of my oven has something to do with that--I have an apartment size stove, so the half-sheet pictured is the largest cookie sheet that will fit in my oven (there is less than a half inch left of space all the way around). I'm wondering if having the sides of the oven so close to your baking dish make the cooking go quicker. Or, maybe it is just that my knife skills aren't uniform enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, this is my oven. Cute, isn't it?</td></tr>
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I've about come to the conclusion that I really need to take some cooking classes so that I can be better at the prep part of cooking. I have a pretty good handle on what spices and flavors go together, although I tend to be a little boring in that department, but uniform cutting and presentation are not my strong suit. <br />
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I'll never compete for one of those cooking shows, but I would like to make the process of cooking less tedious, and I think knowing some of the prep skills would be helpful.<br />
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Pretty</h2>
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So, the evening of the Parsnip Fries, we bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner, and added some leftover butternut squash. I have to say that the picture of dinner is definitely close to food porn. I don't think I've ever been that good at taking a picture of dinner before. Maybe it is because I'm actually using my camera instead of the camera on my phone.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the steam rising from dinner?</td></tr>
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One of the other things I'm currently working on is adding more liquids to my diet--my real problem is that I don't particularly like drinking plain water. This is why I usually resort to drinking carbonated or mineral water most of the time. However, I'm also trying to economize on my grocery bill, so I've been looking for ways to do so. Here is my solution:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0FTO7pD3Dg/VthoHP5C_1I/AAAAAAAAE6o/Wq_QSXZ19bk/s1600/100_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0FTO7pD3Dg/VthoHP5C_1I/AAAAAAAAE6o/Wq_QSXZ19bk/s200/100_1091.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumbers!</td></tr>
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I'm liking the taste, and, since I have the reusable aluminum bottles from when I worked at UTEP, I didn't have to make any kind of investment to create this solution. I just have to be careful, because, when I drink from them in class, I'm incredibly tempted to crunch on the cucumbers while I'm teaching!</div>
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Funny</h2>
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The weather has been BEAUTIFUL this last week, and it is fun to watch everything bloom. In an effort to lower utility bills, we have been opening windows and turning on ceiling fans in an effort to refrain from turning on the A/C just yet. The dogs are taking it in stride, although they will sometimes peer through the windows of the screen doors. </div>
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Even though it is getting warmer, they are still vying for who gets to snooze on the quilt I'm working on, though. I'm going to have to start another quilt immediately after this one is done in order for them to continue to have a place to sleep!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqh5xK7bh-I/VthoHhNvNEI/AAAAAAAAE6o/TCQ6oJzsLRY/s1600/100_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqh5xK7bh-I/VthoHhNvNEI/AAAAAAAAE6o/TCQ6oJzsLRY/s320/100_1093.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha-Ha, Bubba. It is my turn!</td></tr>
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Real</h2>
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One of the side-effects of moving to central TX and all of the wonderful, glorious green is that I'm really struggling with allergies. I've been told by both my dr. and several friends that this area is notorious for being bad for people with allergies--we are in the middle of a valley, so pollen blows in, but it doesn't really blow out. Since coming back from Christmas in the desert, I have had 2 rounds of antibiotics for bronchitis, and I'm currently on steroids. I'm really hoping that the steroids help...otherwise, I may have to do antibiotics as well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9QSnyN7XqU/VthoHrp-ycI/AAAAAAAAE6o/r_Win-YpmRE/s1600/100_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9QSnyN7XqU/VthoHrp-ycI/AAAAAAAAE6o/r_Win-YpmRE/s320/100_1097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thinking that opening windows is not the best way to economize.</td></tr>
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I'm also starting to realize that, when you don't like fish and you can't do dairy, figuring out what to eat for Fridays in lent is a struggle....I did curried lentil soup last week, and will be making meatless split peas this week, but I'm running out of ideas for what to eat. I have a feeling that at least part of my weekend will be used to look for some interesting vegetarian recipes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SngMRS6knsk/VthoHxz0u-I/AAAAAAAAE6o/flsSm_pLw6w/s1600/100_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SngMRS6knsk/VthoHxz0u-I/AAAAAAAAE6o/flsSm_pLw6w/s320/100_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split peas soaking so that I can throw them in the crock-pot tomorrow.</td></tr>
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Lastly, one of the easiest breakfasts on the GAPS diet is eggs: fried eggs, scrambled eggs, veggie frittatas, etc. I may become an egg if I eat very many more of them! So, today, I had a bowl of fresh strawberries for breakfast. They tasted really good, but they didn't stick with me for very long. I was already feeling hungry again by the time I had been at work for 30 minutes. So, I'm going to need to think of something else to have for breakfast, or at least think of some sort of supplement to fresh fruit.</div>
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Any ideas are welcome!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRuWeanGjFM/VthoIBQOfpI/AAAAAAAAE6o/3YekADGMymg/s1600/100_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRuWeanGjFM/VthoIBQOfpI/AAAAAAAAE6o/3YekADGMymg/s320/100_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast this morning. I love the contrast of the blue with the red of the strawberries.</td></tr>
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How are you capturing contentment in your everyday life? Please link up with <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2011/04/pretty-happy-funny-real-24/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter!</a></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-18757558873176629252016-02-27T17:39:00.000-07:002016-02-27T17:39:42.581-07:00My Very First Stitch Fix BoxAs most of my family can attest, I am a bit fashion challenged--being in the height of fashion has never been a need of mine, and it has only been in the last 2-3 years that I have been willing to look at my clothes and say, "Hmmm. I really don't want to look like a frump. Maybe I should update my wardrobe." Because of this, I tend to wait to go shopping for clothes until I can go with at least one or two of my sisters, since I really can't be trusted to always choose things that both look good on me and aren't either 20 years too old or 20 years too young, style-wise. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rru4HSSWSBE/VtI8KA5CzYI/AAAAAAAAE4k/g5pWDV6O9Ok/s1600/100_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Me in front of the blue windows at the Art Institut in Chicago" border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rru4HSSWSBE/VtI8KA5CzYI/AAAAAAAAE4k/g5pWDV6O9Ok/s320/100_1023.JPG" title="Me in front of the blue windows at the Art Institut in Chicago" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I dress myself--This particular shirt will likely go in the donate bin<br />(It is also last Summer before I started losing weight and eliminating dairy)</td></tr>
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This has created a bit of a conundrum for me, since I'm in the process of losing weight, and some of the clothes that I know look good on me are now not hanging right...and this is after only 10 lbs lost. In my body's defense, some of it is probably less bloating due to no more dairy in my diet, but it is still sad when one of your favorite shirts no longer looks very good. Since I live something like 12 hours away from the nearest relative, this means that, when I DO go shopping, I tend to take pictures and then text them to one or more sisters for advice. I always feel a little worried that they get tired of the, "which one of these outfits look better?" texts. So, when I talked to a colleague and heard about Stitch Fix, it seemed like a good compromise....I get help with clothes that look good on me, and I don't have to pester my siblings to get it. I decided that I would reward myself with a StitchFix box for every 10 lbs that I lose. I got my first box in the mail today, and amazingly, I feel like the stylist nailed what I like and what looks good on me! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApmchgQYoew/VtI8NYIfUQI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/JSZKOycdOsw/s1600/100_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApmchgQYoew/VtI8NYIfUQI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/JSZKOycdOsw/s320/100_1075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even help you to accessorize. Such a blessing for the accessory challenged like me.</td></tr>
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The way that StitchFix works is that you pay a $20 stylist fee, and then they send you 5 pieces of clothing/accessories. If you keep all 5 pieces, you get 25% off of the cost of the clothes, and they also credit you for the stylist fee toward the cost of the clothes. Unfortunately, if you don't keep all 5, there is no discount, but you still get the $20 stylist fee to put toward your purchase. I was pretty impressed with this first box, and if all of the items had fit, I would have kept the whole box. Because I'm not getting that wonderful discount, I ended up returning 2 of the five items, so that I would pay the same as if I had kept all 5 items. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOAkAtKXe8s/VtI8Wr4-1kI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/xxH0KXeWXzI/s1600/100_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOAkAtKXe8s/VtI8Wr4-1kI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/xxH0KXeWXzI/s320/100_1079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dress that doesn't fit, and the infinity scarf beside it. I was so very sad when this dress wouldn't zip up! I loved the burgundy and the pattern of the scarf, but without the dress, I'm not sure that I have anything I could wear it with. Most of my shirts are navy and purple!</td></tr>
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I do have to say that I kind of expected the cost of each individual item to be less expensive--the cost is more along the lines of Kohls or JC Penny's when it is full price, than Target. I also hate that 2 of the 3 items I am keeping is hand-wash only. One of them, a cardigan, won't be washed very often because it is outer wear, but I actually almost returned the shirt because it is hand wash only. I love my washer, and am always looking for ways to make my life easier. I may see if I can wash it in the delicate cycle inside out, since the front of the shirt is all lace, and I don't want it to get snagged.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-doLkneqFtr8/VtI8bBYPQ7I/AAAAAAAAE5g/pblSUJd7jIY/s1600/100_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-doLkneqFtr8/VtI8bBYPQ7I/AAAAAAAAE5g/pblSUJd7jIY/s320/100_1074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ubiquitous dog picture, just because she is much cuter!</td></tr>
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Sassy and the other dogs were very curious as I tried everything on, I suspect because the smell of the dyes before any of the items are washed are interesting to their sensitive noses. <br />
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So, I have one new outfit from the box, and I will definitely be doing this again. It isn't really economizing on clothing, but if they last a decent amount of time, I'm willing to pay a little more for the items. I definitely won't be going to a monthly cycle, though. I can't justify that much money on clothing each month!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61cvbX_WefQ/VtI_xleAySI/AAAAAAAAE5k/xMjRMMmA3EE/s1600/100_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61cvbX_WefQ/VtI_xleAySI/AAAAAAAAE5k/xMjRMMmA3EE/s320/100_1083.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outfit without the cardigan. I really like the way these jeans fit! </td></tr>
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Now, I just need to do the work and lose the next 10 lbs. Once that happens, I can see how Tiffany (my stylist for this box), and the rest of the Stitch Fix team do next time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HdrPl3tarE/VtI_xnoRfqI/AAAAAAAAE5o/IoNlpEiuf2M/s1600/100_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HdrPl3tarE/VtI_xnoRfqI/AAAAAAAAE5o/IoNlpEiuf2M/s320/100_1085.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And with the Cardigan. Amazingly, Ginger was cooperating for the picture...A real rarity!</td></tr>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-63030241337258264472016-02-25T11:30:00.000-07:002016-02-25T11:30:27.362-07:00Plateaus (PHFR#9)I have been hovering at around 181 lbs. of late. I know that some of it is that I've been eating outside my house more, which means I have less control over what I'm eating. I also know that some of it has been that I've found several REALLY good recipes for GAPS friendly desserts, and I've been going a bit overboard with them. (<a href="http://www.scalingbackblog.com/sweet-treats/dark-chocolate-avocado-mousse/" target="_blank">Chocolate mousse</a> is made with Avocado, so it's a healthy breakfast, right?!?!?). I actually made another batch this past weekend, and ended up with like 15 servings--this time around ended up with more a consistency of pudding, though. I ran out of room in my food processor to add all of the cocoa powder that the recipe called for--a triple recipe is a little much, but I didn't want to have to throw out avocados. Well, that, and I kind of added about a 1/3 more coconut milk than the recipe called for. It still tastes good, and that is what matters. <br />
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One thing that this diet is forcing me to do is try out new recipes, and that makes me<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKO2GBg9leI/Vs83xL5MRbI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/E8GnJyNzF8U/s1600/2016-02-21%2B16.48.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKO2GBg9leI/Vs83xL5MRbI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/E8GnJyNzF8U/s320/2016-02-21%2B16.48.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made some <a href="http://cookeatpaleo.com/paleo-biscuits-recipe/" target="_blank">almond flour biscuits</a> this weekend, too.</td></tr>
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<br />I was too busy working on my chocolate mousse to get these out before they got a little brown, but it is nice to have some sort of bread-type food available. The biscuits are actually a bit sweet for my taste--I've always been a savory bread type of girl, and back when I could eat gluten, I would routinely half the amount of sugar asked for in a recipe. I will likely do that the next time I make these, or maybe even eliminate it completely, since there is no yeast that needs feeding in these. I also subbed apple cider vinegar for the lemon. <div>
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Sunday was actually a huge baking day for me. I also made some <a href="http://empoweredsustenance.com/cauliflower-wraps/" target="_blank">Cauliflower tortillas</a>. Based on what people said, and the amount of cauliflower I had (2 heads), I kind of modified this as well--it is somewhere between the above recipe and <a href="http://brokeassgourmet.com/articles/cauliflower-tortillas" target="_blank">this one</a>. So, I used 6 eggs for the 2 heads, and added some Italian spices: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil. Next time I do this, I may try a mexican twist: cumin and cilantro, maybe. Then I can make some tacos with it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsQTfBUye94/Vs86qM6lYBI/AAAAAAAAE3c/QCeEEHkb6TU/s1600/2016-02-25%2B11.23.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsQTfBUye94/Vs86qM6lYBI/AAAAAAAAE3c/QCeEEHkb6TU/s320/2016-02-25%2B11.23.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I brought the torillas for lunch. I plan to eat them with leftover spaghetti sauce, mostly because I need to find another subsitute for pasta than spaghetti squash.</td></tr>
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I also made some <a href="http://eatnourishing.com/recipe/apple-cinnamon-chia-pudding-gaps-legal/" target="_blank">chia seed pudding</a>, in spite of the fact that I'm allergic to raw apples. I just cooked the apples with the cinnamon and the coconut milk from the recipe, then mixed in the chia seeds, a little bit of honey (maybe a tablespoon for the whole batch), and some vanilla (1 tsp.). I'm thinking that this would be good without the apples, or maybe with cooked pears instead. I plan to do some experimenting to see what else tastes good. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeLsxnY-wmY/Vs88ioAQ6FI/AAAAAAAAE3o/dyREbJZSDE4/s1600/2016-02-25%2B11.23.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeLsxnY-wmY/Vs88ioAQ6FI/AAAAAAAAE3o/dyREbJZSDE4/s320/2016-02-25%2B11.23.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One serving of the chia seed pudding. Next time, I peel the apples before cooking them.</td></tr>
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On a side note, buying these little 4 ounce jars had to have been the best investment I've ever made. They make a perfect serving of sweet stuff. They also make a perfect serving of fermented veggies for lunch at work. </div>
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And, I especially bought some parsnips the last time I was at the store in order to try this recipe for <a href="http://eatnourishing.com/recipe/parsnip-fries-lambs-quarter-pesto/" target="_blank">parsnip fries</a>. I've been making fries out of green beans by baking them until crispy, but thought this might be a nice change. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe tomorrow as a celebration for the end of the week.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Funny</h2>
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Lest you think that all I can think about is food, I have to share what happened this weekend when I turned on the sprinkler in my back yard for the first time ever. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQh7GMO4sRE/Vs83u3sl1hI/AAAAAAAAE3g/Vczyb_rhPXM/s1600/2016-02-20%2B15.05.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQh7GMO4sRE/Vs83u3sl1hI/AAAAAAAAE3g/Vczyb_rhPXM/s320/2016-02-20%2B15.05.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take that, water spray!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5GpkZNeCLY/Vs83v43sfYI/AAAAAAAAE3g/400YyIPYhDk/s1600/2016-02-20%2B15.05.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5GpkZNeCLY/Vs83v43sfYI/AAAAAAAAE3g/400YyIPYhDk/s320/2016-02-20%2B15.05.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got you now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecb3wAYldWM/Vs83v1YuJPI/AAAAAAAAE3g/OvI2gkQbQaU/s1600/2016-02-20%2B15.05.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecb3wAYldWM/Vs83v1YuJPI/AAAAAAAAE3g/OvI2gkQbQaU/s320/2016-02-20%2B15.05.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, get back here!!!</td></tr>
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Yep, Sassy decided that she needed to attack the water from the sprinkler. And, after she got tired, she would rest a bit and then go back and play some more. I don't think I've ever seen a dog get so excited about a water sprinkler.<br />
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Ironically, it started raining the next day, so I could have dispensed from watering to begin with, but seeing how much Sassy loved the sprinkler was worth it.<br />
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My dogs are definitely spoiled: <b><u>behold</u></b>, their very own staircase.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksrGPTLG5kY/Vs83wsbD_oI/AAAAAAAAE3g/Ddu6o9bWnB8/s1600/2016-02-21%2B10.54.59.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksrGPTLG5kY/Vs83wsbD_oI/AAAAAAAAE3g/Ddu6o9bWnB8/s320/2016-02-21%2B10.54.59.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was getting concerned because Sassy is just short enough that she can't actually make it on my bed half the time she tries. I cringe every time she tries and fails, because I'm worried that she will break or sprain a leg at some point. Even so, I'd gotten a bit sick of picking her up every time she wants up at night (at ~25 lbs, she is also getting a bit heavy to lift when I'm already on the bed). With my bed reaching waist height on me, it IS a pretty tall bed. Now, Sassy just heads up the stairs when she wants to get on. My back thanks her!!!</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Pretty</h2>
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So, I worked on two other projects this past weekend--getting some of the worst of the stains from the wood floors, and building a compost bin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLGha-1Je4A/Vs83u09pY5I/AAAAAAAAE3g/bnD6O6jsm9o/s1600/2016-02-13%2B18.40.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLGha-1Je4A/Vs83u09pY5I/AAAAAAAAE3g/bnD6O6jsm9o/s320/2016-02-13%2B18.40.36.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before using goof-off in the entry-way</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8brrBwMF1S0/Vs83wSZA3JI/AAAAAAAAE3g/ADxBiOEdMAI/s1600/2016-02-20%2B16.21.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8brrBwMF1S0/Vs83wSZA3JI/AAAAAAAAE3g/ADxBiOEdMAI/s320/2016-02-20%2B16.21.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After. I'm pretty impressed with the stuff, and will be buying more.</td></tr>
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I just did a small part of the floor as a test, but really like how it got the old carpet glue up. I imagine it would get more of the paint up, if I were to scrub hard enough, too. When I rent a sander and take off the old finishing later this month (I'm hoping to do so during spring break), it will mean having to use less sandpaper, since it won't be gummed up by the old glue.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTorLVNGe70/Vs83wGGrpII/AAAAAAAAE3g/dzMc7bXOBh0/s1600/2016-02-20%2B15.11.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTorLVNGe70/Vs83wGGrpII/AAAAAAAAE3g/dzMc7bXOBh0/s320/2016-02-20%2B15.11.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What will become my compost bin...Now all I have to do is rake my front yard to fill it!</td></tr>
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The bin isn't as pretty as I'd like, but it should be functional, and it will keep the dogs out of the compost, I hope. I will post what it looks like once full. And, the actual compost will be nice to put around my 2 trees that survived to this point from November. Unfortunately, Sassy dug up and tore up one of the 3 trees--the hazard of having over-active puppies!<br /><div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Real</h2>
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One of the things I love about living in central Texas is the variety of wildlife that isn't really around in the desert, where I have lived most of my life. I have seen Blue Birds and Cardinals hanging out in the trees surrounding my property. I've even thought about putting out a bird feeder, but have hesitated because of my fur-babies. This is why:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvsqZU2KoMU/Vs83u0SY02I/AAAAAAAAE3g/heAhjrFuHJc/s1600/2016-02-20%2B14.42.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvsqZU2KoMU/Vs83u0SY02I/AAAAAAAAE3g/heAhjrFuHJc/s320/2016-02-20%2B14.42.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to help this little guy get out of the yard, but I'm not sure if I did so in time to save his life</td></tr>
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This guy was on the ground on the inside of my back-yard fence, obviously injured. Trying to keep the dogs away from him was virtually impossible--3 of our 4 dogs have at least a little bit of hunting or herding dog in them. I was able to help him (her?) flutter over the fence away from the digdogs, and then I put out some sunflower seeds near him, but he had disappeared when I checked for him a couple of hours later. <br /><br />
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While I really like my coloring picture a day calendar, I'm finding that leaving it at my office was maybe not the best idea I've ever had. Because I have been trying to do all of my grading while at work instead of bringing it home, I'm finding that I have a whole lot less down time than I thought I would have. Which means I've got a lot of pictures I really want to color laying around my office.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHQtxJnHw7A/Vs9GYap6y2I/AAAAAAAAE34/oQU0g7_zEwg/s1600/2016-02-25%2B12.14.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHQtxJnHw7A/Vs9GYap6y2I/AAAAAAAAE34/oQU0g7_zEwg/s320/2016-02-25%2B12.14.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left, pictures I really like. On the right, pictures that don't do a whole lot for me, with Padre Pio looking over all of it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K0q5vC0zaI/Vs9GYY9zqmI/AAAAAAAAE38/U0zQ0FlCMX0/s1600/2016-02-25%2B12.14.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K0q5vC0zaI/Vs9GYY9zqmI/AAAAAAAAE38/U0zQ0FlCMX0/s320/2016-02-25%2B12.14.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I can't color them myself, at least I can share the wealth.</td></tr>
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So, I hit on a way to help keep my desk from getting too cluttered by pictures to color. I'm letting students grab them to color themselves. I wish I could color all of them, but it just isn't possible with all the other things I have to do. </div>
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Please share how you capture everyday contentment in your life over at <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-81367925951979598892016-02-18T12:08:00.000-07:002016-02-18T12:08:26.306-07:00Home Improvements for beginners (PHFR #8)One of the things that I've started working on are some of the small projects that I've been wanting to do since I moved in, but have not taken the time to do. Some of them are just time consuming, and some of them require both time and a bit of money. So, I am using a portion of my tax return to begin knocking out a few of these. It is kind of exciting to see how things are working out. :-)<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Pretty</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuazKCpdz4k/VsYIxZxTb4I/AAAAAAAAE14/h6scTyuCjZU/s1600/2016-02-13%2B22.09.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuazKCpdz4k/VsYIxZxTb4I/AAAAAAAAE14/h6scTyuCjZU/s320/2016-02-13%2B22.09.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you sure that there is room for you, mom?</td></tr>
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I'm currently dog-sitting for my niece, and that means that I'm responsible for 4 rather than 2 dogs. They get along really well, but it makes for a kind of crowded bed. Most nights, one of the dogs decides that it is too crowded and sleeps in his/her own bed. I just find it a pretty sight that they like to sleep together.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBrHEKzDYM0/VsYIyK6J2TI/AAAAAAAAE2E/Dbzk2XPNkYY/s1600/2016-02-17%2B02.13.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBrHEKzDYM0/VsYIyK6J2TI/AAAAAAAAE2E/Dbzk2XPNkYY/s320/2016-02-17%2B02.13.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parish's Adoration Chapel</td></tr>
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One of the things I have been doing since I moved here has been to commit to a slot for Adoration weekly. It means planning my sleep time before and after in order to get enough sleep, but I find it totally worth it. I love being able to spend time with Jesus in the middle of the night, and going is the highlight of my week. <div>
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Even so, occasionally the person after me doesn't show up, and I end up losing 2 rather than one hour of sleep. While I figure that I probably need the extra prayer time when it happens, one thing I have noticed is that my weight fluctuates more based on the amount of sleep I get than because of any other factor (at least as far as I can tell)--on nights that I get less than 7 hours of sleep, I can almost guarantee that my weight will be higher by a pound or more. Weighing yourself daily leads to such interesting correlations!</div>
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Another side-effect that I'm noticing about getting less sleep is that I tend to have less will-power on those days when I have less sleep the night before. It is amazing how much a lack of sleep effects me.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwaAhVVgr24/VsYIys1C1-I/AAAAAAAAE2I/fKdDNKBpUb8/s1600/2016-02-18%2B09.39.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwaAhVVgr24/VsYIys1C1-I/AAAAAAAAE2I/fKdDNKBpUb8/s320/2016-02-18%2B09.39.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My desk in it's new home</td></tr>
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I love that I now have a place to keep my desk where I can keep my sewing machine out for when I need it. Even though my desk has all of my writing stuff, I never use it to actually write at, so turning it into a sewing area is perfect. I've been putting my machine back in its original box whenever I'm not using it, but I'm really wanting to spend more time quilting this year. Having my machine out will hopefully motivate me to do more quilting--I really need to make bedspreads for both this room and my room. I should probably think about upgrading to a better machine eventually, but this basic model will probably last me for a year or two....It probably isn't worth it to service the machine again more than once or twice, though. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqfL85UdUp8/VsYI66WOKdI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/C4umU-xRvCQ/s1600/2016-02-18%2B09.39.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqfL85UdUp8/VsYI66WOKdI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/C4umU-xRvCQ/s320/2016-02-18%2B09.39.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysti-girl enjoying the new place for the bed and the sunlight from the window.</td></tr>
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Without a roommate, I now have a spare bedroom, which is really nice.</div>
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<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j33-w8za18M/VsYI7dlOZpI/AAAAAAAAE2c/Nrvrlkc2Qmc/s1600/2016-02-18%2B09.40.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j33-w8za18M/VsYI7dlOZpI/AAAAAAAAE2c/Nrvrlkc2Qmc/s320/2016-02-18%2B09.40.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The room from the back corner--don't mind the two skirts that are drying on the door.</td></tr>
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Just as I thought it would, the love-seat works perfectly in this room. Now, all I have to do is find something to put on the walls. For sure, I need a Crucifix, but I'm not sure what else yet. It will probably depend on what the eventual quilt for this room will look like. </div>
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Last Saturday, I spent the whole day tearing out the carpet from this room. As I suspected, there is a really nice, if badly stained, hard wood floor underneath. Removing the carpet wasn't actually the part that took so long--it was removing the tack board around the edges. I spent all day using my hammer and a chisel to pry them up, and I'm pretty proud of my work!</div>
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Depending on whether I try to refinish it myself or if I get it professionally done, it is probably not going to happen until Summer sometime to resurface it. I found a product called "Goof Off," though, and I'm going to see if I can get some of the worst stains out rather than having to sand all of them off. Part of me is really leaning toward doing the work myself, since I can do the floors one room at a time and finish it for about 1/10 of the price. </div>
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The things holding me back are:</div>
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<ol>
<li> Can I sand the floors evenly?</li>
<li>Will it look good when I'm done?</li>
</ol>
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I'm seriously thinking about making the spare bedroom a test bed--if I can make it look good, then I know that I can do my bedroom and the living room, no problem. If I can't then it isn't that much money wasted, and I can bring in a professional. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzDm9QedKw4/VsYIuwm8dMI/AAAAAAAAE2g/E9YoSvbGCcc/s1600/2016-02-13%2B18.40.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzDm9QedKw4/VsYIuwm8dMI/AAAAAAAAE2g/E9YoSvbGCcc/s320/2016-02-13%2B18.40.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Auc8h2s7M/VsYIwashpeI/AAAAAAAAE2g/QIVXwY_15-w/s1600/2016-02-13%2B18.40.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Auc8h2s7M/VsYIwashpeI/AAAAAAAAE2g/QIVXwY_15-w/s320/2016-02-13%2B18.40.36.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entryway.</td></tr>
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Another of my projects has been to get some shelves made for a built-in bookcase in my kitchen so that I can use it as a spice rack. Earlier this week while I as at lowe's I found some really pretty wood, and had them cut the wood into the size I needed. I had to check to see if it would work, so as soon as I got home, I put the shelves up, even though they aren't finished or sanded yet. The end result makes me very happy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FPsLbep-ro/VsYIw1kxBAI/AAAAAAAAE2g/d6d388JT9o4/s1600/2016-02-15%2B21.30.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FPsLbep-ro/VsYIw1kxBAI/AAAAAAAAE2g/d6d388JT9o4/s320/2016-02-15%2B21.30.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have now switched the contents on the bottom and top shelves--having non-food items seemed safer on the shelf the dogs can reach.</td></tr>
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<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">
Funny</h2>
This is what I saw when I woke up this morning. At first, I thought, "Aaww, how cute!" Then Sassy stretched a little, and it was like she was trying to push Bubba put of the way. Now I'm just not sure.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dskd3aSoOOk/VsYIyKaiCcI/AAAAAAAAE2g/AVEHWpSYGpg/s1600/2016-02-18%2B08.10.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dskd3aSoOOk/VsYIyKaiCcI/AAAAAAAAE2g/AVEHWpSYGpg/s320/2016-02-18%2B08.10.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure whether they are cuddling, or if Sassy is trying to take up Bubba's space on the bed.</td></tr>
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While I was pounding away on the floors, the animals pretty much avoided the noise like the plague. However, as soon as I was done and started putting the furniture in place, they became very curious. I'm not sure they knew what to make of this room without the yucky, stained carpet.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FMWnmQ1r6Q/VsYIvCDhScI/AAAAAAAAE2g/sAC-QCdZb_I/s1600/2016-02-13%2B20.06.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FMWnmQ1r6Q/VsYIvCDhScI/AAAAAAAAE2g/sAC-QCdZb_I/s320/2016-02-13%2B20.06.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, is it ok to get on the floor now? Are the "bang-bangs" done???</td></tr>
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This coming weekend means finishing the shelves for the spice rack, painting the patch on the wall in the Bathroom (I had it fixed right before Christmas, and just haven't gotten around to painting it--it is partially hidden by the toilet, so I just don't think of it that often), and trying the Goof-Off on the stains in the spare bedroom. I never realized how much work owning a house can be!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2MxNo-OMeU/VsYI5oNLq5I/AAAAAAAAE2g/FAsAuhCKVQY/s1600/2016-02-18%2B09.49.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2MxNo-OMeU/VsYI5oNLq5I/AAAAAAAAE2g/FAsAuhCKVQY/s320/2016-02-18%2B09.49.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My to-do list for this weekend</td></tr>
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<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">
Real</h2>
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In the process of moving my desk, I had to clear it off. The smart thing to do would have been to take all of the stuff that had been on my desk and put it where they belonged. What did I do instead? Move it to the top of my dresser. In my defense, I was really tired after close to seven hours of tearing up tack-board...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOkcYFvuoLg/VsYI4_392UI/AAAAAAAAE2g/-ng3tgj-6Ms/s1600/2016-02-18%2B09.40.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOkcYFvuoLg/VsYI4_392UI/AAAAAAAAE2g/-ng3tgj-6Ms/s320/2016-02-18%2B09.40.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why clean when you can just move the stack somewhere else???</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sujSSq_qc34/VsYI4H9kXYI/AAAAAAAAE2g/OJFhndap4aM/s1600/2016-02-13%2B22.22.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sujSSq_qc34/VsYI4H9kXYI/AAAAAAAAE2g/OJFhndap4aM/s320/2016-02-13%2B22.22.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle Scars--proof that you survived!</td></tr>
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<div>
And, while I was working on the Tack-board, I ended up somehow (I'm still not sure how) getting a nail stuck between my finger and the fingernail. The nail actually ended up poking through the fingernail about midway. It hurt like a booger, but really didn't bleed that much. Now, I have a pretty bruise underneath my nail, even though it doesn't really hurt anymore. I keep forgetting to call my Dr. and schedule a tetanus shot, but will try to do so later today.</div>
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Have you captured the context of everyday life? Link up with <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a> for {Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-92109088654680057592016-02-11T11:05:00.002-07:002016-02-11T11:05:36.243-07:00Sandal Weather!!! (PHFR#7)<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy/Pretty</h2>
Part of the fun of living in Texas is that it means sandal weather tends to come early. The days have been nice enough these last few days that I've worn my sandals a couple of days in a row. Once it is sandal weather, I tend to wear sandals non-stop until it is no longer sandal weather, so this makes me incredibly happy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nc2GklUNVU/Vryz4AWN63I/AAAAAAAAE1M/fmuxFxVByLg/s1600/20160211_100318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nc2GklUNVU/Vryz4AWN63I/AAAAAAAAE1M/fmuxFxVByLg/s320/20160211_100318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure they match my outfit, but I love being able to wear sandals!!! It is probably time for me to paint the toe-nails so they aren't naked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another pleasant surprise this week was that some flowers started blooming in front of my house. I didn't even know that the bulbs were there, so when they started sprouting and blooming, it was a huge surprise. My first impulse is to say that these are daffodils, but the petals seem thicker than what I envision for daffodils. If you know what kind of flower it is, telling me would be great.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26ODeYiwE0s/Vryz1abb4fI/AAAAAAAAE0w/GIb4FqcX__E/s1600/20160205_164856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26ODeYiwE0s/Vryz1abb4fI/AAAAAAAAE0w/GIb4FqcX__E/s320/20160205_164856.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a "live and let live" gardener, so the fact that these showed up without me doing anything makes me incredibly happy!</td></tr>
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<div>
One of the hardest things about being on the GAPS diet and also being dairy free is that finding things to eat when sweet cravings hit are difficult. I've been mostly good (I will admit to one last Breve Latte from Starbucks on Monday--my nod to the coming of Lent), although the siren song of ice cream has been rather loud of late. I'm amazed that I have been able to ignore it's pull to date, but I've also been on the lookout for some sort of substitute. This is why I was so incredibly happy when I found <a href="http://www.scalingbackblog.com/sweet-treats/dark-chocolate-avocado-mousse/" target="_blank">this recipe</a>, as it seems to fulfill my craving for creamy/cold. The only tweaks were to use honey rather than maple syrup and substituting unsweetened bakers chocolate for the dark chocolate mentioned. This made it fully GAPS legal, but you can't cut the honey in half--you need to make a one to one substitution on the sweetener.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I doubled the recipe and used my food processor to mix it all together (why did I resist getting such a wonderful invention for so long, again???). It really is incredibly dark and rich for a chocolate mousse--I could probably eat about 1/2 of one of the 4 oz. servings I dished out, and still take care of my cravings. I may see if I can make it a little less chocolatey, the next time I make it, although part of the reason for all the chocolate is to mask the taste of the avocado--it might not be possible. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7a1fqU2amA/Vryz12jeM6I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/2rjcrJJKihM/s1600/20160206_214956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7a1fqU2amA/Vryz12jeM6I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/2rjcrJJKihM/s320/20160206_214956.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supposedly, the recipe makes 8 servings when doubled--I got 10 4-oz. jars worth.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWrXkvmxISw/Vryz2HCM4FI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/DG6RW5vGTIA/s1600/20160206_215013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWrXkvmxISw/Vryz2HCM4FI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/DG6RW5vGTIA/s320/20160206_215013.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs a cookbook when you have the internet?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPfiRI6JZnU/Vryz2kTTUqI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/Lw98cDj-2AM/s1600/20160206_222416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPfiRI6JZnU/Vryz2kTTUqI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/Lw98cDj-2AM/s320/20160206_222416.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MMMM, Good. I've found it is best when I cut the chocolate with berries or other fruit. Because it has Avocado, it makes for a healthy breakfast, right? ;-)</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Funny/Real</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, I used part of my tax return to replace my dishwasher. While my old one was standard size, and my new one was too, it ended up being about 1/8 of an inch too tall for the cabinet space. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVzXj0IDudY/Vryz1X8PWTI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/hlj2QyH2mzA/s1600/20160206_160525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVzXj0IDudY/Vryz1X8PWTI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/hlj2QyH2mzA/s320/20160206_160525.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make it fit...</td></tr>
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After quite a bit of hemming and hawing, I realized that most of the issue was the lip on the countertop made by the tile facing. A trip to Lowes for a chisel, and about 30 minutes later, I was able to fit it into the space just fine. I kept the tiles, in case I can figure out a way to cut them without breaking them to pieces. Otherwise, I will probably be replacing my counter-tops sooner rather than later. I'd really like to get either granite, quartz, or solid surface counter-tops, but don't know if they come in lighter colors that I'd like. I really don't want dark counters, as it will suck all of the light out of the area. I've thought some about getting butcher block counters as well, but I'm probably too clumsy for them to stay nice looking.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVb1ShUy65w/Vryz1Rakt7I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/of-foAmJb0g/s1600/20160206_181831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVb1ShUy65w/Vryz1Rakt7I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/of-foAmJb0g/s320/20160206_181831.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product. Not pretty, but functional. I need to figure out a way to make this gap in the tile facing less jarring until I can replace the counters.</td></tr>
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I also have to say that I love my new dishwasher. It is so quiet that you can hardly tell that it is running! This is such a change, since my old dishwasher made so much noise that you couldn't have a decent conversation anywhere near it.<div>
<br /> Now that it is sandal weather, I'm probably going to transition to more fizzy water and less tea, although it will still be my go-to drink first thing in the morning. I'm not sure it is normal to have a whole desk drawer dedicated to various types of tea...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FszDXSn5AY/Vryz4WmpacI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/pb3xOieV8Z4/s1600/20160211_100334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FszDXSn5AY/Vryz4WmpacI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/pb3xOieV8Z4/s320/20160211_100334.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is probably a sign that I should eventually make giving up tea a Lenten discipline...</td></tr>
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<div>
And, it is very obvious that the main part of the semester has started...My desk is a mess, and it is beginning to annoy me. I suspect that I will be using part of Friday afternoon to put it to rights so that I can begin using it to its best advantage again. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqK418YkhcQ/Vryz4VzKSLI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yTQkim9aYVI/s1600/20160211_100402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqK418YkhcQ/Vryz4VzKSLI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yTQkim9aYVI/s320/20160211_100402.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy <b>and</b> purple--this has quickly become my favorite mug, and it makes grading much more enjoyable!</td></tr>
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In the mean time, I think I will make myself another cup of tea. :-)</div>
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Go look at other Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real posts over at <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2016/02/pretty-happy-funny-real-66/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a> </div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-37716795444427142582016-02-04T10:24:00.000-07:002016-02-04T10:24:20.465-07:00The Scourge of the Saggy Butt (PHFR #6)<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pretty</b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duutLCMOGyU/VrN_YpxvSzI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/yIXyWGf6ang/s1600/20160123_124951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duutLCMOGyU/VrN_YpxvSzI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/yIXyWGf6ang/s320/20160123_124951.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've probably added this before, but I just love this picture of me with my sister. It is such a joy to have a great family!</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy</h2>
<div>
So, I was finally healthy enough to go back to Choir. While this is an older picture, the fact that we have choir practice in the choir loft (AND that we sing from there) is one of my favorite parts about being in it. In the spring and fall, choir starts right around dusk, and that is when I shot this picture. Every time I miss a few weeks, I'm reminded of how much I love singing when I return. It is pure joy to be able have songs stuck in your head the rest of the evening.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7b0m72nkv4/VrN_X869yfI/AAAAAAAAE0c/8DXVTbe8UXk/s1600/2015-03-25%2B19.24.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7b0m72nkv4/VrN_X869yfI/AAAAAAAAE0c/8DXVTbe8UXk/s320/2015-03-25%2B19.24.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view from the choir loft.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Funny</h2>
<div>
So, I'm about 1/3 of the way through finishing a quilt for my niece, and it stays on the couch so that I can work on it while I'm watching TV. Our dogs have decided that it is one of the most comfortable places to sleep, so they take turns on it...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV7QmaXh-JE/VrN_YqzpPUI/AAAAAAAAE0c/jtoyeSiiFdE/s1600/2016-01-10%2B20.59.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV7QmaXh-JE/VrN_YqzpPUI/AAAAAAAAE0c/jtoyeSiiFdE/s320/2016-01-10%2B20.59.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece complains that she is the only one who hasn't used her quilt.</td></tr>
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<div>
At work, my students have been tasked with making Memes to help my future students...This is one of my favorites.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK0Sbt3OnIU/VrN_Hrnt2GI/AAAAAAAAE0c/BiDjuvHQq-4/s1600/meme-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK0Sbt3OnIU/VrN_Hrnt2GI/AAAAAAAAE0c/BiDjuvHQq-4/s320/meme-2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Real</h2>
<div>
I was able to find a couch set for a steal, and all of us (including the dogs) loves them. I still need to figure out how to cover/re-upholster them, but they work for now. Sassy actually likes the foot stool best, but she can be found on any of them regularly. In fact, her favorite thing to do when she doesn't want to go out is to jump on the couch and show me her belly.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrM9SDQoG2Q/VrN_YeGBIZI/AAAAAAAAE0c/LLG5K4RyCcI/s1600/2016-01-09%2B12.01.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrM9SDQoG2Q/VrN_YeGBIZI/AAAAAAAAE0c/LLG5K4RyCcI/s320/2016-01-09%2B12.01.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How is it that I ended up with a white dog who loves to dig???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITwB6UgWgTM/VrN_YAagZbI/AAAAAAAAE0c/RjSmZdum9Hg/s1600/2016-01-09%2B17.50.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITwB6UgWgTM/VrN_YAagZbI/AAAAAAAAE0c/RjSmZdum9Hg/s320/2016-01-09%2B17.50.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope. No room for you, mom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
In other news, I'm going to have to retire my skinny jeans. I've lost just enough weight that the back of my jeans won't stay put. After about 10 minutes, the butt part of my jeans are sagging about 6 inches underneath my actual butt--I rutch them, but they won't stay put. As I walked back to my car after choir, I was thinking that the name "The scourge of the saggy butts" would make a neat name for a grunge band. </div>
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Visit other "Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real" posters at <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/" target="_blank">Like Mother, Like Daughter</a>!</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223692721965991138.post-26687534951210253972016-01-27T15:37:00.001-07:002016-01-27T15:38:05.123-07:00GAPS update and other musings.So, I've been weighing myself daily, and today, my weight was at 182.8 lbs. That means, since the beginning of the year, and in spite of cheating a couple of times (popcorn and other things while at my Nephew's wedding, plus a couple of Breve Lattes and that one time I already wrote about), I have lost 10.8 lbs.<br />
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Here is my update picture:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezRxwV9DPp4/Vqk-ew7vOtI/AAAAAAAAEy8/PyB2P5cu82M/s1600/20160127_072210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezRxwV9DPp4/Vqk-ew7vOtI/AAAAAAAAEy8/PyB2P5cu82M/s320/20160127_072210.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My exercise clothes are fitting better. I'm not sure<br />
the change is all that noticeable, though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm getting to the place where I have no more excuses--I have to stick to this if I want healing! I'm working on being better with following the diet. I also got behind on my fermentation, so I spent a couple of hours last night putting up some new ferments: beets, and <a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/lactofermented-carrot-sticks/" target="_blank">carrots</a>. I plan to put up some sauerkraut later this week as well, since I'm down to half a jar. Getting a food processor for Christmas has to be the best gift EVER!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agKZwdlwrOE/Vqk-fR67YuI/AAAAAAAAEzY/Ne2mv4OXjiY/s1600/20160127_072838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agKZwdlwrOE/Vqk-fR67YuI/AAAAAAAAEzY/Ne2mv4OXjiY/s320/20160127_072838.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferments and most of my food processor. That one quart of carrots looks darker because I used sauerkraut juice to prime it for fermentation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I finally started walking the dogs again today, as well--It was derailed because of sickness. Being sick during the first week of school is never fun. When you accidentally drink left over tea in a travel mug you forgot at the office, you end up giving yourself several more days of coughing. I was almost over the cough when I re-infected myself, too! I'm just glad that the fever didn't return as well.<br />
<br />
So, I have been hacking and coughing up a storm, and if the cough doesn't go away soon, I will have to go back to the Dr. about it. I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that.<br />
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This last weekend was the wedding of another of my nephews. His bride seems really nice, although I didn't get to talk to her all that much. I did, however, get to spend time with my siblings, which was a wonderful, wonderful thing. I wish that all of them could have come, but I understand having family and kiddo obligations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsX9ov6bG0o/Vqk-eILpaII/AAAAAAAAEzE/RMxXcgtnHds/s1600/20160123_124951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsX9ov6bG0o/Vqk-eILpaII/AAAAAAAAEzE/RMxXcgtnHds/s320/20160123_124951.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Selfie--It was a joint effort. I couldn't figure out how to push the button, so my sister did that while I held the phone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzQS7vKEdRY/Vqk-ekneJaI/AAAAAAAAEzM/RaXyjiFWhFA/s1600/20160123_124755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzQS7vKEdRY/Vqk-ekneJaI/AAAAAAAAEzM/RaXyjiFWhFA/s320/20160123_124755.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My outfit for the wedding. I'm so glad for fashion advice!</td></tr>
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Watching my sister dance with her son at the reception, I realized that this is an experience I will probably never have. It is part of the cross of following Church teachings on sexuality, and I embrace that. It is just a tiny bit bitter-sweet, even as I rejoice in my nephew's joy and my sister's transition to a new stage of life as well. Every yes has a no embedded in it, and my lack of children means that I'm free for other things. I look forward to seeing where the Lord will lead because of my obedience.<br />
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In the mean time, I color! (This is a page from the coloring calendar I got for Christmas!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZuWmrRV9yk/VqlGcfcWLnI/AAAAAAAAEzs/atEEx1xlQog/s1600/20160127_161249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZuWmrRV9yk/VqlGcfcWLnI/AAAAAAAAEzs/atEEx1xlQog/s320/20160127_161249.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Procrastination at its finest!</td></tr>
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895146090959484222noreply@blogger.com0