It’s the middle of May (close enough), and I offer this R-E-P-O-R-T.
At mid-month, I’m . . .
R . . . eadying.
Guess who’s showing up for her annual work-from-anywhere visit later this week??? Yep. It’s Erin! She’ll be here for about 3 weeks . . . sleeping in her old room and working from my “studio.” And she’ll be taking some vacation time, too, so we can all kick back together up at the lake. Tom and I are looking forward to sharing our space with her again this summer.
E . . . xercising.
Still every day. But differently! I’m focusing on strength training these days. Last November, I started a weight training program designed to build muscle, strengthen my bones, and get me fit for getting old. And it’s working! I still do cardio — but my main workouts are now strength workouts. Two thumbs up. Highly recommend! (And although I don’t use those 20-lb weights for everything, I do use them for a lot of things. Strength training works!)
P . . . ainting.
I’m doing a lot of painting these days (watercolor), and having more fun with it than I have in a long time. I’m not taking classes anymore, which makes it feel more fresh and freeing . . . and fun!
O . . . gling.
I spend quite a bit of time every day just admiring – and ogling – our Satomi dogwood tree. It is just stunning this year, and I’m enjoying every moment of its bloom.
R . . . emembering.
Tom’s dad passed away last week, so we are doing a lot of sharing stories and making toasts to his memory.
T . . . ending.
So much tending in the garden! (It’s a busy time of year in the garden.)
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That’s it for me. How about you?
What’s going on for you . . . at mid-month?
I fell off my exercise (Pilates and Petra) routine when I went on my trip so I need to revive that but I am still walking every day and dipping my brush into the watercolors too.
I am trying to re-ignite my daily stitching routine… it is not going well! But the weeds are not winning the battle in my garden ( a true win because we have had torrents of rain! )
Lots of good things in your report! I like the toasts and sharing stories. It helps to remember the person in a kind light, and I find it essential to my mental health. Both of my parents (and my in-laws) were quite ill for long periods before they died, and it’s taken plenty of story-sharing to help remove those dismal memories of sickness.
Yikes! 20 lbs! Guess I started later than you. But I believe in it. There was a woman on Oprah years ago who started strength training at 72 and was winning muscle contests at 76. Very convincing. By the way, can anyone think of a rhyming word for muscle? I keep hearing that “Orange” is the only word in the English language that has no rhyme and I have always wanted to challenge that. (Has to be spelled exactly the same so no “tussle”). Now off to buy some 5 pounders (which at this point is still a stretch:).
I am so sorry for your loss.
I have a Kousa dogwood tree. It is quite small, but has always bloomed. This year? TWO flowers. TWO!!! What is up with that????? LOL
To Chloe —– corpuscle?
Look at your ARMS! I think my muscles have left the building! LOL
Is that your dogwood in the last picture? It’s amazing. Your whole yard is amazing. What a wonderful place to play in throughout the summer and all year long!
Those are some guns, girl.
Look at those guns! I still do mainly cardio (though with all the stuff I carry around and up and down stairs, there’s some informal strength training, too). I would like to build some more muscle, so I will think of you, my fitness guru, and get on that!
Enjoy your visit with Erin! It’s so amazing that she’s able to be with you that long (and that she doesn’t have to work for the entire time).
This is a great check in! I bet you’re very much looking forward to Erin’s visit, that’s so awesome that she has that option. I’d love to chat with you about strength training because I’m feeling like I’m not getting the benefit from cardio that I’d like and I suspect it’s because I need to add something else to my routine.
I dare you to take the quotes off the word _studio_…!
(And, I was away last week…saw you were away, too, and I’m sorry it was for grieving and loss. I hope Tom and you and all the family are taking good care.)
Your ARMS!!! My arms (and upper body) are my weakest points. And, I’ve always been that way. I use 3 lb weights and struggle with them…but at least I use them. So glad that Erin will visit again AND have vacation time. I’m sure you will love your lake visit.
I’m so sorry for your loss!
20lbs! I do weight training with 3 & 5 lb weights, but I guess it’s better than not doing it at all!
I have my raised beds planted with flowers, herbs, and lettuces. I still have some large containers to fill with flowers, but it is horrible outside right how with two broods of cicadas. They are everywhere! Every outdoor surface coated with them, the grass crunches when you walk on it and the noise is deafening. I had to brush them off me and my dog after our walk this morning. It seems we have to put up with them through mid-June.
I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter!
Wondering what program you’re using? I can’t always get to the Y and I’m feeling the loss! There are things on YouTube but…Happy you toasted and even happier about Erin’s visit! 🙂
Sharing stories and toasting those who have gone from our lives is a good way to remember. How fun to have Erin coming to visit. Have a great time. The yard/garden looks beautiful. I’m glad you’ve found a joyful way forward as you paint.
First of all, I’m sorry for your loss.
Your dogwood is gorgeous! We are having a good year with ours – a mild, wetter than normal winter here seemed to be a good thing. Our climate here is really a bit too harsh (dry, cold, very hot) but when they get established, they’re so beautiful!
I’m sorry for your loss. What a wise way to mourn – with stories and memories. I believe it has always been thus. My condolences to Tom and your whole family.
I LOVE seeing those 20# weights! working out pays off big time, yes?! I’m so glad you’ll have Erin around for a few weeks (not all the time working), and sending good thoughts for Tom’s dad’s passing. “mid-month” passed me by and I’m now working on things that will (hopefully) end May in a place where I feel ready to enjoy summer 😉
I am working (very informally) on strength training, too. Wall pushups, pumping naked dumbbells (just the shaft). Had a small fall a few days ago and it reminded me “use it or lose it” when it was so, so hard to get up. btw, that is one bad ass t-shirt!