I Pity the Fool Who Wasted this Day

I did a lot more walking when Hershey was still around.

No matter what the weather, twice a day, at least, I was strolling with the mutt. On the weekends, up at the lake, I was motivated to hike around one of the lakes at least one day of the weekend. Then came the winter of 2013-14. And yes we all agree it sucks. Makes no difference what part of the country you are in, with very few exceptions, all we have done for the past 2 1/2 months is complain about the weather.

And why the hell not? It's been brutal. Last year I think I missed one weekend of walking at the lake, this year I think I walked once. But today was different. Today is a blue sky, breezy, temperature in the high 40s kind of day, and after the past month, it felt good to soak in the sun for an hour.

There's a lot of snow up here. A lot. even with the wide open spaces, you still run out of places to put it. Driveways, our included, are half the width they are normally. Homes with garages have front stairs covered with snow, as people take the easy route of entering their homes through the garage instead of front door. No one has the energy to clean it all, there's just too much.

The community is usually filled with wildlife. On the walk, I saw one herd of deer, all huddled together, a few squirrels and that was it. There is no food for these creatures, and it will be a long time before there is. It's a hard winter for them too.

The plan was to walk around the smaller lake being it's been a while, but I got caught up in the day and blew right past the street where I should have turned. Taking my time, the trek around the big lake wasn't too bad. A light breeze, sun on my face, and music in my ears.

I ended up the walk with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes singing "I Played The Fool." Maybe Johnny, but not me though. The walk was joyous. Can't wait for spring to do it more often.

True Colors Shining Through

Yes, it's been a while.

I've been writing... a lot. Here, and here, and here. And in some places that are not visible yet. Just not here.

Honestly, I've been so busy writing that I haven't done anything worth writing about. But seeing as that hasn't stopped me before, I thought I'd put down a few words today.

We came up to the weekend house last night and will stay through Sunday. That my friends, is a very good thing. While there's always stuff to do, the atmosphere is so relaxing, and beautiful... especially at this time of year. Somehow between catching up on computer tasks and starting to get a few things in order for the approaching cold weather, the day flew by. I did manage to get in a walk around the lake though, and things are changing.

The critters are active. Squirrels and chipmunks are darting everywhere. They are looking very busy and that makes me very nervous. Last winter wasn't half bad and I am hoping for the same this year.

With a few exceptions, like the big red oak in the backyard, the trees are just beginning their color dance. For the most part just the yellows are showing. The ground cover of ferns, wildflowers, and cattails used to blend as a green blanket, but now are each taking on their own hues.

Bad Mushroom

While I was walking, I was also on a hunt. According to Big George the Mushroom Man, this is the time of year for the prized Hen of the Woods to appear. Now in order to find these, you need A) to know what you are looking for because bringing the wrong ones home could mean a trip to the ER and/or morgue. B) the right weather, which we haven't had just yet and C) the right tree that they grow on. It seems they prefer dead oak. I prefer my wine to be fermented in dead oak, but I digress.

There were no mushrooms, no cars and no people. Just a nice and peaceful 45 minutes. It started with Bruce singing "Human Touch" and ended with some blues from Beth Hart. I could not have planned it better.

And tomorrow I get to do it again.

Walking the Walk

Easter Saturday, one gorgeous afternoon. Days like this are a gift to be savored like the first bite of that chocolate bunny sitting in the basket. Oh those ears are always too tempting.

With a writing project put to bed this morning, it was time to see what has been happening around the lake since the last time the weather allowed an enjoyable stroll. Winter comes early up here and spring comes late. Very late. We might see some leaves on the trees around Memorial Day. While back home in Jersey, the daffodils are already smiling, at the lake there isn't even a hint of green popping up.

There is however, a bright blue sky filled with cotton ball clouds. Its color is in stark contrast to the decaying leaves and occasional piles of snow still lingering. With a temperature in the low 50s, time to grab the camera, the pen, the notebook and the phone and go on the road to find out.

Not a quarter mile away, the music shuffle pulled up the Beatles doing "Good Day Sunshine." Seriously, you can't make this shit up. Another half mile and two boys on bikes, around eight years old I would think, rode towards me. One had already removed his sweatshirt and was riding in a Tee, yes spring is here. Through my sunglasses I watched them as they biked closer. Big smiles on their faces... it was that kind of day. The one in the t-shirt gave me a big wave as he approached, which kind of surprised me and made me happy at the same time. I gave him a big smile as I waved back. Hopefully in another couple of years, he will still be sweet enough to wave at someone else who is enjoying the moment just as much as he.

Not too many changes around the lake in the past month or so. A couple of new homes are getting close to being finished, a lot of weekenders are up for the holiday. Everyone is beginning the new chapter of spring cleanup. But for me and a couple of kids on bikes, it was a time to clear out the cobwebs in our minds. Time to embrace the changing season and time to just... smile.

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Walking and Free Falling

There's something to be said for a 50+ degree day in January...in the Poconos. And this is what I will say... freakin' great.

As some of you already know, this was not exactly a fun-filled week for me. A business meeting with a dinner after turned into a smashed car and not having a real meal for almost twenty-four hours. Throw in the dog having a tumor removed the next morning and you find me ten at night lining up a rental car and trying to decompress.

Special thanks for my friends and co-workers who called AAA, the body shop and took pictures as I tried not to pass out from stress, hunger and the cold. Things pretty much worked out with the car, the dog is finally adjusting to the cone on her head, and the week ended with taking my mother to the oncologist. Almost four years since her diagnosis, everything is still looking good.

Not as happy about the damage to the car. Before they even start it's over $6000 in damage and will probably be another three weeks with me driving a mini-van. And here I was looking forward to driving an all-wheel drive car during the winter.

So after this I-have-no-idea-what-my-blood-pressure-reading-might be kind of week, it was a nice change to be able to clear my head during a three-mile walk. While the snow is still beautiful, it's no longer the pristine blanket it was two weeks ago. The melting snow has the small streams making small talk and the deer, while still in their winter herds, are no longer walking in file.

Plugged in the iPhone, hit shuffle and turned my face to the sun. A couple of songs in, I realized the lake was really quiet. Most weekenders aren't up during the winter, and the full-timers seemed to be having a lazy day. I started singing along with Tom Petty's "Free Falling," though not quite as exuberantly as Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, but enough to make me glad it was winter and I was alone with nature.

It's been a while since the weather and time has cooperated to give me my 45 minute therapy session, this was the perfect week to be so lucky.

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It's Been a "Bear" of a Day

I gotta tell you, this day is starting off strangely. Maybe it has something to do with the black cat that ran in front of my car, as we drove into the lake community last night...

Woke up at 4:45, not unusual. After a quick minute with Mother Nature, went back to bed...not really expecting to fall back to sleep. But I did, and it was a 'you're gonna have a wild dream'  sleep.

At 6:15 I woke up again. The dream still vivid. An extremely large black bear was in my yard. This bear did not look like the normal black bear, which are normally chubby with fat necks. The dream bear was thinner with a very long neck...and really big.  And aggressive. Normally pretty docile, most bears will run away before they will confront you...unless there are baby bears involved. Well the dream bear appeared to be one large, pissed off male.

He looked at the firewood rack and knocked over the full cord. Oh man, somebody is gonna have to re-stack that wood and that someone won't be me. He then tangled with a wild turkey who had the bad luck of coming across one highly agitated Yogi. As I watched with my dog, she began to bark...instantly getting the bears attention. Instead of running away at the sound of the barking dog, the dream bear gave me the evil eye and started to walk in my direction. Shit scared...I woke up.

Time to walk the dog.

Now, the lake community has lots of wildlife: deer, hawks, giant woodpeckers, snapping turtles, wild turkeys and bears. We see the bears from time to time, but not on a daily basis. A few times during the summer is about it. Usually they are just bouncing through the yard or crossing the road. We've had one scary encounter with a momma bear and her two cubs...a story for another day

Normally when walking the dog early in the morning, I actively look for bears who are on their way home after a full night of foraging. This morning, I totally missed the small bear who was snacking on some household trash he had dragged into the woods. The dog however, did not.  As the dog barked wildly, the bear ran farther into the woods. The encounter was a little unnerving, but luckily this bear wanted no part of me or my crazy dog.

Was it a coincidence that 10 minutes after dreaming about a bear, I have a close encounter with one? Or, am I starting to acquire a new psychic ability? I can bearly contain my excitement.

If I could only dream of six numbers
...maybe tonight.

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Mini Poodle In Tracksuit & Sneakers

I shit you not.

It was just too damn nice today not to do the walk around the big lake.  Cold, but no wind and the joyful reappearance of the sun.  February yes, February weather...not so much.. No dog for this walk, I left the bitch at home,

Honestly, I love the solitude of a long walk. Time to clear the head, say hello to other crazy people walking in the cold, and visit with the dog people strolling along.  First, I met some guy with three girls, Gracie, Emily and Maggie.  Twelve legs and all howls.  Nice conversation about weather, dogs and walking mileage.

Continuing on...there they came. A couple of women with a couple of small dogs. After the triple take, I realized that yes this little dog was wearing a red track suit with little doggie sneakers. Why would you do that to a dog?  Most people look ridiculous in a track suit, but a tiny dog.  A little dog dignity please.  And the sneakers.  Should have taken a picture, but I was literally stunned.

Back home after my walk, now it's time to take out the dog. Yes, she's making a fashion statement with her fur coat.  But, those paws are a bit too big for Manolo's.

Just two girls strolling...no need for a fashion statement.

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Using My Legs, Not My Brain

And, what the hell was I thinking?  Tweeted this morning that with 40 mph gusts and temps in the 30s, a 3 mile walk around the big lake didn't seem like it would happen.  But 2 miles around the smaller lake...eh ok.

Me, the dog and Mother Freakin' Nature.  There's some snow on the ground from yesterday, but the streets are clear so safety wasn't an issue.  Stupidity is.  Now the dog is around nine years old...she's a rescue so we're not quite sure.  The three mile hike is a bit much for her. About 3/4 of the way around it, she starts looking back at me with the face that says "Are we there yet?"  So I only take her when I do the shorter walk.

Now this walk is not really hard, there is a big hill, but it's really only an issue if you walk it in one direction. Taking the back end around has a nice incline but you don't need to battle gravity to climb it.  Off we went.  At first the wind wasn't too bad...a gust or two...I can take this.  Of course the big gusts never appear until you are close to the halfway point of the walk. No Man's Land.  Keep going or turn back...makes no difference, the distance is the same.  But is the wind?

Now me, I hate going and coming back the same way.  Even to the store, I usually go down one route on the way there, another way home. Maybe I get bored...maybe you never know who's watching you.  So my walking path was clear. Forge ahead.

Together the dog and I traveled, braved what should be normal temperatures for February in the northeast. But every few yards she'd turn and look at me as if to say "What the hell were you thinking?"

I don't know. But I won't be thinking it tomorrow.

Moo: Bring Those Babies Home

I do believe the cows have come home.

Technically, I did not finish that entire bottle of chardonnay.  I believe there was an ounce left...bad job by me.  So while I didn't look forward to yesterday's early morning dog walk...and taking my body's displeasure with me into consideration, the walk this morning was preceded by a couple of Advils.  Better living through pharmacology.

Still, not bad for a getting older but not dead yet, woman of a certain age.  A Saturday night of varying degrees of amusement, too little sleep (who says you can't be productive on 4 hours a night?), and a green bottle on its way to the recycling bin...this girl was still up and walking around the smaller lake (only 2 miles), before the sun was full up in the sky.

Proves nothing, means nothing. All I know is those cows got nothin' on me.
 Moo.

Sometimes A Dog Walk Is Not Just A Walk With The Dog

While writing blogs is a great way to vent, it also allows other people to realize just how really screwed up you are. However, even socially malfunctioning people with writing outlets require a little therapy.

Mine occurs every Friday when we arrive at the weekend house in the Poconos.  Evening drinks on the deck, afternoons walking around the lake, or the morning walk with the dog...are all times to be savored because they are always too short.

Until I'm out the door, the morning walk is not something I generally anticipate with any degree of enjoyment.  But once the walk begins, the silence and beauty of the lake and surrounding woods lightens my mood. Turning down one road, 10 deer in the road in winter formation.  During the winter months, deer generally walk in single file in larger herds.  My guess is once the snow is broken by the leader, it's easier for the rest of the group to follow in the same footprints.  Seeing my approach, 9 veer in one direction while one doe stays behind...and stares at us.  Is she older and no longer skittish of dogs and people...or just too scared to move.  We pass and eventually she rejoins the pack.

It's around seven in the morning..the sun has just begun transforming the sky with a paintbrush of pink and blue.  The colors reflect on the newly formed ice on the lake.  No cars, no people...just a nice start to a Saturday.

Three miles around the lake this afternoon seems like a go. Hope there's a glass of wine waiting for me on the deck.  Very therapeutic indeed.