Welcome to My Garden

We may walk on different paths, but we follow the same footprints.

This year I'm focusing on improving my running and overall health by taking the 2017 Mile Challenge and seeing where the journey takes me. I'm also revisiting the Monthly Challenge started by Nephew Jason in 2009.

I'll try to post something every day. It may be a short inspirational quote or a longer narrative. Please join me......

"If you don't try, you won't know you can."


Thursday, August 31, 2017

2017 miles Day 241

Today is the last day of August.  Make it count!!!
I get to spend my day with 9th graders in Earth Science class.  What is your "get to"?  


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

2017 miles Day 240

Today is Wednesday, and I get to sub again today for the Spanish teacher.  It's a bit out of my comfort zone, but I realize that I actually don't need to know everything about the subject matter in order to do my job, and make a small difference in the lives of students.  I know very little Spanish, but I do know students.  My goal today is to touch the heart of at least one of the students, to make them feel important, to make them feel like they are valued.  My job today is not to teach them Spanish, but to teach them a bit more about what it means to be human.

Now, I better get to work....  My students are ready!!!

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

2017 miles Day 239

Our team is almost to the 2000 mile marker for this year.  Yesterday, I passed 1006 miles.  I did a 2 mile walk in the morning and finished my day with an 8 mile easy run.  It was fabulous.  Today I'm subbing for the Spanish teacher.  My plan is to log 4 miles after school - not fast, but steady.

Stay strong, make smart beverage choices, eat real food, be an inspiration to others!!!

Now, Get Out There ...  You have work to do!!!


Monday, August 28, 2017

2017 miles Day 238

It's a great week to have a great week!

The focus for the month of August has been on the garden.  I've canned green beans, have bags of tomatoes, corn, and peaches in the freezer. Chokecherry and jalepeno jellies are sealed in jars, and there is more to do.  We had a nice rain the other day, so of course a crop of weeds is starting to emerge.  The apples and grapes are a couple of weeks away, and looks like there will be good crop again this year.   Today I plan to set up the dehydrator and process tomatoes, put up some more jams, get after those pesky weeds, and find time to get in a 6 mile run .... WHEW!!!!!

Things won't get done by sitting here and talking about them, so time to lace up the shoes and...

Get Out There!!!  I have work to do!!!!!




Sunday, August 27, 2017

2017 miles Day 237

Do you ever have one those just ...........drag on..............keep moving.................... motivation lacking..............   think I'll just stop now and take, a nap kinda day.  Yes, your body is saying - take a little break.   Tomorrow you will be stronger for the break you gave yourself today.

Today is Sunday - take time to regroup, rejuvenate, reorganize.  You have a tough week ahead of You before the Fortitude run Monday, Sept 4th - You Got This!!!


Saturday, August 26, 2017

2017 Miles Day 236

When do you come to the realization that this doesn't matter to any one else but You???  Why do you do the miles?  Why do you put forth the effort?  What difference does it make?



who cares???



ME!

Now get out there, You have work to do!!!




Friday, August 25, 2017

2017 miles Day 235

This morning I was reading random passages from Tony Garcia's book:  "Wanna Know a Truth"  This is the first page I opened up to.

Pain is a pesky part of being human, I've learned it feels like a stab wound to the heart, something I wish we could all do without in our lives here.  Pain is a sudden hurt that can't be escaped.  But then I have also learned that because of pain, I can feel the beauty, tenderness, and freedom of healing.
~C. JoyBell C

When I hurt, I have allowed the past to overtake my today.

When I hurt, I have given my power to another.

When I hurt, I have forgotten how to forgive.

When I hurt, I have accepted something not meant for me.

When I hurt, I have focused on the scars over the healing.

When I hurt, I have decided to stand in place rather than moving forward.

When I hurt, I have taken the role of victim in my own life.

When I hurt, I have only myself to blame.  

*********************************************

Stumble and fall  -  Pick yourself up.  Repeat, Reset, Resent ...............  Does there seem to be a cycle here?  When I read Tony's words today it hit a nerve.  I have allowed, given, forgotten, accepted, focused, decided, taken - And I have only myself to blame.  Closing the door to past hurts and resentments is a difficult task.  All kinds and sorts of excuses find their way into the light.  All kinds and sorts of denials and blame placing wiggle in and take over.

You are in control of You.  When You place the blame for your hurt on You, that is when real change happens.

Now, Get Out There - You have work to do!!!


Thursday, August 24, 2017

2017 miles Day 234

Yesterday I was able to push myself at a consistent 8:50 min/mile pace for 5K.  Finished in 27:22min.  That was my goal and I didn't let anything get in the way.  It felt very good.  I'm actually starting to identify myself as a runner, a slow one, but a runner just the same.

Ok - why did I just say that?  Why did I devalue an accomplishment with a disclaimer that my pace was slow? Why did I compare my pace to the pace of someone else? Running is a personal challenge of body, mind, and spirit - the trinity.  When I identify myself as a runner I am accepting the fact that I actually am.  I enjoy it, and in my world I'm good at it.  Just like I identify myself as an artist, I enjoy it, and in my little corner of the universe I'm good at it.

Stop devaluing You.  Be proud of what You do.  It's OK.  I think the word proud is often considered a bad thing.  To be proud does not mean boastful.  There is a difference, and the topic for another time.  Have pride in what You do and what You accomplish.  

Running the Fort Collins Fortitude 10K Sept. 4th. with my son.  I will be ready!!!

Now, Get Out There - You have work to do!!!





Wednesday, August 23, 2017

2017 miles Day 233

Our peach trees produced a bumper crop this year!!!
Shown here is the fruit I picked from just one of the three trees on our farm.  The other two were not as productive, but one tree did produce a peach that had a 4" diameter.

To celebrate, a little youtube video - just for fun.

(click for video)



Now I can make peach pie, peach cobbler, peach salsa, peach ice cream, 
peach jam, peach chutney, peach crisp, peach dump cake, 
peach muffins, peach pancakes,peach syrup, 
peaches and peaches.......................



Tuesday, August 22, 2017

2017 miles Day 232

Where does time go?  I've been neglecting posting, and now I'm back.  Time to get back into daily posts ... even if it is just to say "hi - how ya doin?"

The Fort Collins Fortitude 10K is in two weeks, the Monument Half-Marathon is 5 weeks away.  I just signed up for our 7th running of the Denver Colfax Half-Marathon May 20, 2018.  It'll be son Nathan and my 7th time.  I met my goal this past May, and will do my best to meet my 2017 time.  Time to focus, and stay on course.

Today's message this morning from Tony Garcia's book:  Wanna Know a Truth.

Self-talk reflects your innermost feelings.
~ Asa Don Brown

Dear Me,
It's been so long since we've talked.  And I have so much to say to you.  Hard to know where to begin.

Perhaps "I'm sorry" would be the words you most need to hear.
Seems I so often and easily offer forgiveness to others for offenses minor and grand. Yet I rarely extend it your way.

Perhaps "I believe in you." would be the words you most need to hear.
Seems I so often and easily let others know of their strength, gifts, and beauty.  Yet I rarely share such thoughts with you.

Perhaps "I love you" would be the words you most need to hear.
Seems I so often and easily share the abundance of my love with all who seek me out.  Yet I rarely dip you in that well.

And as I end this day, I come to realize so much of the wanting in my life goes away when I forgive, believe in, and love me.


Thursday, August 3, 2017

2017 Miles Day 213

We're on vacation and thought I'd check in.  Having a fantastic time with family.

Remember to keep hydrated, make smart beverage choices, eat real food not junk, exercise your trinity daily, and take time for yourself.

Will be back in about a week.