WoodNeck Dunes
WoodNeck Low Tide
Tidal Sand
Not a beach chair in sight
Sippewissett Marsh
Almost home
Category Archives: exercise
Wandering in Woods Hole
My exploring has taken hold. I’m trying to notice what was previously missed. Woods Hole is the perfect place to do this. We’ve been in this community for more than 25 years, and there’s always something going on to stir my brains. This walk was no exception.
Yarn from happy sheep
This trek started with the goal of capturing the last three skeins of yarn spun from very happy sheep off the coast of Woods Hole. Only a total of 19 were available at the Woods Hole Historical Society Shop in the spring. This was a quest for the perfect yarn to make my daughter Molly’s shawl for Christmas. The sheep are certifiably happy and treated with respect; the yarn is a delicious cocoa color and should have great stitch definition. This stop was only the beginning.
Impossible to Pass Up
Had to stop at Pie In The Sky and pretend that the rum-raisin bread pudding is a healthy snack. Needless to say, there’s always a new baked goodie that calls to me from this place. I remember when Molly would buy an entire fruit pie and devour it herself with fork and spoon in hand. Kate picked up the bike path at the boat dock behind the store and roller bladed home after Science School. This truly is a little hole in the wall place that never disappoints.
View from Pie In The Sky
Out of this window the boat waits to go to the Vineyard, people scramble to find parking spaces and this area has a pulse all of its own.
There’s a line of small rose bushes that border the parking lot and always seem to be in bloom. Their blossoms are small and fragile. I’m not one to remember plant names, but they remind me of the floribunda roses my Dad used to love. Easy to grow and always a treat to look at.
Delicate, Yet Hardy
Woods Hole is returning to its post-tourist pace. Amen! The scientists, artists and fisherman have the place to themselves.
On the water
We managed to get through the guarded gate at Penzance Point and continue our walk almost out to the point. These estates are manicured, pedicured and well-groomed. Yet, that fussy stuff doesn’t impress me. It’s the smaller, simple stuff that catches my eye.
Nature’s garland
Looking down I found mushrooms with a pattern and texture that made me pay attention. I’d love to turn the photo into fabric for a quilt! That would indeed be mixed media.
Penzance Mushroom
Nearby, the gunk on this stone seemed to glow and was soft to the touch. No cement here, just balance and smart architecture.
Gold?
These poor sculpted bushes did not impress me…
Prune, prune, prune.
…but this single, late blooming hydrangea will stay in my head for quite awhile.
I See Through My Little Eye
Keri Smith’s How to Be An Explorer of the World has left its mark on me. I’ve been taking photos of “stuff” that I might have previously missed while taking my daily walk. I’m learning to take the time to see and document what catches my eye, and then think about why these things capture my attention.
Surf Drive September Quiet
The tourists are gone and life is back to normal: less traffic, no crowds, more quiet. I love it!
Less is more
Walker Street has eye candy that has weathered storms and time.
For the birds, and me, to appreciate.
Old faithfuls: marigolds
Morning Glories: my absolute favorite.
Old Glory, perfect breeze
More For The Birds
And the simple, but colorful leaves of coleus, never disappoint.
Until next time, eyes open, iPhone handy, taking it all in…
Pushing To Spring
Coonamesset Farm in bloom
This past week has been filled with all sorts of reasons to celebrate. It’s May. There are graduations, Spring is in full force, and, of course, Mother’s Day. All good stuff.
I have had the pleasure of mentoring Gordon since he was a junior at Waltham High. Together we worked on writing critical essays, how to read challenging texts and how to remember to set your alarm to get to class on time. For the past five and a half years, he has put up with me, and I have put up with him…but joyfully so!
Gordon Class of 2013
Bentley University
This past week Gordon successfully completed his final semester at Bentley and will graduate next Saturday. He has invited me to the ceremony, and I’ll sit in the audience, yell and make noise when he receives his diploma, and then I’ll probably blubber into several tissues. He never gave up; he’s the first in his Haitian immigrant family to attend college, the first to graduate, and it’s a very proud moment that I know he’ll savor and appreciate. I can’t wait to see him in his cap and gown.
Mama and Molly
Mother’s Day Weekend has been absolutely delightful. Molly and Josh arrived and spoiled me rotten with her fabulous cooking and their wonderful company. Books, recipes, knitting ideas were shared and explored. We reconnected as if we were never apart. Kate and Matt will be visiting soon, but in the meantime, we did our first video Ichat. What a kick–I get to see her face and hear her voice! We gab over hot coffee as if she were next door. I really appreciate that I’ll always love my kids, but just as importantly, I really like them! I’m a lucky lady.
Coonamesset Lettuce
David and I had brunch at Coonamesset Farm today. The food was good, but the farm in springtime was something to behold. There are fallow fields, some lined with small seedlings and others more fully developed. Everything is in the state of “becoming”. It’s filled with good intentions, hope and demands hard work. It’s also beautiful.
Alpaca deep in thought
The farm animals are always a joy to visit. It’s their home and they let us drop in. The alpacas look like little kids with their big eyes and sense of wonder. Their “wool” is spun into the alpaca yarn I’ll be knitting warm hats and shawls with this winter.
The ducks and chickens are now located together in a large fenced in area. The ducks are laid back, and the chickens seem manic. One unusual, very pretty breed of chicken has a duo that pace back and forth as if they’re thinking about solving a quadratic equation.
During the past month I’ve started to practice yoga. I know— I’m clumsy, don’t have an athletic muscle or bone in my body, and have trouble staying still for more than three seconds. This “yoga thing” is amazing. Both of my daughters do it and encouraged me to try. I found an excellent teacher who is succeeding in turning me into a yoga-mama. After four weeks, my chronic back pain is gone, I am more relaxed and centered, and I like doing it. I even speak softly for at least an hour after I’m done. Go figure! It is a most welcomed addition to my life, and I’m grateful.
Last, but not least, Smitty’s Ice Cream opened for the season this past week. I confess David and I drove on an empty tank of gas to get there. Yes, he got coffee ice cream smothered in butterscotch, and I tried two new flavors: coconut and orange/pineapple. Yum, yum, yum. This cannot become a habit…well maybe one can substitute a cup of ice cream for a lunch???
All of these events (except possibly Smitty’s) share the theme of hope and rebirth that comes from inspiration as well as perspiration. It resonates with me…optimism based on hard work and realizing one’s potential by doing good stuff with focus and determination. Gordon learned how to be a student and reached his goal. The farm will be worked and produce good food and lots of beauty. My daughters have grown up into adults that I am so very proud of; parenting is work and it works. I am learning how to do yoga without falling over; I practice every day. Smitty’s Ice Cream is my exercise in moderation. That might take some time.
2/26/13 Morning Walk to the Beach
Stone Folk
Today’s morning walk is distinctively different. New birds are singing new tunes. Change is in the air. There’s still some leftover snow around the yard, but not much elsewhere.
Sippewissett Marsh
The marsh is no longer frozen, and the tall grasses are cut down by the blizzard’s wind.
Blue Heaven
The creek is more blue than ever. Before long there will be beach chairs, towels, and little ones looking for hermit crabs.
Forsythia Buds
And as my wonderful Dad would say, “The forsythias are forsythiating.” Spring is starting to unwind at the Cape.
Surf Stroll January 5, 2013
Today’s walk was delightfully springlike, and I didn’t complain a bit…
Bird, foot, and snow prints
A little foam and stone
Some crashing and splashing
Treasure hunt interrupts aerobic exercise
I love being a beach bum.
2013: Chunk it
Surf Drive New Year’s Eve
Sorry to disappoint you, but there won’t be a long list of witty New Year’s resolutions for 2013. The big Catholic school master list with master rules just isn’t my style; it never really worked for me.
I’m a firm believer in “chunking” a huge task into bite size pieces, so that’s what I’m going to do with my resolutions. Instead of making a yearlong commitment to be perfect, I’m going to look at what I really want and possibly might really be able to accomplish just in the month of January. At the end of the month I’ll reevaluate and take it from there. I’m capable, right???
So, here’s the game plan for January:
- Exercise every single day; our 45 minute brisk walk has been an antidote to a host of problems. If the weather is truly (note the word “true” is in truly) inclement, the elliptical and several interesting podcasts are waiting for me.
- Buy nothing except essentials food, medical stuff, utilities. Less is more, and abide by the “Need it, Use it, Love it” rule. Minimalism rocks.
- Do something creative every single day.
- Do some random act of kindness every single day.
- Read a book a week: on the schedule are
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (Jan-Phillip Sendker),
Satan in Goray (Singer),
Candy Freak (Almond),
In Sunlight and In Shadow (Helprin)
- Knit one fabulous warm sweater for me
- Knit one pair of mittens and socks for me
- Knit one heavy weight shawl for me. (Notice a trend here…)
- Don’t take anything personally—behave like Teflon, nothing sticks.
- De-clutter my studio (Ok, at least begin the process).
- Reevaluate this process in late January and make a plan for February.
- Is this a short list? (Yes, last year’s was 174. Really, no kidding, sick))
Wish me luck, and I wish you the best year ever! Happy 2013.
Yarnsista 