I think I have mentioned the route I take for my main run, haven’t I? It starts with a large uphill. It then continues with an uphill. And then there is some climbing. And that is followed by even more uphill…. Yes, my run tops off at the highest point in miles.

Wednesday I went for a run. It was warm and very humid, so I almost didn’t go, and my first thought was to do an easier run. But I did my mountain run. And I am glad I did…

After I hit the high point and started to go into a little dip, I saw movement in front of me. I recognized it almost immediately – a black bear was crossing the road at the bottom of the dip. I was still pretty far away, so not worried.

Hi all. I’m having a hard time picking out something for my smile this week. It’s not because it was such a terrible week or anything. Most of it was routine, though there was, of course, the 9/11 remembrance. There was just nothing that really jumps out.

This weekend was beautiful. Well, Saturday was beautiful. Sunday was a bit humid and very hazy, but it was still nice to get out into it. And that I did. I didn’t go for a great hike, but I was outside a lot. A few things stand out, like seeing a tiny tree frog in some weeds. It was odd – I don’t think I’ve noticed one like this before. Or going through a field of waste high grass/hay/weeds with Fiyero, with him finding the animal paths to make walking easier. Or scurrying up hill on a fallen log to stay up with Alexander (the cat). I did my typical run a few times, which has fabulous views of the surrounding country side (it starts at a low point, but reaches the highest point for several miles around. There were several walks, including into lightly wooded areas. All of the animals needed walk and outdoor play time. I “stopped to smell the flowers”, just spending time exploring my surroundings with all of my senses. Anyway, it was just great to spend time outside, even if I didn’t do a lot with that time except “just be”, living 100% in the moment.

Hi all. Some of you may have noticed that I was pretty much missing from the blog over the last week and half or so. Actually, for most of August, but that is another story… Anyway, I spent a good portion of August on Cape Cod. i told you earlier about having a nephew and a niece visit us there. Well, last week my parents were able to make a visit.

A couple of quick comments. We have been sharing a week with my parents on Cape Cod for almost 15 years. From 2014 – 2018 they were able to stay at our cute cottage on Swan Pond. In early 2019 we bought a real house, but they were unable to visit that year, and then 2020 was the year of no travel due to Covid. So this is the first time they have visited since 2018 and the first time they saw our house!

We didn’t do a whole lot. OK, in ways we did. We puttered around the house, reading, talking and relaxing. I did quite a bit of work on the house and yard with my dad giving pointers and helping out at times. He is a child of the Depression, so seems to know how to do anything and everything… Well, until we get to computers, but that’s another story.