It seems like everyone is on a long weekend hiatus…yet still I post. What can I say? The daily ritual of writing a post has become as necessary as eating and drinking. I like the discipline of it. It forces me to focus and, in the midst of whatever challenges are going on in my life, appreciate what I have.
Yesterday, we managed to squeeze in a hike between rainstorms. We’ve had a lot of rain in the past 4 days and I’m over it. More weeds have sprung up everywhere. The grass needs mowing. Everything is soggy.
But the hike? We managed 4 miles yesterday and for some reason, it kicked my butt! My foot developed a cramp during the hike, my allergies were not being helpful, and when I got home, I just wanted to sleep. Today I woke up before 5:30 am. So I’m still tired!
Remember the stone steps that Don and I had to climb to get to the trail? Visualize irregular steps going up the side of a mountain, zig-zagging every which way, sometimes seemingly hanging over a sheer drop into nothingness. I had Don take this picture yesterday of the beginning of the path going back down the mountain. Honestly, sometimes you can’t figure out which stones are actual steps and which ones are just stones. When we were chatting with a park ranger about them later that day, he told us, “Those steps are used mostly by rock climbers.”
Oh, that explains it. A rock climber I am not.
From the garden.
I’m going to do some weeding and some mowing today. We’re watching The Normal Heart tonight on HBO. Based on the play by Larry Kramer, it focuses on the HIV/AIDS crisis in NYC during the early years of the eighties. I cannot begin to tell you how many friends I lost to AIDS during the eighties and nineties – brilliant, talented, wonderful people who died much too young.
One of my favorite actors, Mark Ruffalo, is in the cast, as well as my sweet Jim Parsons. It will be powerful, of that I am sure.
Reminder: Tomorrow is the May edition of the Christmas Critter Felt Along, so be sure to drop by and link up with your creations.
Happy Sunday.
Enjoy your day. Give Miss Scout a hug for me. Kathy
I will, Kathy. Have a lovely day!
Your hiking path is gorgeous. Although it does look a bit treacherous. Think what wonderful shape you will be in. Have a great Sunday. xo Laura
The path itself is not treacherous at all. The steps were, however!
I like your last picture and # 1
Happy Sunday Claudia
Thanks, Carol Ann!
Claudia, I appreciate your daily posting. Enjoy your holiday weekend.
Thank you, Carolyn Marie!
What a wonderful place to hike! Beautiful! Have a great day. Hugs
You, as well, Teresa!
I’m so glad you post each day because I read each day and can count on you to be here. I admire your hiking but truthfully when I see so much ‘woods’ I immediately think poison ivy. I am so allergic that I merely get close and my eyes swell shut. But, I love looking at all of your pictures.
I’ve seen a bit of poison ivy there, but there’s much more of it right here at the cottage!
I count on your posts every morning!
I hope the rain is finished and you can get out and mow and weed. I find mowing and weeding to be wonderful chores when I compare to shoveling and breaking up ice. We are to get some rain tomorrow.
Maybe you can squeeze in a 20 min power nap at some point today. I find that they truly make a world of difference, and 20 mins is a blink of the eye. I can fret about being tired longer than it takes to just quickly nap!! :-)
Hope your day is grand!!
I just got in from weeding, weed wacking and mowing, Chris. As usual, I did so much that I’m tuckered out. Don’s making lunch and then I’ll take it easy for the rest of the day!
We are surrounded by mountains here also Claudia..About a 30 minute drive from here there is a set of steps like those going up the side of Jack’s Mountain..They are called the 1000 Steps but there is actually over 1000..”the steps were built in the 1930s by quarry workers who cut away a large slice out of Jack’s Mountain, while quarrying the ganister stone used to make silica bricks” very interesting to see but I have never tried to climb them..not even in my younger days when I was much braver..there are great pictures online if you would be interested in seeing them..(Jacks Mountain 1000 Steps PA)..Now what is that plant with the tiny little yellow flowers on it?..I would love to watch the movie but we don’t have HBO so you enjoy it for me!
That plant is a ground cover that I’ve had in the garden since my first summer here. It’s called Yellow Archangel and it’s a lamium. It blooms in May and June.
I love when you take super close-ups, Claudia. Today’s hosta is incredible. Full disclosure – I’m kind of a sucker for hostas. Well, the sun just popped out here in Rochester, looks like it’s going to be a fine afternoon. Have a beautiful time in your garden today and give Little Miss a pat for me. :>)
I’ve got several kinds of hostas here, Janet. I’ll take some more closeups!
Beautiful photos. I am so glad you blog almost everyday! I don’t know what I would do without my daily visit! Wish I had HBO since that movie looks so amazing. I too lost many friends to AIDS.
hugs,
Linda
A very heartbreaking time it was, Linda. xo
Love your blog and glad you write every day! We don’t have HBO, would love to see Normal Heart! Will have to wait. Am a big fan of Jim Parsons.
He’s a good guy, that’s for sure. I’m looking forward to seeing this.
I’m here! I’m here! Glad you had a somewhat good day yesterday. Those steps look like killers to me.
I have set my dvr to the movie you mentioned. I have only seen Jim Parsons in The Big Band Theory, so this will be a different side of him for me.
Enjoy your day! We are heading to a fish fry later. pam
Those steps were terrible! I didn’t think I was going to make it up the mountain and I’m afraid of heights! Have fun at the fish fry, Pam!
Well, I for one would surely miss your posts if you didn’t write a post every day! I’m sure I am not alone. Supposed to rain tomorrow. I spread preen out several weeks ago…so not too many weeds so far. But…we have volunteer maple trees all over the place! And if you don’t pull them when they are little…you really have a problem! A 2 o’clock nap just might do the trick for you today…just a short one. All the fresh air is certainly wonderful….but makes me tired too! Either I’m outside doing something, or inside with open windows! Enjoy your day! ;)
We have volunteer maples, too, Donna. Everywhere! And lots more poison ivy than usual. Yuck.
Yuck is right to the poison ivy! We transplanted one of our volunteers several years ago….and it’s now 25 feet and growing! It’s a silver maple! ;)
Hello Claudia,
Thank you for continuing to be so diligent in your blogging pursuits – your Blog is one I faithfully read each day. I’m not into miniatures or acting – but I do feel a kinship for your appreciation of all things (our family, the garden, time to think). I think it’s important to surround ourselves with these positive reflections – and your blog is part of my surroundings!
Enjoy your Sunday,
Nadine
Aw, thank you, Nadine! Have a wonderful weekend.
I had forgotten about that movie tonight! Thanks for the reminder, we will watch it for sure. I remember reading “And the Band Played On” so many years ago. I knew then this was a human disease, not a gay disease and everyone was at risk and we better find a cure as soon as possible. My husband lost a dear cousin and my friend, her son. I am so sorry for the loss of all your friends. Terrible times and they still continue.
I have a question for you about the theater. My husband takes guitar lessons and his teacher will be playing in the band for a run of “Tommy”. We are going and I know you can bring flowers to the actors. Is it appropriate to bring something to the guitarist, and if so, what would you suggest? I don’t want to bring anything and be embarrassed. Maybe a small card with a gift card inside?
And thank you for posting daily. I seldom miss one and if I do, I read it a day later.
Tana
Gosh, I don’t know, Tana. You could take flowers – why not? Or you could give him/her a bottle of wine and a card. It’s so nice of you to take a gift!
Claudia, I guess I feel the need to blog also. I just pop into the office when I have a few minutes and start reading blogs. I know what you mean about the weather we went through that a couple weeks ago. We have had the best weather the past few days. At least you and don are hiking and enjoying being outside. Remember winter when we went no where? That’s why I am trying to be outside most good days. Blessings to you and your husband for a wonderful Sunday and Memorial Day. xoxo,Susie
I remember winter all too well, Susie. I think that’s why I am outside so much! Don hiked today. I mowed the lawn in the backyard – that was my exercise!
I’m reading some of my favorite blogs this afternoon, but not posting. Still beautiful and sunny here, though rain is coming back in tomorrow and Tuesday. That’s OK, we need it. I’m just afraid that with the rain tomorrow and temps in the 80’s, that it’ll be hot and sticky and our AC isn’t working right now. (Long story – electrician coming Tues.) Tim is on his way home right now and we’re grilling tonight. It’ll be just the three of us. Have a good rest of your weekend!
It’s going to be 84 here tomorrow, but no rain. We have window air conditioners and we haven’t put them in yet – so I hope it doesn’t get too muggy! Have a wonderful holiday, Melanie!
As always love reading your postings. With so much going on these past weeks I am sure your hikes are as good for the soul as the body. I have always lived in the South and have no experience of seasons like you have in New York. I am telling you it is an eye opener and I wonder if you appreciate your Spring more than “us” Southerners. Love your sharing of your environment and all plants and please what is that beautiful plant with the yellow flowers. Looks so familiar. Have a wonderful Memorial Day.
It’s a lamium called Yellow Archangel and it works well as a ground cover. I’ve had it in the garden for about 8 years and it always does well. Tends to like some shade.
We do appreciate our Springs up here – especially after this past winter!!
Love these hiking pictures. What a beautiful place. Claudia, I never saw the May felt choices. Where can I see them?
Debbie, you can see them all on Dawn’s blog post today. She has all the links. xo
I seem to write more of a laundry list it seems, when I sit down to write– lately I’ve had a time with the whole blogging experience. I took a break for almost 6 weeks in February and March; I was actually glad to get back to it. Then I had the whole GOOGLE CONUNDRUM… Now, I think I am finally ready to get back to it. I know it is good exercise for my mind.
I must say though, I have to force myself to write smoothly, and without so much static.
We are off to the zoo tomorrow– a hike of sorts. We will be spending the time with our oldest daughter and her family –I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been to the Ft. Worth Zoo– I think that is where we’ll be going. It’s not like the hiking you do on your trail with Don… but I’m looking forward to the time away from home for the day. :)
Pat
Have fun at at the zoo Pat! Sounds like a perfect thing to do on Memorial Day.
Love your garden..wonderful pictures..Enjoy the day..Don’t work too hard..