Spring is alive and well out here on the North Shore and is expressing itself in the changing movement of the ice on the lake. Each day the ice appears to be ever so thinner and ever so mobile as smaller pieces of ice meander into our bay only to move along later in the day. Today I watched a lone seagull standing on the thin ice looking like he was waiting for something interesting to happen. The birds are pairing off left right and centre, crows are cawing less and cooing more. It's an interesting sound they make when they're courting; a throaty clicking sound as they're snuggling up to each other. There's been a juvenile eagle hanging out by the point. He hasn't developed his white head and tail yet but he's rather large so mom figures he's about 4yrs old. He made a half-hearted attempt to snag a duck on the water but nothing came of it.
My pneumonia is almost a memory as I feel myself getting stronger. I went out for an easy jog this week and as I didn't double over in a coughing fit or need to take a 2hr nap after, I know I'm on the mend!
Ray and I have been puttering in the yard this week. Ray is eager to shrug off the winter induced quietness and has been getting out walking, clearing brush and mowing the back lawn with his tractor. I think he's a shining example for people who have 110 reasons not to exercise because he's out there walking as far as he can with his cane, stoically dealing with sore muscles and happy to get back out there the next day. You can't get out and exercise? Really? The 93year old guy is making you look bad by the way. :-)
Even mom is getting out for a walk every other day. Her and I watch for birds, try to locate nests and enjoy the outdoors.
The great part about the warmer weather is our cocktail hour is now on the front deck when we can. There is nothing quite like sipping on a Rye & Coke over looking the lake in the afternoon sun.
The most surprising thing for me this week was during one of our lunchtimes. I had made a salad mostly for myself as I didn't expect either Mom or Ray would be too interested. I made a Kale salad with Kale (of course), hemp hearts, cauliflower, grated carrots, raisons, green onions and radishes. I made a balsamic vinegar/olive oil/maple syrup dressing. It's a power packed super food meal but I don't necessarily expect either of my parents to share my interest in whole food eating. I made it in the morning so the kale could absorb the dressing and soften. I had put most of it in a bowl and put it in the fridge but I had left some in a salad bowl on the counter. I was busy in the morning and I came upstairs at about 12:30 while mom and Ray were eating lunch. Then I noticed "what" Ray was eating: he was happily chowing down on my Kale salad! I looked over at mom and I quietly raised my eyebrows and she flashed me a smile and shrugged her shoulders over Ray's meal. She told me later that he grabbed the bowl off the counter, never asked her what it was and just started eating it. Well I'll be! :-) I put my freshly grown sprouts on the table and offered them to Mom and Ray too. Mom eyed them suspiciously then gave them a try. I try to cook food that they probably would never cook for themselves but is flavourful and healthy. When in doubt I put maple syrup on it - no kidding. Ray isn't fussy for salmon? No problem! I served it baked in a Maple Garlic Glaze and he was in heaven! While I still prefer a meal focussed on veggies, Ray's hamburgers are tasty indeed and who cares about the fat and cholestoral for a night. Mom made a stew from a moose roast that had been given to them. I probably react to eating moose meat like Ray would to drinking my Vega super-green smoothie: No thanks. Boy was I wrong. Mom's stew was full of potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage, gravy and fall off the fork lean moose meat. It was delicious and incredibly good for you. OK, the fried bannock I made to go with it perhaps wasn't so healthy but it's all good in moderation.
The bonus to our (mostly) healthy eating is that mom's blood pressure is way down and she's lost 10lbs over 4 months. Ray continues to amaze me with his strength and solid constitution.
We've raked up most of the leaves and Ray burned them in one of his ditches. The rest of the leaves are waiting by the burning barrel.
Tonight the song birds are singing like a symphony, it's quite spectacular. Unfortunately it's a cool evening so I won't be sitting outside to hear their song.
I'm looking forward to getting out for another run tomorrow. The pneumonia has left me thinner and most likely with reduced cardio capacity but I can start back slowly and be patient.
That's about it for now!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Post Marathon et al.
Its April 14th which means I've been recovering from Bronchitis for about 3 weeks now, hence my radio silence. I'll back track to the marathon.
A friend and runner gave me some sage advice about races which I've pulled out of my memory in times when I needed to be philosophical. Dave said: "Just remember, that no matter how hard you train or if you've done everything right, on Race Day sometimes it will be a PR (personal record) day and sometimes it won't be. If it's not your day it's not your day."
I got sick the day before my race. And like Dave says, that's the way it goes. The day was rainy, wet and slippery. The course was challenging as I expected. I completed the race on the slower scale of my guestimate of 4hrs57min so I can't complain - much. ;-)
On a better note my friend Maddy did exceptionally well. I am always amazed at how strong she can run given that she is often busy with life and work and she fits in training when she can. I've never met someone who can train about 2 days a week, can stay relatively injury free and continues to improve her time. Wholly Doodle.
Our other fried Margot was perhaps the most heroic of us all. She was in the Half Marathon and around the 10km mark she tripped and twisted her ankle badly. She stopped for a bit to decide if she wanted to keep going and found that she wanted to keep going. I'm not sure how she finished the race in that condition but she did. After the race her ankle was swelling up 3 times its size and a bruise was starting to form from the tips of her toes to just above her ankle. By end of the race us three amigos were Maddy-the-wonder-woman, Lise-the-sicky and Margot-the cripple. We made a fine post race trio!
My biggest regret of the trip is that I got my friend Michele sick. She recently had back surgery which was beset by complications and only had recently been back to work. The plan was for me to stay at her place after the marathon. But the plan was definitely NOT for me to bring sickness with me. As much as I tried to contain my coughing and not spread germs it didn't work. I felt awful about it and I do hope she eventually forgives me. :-(
It was fun to be in the big city and hanging out with my friends but by the end of my trip I was more than ready to get home. Being a tourist when you're not feeling well isn't that great. The last couple days I was on my own and I did the best I could taking in museums and walking around Berkley campus but mostly I wanted to be heavily medicated and not having embarrassing coughing fits in public.
I got home on Monday and once mom saw my wretched condition she moved into nurse-alert mode. I didn't help matters that I had one of my coughing fits shortly after I got home. They suck and apparently are alarming to watch. She made me a hot ginger and lemon drink and then proceeded to start giving me medicines. First there was the throat lozenges, then Buckleys cough syrup, then the Advil and Vicks Vapo Rub and then Ray suggested Camfor oil on a kleenex to clear my sinuses. I took everything they handed me with nary a complaint. What I was really appreciating was the mothering. After living for almost 10 years by myself it is a wondrous feeling to feel cared for. Not long after being home I was snug as a bug in my bed and nodding off in a pharmaceutical induced haze.
The next day I did get to the local clinic to get checked out. The nurse's diagnosis was Viral Bronchitis which is something that I've dealt with before. There isn't much that can be done for a viral infection, it must run its course. The best a person can do is support the healing process by getting a ridiculous amount of rest, drink plenty of fluids, boost the immune system as best one can and have patience. I can appreciate why it's called a virtue, as I find it exceptionally difficult to do!
At times like these I think about the central teaching of Eckhart Tolle which is basically: "It just is." What he means is that rather than try to analysis (my personal favourite) or resist life's current circumstance, one is better served to simply allow it to be. (not my personal favourite)
While I've been convalescing I've been reading lots, sleeping plenty and sitting outside when the weather allows me to. I've gone for a few walks but they haven't been helpful yet. It's difficult to feel so weak after months of hard training but wait... what does Eckhart say again? Oh ya, quit complaining and accept it.
The ice is slow to leave the lake this year, it's not walkable nor skiable anymore but as always it's interesting to watch the goings on of the animals that live on or near the lake. I haven't seen the otters in the past 3 weeks but the ducks have begun to arrive.
The central point of interest for us right now are the geese - they're returning to this area. We usually hear the honking first and then I start scanning the sky. Soon one can see the V formations of the birds tracking above. They aren't landing here yet as there isn't enough open water. Once the ice is gone they'll land. It's a wondrous sight to see them. What I find most interesting is when they seem to reorganize themselves in mid flight. The V's aren't exactly uniform and seem to be a series of organized trails overlapping each other in flight like a beautiful dance.
Perhaps one of the more interesting developments out here has been my decision to stay longer. My intent had always been to head to the Nelson area in June. However the longer I stay here with my parent the more it feels right to stay. My parents and I have developed an easy-going living arrangement. My parents like the company and so do I. I'm useful here and I like being closer to my family.
I'm starting to consider buying property out if the right opportunity presents itself. I'm putting out a few feelers with the locals. Out here the grapevine is more efficient than looking for something in the local newspaper. The locals can tell you about a potential property, its pluses, minus, the history, the relative worth of the property and salient details (aka: gossip) of the sellers. I'm not in any hurry though and would most likely try to rent a place on the lake first.
I'm definitely keeping my options open and my decisions will be based on how things go with Mom and Ray, how long they feel they can live on the lake and where they want to live once they decide to leave here.
It's funny how things change. Before coming out here I wouldn't have dreamed that I would consider calling this area home. But once out here, I came to realize that I like it and there are activities I'm really enjoying like cross-country skiing and soon kayaking. I'm quite keen to join the biathlon club in Burns Lake. I've found running trails to challenge me and I'm starting to make friends.
Spending time and living with my parents is a deep and gratifying experience. It's reminded me about what is truly important to me - my relationships. And I'm closer to my brothers who live in Prince George. The quiet life here appeals to me. Sure it gets boring at times and when I feel a sense of cabin fever I know its time to go visiting other places. I was fortunate enough to have my friend Maddy take me to California for the running race. Walking in San Francisco and spending time with familiar friends filled my need for excitement. Soon I will drive to Calgary to reconnect with friends, climb, hike and run. That is if my bronchitis releases its hold on me!
Being here is cultivating my ability to be fluid to change and to allow new thoughts and new dreams.
Life is good.
A friend and runner gave me some sage advice about races which I've pulled out of my memory in times when I needed to be philosophical. Dave said: "Just remember, that no matter how hard you train or if you've done everything right, on Race Day sometimes it will be a PR (personal record) day and sometimes it won't be. If it's not your day it's not your day."
I got sick the day before my race. And like Dave says, that's the way it goes. The day was rainy, wet and slippery. The course was challenging as I expected. I completed the race on the slower scale of my guestimate of 4hrs57min so I can't complain - much. ;-)
On a better note my friend Maddy did exceptionally well. I am always amazed at how strong she can run given that she is often busy with life and work and she fits in training when she can. I've never met someone who can train about 2 days a week, can stay relatively injury free and continues to improve her time. Wholly Doodle.
Our other fried Margot was perhaps the most heroic of us all. She was in the Half Marathon and around the 10km mark she tripped and twisted her ankle badly. She stopped for a bit to decide if she wanted to keep going and found that she wanted to keep going. I'm not sure how she finished the race in that condition but she did. After the race her ankle was swelling up 3 times its size and a bruise was starting to form from the tips of her toes to just above her ankle. By end of the race us three amigos were Maddy-the-wonder-woman, Lise-the-sicky and Margot-the cripple. We made a fine post race trio!
My biggest regret of the trip is that I got my friend Michele sick. She recently had back surgery which was beset by complications and only had recently been back to work. The plan was for me to stay at her place after the marathon. But the plan was definitely NOT for me to bring sickness with me. As much as I tried to contain my coughing and not spread germs it didn't work. I felt awful about it and I do hope she eventually forgives me. :-(
It was fun to be in the big city and hanging out with my friends but by the end of my trip I was more than ready to get home. Being a tourist when you're not feeling well isn't that great. The last couple days I was on my own and I did the best I could taking in museums and walking around Berkley campus but mostly I wanted to be heavily medicated and not having embarrassing coughing fits in public.
I got home on Monday and once mom saw my wretched condition she moved into nurse-alert mode. I didn't help matters that I had one of my coughing fits shortly after I got home. They suck and apparently are alarming to watch. She made me a hot ginger and lemon drink and then proceeded to start giving me medicines. First there was the throat lozenges, then Buckleys cough syrup, then the Advil and Vicks Vapo Rub and then Ray suggested Camfor oil on a kleenex to clear my sinuses. I took everything they handed me with nary a complaint. What I was really appreciating was the mothering. After living for almost 10 years by myself it is a wondrous feeling to feel cared for. Not long after being home I was snug as a bug in my bed and nodding off in a pharmaceutical induced haze.
The next day I did get to the local clinic to get checked out. The nurse's diagnosis was Viral Bronchitis which is something that I've dealt with before. There isn't much that can be done for a viral infection, it must run its course. The best a person can do is support the healing process by getting a ridiculous amount of rest, drink plenty of fluids, boost the immune system as best one can and have patience. I can appreciate why it's called a virtue, as I find it exceptionally difficult to do!
At times like these I think about the central teaching of Eckhart Tolle which is basically: "It just is." What he means is that rather than try to analysis (my personal favourite) or resist life's current circumstance, one is better served to simply allow it to be. (not my personal favourite)
While I've been convalescing I've been reading lots, sleeping plenty and sitting outside when the weather allows me to. I've gone for a few walks but they haven't been helpful yet. It's difficult to feel so weak after months of hard training but wait... what does Eckhart say again? Oh ya, quit complaining and accept it.
The ice is slow to leave the lake this year, it's not walkable nor skiable anymore but as always it's interesting to watch the goings on of the animals that live on or near the lake. I haven't seen the otters in the past 3 weeks but the ducks have begun to arrive.
The central point of interest for us right now are the geese - they're returning to this area. We usually hear the honking first and then I start scanning the sky. Soon one can see the V formations of the birds tracking above. They aren't landing here yet as there isn't enough open water. Once the ice is gone they'll land. It's a wondrous sight to see them. What I find most interesting is when they seem to reorganize themselves in mid flight. The V's aren't exactly uniform and seem to be a series of organized trails overlapping each other in flight like a beautiful dance.
Perhaps one of the more interesting developments out here has been my decision to stay longer. My intent had always been to head to the Nelson area in June. However the longer I stay here with my parent the more it feels right to stay. My parents and I have developed an easy-going living arrangement. My parents like the company and so do I. I'm useful here and I like being closer to my family.
I'm starting to consider buying property out if the right opportunity presents itself. I'm putting out a few feelers with the locals. Out here the grapevine is more efficient than looking for something in the local newspaper. The locals can tell you about a potential property, its pluses, minus, the history, the relative worth of the property and salient details (aka: gossip) of the sellers. I'm not in any hurry though and would most likely try to rent a place on the lake first.
I'm definitely keeping my options open and my decisions will be based on how things go with Mom and Ray, how long they feel they can live on the lake and where they want to live once they decide to leave here.
It's funny how things change. Before coming out here I wouldn't have dreamed that I would consider calling this area home. But once out here, I came to realize that I like it and there are activities I'm really enjoying like cross-country skiing and soon kayaking. I'm quite keen to join the biathlon club in Burns Lake. I've found running trails to challenge me and I'm starting to make friends.
Spending time and living with my parents is a deep and gratifying experience. It's reminded me about what is truly important to me - my relationships. And I'm closer to my brothers who live in Prince George. The quiet life here appeals to me. Sure it gets boring at times and when I feel a sense of cabin fever I know its time to go visiting other places. I was fortunate enough to have my friend Maddy take me to California for the running race. Walking in San Francisco and spending time with familiar friends filled my need for excitement. Soon I will drive to Calgary to reconnect with friends, climb, hike and run. That is if my bronchitis releases its hold on me!
Being here is cultivating my ability to be fluid to change and to allow new thoughts and new dreams.
Life is good.
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