NEW 10 minutes/30 Day Commitment starts May 5th

[Linda196]

I managed 10 minutes today, but not consecutively...cold, rainy, dull day coupled with achy joints and fever...not a good mix! I did walk from the car to several shops, and we always park away from the door to give a chance at a walk.

I'm hoping the weather improves during the coming week; it's National Nurse's Week in Canada, and there are some events I would like to attend, maybe even some outdoor activities!

[genko_b]

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

My daughter came over to visit today and our son called for a nice long chat. The weather was beautiful again and so we spent the day outside, watching our daughter's corgi run around.

Genko

[Suzie]

I usually get in 10 minutes a day, even though it's just a slow shuffle down the street after my little dog.

Her big, sad, reproachful eyes get me out there daily no matter how awful I feel. I don't delegate it because her joy at being out makes it worth the effort. I love all the dogs in my street. Boundless enthusiasm for life, nutty amounts of energy. If only!

I don't know if I believe in God, but I sure believe in Dog.

Suzie

[Bucky]

Day 6

Good morning . . . it's Monday already - the weekend goes by waaaay too fast!!     Today is Day 6 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

To date, we have 39 members who are on this adventure.   

This morning I had an unexpected diversion and had to run some forgotten homework to the school.  While I was in town, I needed to drop off a payment, so I had to wait for the company to open.   So, I waited on the "square" - which has a beautiful stone gazebo, lots and lots of trees, park benches, flowers, etc.  You could tell it was a Monday . . lots of activity.  School buses heading to the different schools to drop off kids, trucks making their morning deliveries, squirrels with their big bushy tails running among the trees, birds hopping around looking for breakfast.  There was one bird that from a distance looked black.  When the sunlight hit him, he was a beautiful iridescent blue - very pretty.

We have 20 mph winds this morning.  One of the trees on the square was raining leaves like it was fall.     I don't know what's up with that!?!  Here in Central Illinois we have four letter weather:  wind, rain, snow, cold and if we're lucky, on occasion, eight word weather - sunshine!     Storms are moving in tonight - so, I'm going to enjoy the sunshine this morning. 

Have a good day . . . it's a brand new one, make the most of it.   

Bucky

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.  You wait and watch and work:  you don't give up."                   Anne Lamott

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Outside to local shops to put money in the bank and to buy some coffee cos I'd run out. It may not have been a whole ten minutes - but it can't have been far off.

Scottie 

[Katybarstool]

Nothing from me today BUT I did survive several meetings at work, including one to discuss my health problems, and I didn't get upset once, so that's a result !

Kathyx

[Joy Cox]

Spent my time on Day 6 looking through a chain-linked fence at golf carts... closed on Mondays.  Not that I can play golf but am looking for a cart to get around to see all the farm animals and all the wildlife critters. 

Neighbors that live on next farm let me use theirs a couple days last week and its wonderful...no noise, it was battery type.   

I do NOT intend to let these decrepit knees be the death of me...can get new knees. Though, if the ole' brain will hold out, I am like Bucky, I so love the outdoors... and, continue to seek peace of mined, even if its from a golf cart seat.   

Anyone like to ride with me, it seats two...?   

[mac]

The weekend was difficult to get an 'extra' 10 minutes outside.  Saturday was so blustry and the eyes were acting up so much but think I managed to squeeze in those almost 10.  Yesterday it snowed!  Go figure.  Mother's Day snow!  But I did the paper walk of the lane, then the ironing!
Watched the birds from the dining table as they vied for the suet.  Rose breasted Grosbeeks deciding who was the Alpha, an Indigo Bunting, the Cardinal couple, the Towhees, the BlueJays and doves.  They all had to compete with the chipmunks as they stuffed their cheeks with seeds.

Today spent an extra 10 at the pond feeding the pond turtles.  Counted up to 11 of them today and I know there are more!  Even the Snapper showed up today and had an 'encounter' with a Bass who was guarding her nest.  I wonder what she thought she was able to do to secure the safety of her eggs from a snapping turtle???

[genko_b]

Outside this morning early to get the waterfall and water feature going, and saw not one but two male western tanagers come through my yard. Look them up - they are gorgeous birds. It would be great if we get two nesting pairs, but more likely it will be a battle, with one winning and the other looking for a different tree.

It was another nice day, and in addition to making the garden rounds this morning, my sister and I went for our usual Monday lunch walk with my daughter, who lives and works in another part of town.

Genko

[Bucky]

Day 7

Good morning . . . happy Tueeeeeeeeeesday everyone!     Today is Day 7 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

It's a wet morning here in IL.     A lot of the midwestern states are being hit with rain, storms, hail and tornadoes.  Please be careful and heed the warnings if you live in these areas.  Mother Nature can pack a mighty punch with her storms.

This morning I stood outside on the back step - was lucky enough to catch a break in between the rain to do this.     Looked up at the sky - whoa, those clouds are moving fast!!  Couldn't watch them - was making me dizzy since they were moving and I wasn't.     (I usually like to look at the clouds . . . and yes, I still find objects or shapes in them like I did as a kid.  Heehee)

I decided to just close my eyes, take some deep breaths of fresh air and listen to the beautiful chorus of birds singing from all sides in my backyard.  Such beautiful music.     Genko_b - I looked up the male Western Tanagers - he is a very pretty bird!  Does anybody know of a site on the web that would have birds and the sounds they make?

Joy - I love golf carts . . . I keep telling my family I want one!  mac -  snow??     Hopefully, it is gone by now.  I love turtles too - I've always wanted one.

Have a good day - see you tomorrow.   

Bucky

"Since the early bird catches the worm, it's a good idea to begin your day as soon as you can - unless, of course, you happen to be a worm."      Edwin Bliss

[Linda196]

Try this, Bucky: http://www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp

I don't know if the tanager is on it, but there are lots of bird calls you can listen to.

Yesterday, dear old Nother Nature made it difficult to get out, and I was having "one of those days", but (mostly thanks to this thread) I pulled myself up but my boot straps and practically forced myself out the door...and felt so much better for it!

Pretty much the same thing today so far, but I will get out, and it will be worth it!

[bloodless]

I've only got out twice out of the seven days. I'm so exhausted after work this past week. It's getting hot here in Tx too. I'm gonna try today. I was hoping to cut some limbs off the tree, but if I can't I'm just gonna sit there and think "I need to cut those limbs". I'm getting good at thinking about it. The follow through is the hard part. I can shew away the neighbors cat. He only goes home to eat and lives in my yard. I don't know why.

[RobinBat]

Ok, I am in! Was away from the computer for a bit, but I am back now...The dog loves to go for a walk and she walks in slowMo so easy to do(actually walk her anyway, might as well get credit for it! LOL!)
Have a zillion messages to read thru , will prob. miss a lot so if I ask someone something I missed sorry!
Robin

[mac]

Bucky,
love your thought for today    Sometimes i do feel I am the worm!  LOL

Well, if I thought Sunday's snow was an anomaly...today is snowing again only this time it is laying and we already have over a half inch on the ground, in just over an hour!     Glad we got over to the dentist and back earlier. 

I will have to put on my BIG coat, gloves and ski cap and walk to the point in the snow.  How often do you get to do that in mid May!!!  even in PA?  Is it Linda who lives up on the Canadian coast?  You are probably laughing at me because this is normal for you!!! 

Some of you have been wondering about bird identification and I wanted to suggest "Birds of North America" by Roger Tory Petersen if you are in the States.  Where i learned the most.  Still working on the songs so will check out Linda's link at enature.

Again, thanks Bucky, for hosting this site for us.

[harlin]

No sunshine for me today. Rain all day.