Wonderful visitor!

Lily's 2013 Litter of Cubs

My Easter Visitors

Later

Ate clean for the day.  Dinner was outstanding.  I made Spicy Thai Shrimp with Broccoli.  Desert was frozen banana whipped up with fresh ginger a tiny bit of canned coconut and topped with blueberries. Who needs junk with a meal like that?  My stomach is still bothering me.  Not as bad but I have pain.  Could be my ulcers acting up. Major sugar cravings tonight, I came close to digging into the Peanut M&Ms that are in the Easter Baskets, but I resisted.....had a nice apple!  Now that's something I can eat and feel good about it.

Monty and I got out for TWO hikes!  It was great!  I felt very energetic.  The first hike we went across the street and looped the fields, that is the first time I've done that in a very long time.  Looks like the land is for sale again.  It was really nice.  Then at 5pm I went up to the Co. Park hoping to hear some Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs, nothing.  We had a great evening walk.  I really like getting out twice a day.  The temps were in the high 50s, a 10 day! 

You are

Apparently I now have a allergy to dairy.  I've spent the last couple weeks having horrible stomach issues.  I'm off of it now, and will see how it goes.  No grains, no dairy.  Only healthy fresh food.  Getting out today, still searching for wood frogs and peepers. 

Cheating myself

Now that's dieting! 

I am not someone who can have just a little of a forbidden food.  Every single time I do it sets off a binge that can last days, weeks, months and years.  I have to stop allowing myself to wreck havoc on my health by eating crap that isn't good for me.  My stomach has been a mess since I added back dairy a couple weeks ago.   I'm off of it again.  I also found that having a little bit of sugar last weekend caused me to crave it like an addict.  It took me several days to get back off of it.

Eat healthy foods and nothing else!  PERIOD!

OK...total binge tonight.  Tomorrow is a new day.  Crazy sick binge.  I'll never learn. I have tooth surgery in the morning...this won't be fun. 

Clouds

Red Shouldered Hawks have returned to Cascade Lake Park.  A couple of Painted Turtles were sunning themselves on a log despite there being ice coverage on part of the pond.  Ring Neck Ducks, and yesterday a Pair of Wood Ducks.  I also heard a Barred Owl calling after the clouds rolled in.  Wood Cock calling at home tonight. I can also hear my first Spring Peeper! 

Names of the full moons

Happy Full Sap Moon

Today is mine!  I am alone at home, except for my Monty!  It's very rare for me to be alone and I do like it.  I'm enjoying a cup of coffee in bed.   I'm looking forward to a quiet soulful day and 2 hikes.  I'm planning on going to both of my usual spots and also to our land.  I'm hoping to hear Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers. Today's temps are expected to be a low of 29 and a high of 49 degrees, perfect weather for the amphibian wake up alarm.  I'm off! 

A welcome break

I have 5 nights and 5 days of staycation/naturecation, starting tonight! Yeah me!  Hubby, 2 of our sons and several of their friends have gone on their annual dirt bike trip down to GA.  I am going to stay off the computer, and spend my time immersed in nature!  What a perfect time I'm going to have.  I plan on hiking 2x each day, eating right, drinking tons of water and resting.  I also hope to finish the wonderful book I'm reading.  Tomorrow morning is the full moon @ 5:27am, what a great way to start my personal time.  Shhhh don't tell hubby, but I'm sleeping with the window open tonight, my favorite way to rest. ☺

Ahhhh

So I'm not perfect....

Last night I threw all caution to the wind....I had wine, sugar and went on FB!  YIKES!  So I decided this morning, there is nothing wrong with any of that....I just need to *live* more in moderation.  Stay off of Social Media during the week so I can get my life back in order, give myself permission to have a couple of wines on the weekend with friends and go on FB only on the weekends if there is nothing else to do.  Oh....and, create a healthy Paleo Treat to make for myself every weekend to celebrate all my hard work!  I love the above image....I'm keeping it in my head, that will be me in no time short....I WILL BE A TRAIL RUNNER AGAIN!

Trail Running

I've always wanted to do a marathon.  I was close to doing one at one point in my life, but gave that up after my Dad died.  Last night it hit me, I could train for one now, why not? What's stopping me? I won't road run anymore, nor will I do a race on the road, I love being out in nature far too much to be on the roads.   I am going to begin weight training and tempo trail running this coming week.  I'm going to run M/W/F,  weight train T/Th and  Hike everyday of the week.  I can do this....Yes I can!  My goal in a year from now, while up at Letchworth State Park, Memorial Day weekend is to run the:

The Sehgahunda Trail Marathon


Spring Birding

Two dozen W.T.Sparrows at the feeders tonight.  I'm expecting that they will be leaving soon.

Today

Really enjoying my break from social media, amazing what I can accomplish in a short amount of time without the constant distraction.  I am trying to break my habit of constantly checking my FB.  I've already left all the other forums I belonged to over the last few months.   It's really not been all that hard,  but it is a bad habit that needs attention and work, so I never fall back to it again.  My life is whizzing by and I'm missing too much of it wasting time online.    I'm not well today, came down with a stomach bug last night, so I won't be getting outside today.  I spent the morning doing all my chores, so now I'm able to rest and read a book.  Books...now that is something I've missed immensely.  I am making another promise to myself that I will read everyday, not online....a real book with pages.

3 Fox Sparrows in the yard today. 

Blessed Vernal Equinox

 

 

As my baby begins his final year in his teens, another Spring unfolds. Monty and I managed a glorious 2 hour hike up at the Co. Park.  There was 6 inches of snow on the ground, so it made for a nice workout. I sat and meditated at two different places, feeling the wind on my face and listening to the stream flowing. Feeling like one with the earth with my own breath and the blood pulsing through my veins. At the very top of the fields  I picked a bouquet of pussy willows.  They now adorn a *Spring* wreath in the kitchen.  We finish the night off with a birthday celebration out at a Sushi Restaurant.  Blessed Vernal Equinox.......life is good. 

Welcome!

Definitely feeling FB withdrawal pangs.  Nothing like changing everything I normally do inside of a week. LOL.  Cold Turkey is best for me.  I had lots of errands to run this morning, so I managed to  I do a bit of birding while I was out an about. I stopped at 6 1/2 Station Road, Drove Wisner Road 2X, did a long hike in the Co. Park, and watched the backyard feeders.  I could see a head in the RT Nest on Wisner Road.  It's snowing right now at 6pm.  Lots of birds visiting the feeders.  Grackles,  RW Blackbirds, Juncos, WT, Song, AT, House Sparrows,  Cardinals (more then 20) , Downey, Hairy & RB Woodpeckers, TTitmouse, Chickadees, Nuthatch, Mourning Doves.  The odd colored Junco is still around.  One of the black squirrels also was just here.  Notable seen out on Wisner Road, White Crowned Sparrow.   It was a GREAT DAY! 

Wish me luck!

 

For the next 3 weeks I am going to attempt a HUGE personal challenge. I am going to stay off of ALL social media!  Yup, you heard that right....I'M STAYING OFF ALL SOCIAL MEDIA FOR 21 DAYS!  Me...*Miss internet addict* is making a personal commitment for my own sanity, I'm ready for a break from the world.  For the last week,  I have  begun living the low carb lifestyle, and I'm beginning to feel like a new human being!  My energy level has improved 100% and my head seems to be clearing from the fog I've been in for a long, long time.  I seem to be rising out of the depression I've been in for far too long.  I am going to continue on  a strict Atkins Induction stage, meaning no drinking any alcohol either.  I am super carb sensitive, and that is why I've been unable to budge that stubborn weight that I've been carrying for far too long.   My plan during the next 21 days is to jump start my workout regime,  YES I will be trail running and pumping Iron!  I will be adding in Yoga, stretching and meditation(everyday).   I will also be spending my free time getting my life organized,  cleaning all those closets out, donating and listing for sale, the things I no longer want or need.  And finally I pledge to get out there every day and watch Spring unfold, every last precious detail of it.  I will be blogging here for sure all my nature observations.  Oh...and one final thing, NO SPENDING MONEY....NONE.  Food and essentials only.

Welcome back to the way your life used to be!  I'm ready, willing and able....now GET MOVING! 

Truth be told

I have a unique opportunity right now to spend tons of time on me.  I am not working,  and I have few obligations until I start working again.  I have no excuse for not taking better care of myself. I have the time, but I'm just wasting it online again.   I desperately need to get myself fit again.  I must be as strong and healthy as I possibly can as I venture forward into my new career.   Not feeling and looking my best is connected to how I feel about every single aspect of my life.  Its time...stop being so lazy, stop making excuses.  I'm four days into eating well, and starting to feel much better already.  Now put those trail running shoes on and JUST DO IT! 

Day Late Dollar Short

 As always I waited one too many days, the massive flocks of Snow Geese that have been out at the camel farm this past week have now flown the coop.  There had also been a Ross's goose seen the last few days as well.  Learn a lesson this time Carol!  When the text comes in for a rare bird get in the car and get out there!!! It was nice to see all the amimals that live at the farm, never a dull trip.

While out there I went to the Walkill Wildlife Refuge,  Liberty Loop and walked on the AT section of the trail with Monty.  Lot's of waterfowl. Pintails, Shoveler, Green-wing Teal, Bufflehead, Wood,  Common Merg, Black & Mallard Ducks.  Harriers, and a nice immature Bald Eagle.  Flushed my first Woodcock of the year as well. 

On the drive home from grocery shopping, well over 100 Turkey Vultures ketteling over the town of Warwick.   Spring really has sprung.  Took Monty out for a quick walk up at the County Park...light out at 6:30pm, how I love this time of year!  No excuse to miss a walk. 

And this is what you miss, when you don't get off your asse! (Matt Zeitler's photo)