Good evening Friends!
I thought I would stop for a quick minute to give an update on the goings-on around here. Everything is looking up these days, and I hope it is the same for you.
My health continues to improve, and I feel strength being restored. I continue at my Rehab sessions, three mornings a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays find me up at 4:00AM, to enjoy a light breakfast, then head off to my 6:00AM Rehab. I am told by my Rehab Nurse, Heidi, that I am achieving my goals ahead of schedule!
Heidi DID frown, however, at my suggestion of my heading South next month with Johnny "4Iron" Male, to do a week or two on the Appalachian Trail. I am SO wishing for some walking... you know... There is nothing more health restoring, (in my mind...), than a pleasant hike on the A.T.! Heidi is of the opinion that I need to BE a little healthier before I attempt to GET healthier!?! I think she is afraid I might die in the woods, alone... which I wouldn't find to be a BAD way to go! I figured it might take the edge off for her, if I tagged along with a friend, but I guess dying in the woods with a FRIEND is not really acceptable to her, either. I guess her primary goal is to keep me alive. I will have to learn to be a good patient, and be patient...
Great news! God is good, and cares for us, if we let him! My family, friends, (and my Church family and friends), have taken care of me and my family in such a loving way. We did the best we could these last four months, tightening up the spending, lowering the thermostat, reducing our driving, and more. Then, we gave it to God! We have been behind financially, but have never been without! I will not "name names", but I thank all of you, your kindnesses have overwhelmed.
My best friend called the other night. He has been there for me, always. When I ended up in the Hospital, he called me. He told me that he would come to Maine, immediately! The exclamation punctuation of the preceding sentence is warranted, as he lives in Florida, and would, indeed, have headed right off to Maine. I had to beg him not to come home, assuring him that his thoughts and prayers would suffice. He has been faithful in calling me, offering up encouragement, and entertaining me. He gave me good hope.
His call to me the other night was much enjoyed, as usual. We talked a lot, of things we would do together when he makes his trip to Maine this Summer, and of the other adventures we would like to take on someday. We talked of my health, and the great news that I had returned to work, (kind of). I was so happy when my employer offered up some "light duty" work, at one of his other stores! I have completed my first week of work, and all is well... when payday comes, I can start helping with the bills! My friend offered up a financial gift, to help us get back on level ground, but I begged him not to. God has been so good, and now, I can not only help pay the bills, it is time to start giving to those less fortunate...
I have wandered a bit tonight... but I think my point was to give an update, relating my happiness to Gods' Goodness, rejoicing in the wonderful people that He places in our lives... and, oh yeah... let you know how much I was wishing I was walking!
May your trails be straight and crooked, walked alone, or with a friend, and always travelled with God as your Guide.
Blessings, in abundance...
Stickman
Monday, February 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Little Steps and Giant Leaps, Giant Steps and Little Leaps
Hello to You!
As I sat this morning, generally just passing time, and occasionally having a thought, I began to contemplate the journey I'm on. As many of you know, I am a recent graduate of Open Heart Surgery, Class of 2011. The Ceremony was performed on October 21st, 2011, and consisted of a quadruple bypass, rectifying troubles caused by seven major blockages. It is now three months, three days post-graduation, and I am looking not only at the path I have travelled, but at the path before me. As with any Graduate, Diploma in hand, and stepping out on a new path, there is much excitement!
The path of my life has been navigated by taking little steps and giant leaps... interspersed with a few giant steps, little leaps, and quite a few stumbles, tumbles, and falls. It's kind of like traversing the infamous "Mahoosuc Notch" in Western Maine. That stretch of the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail is considered by many to be the toughest mile of the AT!
Although I would sometimes prefer to travel at a faster pace, I am well aware of the dangers of "being in a rush". For now, I will take little steps, and little leaps... and when the opportunities present themselves, I will take a giant step or two, and build my strength and confidence to achieve a couple of giant leaps, when the right time comes!
I look down the path ahead of me... looks like I may be returning to the workplace soon, if only for light work and part time. It looks like better trail a few miles out, though! Rehabilitation is going along nicely, and by Springtime, I look to be working full time again. The Winter months have treated me kindly thus far, allowing me to venture outside, safely, for many long walks. I may be able to do a little hiking in the Bigelow Range, come better weather!
Strength is building, and when I look down the path, I still see my dreams...
I pray that you still see your dreams, too, when you look down your path. Trust in the Lord, no matter the path set before you. Remember, it's okay to take little steps and little leaps. The giant steps, and giant leaps can best be achieved when holding His hand...
"Our hearts had not turned back;our feet had not strayed from your path." Psalm 44:18
As always, I pray God's Blessings on you, and also on your path... may it be be free of stumbles, tumbles, and falls.
Stickman
As I sat this morning, generally just passing time, and occasionally having a thought, I began to contemplate the journey I'm on. As many of you know, I am a recent graduate of Open Heart Surgery, Class of 2011. The Ceremony was performed on October 21st, 2011, and consisted of a quadruple bypass, rectifying troubles caused by seven major blockages. It is now three months, three days post-graduation, and I am looking not only at the path I have travelled, but at the path before me. As with any Graduate, Diploma in hand, and stepping out on a new path, there is much excitement!
The path of my life has been navigated by taking little steps and giant leaps... interspersed with a few giant steps, little leaps, and quite a few stumbles, tumbles, and falls. It's kind of like traversing the infamous "Mahoosuc Notch" in Western Maine. That stretch of the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail is considered by many to be the toughest mile of the AT!
Although I would sometimes prefer to travel at a faster pace, I am well aware of the dangers of "being in a rush". For now, I will take little steps, and little leaps... and when the opportunities present themselves, I will take a giant step or two, and build my strength and confidence to achieve a couple of giant leaps, when the right time comes!
I look down the path ahead of me... looks like I may be returning to the workplace soon, if only for light work and part time. It looks like better trail a few miles out, though! Rehabilitation is going along nicely, and by Springtime, I look to be working full time again. The Winter months have treated me kindly thus far, allowing me to venture outside, safely, for many long walks. I may be able to do a little hiking in the Bigelow Range, come better weather!
Strength is building, and when I look down the path, I still see my dreams...
I pray that you still see your dreams, too, when you look down your path. Trust in the Lord, no matter the path set before you. Remember, it's okay to take little steps and little leaps. The giant steps, and giant leaps can best be achieved when holding His hand...
"Our hearts had not turned back;our feet had not strayed from your path." Psalm 44:18
As always, I pray God's Blessings on you, and also on your path... may it be be free of stumbles, tumbles, and falls.
Stickman
Sunday, January 1, 2012
...and a Happy New Year!... MEAN IT!
Good morning, and a Happy New Year to you! No, I'm not just saying that... I mean it! Isn't it funny how some sayings lose their punch when they get repeated... repeated... repeated... without much thought!?! Now, this particular phrase is often put out there with MUCH enthusiasm, by well-meaning people, but how many really reflect on what a "Happy New Year" might look like? As good as last year? Better? Most people that I know make some attempt at a NEW YEARS' RESOLUTION... something to commit to, with much resolve. It often is something like "lose weight", and sometimes something like, "save money", or "be a more positive person". ...all good stuff.
I got up this morning and looked out the window. It wasn't snowing. It wasn't raining. It was sunny. I gave thought to the New Year, that it held hope! The future looked promising, even if it was only for today! It was not of my doing... it was an "Act of God". It got me reflecting on the year passed, and the years past, and all I was blessed with... all I was thankful and happy for.
Curious, I turned to the Bible, to see what I might glean for an example of a Happy New Year. I settled on Noah... you know, the guy that built a big boat, saved a bunch of animals, survived a pretty big flood. This is what one of his "New Years"
looked like...
"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. Genesis 8:13"
Wow! I was happy it wasn't bad weather this morning... I can't imagine what Noah was thinking on THAT New Years Day! The Bible says Noah, who built the Ark, was 600 years old during the Great Flood, and he lived to be 950 years old. He had 600 years to reflect on, and 350 years after the flood to look forward to, with hope.
I am 54 years old, with quite a bit to reflect on. It would take me a long time to sort through all those years, but this last year is an easy one. I had my quadruple bypass performed on October 21st, a little over two months ago. That was my personal "Great Flood". It's a New Year, and I am still here. God brought me through it, and caused the sun to shine today. For me, that is enough to make me thankful for the past, hopeful for the future. I need no New Years' Resolution. I will just "be happy" in this "Happy New Year", trusting in God's Grace and Mercy. With His Blessings, we will have a moment to reflect again, at this time, next year!
May God Bless your Happy New Year!
Stickman
I got up this morning and looked out the window. It wasn't snowing. It wasn't raining. It was sunny. I gave thought to the New Year, that it held hope! The future looked promising, even if it was only for today! It was not of my doing... it was an "Act of God". It got me reflecting on the year passed, and the years past, and all I was blessed with... all I was thankful and happy for.
Curious, I turned to the Bible, to see what I might glean for an example of a Happy New Year. I settled on Noah... you know, the guy that built a big boat, saved a bunch of animals, survived a pretty big flood. This is what one of his "New Years"
looked like...
"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. Genesis 8:13"
Wow! I was happy it wasn't bad weather this morning... I can't imagine what Noah was thinking on THAT New Years Day! The Bible says Noah, who built the Ark, was 600 years old during the Great Flood, and he lived to be 950 years old. He had 600 years to reflect on, and 350 years after the flood to look forward to, with hope.
I am 54 years old, with quite a bit to reflect on. It would take me a long time to sort through all those years, but this last year is an easy one. I had my quadruple bypass performed on October 21st, a little over two months ago. That was my personal "Great Flood". It's a New Year, and I am still here. God brought me through it, and caused the sun to shine today. For me, that is enough to make me thankful for the past, hopeful for the future. I need no New Years' Resolution. I will just "be happy" in this "Happy New Year", trusting in God's Grace and Mercy. With His Blessings, we will have a moment to reflect again, at this time, next year!
May God Bless your Happy New Year!
Stickman
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A time of healing...
Time... It sometimes flashes lightning fast before your eyes, yet at other times it crawls along so slowly that you are positive you could outhike it.
Healing times are usually a bit like that. As time drags onward during the healing process, we might become impatient, causing time to move a little more slowly... and the healing to take a little bigger chunk of that precious time. Ever notice that when a cut finally is reaching the end of its' healing process, you just have to pick at the scab... reopening the wound? Also, the rate of the passage of time is the inverse of the amount of patience. Therefore, the longer that the healing process is ongoing, the longer the healing process will be ongoing... exponentially.
My healing time has reached another monthly "mile marker". My quadruple bypass was performed, quite successfully, on 10/21/11, two months ago. ...and now I watch time beginning to drag its' feet. It isn't unbearable, but I am almost at the point of "picking at the scab"!
Every little hold-up in the healing process seems to try to throw me off my intended path. Waiting to hear from the surgeon for the final OK to begin official rehab... nasty cold weather, or, like today, freezing rain, that just makes you NOT want to take another walk... you get the picture.
However! Even as I begin to get weary from waiting... I recieve much encouragement from friends and family! The folks from Crossroads Bible Church have lifted me up, weekly, and Pastor has been thoughtful to swing by for a visit, or take me up to his camp. I get phone calls from my Brothers Bill and Larry, who are always offering their help. I have been entertained while reading faithful's Journey on the Appalachian Trail, which was written by David M. "Faithful" Barnes. As most of you know, Faithful was my hiking partner on my 2007 Appalachian Trail thruhike attempt. I was his hiking partner on part of his successful hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2007! He is an awesome young fella, and he has since completed the Long Trail in Vermont.
I got a call from Johnny "4Iron" Male yesterday... he lifted my spirits with some good ol' trail talk. We discussed his recent gear strategies, pack weight, and folks he has met on the Trail... then it hit me, and I had to ask. "Johnny, are you planning on going back on trail in the Spring?" Yes, yes he is... my heart started to beat with excitement for him! Time was starting to move again! I had hope! Hope for Johnny, and hope for me! Healing, for me, is going to take some time, but, it will be time well spent... and, someday, I will step back out on the Appalachian Trail, and KNOW that my healing is finally complete.
Thanks to all of you who are pausing to think of me, say a little prayer, and give some of your time for my benefit. I look forward to being able to see a few of you out on the trail... or over a good cup of coffee, while I heal. Until then, let's all be patient, and just enjoy the Blessings that God so graciously gives us...
...and I pray that God gives you many Blessings!
Stickman
Healing times are usually a bit like that. As time drags onward during the healing process, we might become impatient, causing time to move a little more slowly... and the healing to take a little bigger chunk of that precious time. Ever notice that when a cut finally is reaching the end of its' healing process, you just have to pick at the scab... reopening the wound? Also, the rate of the passage of time is the inverse of the amount of patience. Therefore, the longer that the healing process is ongoing, the longer the healing process will be ongoing... exponentially.
My healing time has reached another monthly "mile marker". My quadruple bypass was performed, quite successfully, on 10/21/11, two months ago. ...and now I watch time beginning to drag its' feet. It isn't unbearable, but I am almost at the point of "picking at the scab"!
Every little hold-up in the healing process seems to try to throw me off my intended path. Waiting to hear from the surgeon for the final OK to begin official rehab... nasty cold weather, or, like today, freezing rain, that just makes you NOT want to take another walk... you get the picture.
However! Even as I begin to get weary from waiting... I recieve much encouragement from friends and family! The folks from Crossroads Bible Church have lifted me up, weekly, and Pastor has been thoughtful to swing by for a visit, or take me up to his camp. I get phone calls from my Brothers Bill and Larry, who are always offering their help. I have been entertained while reading faithful's Journey on the Appalachian Trail, which was written by David M. "Faithful" Barnes. As most of you know, Faithful was my hiking partner on my 2007 Appalachian Trail thruhike attempt. I was his hiking partner on part of his successful hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2007! He is an awesome young fella, and he has since completed the Long Trail in Vermont.
I got a call from Johnny "4Iron" Male yesterday... he lifted my spirits with some good ol' trail talk. We discussed his recent gear strategies, pack weight, and folks he has met on the Trail... then it hit me, and I had to ask. "Johnny, are you planning on going back on trail in the Spring?" Yes, yes he is... my heart started to beat with excitement for him! Time was starting to move again! I had hope! Hope for Johnny, and hope for me! Healing, for me, is going to take some time, but, it will be time well spent... and, someday, I will step back out on the Appalachian Trail, and KNOW that my healing is finally complete.
Thanks to all of you who are pausing to think of me, say a little prayer, and give some of your time for my benefit. I look forward to being able to see a few of you out on the trail... or over a good cup of coffee, while I heal. Until then, let's all be patient, and just enjoy the Blessings that God so graciously gives us...
...and I pray that God gives you many Blessings!
Stickman
Monday, November 28, 2011
Stickman, or "Sickman"?
Well folks... I had a pretty close call, recently! I sometimes give a little thought as to the possible dangers that could stop me in my tracks, when I am out for a hike. Things like a bad fall... but it doesn't necessarily take a bad fall to knock you down. Sometimes it is something that can sneak up on you. Like bad health!
I guess you might wonder how a Stickman, who works hard, hikes, and kayaks, could be in bad health... (I was wondering the same thing!). Well... ol' Stickman wasn't taking good care of himself! He had gotten his weight down to 185 after being on the A.T., but had gobbled his way back to almost 240 whopping pounds! Working and playing hard just wasn't getting it done. I was having a long term affair with "Little Debbie" snacks, eating to excess, and making incredibly poor "food" choices. I also hadn't had a physical in a couple of years, and had no primary care physician... a recipe for disaster!
So... almost a couple of months ago I was at my new physician's office, ready for my first physical. Ten minutes into it, she made me aware that I probably had some heart issues!!! "Here's your sign"!!! High blood pressure... overweight... tired... a little short of breath... slight pressure on my chest... occasional light chest pain!!! Nah!!! ...
NO WAY was I sick! I was way too active, and I didn't feel "that bad". But, she was insistent. I was scheduled for a stress test. Then a nuclear stress test... the results were, lets say "marginally" positive. I was in denial, too. Yet, a couple of days later, feeling very tired, I went to the E.R., just to be safe... (I was convinced to go, by my wife and her co-workers at the said hospital). I ended up staying, and next day found myself on the way to EMMC in Bangor, which was more than equipped to deal with me. I was still in denial... I'm a STICKMAN! I got the best treatment, along with not so good news... the cardiac catheterization revealed that I had seven major blockages... one at 90%, two at 80%, two at 70%, and one each at 60% and 40%... I figured they got my results confused with someone elses, and was SURE I could go back to work the next day!
Well, they were right, and five and one-half weeks ago I underwent open heart surgery. My surgeon did a great job, as did all of the staff, and I survived my quadruple bypass! Yay! I am healing and getting stronger day by day, thanks to skillfull surgery, caring and competent nursing, and lots of love, care, and prayer from family and friends. Needless to say, my lifestyle and eating habits have been drastically changed.
I'm sure that I need to give you all no further warning of the dangers lurking around, trying to steal your health. You don't even have to fall off a cliff to hurt yourself!
THIS COULD BE YOU, if you fall off a cliff, (or just don't take good care of yourself!)
So... I'll get healed up, build some strength, and see you all out on the trails again this year. Until then, take good care of yourselves, and enjoy God's daily blessings in your lives,
Stickman
I guess you might wonder how a Stickman, who works hard, hikes, and kayaks, could be in bad health... (I was wondering the same thing!). Well... ol' Stickman wasn't taking good care of himself! He had gotten his weight down to 185 after being on the A.T., but had gobbled his way back to almost 240 whopping pounds! Working and playing hard just wasn't getting it done. I was having a long term affair with "Little Debbie" snacks, eating to excess, and making incredibly poor "food" choices. I also hadn't had a physical in a couple of years, and had no primary care physician... a recipe for disaster!
So... almost a couple of months ago I was at my new physician's office, ready for my first physical. Ten minutes into it, she made me aware that I probably had some heart issues!!! "Here's your sign"!!! High blood pressure... overweight... tired... a little short of breath... slight pressure on my chest... occasional light chest pain!!! Nah!!! ...
NO WAY was I sick! I was way too active, and I didn't feel "that bad". But, she was insistent. I was scheduled for a stress test. Then a nuclear stress test... the results were, lets say "marginally" positive. I was in denial, too. Yet, a couple of days later, feeling very tired, I went to the E.R., just to be safe... (I was convinced to go, by my wife and her co-workers at the said hospital). I ended up staying, and next day found myself on the way to EMMC in Bangor, which was more than equipped to deal with me. I was still in denial... I'm a STICKMAN! I got the best treatment, along with not so good news... the cardiac catheterization revealed that I had seven major blockages... one at 90%, two at 80%, two at 70%, and one each at 60% and 40%... I figured they got my results confused with someone elses, and was SURE I could go back to work the next day!
Well, they were right, and five and one-half weeks ago I underwent open heart surgery. My surgeon did a great job, as did all of the staff, and I survived my quadruple bypass! Yay! I am healing and getting stronger day by day, thanks to skillfull surgery, caring and competent nursing, and lots of love, care, and prayer from family and friends. Needless to say, my lifestyle and eating habits have been drastically changed.
I'm sure that I need to give you all no further warning of the dangers lurking around, trying to steal your health. You don't even have to fall off a cliff to hurt yourself!
THIS COULD BE YOU, if you fall off a cliff, (or just don't take good care of yourself!)
So... I'll get healed up, build some strength, and see you all out on the trails again this year. Until then, take good care of yourselves, and enjoy God's daily blessings in your lives,
Stickman
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Gold in Maine!
Gold in Maine? What's that got to do with hiking? I don't know...
Hello hiker and non-hiker friends,
I got a bit off the beaten path with this topic, but I just had to say... there's GOLD in Maine!... and I found some! This week I made two trips to a local river, and tried my hand at learning to pan. I journeyed to New Portland, more specifically, I arrived at the "Wire Bridge", on the Carrabassett River. Now, let me just say... although I was hopeful to find a two ounce nugget, I knew I would be happy just panning some gravel down to the heavier "black sand". I don't know of anyone who has tried to pan there, and it is not listed as a place to find any gold in Maine. (The popular and productive place to hobby pan is the Swift River, up around Byron). Well, on my first outing, I had panned seven or so pans of gravel down to the black sand, and, in continuing to pan out, found no gold. I did find some nails, old glass, and strangely, a "jack", from the old game of "Jacks". I know... some of you are scratching your head... The game of Jacks consisted of a bunch of "jacks", and a ball. You bounced the ball, and scooped up the jacks... not as easy as you would think!
The next pan of gravel was slowly panned down to black sand, and once to that point, I worked it a bit longer. I decided that there was nothing in the pan other than dirt, when... a flash of gold! My first ever! Yeah, it was small, but...
I came home, proud as a peacock, proclaiming to my dear wife that I had struck gold. When she asked where it was, I said, "Right here! Look!". I had left it, all by itself, in the gold pan. She took a look, and said,"Where is it?!?"
...yeah, it was small!
Yet, the rewards of getting out there to pan were huge! The river, rough with large boulders that accent it's cascading waters, meanders down and around the mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Appalachian Trail in wet weather! The river bottom was very difficult to walk on, but the cool waters were so soothing to the feet. The gentle rushing of water relaxed me, as did the quiet beauty all around. Occasionally, a vehicle would cross over the spectacular Wire Bridge, stirring me back to some sense of here and now, and I would do a time check. I didn't really want to leave... scooping up another helping of dirt and a splash of water, I would start the gentle swishing/washing that complimented the rythms of my breathing...
The river drew me back today, and I spent a couple of happy afternoon hours standing in it, sampling small bits of it's gravels with my trowel and pan. No gold, but "lodes" of fun and relaxation! The only finds of the day were, again, as interesting to me as gold. Bits of blue glass that had been worn to a rough smoothness, some nice specimens of jasper that turn bright blood red when wet, and an old penny. LUCKY!!!
I think it does one's body,(and mind), well to occasionally stop doing, and start doing nothing. You likely won't make any money doing nothing, but it won't cost you a lot, either.
So... go hike a trail, or go hike a river. Watch your step, and look around, too! Not all treasures are made of gold...
May your pan be full of blessings!
Stickman
Hello hiker and non-hiker friends,
I got a bit off the beaten path with this topic, but I just had to say... there's GOLD in Maine!... and I found some! This week I made two trips to a local river, and tried my hand at learning to pan. I journeyed to New Portland, more specifically, I arrived at the "Wire Bridge", on the Carrabassett River. Now, let me just say... although I was hopeful to find a two ounce nugget, I knew I would be happy just panning some gravel down to the heavier "black sand". I don't know of anyone who has tried to pan there, and it is not listed as a place to find any gold in Maine. (The popular and productive place to hobby pan is the Swift River, up around Byron). Well, on my first outing, I had panned seven or so pans of gravel down to the black sand, and, in continuing to pan out, found no gold. I did find some nails, old glass, and strangely, a "jack", from the old game of "Jacks". I know... some of you are scratching your head... The game of Jacks consisted of a bunch of "jacks", and a ball. You bounced the ball, and scooped up the jacks... not as easy as you would think!
The next pan of gravel was slowly panned down to black sand, and once to that point, I worked it a bit longer. I decided that there was nothing in the pan other than dirt, when... a flash of gold! My first ever! Yeah, it was small, but...
I came home, proud as a peacock, proclaiming to my dear wife that I had struck gold. When she asked where it was, I said, "Right here! Look!". I had left it, all by itself, in the gold pan. She took a look, and said,"Where is it?!?"
...yeah, it was small!
Yet, the rewards of getting out there to pan were huge! The river, rough with large boulders that accent it's cascading waters, meanders down and around the mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Appalachian Trail in wet weather! The river bottom was very difficult to walk on, but the cool waters were so soothing to the feet. The gentle rushing of water relaxed me, as did the quiet beauty all around. Occasionally, a vehicle would cross over the spectacular Wire Bridge, stirring me back to some sense of here and now, and I would do a time check. I didn't really want to leave... scooping up another helping of dirt and a splash of water, I would start the gentle swishing/washing that complimented the rythms of my breathing...
The river drew me back today, and I spent a couple of happy afternoon hours standing in it, sampling small bits of it's gravels with my trowel and pan. No gold, but "lodes" of fun and relaxation! The only finds of the day were, again, as interesting to me as gold. Bits of blue glass that had been worn to a rough smoothness, some nice specimens of jasper that turn bright blood red when wet, and an old penny. LUCKY!!!
I think it does one's body,(and mind), well to occasionally stop doing, and start doing nothing. You likely won't make any money doing nothing, but it won't cost you a lot, either.
So... go hike a trail, or go hike a river. Watch your step, and look around, too! Not all treasures are made of gold...
May your pan be full of blessings!
Stickman
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Long Green Tunnel
Hello friends,
I was sitting here sipping a cup of black coffee, checking my mail, and trying to get my head around the things I would like to/need to get done today. So... that started out being an easy one! I would like to get a hike in today!
Then, of course, there is always the "need to" list. I have a bunch of things on that list! ...and they all need consideration, or I will never get to pick from my "like to" list.
On the top of both lists is "complete the Long Green Tunnel"! That doesn't sound too conflicted, does it? No! The problem I am facing is that the "Long Green Tunnel" on my "like to" list is the Appalachian Trail... and it looks like I won't be able to finish it in one day!
The "Long Green Tunnel" on the "need to" list is, of course, my lawn, which is in dire need of a good mowing. I'm not sure that I will be able to finish that in a day either!
I thought I had the lawn under control. Last time I mowed it we were having a good hot spell, nice and dry, and I cut the grass very short. I had hoped to kill it! I guess it must be good grass, as it grew back with a vengeance. In fact, I'm a little scared to go out there and walk on it, let alone mow it!
I guess I don't have many options, and mowing the grass will be good for me... as I exercise I can let my mind explore the places of the A.T. that I have been fortunate enough to walk upon, and imagine what is still ahead of me! I'm hoping that todays' hike of the "Long Green Tunnel" will be exceptional and unforgettable. Perhaps I will even get to see a moose or bear!
May God Bless the steps of your journey today, even if it is a difficult trail.
Stickman
I was sitting here sipping a cup of black coffee, checking my mail, and trying to get my head around the things I would like to/need to get done today. So... that started out being an easy one! I would like to get a hike in today!
Then, of course, there is always the "need to" list. I have a bunch of things on that list! ...and they all need consideration, or I will never get to pick from my "like to" list.
On the top of both lists is "complete the Long Green Tunnel"! That doesn't sound too conflicted, does it? No! The problem I am facing is that the "Long Green Tunnel" on my "like to" list is the Appalachian Trail... and it looks like I won't be able to finish it in one day!
The "Long Green Tunnel" on the "need to" list is, of course, my lawn, which is in dire need of a good mowing. I'm not sure that I will be able to finish that in a day either!
I thought I had the lawn under control. Last time I mowed it we were having a good hot spell, nice and dry, and I cut the grass very short. I had hoped to kill it! I guess it must be good grass, as it grew back with a vengeance. In fact, I'm a little scared to go out there and walk on it, let alone mow it!
I guess I don't have many options, and mowing the grass will be good for me... as I exercise I can let my mind explore the places of the A.T. that I have been fortunate enough to walk upon, and imagine what is still ahead of me! I'm hoping that todays' hike of the "Long Green Tunnel" will be exceptional and unforgettable. Perhaps I will even get to see a moose or bear!
May God Bless the steps of your journey today, even if it is a difficult trail.
Stickman
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