The Mountain Thymes

Our new "normal" routine has my brain working overtime.  Since the gym closing I have no reference  to gauge what day of the week it is.  Each morning upon pulling out the 7-day pill box for that day's Rxs and supplements, as long as I took the day before's pills, is a good indication of what day it could be.  On one hand it's a welcomed break to not get out the door in time to use the sauna for 10-15 minutes before our 9 o'clock Zumba class but if it's raining there's no form of cardio to keep heart muscles strong and healthy. Trips from the recliner to the cabinets or refrigerator don't provide the needed 10,000 steps.  I dance around the kitchen with my Pandora music and do about 30-45 minutes of yoga daily.  If I don't move, my joints argue with me but it's not in my nature to sit too long anyway.  The benefits of dancing in the kitchen and yoga help calm the waves of anxiety about my suppressed immune system and contracting the virus. ...

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!! No rain today!  Sky was mostly sunny for half of the day with temperatures reaching 75 degrees this afternoon.  In the morning we hit CVS and Walgreens to get Cliff's 3-month Rxs so we're both good for now, then walked Konehete Park in town.  Lots of retired people walking their dogs and breathing in the spring air.  We're so very thankful that this social distancing is not during the dreary winter when we're so confined in our homes.  Each day is a gift.  Simply untie the ribbons. Early this afternoon  I wrapped my Velcro wrist bands on, put on gloves and headed to the garden to remove winter leaves and weeds in a small garden patch.  With winter being as mild as it was, the weeds took advantage of me and flourished.  Cliff helped spread and dig the mushroom compost into the soil.  I spotted some microscopic lettuce sprouts and more pea sprouts.  After about an hour of puttering around the garden, I ...

Our weather has been mild but cloudy, rainy. Yesterday the sun made an appearance for about three hours between passing clouds.  I was so excited that I played in the garden a little, restacked a few light rocks that lost their place during the winter along flower beds, and sat in my garden chair watching the garlic grow hoping the bulbs aren't rotted from the rains.  The plants that lined the kitchen and dining room windows are outside.  Basil and parsley were transplanted outside in the kitchen garden along with arugula and lettuce that were started from seed in recycled plastic fruit containers.  Throughout the winter plants in the windows gave me comfort and pleasure but by now they need to be outside as part of spring cleaning.  Peas are popping their little sprouts through the soil in the big garden. I planted spinach, more lettuce and beets but with minimal sunlight who knows what will germinate.  And I'm always on the lookout for vole holes.  H...

Not all refrigerator vegetables drawers are created equal. Cliff is on his way to Bike Week with his fire buddy, Dutch.  To avoid the Daytona Beach drama they'll be riding in the Jacksonville area.  I promised him that while he was away I would do my best  not hurt myself and leave the vacuum in the bathroom closet and the floor mop where it is.  I figured this would be a good time to go through some of my clothes that are too big or too old or I just don't like anymore.  Out went my Harley motorcycle jacket.  I'm never getting on the bike again.  I feel too vulnerable and unsafe.  I really don't even want him riding again but.................  I found a few forgotten things tucked in the back of the closet, now moved to the front, that I hadn't seen in years.  Cliff and I are so predictable with what we wear daily choosing the same comfortable jeans and shirts that we neglect the other clothes.  The other day I told him we need t...