Captains Log - Day 3 - Isolation and First Day of Spring

Happy Spring! 

A reminder that, after a long and not so cold and snowy winter, there is rebirth and hope. We will get through this corona virus season but I'm not exactly sure if we will ever be the same. 

If you know anyone who is still out partying at spring break or getting together with friends for a corona party, please do whatever you can to convince them to stop and think about how many people they could get sick or kill with their selfishness. They have to realize how serious this is by now. This is not just a bad strain of the flu. 

The majority of us are blessed to have technology and Netflix and all sorts of things to keep us entertained at home. Act like you have the virus and just stay home to save the lives of many. Be a hero. You can save lives and give the doctors and nurses a chance to save more. It's really not that hard. If people don't wise up there will be many more casualties and we will be forced into isolation. 

I'm praying we all survive this terrible season and look forward to the seasons to come on the other side of it. Be safe and stay healthy my friends.

~~~~~

To everything there is a season
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
...
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
...
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, A TIME TO REFRAIN FROM EMBRACING
...
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late
~The Byrds

Peace and Love My Friends!

May Day! May Day!

Happy May Day!

It's almost time to break out the bathing suits for those of us who have struggled through a long cold snowy winter. Spring has finally sprung here in the Northeast and my itchy, watery eyes and non-stop sneezing fits prove that things are bloomin' and pollen is flying everywhere.

I've been dancing around the 150 pound mark but haven't been able to break through to the 140s yet. "They" say that the last 10 pounds are the hardest to lose but I disagree. Every single pound lost is hard and takes effort but it is worth it. I managed to gain 1.3 pounds this week but I'm used to the roller coaster by now and know that it's just how my body fluctuates. I generally have a few good weeks of losses and then a gain.

I'm planning on joining a couple of challenges to keep me motivated and hopefully help me reach my goal this month or next. I'm a very slow loser but I'm getting there, slowly but surely. As soon as I get all the challenge details I'll let you know all about it.

Have a great May Day!

Wordless Wednesday - Spring Edition

Thematic Photographic 97 - Spring Has Sprung

Thematic Photographic was on hiatus for a while but I'm happy to say it's back. This week's theme is "Spring Has Sprung." I love taking springtime photos at the Public Gardens in Boston but, unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate this year and I missed the flowering trees. I was even more disappointed when the strong wind storms destroyed most of the tulips. The lack of flowers forced me to switch off the macro and point my lens in another direction. I'm glad I did because otherwise I wouldn't have gotten this shot which is a little overexposed but I still love it. I don't know the little girl so it was just a fleeting moment I was lucky to catch as she raced by to catch up to her family.

The seasons change so quick around here we often say if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it will change. We've already had temps in the '90s but it was snowing in Vermont on Sunday and there have been freeze and frost warnings the past few nights.

I feel like I'm always rushing around trying to capture the seasons before I miss it and have to wait another year to try it again. I definitely didn't get my fill of snowy pictures this year. I was able to get a few shots of the remaining tulips which you can see here.

You can get all the Thematic Photographic details and join the fun over at Carmi's place at writteninc.

Spring Ahead ...

We lost an hour of sleep today but we get the benefit of more daylight hours so it's a good thing but I always get a little depressed this time of year. I like getting out of work while it is still light out but I hate to see the winter end. It looks like my season is going to end early with the warm temps we had this weekend. It was in the 70s here in Boston and the snow is melting fast up north.


Spring also makes me think how quickly another summer is approaching and if I don't get off my *ss and get serious about this weight loss I am going to end up spending ANOTHER summer trying to keep all my fat covered instead of enjoying the pool and other activities that require minimal clothing.


Just thinking about putting a bathing suit makes me break out in a cold sweat. I'm not brave enough to even try one on right now. Just thinking about it is stressing me out.


I keep making the same mistakes, going round in circles and not getting anywhere. I'm determined to get into a consistent exercise program and getting out of the sugar/carb cycle. I know what those simple carbs and sugar do to my system but I still continue to stuff them in my mouth. What is wrong with me?


I don't have any chance of getting to my goal by the time summer gets here but I can be well on my way to a healthier life if I get down to business and take care of myself, exercise at least an hour 5-6 days a week and stop stuffing my face with crap food.

I'm off to hit the treadmill and elliptical now. As much as I would like to hang on to winter, summer will be here before you know it.

Spring Ahead ...

Most people here in the Northeast look forward to spring, they are sick of the cold weather, they are sick of shoveling snow, they are sick of the heavy coats, scarfs, gloves and all the winter gear they need to pile on everyday but I'm not usually one of them. I have always loved the winter and will wish for a good blizzard or nor'easter. The more snow the better.

I love the way the snow softens the sounds of the city and puts a pure coat of white over the dirty streets making them seem safe and serene. I love to get out and play in the snow more than anything else and most winter weekends I am doing something in the snow. We used to spend our weekends skiing at one Vermont mountain or another where we would always have a great story to tell about some secret trail, a good wipe out or crazy lift ride. As long as nobody gets hurt it is always a blast to spend the day on the mountains. We would fly down some crazy black diamond trails and yell at each other to "go big or go home," or "if you ain't scared, you ain't skiing downhill." I even started snowboarding the past few years and spent lots of time on my *ss but loved every single sore minute of it.

The past few years we have done less skiing and snowboarding and more snowmobiling. We would anxiously await the weekend forecast and pray for fresh snow so we could plan our weekend rides around the best areas. The past few years we've had to trailer the sleds for miles to find the good snow but this year we were blessed and could take advantage of the trails in our own back yard. Cruising down the trials and in the woods on my snowmobile relaxes me, thrills me and gets my heart pumping like nothing else.

When I'm riding I'm not thinking about my stressful job or my battle of the bulge, I'm not thinking of how much weight I need to lose or the size of my thighs, I'm not thinking about all the housework that I need to do or the bills that need to get paid, I'm not thinking about anything except the trail ahead and taking in as much of the amazingly breathtaking scenery as I can. I have perm-a-grin all day long under that helmet and sleep like a baby after a good 150-200 mile day-long ride.

This past month has been incredibly tough because not only have I been playing nurse to B who broke his back but I haven't been able to take advantage of one of the best snowmobile seasons in the past decade. The riding this past month has been pristine and I have been stuck in the dirty, crowded, noisy city trying not to get too depressed about missing out. I'm jealous of everyone out there ripping up the trails and taking advantage of the white gold that finally found its way back to the great white north.

Every year on this day I would be hoping we still get a few of those big spring snowstorms to improve the trail conditions enough to get us through to the end of the season (April 15th) but this year I just want it to be over. I don't want to have to shovel it and deal with the cold if I can't have the joy of going out and playing in it.

Now I know how people who hibernate all winter feel. They just wait for those longer days and rejoice at the site of melting snow. I'm sad to say that I have reluctantly joined that group this year. I'm forced to look forward to next winter when my riding partner is back in the saddle and can join me on the trail again.

I'm not happy about it but I'm springing ahead ...