My Shadow

I am very excited, as the weather has finally been nice enough for me to start walking again. It just does something for your spirit and sense of vitality, at least for me. So yesterday, it was a beautiful, sunny morning and I took off on my country roads for a walk. I decided to walk just over a mile to Janelle's house (my step-daughter), as my hubby was cutting off a big dead tree limb over there. I could hear birds singing, there was a slight breeze, it was great!

I was headed East, and I noticed that my long full-body shadow was straight out in front of me. I don't know why that caught my attention. On my way back home, I happened to glance behind me, and sure enough, that shadow was straight out behind me.

A strange thing happened; I all-of-a-sudden remembered a poem I had memorized when I was in grade school. So I started quoting it. I got through most of the first verse, but could only remember bits and pieces of the rest. So of course, I had to google it when I got home. Just in case you've never heard it, I decided to share it with you here.

My Shadow (by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow--
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow.
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup.
But my lazy little shadow, like an errant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

I have a "Heavenly Shadow" who goes in and out with me, walks and talks with me, and sticks close beside me, and I'm so glad He does!

Psalm 121:5-8 The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Walking to Win--Or Is It Walking to Lose?

About 15 months ago I made a commitment to lose some weight.At that time, my two sisters agreedto be accountable for 10 weeks. I decided I really needed to exercise, and so I bought a pair of good walking shoes, and started walking. I actually also got a membership at a fitness center. Of course I also changed my eating habits. I just tried to cut out sweets, regular pepsi ! and tried to limit fat. As a result I was able to lose 20 pounds in those ten weeks. Since that time, off and on I've tried to lose a little more weight. I've definitely fluctuated up a few pounds (or several pounds) and then been able to get back down. But I haven't been able to get below my initial weight loss.

This past week, I decided I really needed to make an all-out effort to lose about 5 more pounds. (I have a 45-year reunion of my nursing class coming up in August, and you know, you just want to try to look your best). I have been walking about 2 miles about 3-4 days a week. So about a week ago I decided to walk every day and really watch my food intake. I had maintained my low weight, but not gone below. Yesterday, I decided I needed to increase my exercise. So I walked 3.25 miles yesterday morning. (I went early as I knew it was going to be 90's with high humidity.). This morning--I was so excited--I was down one pound from my lowest weight! Well, I got so inspired, that this morning, bright and early, I walked 4 miles. It remains to be seen if this strategy is going to continue working.

I thought I needed some additional inspiration, so I decided to see what the Lord had to say about walking. Most of these do not actually refer to physical walking, but while I'm at it, I really should try to get my spiritual walk in shape as well.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise..

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Isaiah 30: 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

Isaiah 40: 31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.

Micah 6: 8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Birthday, Bike, and Bible Memory

Around the end of April I wrote a post about the gal I am mentoring while she is in prison, and her two precious kids. One of the aunts who helps to take care of them called me Thursday, and said they were having a birthday party for R.J. and asked if I'd like to come. She also asked if their Great-grandma, Colleen, would like to come. So I called Colleen and we made arangements to go.

This is the birthday boy, R. J. (for Ramon Jr.) He had been playing and fell, and hurt his hand; he didn't even break the skin, but I showed him how to blow on it to make it feel better--thus his hand is in front of his mouth. It is possibly some kind of tradition, but he had dollar bills that people had given him pinned to his shirt. I noticed as people would come, they would give him a dollar and they would add it to the collection on the shirt. I thought that was interesting.

This is R. J. with his little sister, Nyla. They were really friendly with both grandma and me. we had a chance to play with them a little at their home before going to the party at the park.

They were on "slow time" and the party that was supposed to start at 5:30 pm didn't get started at the park until about 7 pm. It still hadn't gotten very well underway, but Great-grandma and I decided we needed to leave about 8:30 pm. They still hadn't done gifts or birthday cake. (It reminded me of being in Haiti, where no one rushes, and services start "around dusk". )

It hasn't been very good weather for bike-riding, but today was beautiful and fairly calm, and my hubby had put new tires on my "old" bike, so I decided I needed to go for a spin. I was feeling really good for the first half of the trip; coming back I was riding against the wind. I went a total of 5.5 miles. By the time I got back I was hot, sweaty and out of breath. As I walked into the house, my legs felt like jelly. I thought to myself "What a wimp". I really do need to make a regular habit of this and build up both my strength and my distance.

My memory verses for these two weeks are from Phillipians 1:9-11. "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless...to the glory and praise of God."

As I went over these verses this morning, I was just sort of overwhelmed; If I really make this my prayer, what an amazing difference it could make. Oh to have that kind of love, with knowledge and deep insight, and to be able to discern what is truly best: best for me to be doing to serve the Lord, best in my relationships with family and friends, best use of my time. And most importantly, my life would reflect His glory and bring praise to my Lord and God.

As I said, it was an overwhelming thought. As I memorize these verses in the next couple weeks, I also need to begin to really apply them and allow the Lord to use me for His glory and praise.

Excited to Ride

I have been wanting to be able to ride bike, and so I had decided I would start checking garage sales or thrift shops to see if I could find a bike. My hubby said he had one up in the barn and would get it down and fix it up for me. I thought "great!". I even put a "yellow stickie" on the kitchen table with the word "bike" and drew a picture of me riding it. (All of this because he often needs a visual reminder to get something done).

FINALLY, Thursday evening he got the bike down and showed it to me. Let's just say, it was not exactly like one of the new mountain or road bikes in the stores. But He assured me it will work fine. Friday evening he oiled all the gears, etc. on the bike. As you can see from the picture, it is still going to need a little work. But we both tried it out, and it actually rides just fine. Now when I get a really nice day, I'm going to clean it up and see if I can get some of the rust off of it. Any ideas of something that works well to remove rust without a lot of work? Or maybe I'll just try Coke--I think someone told me it takes off rust. (Imagine what it does to our insides!)

So now--no more excuses. Even though it's only about 40 degrees today, it is sunny. So I believe I will take the bike for a premier spin and just hope that I'm not too old to stay upright on a bike. I canceled my fitness center membership for the summer, so I'm hoping this will be a way to keep up with my exercise goals. Walking around my country mile by myself is just plain boring.

[Post-Script]: I just got back from my premier ride, and I learned something. Apparently riding bike does not use the same muscles as walking on the treadmill. I only rode 2 miles (part of it riding into the wind) and my legs are like jelly. When I got back, Lynn looked at my hand grips and said, "No wonder you were working so hard--you had it set on ;high'! Duh! Maybe next time I'll start out in 'low'.

Good Company and Great Exercise

For about 4 months now I have been on a diet. I really needed to lose some weight, but even more than that, decided I needed a healthier life style. I mean, really, I'm not getting any younger! So I joined a fitness center and have been more or less faithful at going there to exercise. However, there have been many days that I have chosen just to walk in the country around my home/neighborhood.

Last night, I got on my walking shoes and told my hubby I was going for my walk. However, I was in for a major surprise. He said, "Would you like me to walk with you?" Well, it's a good thing I don't have dentures, or I would have dropped my teeth! Instead, I just said, "you really mean it?" He proceeded to tell me that he needs to lose about 10 pounds and hasn't been able to do it. So he feels like he needs to increase his activity/exercise. He was afraid I would walk too fast for him, but I assured him I would adjust my pace to his and that I would love to have his company.

We walked about a mile (according to my pedometer) and did it in about 20 minutes, so I didn't even have to slow down very much for him. It was totally enjoyable. There was a big rain cloud forming overhead, and just as we got back to the house it started to rain (actually just sprinkle).

Maybe now that he's made a start, we can make this a regular routine. After all, it's always much more enjoyable to have a walking partner, and even better when it is your partner for life as well.