Month: May 2024

I think rocks are smarter than I am.

Seriously. I just wrote a post about my latest exercise experience, using the Svelte app. What I failed to realize is that I had such a great workout routine going, so many months ago, doing those back, and core strengthening exercises every night that I had been doing.

So, why did I stop doing them?

Not sure. All I know is that I was able to walk all around the park, and even to the market, and back, without having to stretch every 500 ft. for the entire walk.

So, why a did I stop?

It’s 2am, and I’ve been out, in the living room, on the floor, doing the original back/core strengthening exercises I was doing for weeks. I want to walk the 10,000 steps I’m supposed to walk every day. I want to walk around the park, the market, or to Walmart, and back, pain free.

I’m going to go back to doing what worked so I can drop this weight that doesn’t want to budge, no matter what I do. I’m going back to what worked for me. Period.

‘Nuf said. I’m going back to bed. Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe. Wash, cover, and protect yourselves.

Almost 2 years since we had a bloom on the peace lilies. We’ve got one now, finally.

This plant has been through so much in the last 2 years it’s no wonder it wasn’t able to bloom.

It’s been in the North facing window, behind the washing machine for over a year now, receiving biweekly fertilizer, and is finally going to bloom for me. Only one bloom at the moment, but I’m always hopeful there will be others to join it.

Until next time friends, stay happy, healthy, and safe. Wash, cover, and protect yourselves.

Post script: happy birthday to our daughter.

As of 4/19/24, my “exercise routine”, if one can call it that, has changed completely.

As you may recall, from a prior post, I found several exercises, on line, that help with stretching my lower back muscles, opening up my stiff hips, and strengthening my core muscles.

Well, here’s the thing. I bought a program, several years ago, before retiring actually, called Svelte, run by an RPT named Meredith Shirk. I’ve had the program, as I said, for quite some time, and open it annually.

That’s as far as I ever got.

Until the 19th. I decided that I am going to take my health concerns into my own hands, and finally get back into a decent shape. I’m 2 months shy of 69 years old, but my body feels like I’m closer to 79 years old.

Nuts to that, I say.

So, on YouTube, she has, with 2 other coaches, Gaby, and Greg, short, usually less than 10 minute doable routines that I have been not only participating in, but saving to a playlist, making them all quickly accessible.

I’ve been trying to go to bed between 10pm. and midnight, getting up between 7:30am, and 8:30am. each morning.

I get up, weigh myself, turn on the shower, take my pills, walk to the kitchen, and turn on the kettle, heating water for coffee. By the time I do all of that, the water is finally hot in the shower, so I proceed with my morning ablutions. (A word I’ve never gotten to use before. I love it.)

I have 1, or 2 cups of coffee, work a few of my word games to get the old brain limbered up, then find the latest workout to do on my computer, and do it. When I’ve done my 10 minutes, and have worked up a lovely (clean) sweat, I’m out the door to walk once around the park, or twice if I’m able.

All of the above has been having subtle changes to my large frame, though not all for the best. I’ve developed shin splints. Poor Diana.

Whilst I work through that, however, I still try to walk at least once a day, sometimes twice, and to the market, or all the way to Walmart, and back, twice weekly.

I’m putting in the distance more so on a weekly basis versus daily. At least I’m out of the chair, out of the apartment, and in the sunshine. My tan is coming along nicely with my new summer dresses, and my sandals, so it’s all good.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe. Wash, cover, and protect yourselves.

of wet dirt.

I cannot tell you how wonderful is the smell of freshly watered soil. It was the most motivating factor when tending my gardens back in the US.

Now, I have it here, in the living room.

The smell is, for me, ambrosia. Intoxicating. Sensual. Bewildering, all at the same time.

When I water the few plants that are left in the apartment, they give off the most precious, earthy, heady aroma of which I have never tired.

It is, in all actuality, an aroma, a smell that I find I cannot live without. It fulfills me. It makes me part of who I am.

It wasn’t until recently, while sitting in the living room, at my newest “office space”, having watered the plants only moments ago, that I noticed the scent of which I speak.

It is a scent that those, who have not gardened, in any form, do not know. It is a scent that I have come to love, and anticipate when it is time to water my plants here, in the apartment.

And when I do, my senses come alive. It is a smell, an aroma that can’t be imitated, or

Well, it’s probably why I kill all of my plants- from overwatering! Not funny, but probably true. Unfortunately for the plants, but so good for me.

Until next time, please, stay happy, healthy, and safe. Wash, cover, and protect yourselves.