Goings-On, Part Deux

The day after my aunt collapsed, she looked better and threw me a smile. I can't even explain how ridiculously good that made me feel...

I've also been thinking about this tweet a lot.

A neighbor of mine died suddenly yesterday, not even 40. Today I learned a friend has cancer.  Please live life like you mean it.

— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) January 25, 2017

Was on social media last night and saw a yoga class advertised at a studio that I've only been to once a while ago but decided that I would practice yoga then walk around Forest Park but got to the studio and the class was canceled so I went straight to Forest Park.

Listened to the rest of episode two, Gregor, of the Heavyweight podcast and then I listened to an episode of  Yoga Revealed. I'm really enjoying both podcasts.

How is it that I've never heard of Moby who was featured in the Gregor episode?...

I love taking on the trail at Forest Park; it's like an unofficial and short marathon route. I also have a lot of gratitude that I'm able to walk for that long with no real issues.

Police Horse Stables

Looks Like Winter but...

The Formerly Blue Shoes

A Record 18,000 + Steps (7.30 miles acc'd to Garmin)

One of my favorite #LastNightInSweden tweets:

#lastnightinsweden I ate shrimp, drank some wine and counted my lucky stars I don't live in the US.

— Ida Grasman (@IdaGrasman) February 19, 2017

...Float Until

The weather was stunning on Friday so Forest Park beckoned and I walked around it for two hours and thought about how much I like the park that that includes several museums, an outdoor theater and a zoo.

Forest Park

Listened to several podcasts including Radio Hour: Phone Call, Flamenco, Surprise Party from The Moth. I haven't finished the episode but got goosebumps listening to Auburn Sandstrom's tale...

A colleague once suggested that I go for a float and I poo-pooed the idea saying that I'd rather go for a massage than a float until... I saw a group coupon for a float. I had some misgivings but booked a float for yesterday evening.

Opened the door and set off the wind chimes. I was immediately sucked in by the decor and the soft music.

Got my instructions, took a shower and got in float tank number two. Really didn't know how I was going to do with the door to the float tank closed but I did just fine. The ten minutes of music that eases you into sensory deprivation is such a smart idea.

It didn't take long before I got a bit emotional. Also kept thinking about that silly Dalai Lama joke.

One of the things that stays with me is the number of times I was able to breathe so deeply. Often, during yoga classes, I feel like my breaths are so choppy and abbreviated.

Before Enya piped into my suite, I was also struck by the sound of my beating heart...

Took another shower then went to the relaxation room to have tea and to read the Far Side.

Relax and Enjoy Life -- Sign in Relaxation Room

This cartoon from the Far Side made me think of an artist that I know.

Around The Park

Took a long walk around Forest Park (Forever). Kind of joked, to myself, that it was taking me forever to get around the park but, in reality, the weather was perfect and my body felt really good and at ease except for a tweak in the ball of one foot.

Listened to The Moth (?), Snap Judgement's "Quick Fix," Slate's Working (How Does a Porn Star Work?) and my workout playlist: Burnin' Up, Good Feeling, I Don't Like It, I Love It etc. as I made my way around the park.

Later on in the day, went to gentle yoga which was just what I needed. During savasana the teacher said Your body deserves your love. True dat...

Could Be

Forest Park

Woke up hard and didn't feel like moving but I think that's my usual Sunday thing. I go into a slug mode state of mind thinking that I can slow down time and delay Monday.

I want to get back to walking the 6.29 mile trail around Forest Park on the weekend so...

Attire stumped me at first. Couldn't find a pair of shorts with pockets then looked in the plastic storage bin under my bed to re-examine a few shorts. One was a pair of Sport-Hills that I had gotten on sale at REI Outlet online specifically for hot yoga. At the time I didn't like them because they made a swish swish sound. I suppose that some of the blame could be attributed to my thick thighs or maybe it's the polyester, nylon, spandex material. At any rate, I like them now and they have three pockets. Guess I lucked out two years ago because I don't see any Bermuda-length Sport-Hills anymore.

My head felt less foggy and I felt energized after being out in nature and listening to podcasts. Dori Samadzai Bonner's asylum story tugged all at the heartstrings. Didn't finish listening to the A Way With Words "Feeling Gruntled" episode but learned about the phrase balloon juice and I like it: a lot of talk with no substance; empty talk; noisy talk. Balloon juice talkers are the worst.

The Back Burner

After being on my own at work for over three weeks, I decided to have "Treat Yo Self" Friday.

And how do I treat myself? I got more activewear of course. Headed to JC Penney right after work and got the shirt below in anticipation of walking the 6.29 trail at Forest Park knowing that it was going to be above 90 degrees. Sure, I have an outdated sleeveless shirt but I wanted a new one. Hardly wear sleeveless shirts but I'm trying to stay cool and put my concerns about body scars on the back burner... Actually, I burned myself with the iron on Friday morning so put another check in the scar column.

Alison and I hit the park at 9:30 a.m. and it was already toasty but we marched on and survived. Spotted someone barbecuing and I said that there's no way that I would barbecue on a day like today and Alison said Not unless I had on an ice cube suit.

Segways at rest in front of MO History Museum

Good Notes and Roads

The Road To The Zoo/Forest Park

The morning started on a good note and I was set to meet Alison at Forest Park for a walk when I made a rookie mistake.

Decided to take the highway instead of traveling through the streets and it cost me 40 minutes. Felt bad for Alison who could have walked three miles by the time I arrived. It was frustrating as I was only about a fourth of a mile away and you could see the situation devolve. This passenger in the car in front of me kept getting out and dropping "F" bombs. The lanes collapsed and, as I finally made progress toward exit, a cop on a horse arrived but he definitely needed back-up.

Managed to shake off my frustration  and we walked the 6.29 trail and we have the aching feet to prove it.

The traffic jam definitely made me have sympathy for people who commute long distances...

Road to Jewel Box, Forest Park

I've been getting rid of old magazines and, of course, I have to re-read some.  Didn't remember the article about Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings* and it was interesting to find out that she used to be a corrections officer because she didn't think it was realistic to pursue a music career being one of six kids raised by one parent.

Once Jones decided to pursue a career in music, she was told that she was "too fat, too short and too black." Ouch.

Tried to find the O: The Oprah Magazine article only to find that Jones battled pancreatic cancer...

Was on Twitter last night and came across this compelling photo and it reminds me of those Coretta Scott-King, Myrlie Evers, Betty Shabazz funeral photos.

Malana Pinckney glances at President Barack Obama at service honoring her father, the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney. pic.twitter.com/EsTlI3pIo5

— Stephen Crowley (@Stcrow) June 26, 2015

*Totally know that this is one of Gingerzingi's favorite groups.

Turning Down Awesome

The Day Without Rain, Forest Park

Did something that I have not done in a long time -- the 6.29 mile trail around Forest Park. I walked it without much whimpering but later in the day I had challenges walking because my left calf muscle was very tight...

Today is International Day of Yoga and I wanted to mark the occasion. Joy posted on Facebook that she was having a free 11:00 a.m. class to celebrate the first IDY.

11:00 was perfect because it was raining and I could have slept forever. I was delighted and dismayed by the rain since there's been so much of it lately.

Had mixed emotions about yoga too. I've been sad and yoga usually makes me feel better but...

Cried my way through class. My intention was Rodney King-ish -- Can we all just get along?

At one point during class, Joy came over and wanted to adjust my strap -- one end was on the ball of my foot and the other was around my head. I can make that feel awesome for you she said but I turned Joy down because I knew that if she touched me I would lose it -- more than I'd already lost it.

A friend of Joy's who is a swami came for IDY and took over the final pose. Her guided relaxation/meditation was awesome. The oms, shantis and mantra heightened the experience and soon as I walked out of the studio, I started bawling...

I am so sad about the Charleston massacre and Charleston makes me think of my half-brother that got, for all intents and purposes, executed. Thinking of my half-brother makes me think of my father and on and on.

And I probably should not have listened to How Does A Hospice Nurse Work?, A Slate at Work podcast. Think I would like nurse Kathy Kuencer though. One of her answers: I am not in the business of judging.

Forest Park

Free Walking

Got ready for yoga and bicycling in an impressive 30 minutes. All was well until the Squeezer -- the woman who likes to squeeze in between mats and the Perfumey One started working my nerves. I had a discussion with myself about not slipping into a mood so easily -- especially when I'm sitting on my yoga mat.

Post-Namaste, Alison and I headed to Forest Park for a spin. Forest Park is gorgeous. There's a gravel lane for walkers and a paved one for cyclists but, somehow, the bicycling real estate seems slim.

MO History Museum, Forest Park 

Giraffe in Animal Always Sculpture (Albert Paley)

Alison asked me about the whereabouts of my new trainers. I told her that I didn't buy the orange shoes. I had tried them on. Kind of like them; they feel superb but, yeah, they are kind of loud even though the 'Fugee thinks that I can get away with them since I wear a lot of dark clothing.

Also went for a walk and listened to The Moth's Live in Boston show. The theme? High Anxiety. Steve Burns served as MC and asked each of the storytellers What is your happy place? What calms you down? For Nina Mitchell, taking walks in Boston Common calms her down. About her physical therapy, Mitchell says I was the first to graduate to a wheelchair then a cane then to free walking... I let the idea of free walking roll around in my mind.

Stuff that calms me down in no particular order: walking, yoga, massage, acupuncture, energy work, reading, bubble baths...

Thought about the 'Fugee yesterday when I burned myself in three places. For first degrees burns, they sure did smart. I told the 'Fugee how my brother described physical therapy as torture and she relates. The 'Fugee is looking forward to free walking again.

The Yoga Place and The Wedding Place

Jessica and David, two of my climbing buddies, got married today at the exact time as one of my fave yoga classes, ha-ha.

I thought about going to a class right before the wedding which was totally doable since the yoga place and the wedding place are about three minutes away from each other but the alternate class was a warm one and I am finished with heated yoga classes. Plus, I am over, to a certain extent, trying to squeeze things in just because I can.

Jessica and David's wedding was at the Jewel Box in beautiful Forest Park. In case you haven't heard, Forest Park is twice as big as Central Park. :)

I love the minimalist and lovely approach that Jessica and David took toward their wedding and I love it that Jessica was accompanied down the aisle by Mike and Patti.

When the minister said David, you chose Jessica...I was like Damn, I forgot to put tissue in my purse.

Jessica and David are such incredible people. To say that I wish them the best is an understatement...

The Rough Guide To A Fit & Active Holiday Weekend

Friday

Take a break and don't ignore what massage therapist said about hip. End exercise streak at 64 days and get rest.

Saturday

Ride on Grant's Trail and brake for pedestrians.

Sunday

Go to The St. Louis Riverfront Trail.

Take an extra shirt.

Put on sunscreen.

Don't forget sunglasses, MP3 Player and snack.

Chill out...

Don't freak out because your starting point was the Arch and, now, it's so small that you can barely see it.

Look at Riverview memorial.

Be reminded of one closer to home.

Monday

Hug the bed a little longer, forgo bicycling and get back in touch with the wonder that is Forest Park.

Check out the tree losing bark.

Stop and smell the chipmunk.

Check out the algae.

Revel in the joy of moving about...

Ponder the I Love Women t-shirt worn by woman: Intimate love or love in the Alice-Walker-I-Don't-Fear-Women's Culture-Way?

Were you fit and active this weekend? Did you hug the bed a little bit longer? Hope so...

I Stand Accused

My mother called me a haint.

haint [ haynt ]


noun

Definition:

Southern U.S. ghost: a ghost or other phenomenon believed to be supernatural

One of my friends told me that I have forsaken family and friends for exercise.


My brother feigns surprise whenever he catches me at home.


And my cousin said something like I bet you went rock climbing when she asked about a fish fry that I was absent from.

I'm so grateful that I'm not as defensive as I used to be.

A couple of episodes ago on The Biggest Loser, Ashley said that people were sneaking away to get in exercise. I feel like I have to sneak away sometimes especially when I want to double my exercise efforts.


On the other side of the world, when my mother saw how devoted I was to exercise, she started taking water aerobics classes which helps with her arthritis and achy knees.


My brother called me the incredible shrinking woman and my friend recently asked me to show her some exercises for her abs since she is having persistent back problems. So, there we were on a Friday night working on our abdominal muscles.


I wish that I could have the fish fry back. My aunt is prone to cook large amounts of fried fish, fried hush puppies, fried okra etc. and, when I mentioned that to her, she said How could you think that I did not consider you? My aunt had baked some fish for me. I definitely wanted a do-over on that one.


And my cousin?


When I started this journey, I walked and walked. I was reading Prevention and saw and ad for a marathon and I started training to walk in a marathon because I had heard of people losing weight this way.

As I walked in Forest Park, an aunt joined me then my cousin joined us.

The three of us participated in the 2008 Go! St. Louis Marathon.


My cousin got a scare recently when the doctor told her that her blood sugar was elevated which was definitely cause for concern since my cousin's father and every last one of his siblings has diabetes.

Last Sunday my cousin, aunt and I were sitting on the couch talking and my cousin said that she went to the doctor and all of her tests, including cholesterol and glucose, showed improvement.

Thank you, she said. If it had not been for you, I would not have started going back to the gym.

I almost fell off the couch.

My cousin has lost 21 pounds since she rejoined a gym about a year ago.

I stand accused. Sort of...

More Than Sportsmanship

Started my day off by going for a refreshing bicycle ride while it was still cool and crisp in the one and only Forest Park but I had to hop off my bike when I saw the hot pink dog. First, I had to do a double-take since my mind goes in slow motion a lot. At first, I was kinda of shocked by the dog but, in retrospect, I dig the picture because of the diversity and because all the dogs seem well-cared for...

Before I headed to Forest Park, I saw this little bird -- the same little bird that I've seen for a couple of days and I finally saw where she was headed with her raw materials.


I caught this segment on the evening news yesterday and was touched by the U.S. Women's synchronized skating team who learned that the Croatian team was stuck at the airport due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. As the newscaster said, they offered more than sportsmanship; the U.S. team offered the Croatian team a place to stay. The same can be said for a family who offered to house a family of seven from North Ireland. The American family said they knew what it was like to be stranded at the airport as they once were in South Africa.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I also need to say that I didn't even know there was a synchronized skating team. If I were on Twitter right now, I would use this hashtag #livingunderarock.




Another segment on yesterday's evening news moved me as well. It's about Cesar Morales who is giving back by teaching fencing to individuals who are visually impaired.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I don't know about you but I'm inspired and I'm going swimming...

I Was Ray Allen

I rowed, climbed, swam and I was Ray freakin' Allen. I was hitting so many three pointers that I shrugged à la Michael Jordan. I want someone to vote for me so that I can participate in the NBA's All Star game -- the three point shootout, please.



I did layups to burn more calories and felt like the joggler. Maybe because the joggler's been on my mind since I spotted him in Forest Park.

I had a funky fitness adventure y'all but, dang, I just got home and I am the fitness equivalent of intoxicated.

Moving Through Forest Park

As Paul D says of Sethe in Morrison's Beloved, Forest Park is a friend of my mind; it moves me. It is where I initially shed pounds. I also resolved many dilemmas while walking the 6.2 trail there. I returned to Forest Park as a cyclist and not a walker today.

Mile two was challenging. I don't know if it was a subtle hill, my bike or what but I struggled and felt as if I was going in slow motion.

By Skinker and Clayton, there is a major descent. I don't think that I touched the pedals for an entire mile or, at least, until I got by the zoo -- close to where the zebras reside. I must say that it was quite exhilarating whipping along that section. Yes, I know; it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. I did the 6.2 miles in about forty minutes. So, I decided to bike from Union to Forsyth again. I do like to go for an hour.

I saw this woman, Fabiola, that I know. She's batty too. Her exercise of choice was inline skating and all I could see was skin and no wrist or knee pads but she looked liked she was holding her own.

Here, I paused to eat my Raisin Almond Soyjoy and take a sip of water.


On the way back home, I saw the Harris Stowe State University band practicing. I wanted to stop and listen to the free concert for awhile. It was a beautiful day for a band to play and it was a beautiful day for bicycling too.

Still Bicycles and Such

I woke up much earlier than I wanted and since I was not drowsy at all, I fell out of bed, ate some oatmeal and headed to Forest Park. There was a breeze the entire time, the temperature was ideal and I walked for about two hours.








I can't wait to see the lily pads when they bloom and I don't know why I'm so drawn to still bicycles. I was walking, noticed the bikes plus the couple that was making the scenery even more poetic and I just had to backpedal and get a picture.

When I got home, I was stunned to see that I had a V of darker skin.


It wasn't warm at all but that just goes to show you that the sun should not be taken lightly.