Kingfisher Trail 3/29/2016

It's been a while since Finn and I hiked Kingfisher Trail in Winton Woods.  It was a nice crisp morning with only a few people on the trail.  A couple walking a dog and 3 young boys on bikes.  Bikes are not allowed on the trails, but I've learned over the years people believe those rules are for other people not for them.  I used to say something to the kids, but they always acted innocent and just kept going any way, so I've given up.  They're just going to do what they want to do any way.

There are 3 portions to this trail.  The lower trail where the first two pictures were taken down by the creek.  There is also an upper portion of the trail.  There is also an "unofficial" portion in between the bottom and top.

I don't know if you can see the tiny yellow flowers among the spring grass, but it looked like a beautiful carpet.  The creek is in the background.

Another shot of the creek farther along the trail.

 This picture was taken from the upper portion.

A lot of the trees in Winton Woods have been cut down due to the Emerald Ash Borer infesting so many of the trees.  This particular tree is one where every year we saw Black Racer snakes sunning themselves in the spring.  Since the tree has been cut down I wasn't sure if we'd still see snakes in the tree.  No snakes today...I looked around in nearby trees and on the ground too.

This picture was also taken from the upper portion.  If you look into the background you can probably see the boardwalk, which is the beginning of the trail on the bottom portion.

The path in the middle of this picture is what I call the "unauthorized" portion of the trail.

Taken from the upper trail.  Another pile of cut down trees.  The forest has really been opened up.  Of course I prefer the canopy of trees...especially during the hot weather.

We usually hike the trail twice.  First in one direction, then turn around and go in the opposite direction.  The lower trail was quite muddy this morning, so on our second time around we decided to take the "unofficial" middle trail back out.  I can always kick off my muddy hiking boots, but I wanted to give Finn's underbelly time to dry out before we got back into the car.  He's such a short little guy.  He sits on an old sheet in the passenger seat.  This is a photo of the beginning of the "unofficial" middle trail.

Finally, the nice bright forsythia bush at the end of our hike near the parking lot.

Easter Sunday/Monday

I've never really been big on Easter. Not so much the Holy Season of Easter, but of the secular holiday of Easter.

Even as a child, I wasn't one who liked to dress in frilly dresses or back in those days, Easter bonnets. My parents always got me a new Easter outfit complete with an Easter bonnet. I was never comfortable in dressy clothes and couldn't wait to get out of them.

I liked candy (still do, especially chocolate) but would just be happy with the candy, forget about the basket and the phony grass. I don't like pastel colors, springtime colors are too subdued. Give me bright and bold!! Any way, Easter has always brought me down a little, maybe it's just due to the emphasis on the secular celebration of Easter. Or maybe I'm just a little weird.

This Easter Sunday though was very nice. Herb and I went to 8:30 Mass at Corpus Christi Church. Although, it was a bit crowded as usual on Easter and Christmas, I wasn't bothered too much by the crowd. I like a bit of elbow room between people, and on Easter and Christmas that is hard to come by.

Herb and I had a nice surprise as daughter, Emily and granddaughter, Emmi showed up for Easter Mass too! After Mass, Herb had to go to work (Boo!), so Emily, Emmi and I headed to Frisch's for Easter breakfast. We had a really nice time, and was surprised that we didn't have to wait to be seated. Emmi wore a pair of bunny ears (she didn't wear them in church.) I thought she was supposed to be the Easter Bunny, but she said she was Louise Belcher!

You be the judge:  Easter Bunny or Louise Belcher?

In the afternoon, I took my dog, Finn for a walk at Winton Woods Park.  Neither of us have gotten a lot of walking in over the winter.  He tore his ACL in November and had surgery, and I felt guilty going for walks without him, so I didn't walk either!  We took our time, and it was a nice sunny warm day.  It felt good to get out after having a couple of back to back colds.  We even saw the rookery where the Great Blue Herons are nesting!

Today, (Easter Monday) Herb and I made a trip to Half Price Books to clear off our book shelves of books we were finished with.  We kept our books separate because I was hoping to make a point with Herb.  He never wants to part with anything and I knew his old outdated computer books probably wouldn't get him much.  He had 4 large bags full of books and they paid him 50 cents for all!!  I felt really bad for him, I thought he might get a little more than that.

I carried in a small easy to carry box of novels, and got $13.00!  Not a king's ransom, but good enough for me.  I was hoping Herb would realize a lot of the stuff he's hanging on to isn't worth much and maybe he will just trash the rest.  Or, perhaps, it will all backfire on me, and he still won't part with the rest because no one appreciates them like he does.  I'll let you know what happens!

I also have a second tab at the top of this page entitled "Fur Kids", I've recently updated that page as well if you'd like to read about my furry kids.

I'm baaaack!

It's been a very long time since I've written anything for my blog.  I figured no one was reading it any way, and I was very busy working and just trying to keep things caught up at home.

I retired in November 2015 due to the type of work I was doing.  I was working full time on a seasonal basis.  I worked there for about 9 months until the work slowed down.  They laid me off then but after about 7 weeks they called me back, but by that time I was enjoying my freedom and decided not to go back.

I was thankful that I had the opportunity to work there, but the work was fast paced and sometimes quite physical.  I appreciated the fact that they tried to keep me off of the physically demanding work as much as possible...since I have bad knees.  However, sometimes that wasn't possible, and I understood that.  Again, they were very kind to me, but I didn't feel I should continue.

I would have liked to have found a part time office position, but at my age, I knew the possibilities of being hired would be low, even though my skills and experience are excellent. 

I interviewed for 2 positions that I really wanted and thought I did very well during the interview process, but did not get the jobs...I believe they wanted someone younger.  One was as a receptionist at a local neuter/spay clinic.  The other was a receptionist at an animal care center.  Oh well...their loss.  I can be upbeat and as much fun as those young whipper snappers!!  (I think that's the way old folks are supposed to talk) Haha!

I will update the rest of my page soon.

Until I log in again...be happy and stay well!!!