day 3 of 18

Clearly I need to keep my camera in my coat pocket.

Another short walk, but I did go out. I mailed my Christmas cards, delivered some art work to Farinon, and took the scenic route back to my office.

I took all the leftover cookies and cupcakes to work today. They were gobbled up. Yeah. Less in my belly.

Today I've done 12 flights, but barely 6K steps.

Tomorrow I plan to do the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk. The box is out of instructions. Soon I'll have to deliver cards and cookies. I'll be sure to take my camera. The ethnic tree festival is at the start point!

devising a plan

I did go out at lunchtime and walked. It was probably just over a mile. But I did it. A couple houses were decorated for the holidays and it gave me an idea. You, dear readers, will hate it. But here goes.

Every day from now to New years I will take a walk, no matter how short. While I'm out I will take one picture of Christmas (Hanukkah, Kwanza, Solstice ... ) decorations. Then post it along with the route. It will keep me accountable. It will make go out. Maybe, just maybe, it will get me back in the habit.

The pictures might be of beauty or kitchy. Inside or outside. But no creepy elves on shelves. Promise.

Today's photos were taken on College Hill in Easton.

This Christmas cactus is in my office window. It's been blooming since Thanksgiving.

tibetian monks

The monks are back. This time they are on the Lafayette campus. So yesterday I decided to walk over and see the sand mandela.

The campus is awash in Tibetian flags blowing in the wind. And national flags because it's international student month. The quad was pretty.

 The first thing I encountered was this couch. The lawn was filled with people enjoying the sun. Every chair was filled. Not this couch. The sign says "the conversation couch". They want you to have a dialogue about faith issues. Clearly nobody was interested.

When I arrived a Hogg Hall they told me to take off my shoes. These are my type of people. Sadly, they were giving a lecture so I couldn't see the mandela. I stayed for awhile and then finished my walk.

unsafe at any speed

Wasn't that the name of a Ralph Nader book form the 70s? Hmmm. In this case it pertains to walking.

The official total for Monday's storm was 8 inches. Tuesday I had two classes and driving wasn't horrible. Snow is fairly easy to clean up.

Wednesday we were hit with two to three inches of Wintery Mix—rain, ice, hail, sleet, snow—basically Mother Nature dropped her Slurpee and we got to clean it up. I had to dig out and dust off my Wellies. It was wet and sloppy and really, really heavy.

 Quad and Library, Lafayette College, Wednesday

I went to work for the delayed 11 am opening and by the time I arrived, we closed. But I stayed. It took 45 minutes to get there. I parked on the parking deck again, and walked to my office. Some sidewalks were still not done. Four of us showed up. When I received news at two that my classes were cancelled that night, I came home and shoveled the next round of Slurpee. Overnight, the Slurpee froze into a brick.

Thursday it was a skating rink—my neighborhood still is. Classes were on, and I went. Once I arrived on a main road it wasn't too bad. And the sidewalks at the College weren't bad either. Since it was unsafe in the 'hood to walk I walked around my building, went to the Classroom Center, and looped around there.

Friday, I usually walk with Betsy in Allentown. She called at 7:30 and said her road—and development—was still a sheet of ice. Walking was off. It was probably for the best because I had another walk to do. Saturday was to be the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk.  I received this email from the president. "Let me know on Friday if you think it is safe to do the walk on Saturday."

So instead of walking with Betsy, I did part of the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk.  My report.

"Just came back from doing the 6K.

Background: we had 8.5 inches of snow on Monday, and 3 inches of slush on Weds. Then the temp dropped and the 3 inches of slush turned to a brick.

My vote is to cancel.

The 6K could be doable, but some of the intersections are really bad, and the Greenway has not been done yet.  —since it's 3 inches of frozen slush—you don't sink, you walk on top. (The city is still cleaning out parking meters. I think parks are last on the to-do list.)

The Comfort Suites is fine, and walking up Brodhead there is one bad block that wasn't shoveled at all (the side of Gene Diamonds old store.) before the school.

From the school thru Lehigh and back to the Greenway is as good as it can be. But nothing is melting because it's too cold.

The Greenway has not been done yet—it's 3 inches of frozen slush—you don't sink, you walk on top. (The city is still cleaning out parking meters. I think parks are last on the to-do list.) I found it very strenuous. And falls are a distinct possibility.

The casino, arts quest and back to the bridge are as good as they can be. Actually the casino and ArtsQuest are really good.

The 10K is not doable. They plowed all the snow onto the sidewalk of the bridge ramp. Again, clearing that is probably a low priority. I just turned around and went back to the hotel.

A little while later we received this email "Gayle our POC just checked out the walk. It is unsafe due to bad footing."

That's fine. I'll do the 30/30 event in Slatington tomorrow. I can take my snowshoes, right? Nope. A few minutes later I got this email from Tail on The Trail

"The special event scheduled for Saturday, February 8, has been postponed.
 
Due to icy trail and access road conditions around the Nature Center, tomorrow's event has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2014, at 10 am (weather and conditions permitting). Location to be determined. ..."

I can't go. I'm doing a Warm Hearts 5K that day. It's for heart research, and it is Jarrod's birthday.

Sunday I am doing Tri-To-Help, and indoor triathalon in Lancaster. And there's another storm on the horizon.  

Clearly, this winter, it's unsafe to walk at any speed.

must. stop. eating. frozen. treats.

It has been beautiful the past two or three days in the Lehigh Valley. Perfect weather for walking. No excuses allowed.

Today at lunch my colleague and I walked down to center square, and back. I wish I would have taken my camera. The new Crayola Experience exterior is visually terrific. (I borrowed this pix Lydia took a couple weeks ago from her FB page!). Actually that whole block is starting to come back to life. I love when a city revitalizes.

The alley side of the building is a huge Crayola mural. Next time we walk down I'll take the camera.

While I was walking I planned an Easton walk for the Volkssporters. I bet it's a 10K, or darn close. We'll see.

We headed down Bank Street to go to the Purple Cow Creamery. Bank Street Creamery. Same place. New name. Long story. They weren't open yet. Whoo Hoo. Calories saved! we turned the corner and discovered Frozenlandia. It looked like a chain, but it's locally owned and operated. Just one store. Could have fooled me. Frozen yogurt has to be slightly more healthy than ice cream. Less fat at least. They have these huge cups and they sell by the ounce. It's self serve. 49 cents an ounce. You could easily have a $10 cup if you are not careful. Especially when adding toppings. Mine was a hair over 4 ounce. I mixed pomegranate raspberry with wild, wild berry. It tasted like pomegranate and strawberry. Quite lovely. but I must stop eating frozen treats. It's becoming a habit. All walks lead to a frozen treat.

After dessert—I still hadn't eaten lunch—we had to walk back up College Hill. Hopefully that burned two or three of the calories I just ate.

Tuesday and Wednesday we also walked around College Hill. Last night I went to Zumba. The people are always the same. I really only know one persons name beside the instructor. Last night a woman came up to me with a pretty accent. She also walks, and apparently often follows me, but can't catch up. She asked where "I lived" and I said "Bishopthorpe". "So do I" she replied.  "One way or two way side"? "One way" and she gave me the number. We live about a half block from each other. We'll be walking home together from now on. But not the next two weeks. No Zumba. Gladys is on vacation.

No walk with Betsy and Bonnie tomorrow. I've borrowed a child and am going to Muhlenberg Summer Theatre's Suessical. Can't wait.

photography

Today I put 11K on my pedometer, and never left campus.

Early this morning I walked over to Reprographics to drop off paper. I'm making, rather they made, me sketchbooks from my excess paper. Mom would be proud of my frugality.

An hour later, we headed out to take pictures. The Quad has been renovated and all the pixs I'm using in the self-guided tour have the old sidewalks. Everything is now brick. After shooting the building on campus, we headed down the stairs to town, and shot the downtown arts campus. Then the worse part. We had to walk back up College Avenue. Thankfully some of it was shaded. We were gone about an hour.

Then, I realized we forgot a shot, and at lunch time, I walked to get that photo.

Finally, I walked home from the carpool drop-spot.

It's 5 pm and 91 degrees. Last week at this time it was 47. The humidity is set to arrive tomorrow.

It must be warm. My roomie has one window open, and has taken off her blankie. The minute she goes to bed, the fans go on.

Tomorrow we walk with Betsy. Need to remember plenty of water.

Saturday is the Kreidersville 5K challenge. It's supposed to be the height of the heat wave. It will certainly be a challenge.

apparently it's equality day on campus.

I went for my lunchtime walk on campus and people were carrying t-shirts.

Then I realized that they were rainbow colored and I figured QuEST (gay student group) was having an event.

They are indeed.

Almost every building I passed had either rainbow flags or rainbow flags and a table of free t-shirts.

It says The LGBTQ Agenda and the first thing is funny — get off Facebook, find a free washer, study for exams — the second is Equality.

Though I'll be in class for the rally. I took a purple t-shirt. Sadly pink is not in a rainbow.  The back features a rainbow made of the campus sponsors.

Not often I can go for a walk and come back with free stuff.

dead last but finished

It's my lot, what can I say. Did I mention that there was only four walkers?

This 10K was to buy tricycles for differently able children. I didn't know they came in so many varieties. Some even had a single handle on the back so a able-bodied person could hold on to them.What is really cool is that the bikes are there for the kids when the race is over. After each child is called up and claims the bikes, they get fitted, get helmets, and get to be part of the kids race. Really. That would bump my confidence up a zillion percent.

The 10K is on the Ironton Rail Trail loop, and part of the spur. Lydia couldn't make it, she had to work. But Jillian and I walked it with another pair from Hazleton's Seasons Change event. They were scouting out the organization of the race and maybe whether doing a 10K walk was possible. Right now they have a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 3 bike routes of varying distances. But the really cool part is walkers are eligible for awards! We have to kick up our speed this summer. It says it's a flat and fast route. In Hazleton?

Near the beginning of the race we picked up the bike sweep-guy. He followed us the whole time. About half way, two more joined him. Really we didn't need three guys escorting us.

Last year I finished in 1:43:58.  I thought it was 1:42 plus change. This year I finished in 1:41:05. Jillian finished in 1:40:55, I think.

Speaking of Jillian, the real Jillian Michaels is doing a lecture/motivation tour. One of the stops is Philly. I checked out ticket prices. Way too steep for me. Clearly I haven't bought lecture tickets in a long time. Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair and Jane Goodall are free this month at Lafayette. (No tickets left, sorry.) Clearly more important people than Jill. No offense Jill.

I have not mad my 70000 steps for this week, so I have to go out and do another 2.5 miles. Oh, goodie. I think I'll go them at Giant and get my groceries at the same time.

Tomorrow is the 10 mile race in Harrisburg. My upper thigh and knee hurt a lot today since the race. I hope I can make the 10. I will finish. I'll just crawl. We leave at 6 am.

Walking was supposed to beat off arthritis at the door clearly, it isn't working.

art walk

I'm in Easton today doing job #1, graphic designer. Everyday we walk on campus or on College Hill. It looks beautiful this first day of spring, but the wind is cold.

Today's walks had purpose. First stop, Skillman Library for (free!) lunch and a lecture on illustrator Frank E. Schoonover. Part of the Pyle school, his work is ultra realism, and reminds me a lot of NC Wyeth. Food was good, and the lecture was great. A former schoolteacher, she used a pointer. I am making one this week for my classes. I'm going to wrap a 3 foot dowel with scraps of yarn. Hers was plain wood. There's nothing in my life that is plain.

After the lecture I walked thru the library looking at the book art, the Schoonover show, and a WWI exhibit by Christy. Good day in the library. There was also a sign for edible book contest. Think I'm going to do it. But what book. Hmm.

I left the library and headed to the Williams Arts Center. I had a meeting on the second floor on a book project. Then down to the lobby for a display of masks and Curlee Holton's exhibit in the gallery.

Sadly, after all the art, I had to walk back to work. I took the scenic route.

All images borrowed from lafayette.edu.

the masons have been busy on campus

The stone masons and brick layers have been busy on campus. In the master plan it's called "greening" the campus. But eliminating roads and bricking sidewalks is making it much more pedestrian friendly.

Campus has been a mess for months and I haven't walked there much. Usually taking to college hill instead. But it was beautiful today and most of the construction is done, so I decided to do another walking photos essay.

Of course, I was shooting into the sun.

At Cattell Street and McCarthy, I think, is the president's house. The property has always had a three foot or so stone retaining wall around it. Now, as you turn the corner you see this huge sign. The masons did such a great job you can't tell where old and new meet.

 This is the circle in at the west side of Pardee. Notice the rounded curbs. The gutters also also banked so that the water run into the street instead of collecting at the curb. People who walk appreciate these touches.

 One section of the Quad. This used to be a road.

 Quad on the Pardee side.

 Courtyard in front of Pardee. Used to be parking spaces.

 Stairs leading to Quad and Skillman Library.

 Courtyard in front of Watson. Okay, this was done last year. There used to be a road that went all the way back and around and parking spaces. Now there isn't.

 Even the interestions got bricked.

 I get easily distracted. Type carved in stone. Looks art deco.

New entrance from High (I think) street. In front of the theatre. It will mirror the brick and iron that is other places on the campus.

 The other side of the entrance in front of the health center.

New dorms meant to blend in with the neighborhood. (March and Cattell) Big fail. They are twice the size of the houses. But they get points for trying. These were open in time for the fall term.

Hope you enjoyed your tour!

a walk in the snow.

It's snowing. Too bad you can't see my happy dance.

I love snow. Even more now that I only have to shovel one walk.

So we decided to walk today at lunchtime in the snow. Then go to the benefits fair at the college center. We mostly went for lunch. Savory root slaw with carrots, rutabaga, turnips, celery root and daikon radishes. No sugar in this dressing. I could have ate the whole bowl. There was also couscous and barley salad with spinach, and mushroom, tomato, mozz, carmelized onions and basil on a pretzel rolls. No sugar in anything. I have to trust them on that. They gave me recipes, not nutrition facts.

We ate, and walked around. Since I'm part time, I don't need to talk about bennies. I have none. The line was long for BP. But I just did that Tuesday at the doctor. So I'm fine. Usually I wouldn't turn down that opportunity. Those of us without health insurance take whatever we can get for free.

Warren Hospital was doing Hologic Heel screenings. It tests for Osteoporotic and Osterpenic. They put my foot in this contraption, strapped it down and it told me I was normal—.07. Frances Hendricks' daughter is nether osteoporotic and osterpenic—I got her arthritis and her high blood pressure, but not her crappy bones. Glory be.

I don't know how long we were walking—we took the scenic route back—but we finally did come back to work.

We didn't walk especially fast, it was quite slippery and neither of us had the correct shoes on. My right shoe, actually, has a leak. Time for a walk to the show repair!

hurricanes, halloween and pumpkin cookies

The weather people have been in a tizzy for a week about Hurricane Sandy hitting the mid-Atlantic. It looks like she'll arrive tonight and tomorrow.

What have I done to prepare? Nothing. I went for a walk instead. Alone. A fat girl has her priorities.

I walked to Bottom Dollar. Apparently during last year's storm, with the back injury, I forgot to process pumpkin and put it in the freezer. How could that have happened? I had to buy canned pumpkin—the first time ever.

Why cookies? Why now? I have five international host students, from two schools, and I needed to make them a trick or treat. I thought pumpkin cookies were seasonal and not-holiday specific. Four are Chinese and one is from Yeman. Tonight I'm picking up Zahra and taking her to the Eid celebration at the Lafayettel. I thought I'd deliver the others today, just in case the storm does hit.

The walk to the store was fairly short. It's only about a mile one way, and maybe a mile and a half back. The route is a triangle. But it was good to get out.

I'll walk more when we get to campus. I want to show Zahra some of Easton and the Lafayette campus.

Not the normal five or six miles we get on a weekend, but not bad for a pre-Frankenstorm.

got stuck in a meeting

And missed my Sculpt and Tone class at the college's gym. Hopefully next week. It's described as a full body workout. A fitness toning class that uses low weight and high repetitions to effectively sculpt and tone the body's major muscle groups.

My colleagues said today was lots of crunches. I can't do a crunch to save my soul.

there is a dress barn at the casino!

The casino in town has a mall. I guess it's a high end outlet mall. If that's the case I don't understand why Dress Barn is there. But it doesn't matter. It's there. It is my favorite store to buy clothes and I can walk to it—that should keep the binge purchases down. You are looking at one fat girl in heaven!

This week has been a series of little walks and Zumba. Nothing exciting.

I did go to Zumba Wednesday night. It was hot. Very hot. I still only did maybe a third of it. I am just not that coordinated. But I will try at least one more time.

Thursday I had a meeting at Gilbert's on campus and took the scenic route there and back. I could have stayed all day. We talked about the project—a book filled with photos of dead pigeons—for ten minutes and talked the rest. Part way in we were joined by the college archivist. It was my kind of meeting.

I usually walk from a drop-off point from the car pool. But I was a lazy butt and had them drop me off at home. The heat was on.

Friday I did not walk with Betsy. We decided that an afternoon walk in 100 degree weather was crazy. And they were calling for violent storms. Instead, I did a morning, two mile flat walk with Bonnie down at the Steel. The storms never came, but it did rain hard a couple of times. Later in the afternoon the power went off. In the dark for a hour and a half, I went for Chinese for dinner.

Today, Sharon, Lyd and I went for 2.66 miles, around the steel, the casino and a section of the Greenway that we've never walked on. The extension to Hellertown is being worked on. Can't wait to walk the whole thing. It will meet with the Saucon Valley Trail, and then with the Coopersburg trail. Being noisy, I trip over a guide wire at the Skatepark.

I did every walk in my Birks. It was heaven.

six degrees of torture

Today was the first day of Sun Rise Power Class at the College gym. We started work an hour late to go. So much for sun-rise!

It was torture, surrounded by torture and finished with torture. And muscular skinny people. Envision a room full of perky Jillian's.

I went thinking I could do half the stuff. I did maybe a third. It was hard and I am unfit. I couldn't even do a jumping jack. A jumping jack for Pete's sake. I did them all the time as a kid.

The first part of the workout was arms, with weights. I used 2 pounds. I could do the arms, or the feet, but putting the two together didn't work.

The next section popped back and forth between standing and on the mat. By the time I got down, or got up, they had often moved to something else. I am not agile. When I was in sync, I did three half pushups. I stayed on my knees, not my toes.

Now if I was still doing my Fat Butt exercises I could have maybe done more, but probably not. So you are in a plank, on your hands and toes, and you start kicking out to the left and the right without killing yourself or someone else. Then there was another called the grasshopper. Again you were on you toes and hands, and you rolled up and down somehow. I still haven't figured out how. At one point I just laid on the mat. I wanted to cry.  But I didn't.

My new goal, to be able to get to half by the end of the six weeks. Maybe practice getting up and down. That would increase my productivity.

I think the lame squats I did killed my knees. Dang they hurt. Maybe gym day will be Aleve day.

My favorite part of the workout was the walk to and from the gym and climbing all the stairs. But I need to get out of my comfort zone. And I paid the $20. So every Weds I will be tortured. I think I need to get some bike shorts to wear.

This is part of the motivational email Karen, the leader sent us. The graphic above was in that letter too.  Enjoy.

•When you exercise early in the morning, it "jump starts" your metabolism and keeps it elevated for hours, sometimes up to 24 hours!  That means you're burning more calories all day long just because you exercised in the morning!
•Exercise first thing in the morning is really the only way to assure that something else won't crowd exercise out of your schedule. When your days get hectic, exercise usually takes a back seat!
•For many people, that appointed time every morning becomes something they look forward to.   It's time they've set aside to do something good for themselves - to take care of their body.
•When you exercise in the morning you'll be ENERGIZED for the day!

now for something not walking related

I went down to the Kirby Sports Center yesterday to pick up tickets for the Joe Biden lecture in May. No, I'm not going, I have class, but a friend with friends, wanted them and there's a two ticket limit.

So anyway, I wander into the lobby trying to remember where the ticket office was and found this huge, malformed breast cancer ribbon hanging in a cage. I dug for my camera and went and investigate. Joe Biden could wait. The hand-made sign said "traveling ribbon of hope".

Today I looked it up. I found a story online from the Express-Times. It was created by Easton Middle School students back in October, and is traveling from school to school. Kind of cool. It's covered with signatures. How long it will be on campus, I have no idea.  But if you're ever at a basketball game on campus check it out.

anxiety lecture

There was a brown bag at school today on anxiety, and it's cousin stress. I'm anxious.

Shocked, huh? I'm not.

My mom called me a worry wort. For example. I had blood work on Friday morning. The doctors office didn't call yet. It's Wednesday after noon. I'm going back and forth between "no news is good news" and "I have some horrible disease". Which disease depends on what is being talked about or advertised. Generally cancer. Often diabetes. Sometimes even MS.

What I did discover, going thru the 10 levels of anxiety, is what type of anxious I am.  We had to mark down from 1-10 what we were after he covered each section. Somatic, emotional, behavioral were all 8's. Interpersonal was 6, and spiritual was 3. The biggie? Cognitive. It was a 10. Okay it would have been a 15 had there been a choice.

Cognitive is the one where you say to yourself, "I shouldn't be eating this whole bag of chips (smoking, shopping....)" and then continue to do it.

There is a reason this fat girl is still fat, and needs to keep walkin’.

nice day for a walk

Last night I got an email from my brother telling me he's lost 9 pounds since the challenge began. (Happy dance). He also mentioned I hadn't blogged in a week. I knew that. I just had nothing to say.

We didn't walk much at lunchtime. I didn't walk Friday with Betsy. I didn't even do great walks over the weekend. Sure I walked to Ahart's a couple times. And around campus a bit. And to the Wawa. But nothing that really adds up.

Until today.

Easton is having the Art of Urban Art Festival all over town. It runs thru October.  Today we went back to check it out.

I went down last week with my boss. Officially we were measuring banners and counting light poles. Unofficially we were looking at art and peaking in the galleries. Then the sky opened up and it poured. We took shelter in the Williams Visual Arts Center. I thought about blogging that adventure and totally forgot. Maybe it was because I didn't have my camera.

Today I had the camera.

There's one more withing walking distance. We'll get that next week. It's stairs, so we'll climb the art. I'll be sure to blog that. There looks like a lot. Maybe 100. Don't worry. I'll count them.

Saturday I'm going to a rain barrel making class. While I'm in Easton I'll find the other four in the west ward and post those also.

The art: Top to bottom

• "Love Motel for Insects" Brandon Ballengee (the one that looks like feet)
• "The Nest" Shayna King
• "An Untamed Place" Martha Posner (the one that looks like a bed)
  "Bushkill Overflow" Amanda Schachter and Alexander Levi. Yep it's made out of umbrellas.
• I don't know. It was in the sculpture garden. It looks like iron tombstones
• The Bushkill Creek, from the WVAC sculpture garden
• I posted the "Bushkill Curtain" by Stacy Levy previously

Now I'm kind-of anxious for the art trail to open in fall. It's going to run adjacent to the Bushkill creek. Wonder if we can walk it at lunchtime?

another perfect day

Another perfect June day. A great day for a lunchtime walk.

I actually walked a lot today. Three trips to campus, plus the lunchtime walk. But then we stopped for pizza. So any calories burnt were re-added then some. It wore fresh mozz, 'shrooms, fresh tomatoes, peppers and sweet onions. Yummy. Only ate two slices an carried the rest back to the office.

On the way, the public works guy tried to "take" it. I handed it to him. It was funny. I don't think anyone had played along with him before. Ultimately he said no.

I don't like microwaved pizza so saving it for tomorrow was not an option. So I offered it my my colleague "Mikey". Just like on the old Life commercial, Mikey will eat anything. His eye's lit up like a Christmas tree. He thanked me.

Driving home I found out that Mikey is allergic to 'shrooms. Ooops. Didn't have a clue. Really not a good career move to feed your colleagues food that will make them sick. Thank goodness it's only a mild itching allergy. Would have thought he would have tasted it. Feeling a little guilty, but if I had a food allergy I would say "any mushrooms"? Will apologize tomorrow.

Tonight were walking down to CVS. Sharon needs something. Across the street is Ahart's. I might buy a pie crust. It's spinich quiche weather.

perfect june day

We walked at lunch again. Getting back into a really good habit.

We head down College Avenue, then took the turn onto Bushkill Drive. Then up the long hard Sullivan Road hill. I was well behind my colleague but I made it to the top without stopping. The first time we did that hill, two summers ago, I stopped numerous times.

We wound our way thru campus and then back to the bird house. We could have gone further, but alas they pay us to work, not walk.

About a mile and a half, but not an easy one.