It is now 11 days into the New Year and time that I recorded my goals or resolutions for this year.
Health:
- Exercise. I will walk at least 1 mile each week. I have joined a group called 52 Hikes a year. So far I haven’t started this. How do I motivate myself? Perhaps I can look for a walking buddy. Well, just writing that spurred me to investigate 52 Hikes further. I have found through AllTrails a list of hikes from .9 mile to 5.3m (easy and moderate) in my county. And, I posted on FB about it to a friend who plans to hike in Aiken State Park in the next couple of weeks…so I have a buddy. I love how all this is coming together. Hiking poles ordered.
- Diet. I want to eat better…so I need to reduce the sugar to a form that my body responds well to. I think fish is healthier for me, so I need to make it my primary protein over chicken and beef. I like vegetables. I like fruit. Therefore I need to make sure I always have them on hand. I use olive oil as my primary oil with vegetable oil next. I would like to investigate other oils. My primary carbs are bread and potatoes. I want to learn to use herbs in my cooking and would like to create an herb garden that I use.
- Self-care. I will learn to take better care of my body. As a single retiree, there is not the motivation to get dressed, to shower daily, and to get nails or hair done. I have a regular routine for showering, but I lounge around in night clothes until noon. I have not regularly attended to my nails nor gotten regular haircuts. So…this year, I will attend more to the condition of my feet and hands with regular nail cutting and lotion. I will be groomed and dressed by 9a. I will get my hair cut every 6-8 weeks. And, I will treat myself in some way weekly. (Now to figure out that part!)
Interests:
- Photography. I want to become more proficient with my camera. Perhaps a beginner photography course? Done. I think I will roll the birding into this interest as they seem connected for me. There is an Audobon Society preserve near me. A great place to look for birds and hopefully to get some pics. The trails are .75, 2, and 3 miles long, so I can get some hiking done also.
- Camping. I have planned 3 trips so far for 2022, and I would like to do one long one through VA, although I haven’t planned that one out yet. As of now, I am doing a Sisterhood trip in February and July and a NuCamp rally in April. I also have some trailer repair to get done. I have an appointment to get a new converter put in…and the toilet pump needs work. I would also like to have the spare tire moved…onto the tongue or under the trailer in the carrier.
- Gardening. It is time to start planning my garden. I will also need fencing to keep the bunny that seems to be living in my yard from the vegetables. I will always have potatoes and tomatoes. Those are given. And, I have a couple of perpetual artichoke plants that keep coming back. Not very fruitful, still I hate to get rid of them. I also like to have beans. If I can solve the bunny issue, I would like to do lettuce and radish. I also have blueberry and strawvberry plants; but they do not require planting as they are established, although I do have to supplement the strawberry plants a bit.
Spirituality:
- I’m not really sure what to say here. I think this part of my life is still evolving. I believe that what we (as people) put out into the world is what we draw to us. I think that what we speak brings similar intent back to us. “What ye reap, ye will sow.” So I choose to post positive, helpful things. I let the negatives of life fall away. It is not that those are not important, but since I am unable to change them, my choice is to let them go…no matter what “them/they” are. I reach to be grateful for the life I have, to try to be open to the solutions rather than focus on the problems. I choose to look for the blessings that come. And, to seek help in prayer daily. I believe that my role is to share my life and my journey in learning how to walk gently on this earth. Thus I am trying to recycle, to compost, to grow food I can eat and learn to preserve it. To re-use rather than to discard. I welcome animals and critters to my yard, although my home is off limits to most insects and pests. Still, they are welcome outside within limits. The one thing in this area that I would like to find is a community of people to share and worship with on a semi-regular basis. Still…this is a work in progress.
Feathers of My Mind 