I did a first for me this year. I planned and completed a five week trip to Scotland. It was the first overseas trip ever for me, and, although I did most of the planning, I did use AAA for some parts of it.
It was a great experience that will take me quite a bit of time to assimilate all of it into my life. And, I have decided to use this blog to do that…to think out-loud, so to speak, about what I experienced and make sense of it to me.
I wrote those couple of paragraphs right after coming back from Scotland at the end of May (Memorial Day weekend). It is now about 6 weeks later…July 4th. A lot of living and being has been sandwiched in-between.
First, I had health checkups to get through: eye and colon…(yep, I am at the age for the dreaded colonoscopy exams.) Both, finally, ended (as of yesterday’s results) well.
Second, I wanted to maintain the walking gains (weight and strength) that I had obtained during my visit to Scotland, where I walked an average of 3.75 miles per day!
I am currently aiming at 1 mile per day with hopes of 2 miles a day a couple times a week. Usually I fall somewhere between the two goals, but occasionally I am well below a mile. Still, I am trying to walk more. My weight has dropped a couple of pounds, and my energy level is still higher than pre-trip.
The main challenge with the walking has been that it is now summer in SC. Our heat index is frequently near or above 100 with actual temps in the upper 90s…and the humidity is usually high due to the closeness of the Savannah River. That makes walking a challenge and, at times, a danger.
In the past, I have just ended up sitting in my home and reading. Now, although I enjoy reading, I am trying to find ways of being more active. Often I do my walking in the early morning, which in itself is a change as, prior to my trip, I seldom got dressed before mid-day due to spending my time on my bed reading in the morning sunshine. Now I have to get up and dressed if a walk is in order due to the heat!
Also, days are longer in the summer…and, since I enjoy getting up early in the morning (just not getting out), I seldom stay up past 9p. That means evening walks (also not necessarily cooler) are not in the plan most summer days since the temp remains high while the sun is up.
I am occasionally trying my hand at yoga (for beginners) and having a monthly massage. The yoga is for stretching and limbering up…and I admit to being stiff and very un-limber. The monthly massage is self-care. These are positive changes for me.
Another several weeks have passed. I spent most of one visiting my brother and his wife…and most of the next week and a half dog-sitting.
Several things I have experienced since writing the above passage is cessation of walking daily due to other responsibilities, heat, and rain storms. I still plan to resume it.
I have discovered that I enjoy events that I choose, even if I am alone, which has surprised me. I realized that, although I was independent and often did stuff alone before I was married, it has been quite a while since I felt secure in myself in doing stuff by myself and enjoying it.
I have also started another self-care kind of activity. I have always been one who disdained putting creams and cosmetics on my skin. However, as I have aged, I have found that my body is drying out and that the dryness leads to itching. So, I have begun a couple of times a week, putting shea butter on my arms and legs (the driest parts of my body) and occasionally treating my calloused feet with a foot cream made with botanicals. Both have improved my skin.
Thinking of skin dryness reminds me…did I tell you about my issue with drying of my mouth and other membranes. Initially I was told that this happens to all as they age, and I was willing to consider this. But, I am not one to accept that ill health has to be the norm of aging. And, I realized that to some extent, my membranes have been a bit drier for a lot of my life. Then I remembered that last year I had used antihistamines a lot!
As a result, this year I have avoided their use for my allergies…and turned to the use of Biotene to assist my body with moisture in my mouth. Well, in the last few days, I have realized that I am back to drooling as I sleep. Not that I like dealing with drool, but it does mean that my mouth is experiencing a return of moisture at least part of the time. Hope.
Anyway, back to my initial report of changes since Scotland…most seem to be centered on my health and well-being as opposed to nature like camping and photography. I am still interested in both but just not now.
Instead, I am completing projects ~ big and small ~ that I have started last year. An example or two: I followed through getting the top dressing to my lawn completed. I have made decisions of how to rid my home of things I no longer use. (Some are donated.) And, I have cleaned my email of unwanted ad emails and answered most requests for review of services and products.
And, what do I want to do from here? Continue the increasing health choices like walking, eating more locally (farm stands vs. grocery), and doing what is best for my small part of land.
Feathers of My Mind 