Oh no, the Snow is Melting

Just a quiet day today.  Bike man is feeling under the weather, so we were both content to not plan any projects today.  I did my usual 3 mile run in the morning and then headed out for a quick snowshoe hike this afternoon.

My snowshoeing actually turned out to be about 2 hours of hiking!  The weather was so mild that I just wanted to stay outdoors.  Found a new tree with enormous woodpecker holes....the woodpeckers are really plentiful in the woods.

Can you believe it's still 38 degrees tonight?  I'm really afraid our snow will be melting fast.  My snowshoeing hikes might be limited from now on unless we get a snowstorm soon.  Rain is forecasted for tomorrow, which is really unusual for February in Wisconsin.

Might have to get out my hiking boots and ditch the snowshoes!

Cold But Refreshing

I've been trying to get out during the afternoons and take a nice long walk while here in Richland Center taking care of my parents.  I miss my northern woods and snowshoeing, but I'm totally fine with walking around my parents hometown.  As a kid, I always loved this foot bridge.  So, it was a whopping 15 degrees today in Southwest Wisconsin!!!  Only saw two other walkers today.  Where is everyone?  Oh that's right, everyone is working.

Richland Center has a dike going through the west side of town, so it's perfect for walking or running.  I was able to get an hour walk in this afternoon.  The fresh air was good for my body and spirit.  Thanks for checking in......

Blustery Conditions

Arrived home after work and it was only 41 degrees with a 25 mph winds blowing.....yikes! Hesitated a bit, but then talked myself into my 3 mile run despite the blustery conditions.Guess the running effort wasn't as bad as I thought, but I still dressed warm! Once I had time later tonight, I checked our little green house.

Yup, the small heater was doing it's job keeping the greenhouse comfortably warm, especially for tonight's low temperatures in the twenty degree range.

We have six shelves total of potted vegetable plants. It's still early and the plants have not developed.......probably another two weeks and green plants will emerge. Patience, and more patience for warmer days. Kind of feels like March weather. Could this be payback for all the exceptionally warm days in March????

Oh So Nice

Just about as perfect as you can get today for spring weather. Sunshine, few clouds, low breeze and mid 60 degrees. A brisk power walk with a friend tonight topped my entire day. Craving this mild fresh air.....it's good for the soul!

Refreshed

Lake Michigan

Spent the morning at home and went into work a little later today since I worked late tonight. Enjoyed a nice mid-morning run in the spring rain. Came back home wet, but refreshed. Life has been busy, but hoping to get the bicycles ready for riding very soon.

Rivers Are Rising

Red Cedar River

I know it's really spring when the Red Cedar river quickly becomes swollen from melting snow. I cross this bridge five-day a week when I head to work and always watch the water level. Since the snow is melting fast, I don't think the river will rise much further. Spring certainly has arrived sooner than later.

Yesterday was a eleven-hour day at work, but today I was able to leave work at my normal time and head out on a run. Enjoyed the 59 degree temperature and the time change. I'm looking forward to a longer day, which means more time to run or bike after work. Hey Bike man, if you are reading this, I need you to change out my studs for my regular knobby tires.....thank you dear!

Outside

Another mild day with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 30's. What little snow we have on the ground is slowly melting. I don't think I've ever experienced a winter like this one in all my 51 years! I'm not complaining, but only perplexed at what's going on with our weather.

I guess I choose a good winter season to continue my running workouts. I'm accomplishing my goal of getting outside to exercise verses working out inside a gym......did that, done that......not anymore! I'm a slow runner, but at least I'm getting out and about and it feels good!

My Buddy J

I have the best friend ever! Joan is always game to try anything. One time she even hopped on her bicycle and rode to my work place (12 miles each way) so she could ride home with me since I was commuting by bicycle. Never mind that she hit some gravel along the way and wiped out on the road. I will never forget how she walked through the door all bloody from the fall, but she still had a smile on her face. Now that's a true friend!

Enjoyed a nice run late today with my buddy J! Didn't even feel like a run since we chatted the whole way. Nothing like two women chit chatting while oblivious to the world around them....that's a good thing!

Morning Pleasure

Absolutely beautiful morning. I'd have to rate it an A+ for warmth and beauty!

I actually had the opportunity to enjoy a morning run before going to work later in the day. Thanks to Bike man, who put these things called "ice spikes" on the bottom of my running shoes so I could continue to run on the icy and snowy roads. This morning was my first time trying them. I have three words to explain these little buggers......love, love, love! The grip on the road surface was amazing and I highly recommend the ice spikes to anyone that runs or walks during the winter months.

A Day of Sunshine

2011 Farmer's Market

It doesn't get much better than this. A beautiful mild day with lots of sunshine and very little breeze. Made my run tonight very enjoyable. It's short-lived however, snow and wind moving in later tonight, followed by much colder temperatures. Should be a coffee or hot chocolate kind of week!

Winter Postponed

I'm so appreciative of this unseasonably warm weather here in the Midwest. My mental outlook is much happier and brighter without all the snow and subzero temperatures. Really proves to me how harsh weather can affect my overall mental health. I'm sure the snow will return and the below zero weather will be knocking at our door, but for now.....I'm smiling!

Did an awesome 3-mile run this afternoon and actually felt good. Getting back into running has been hard for me, especially since I'm not a spring chicken anymore!!! Thought about taking my mountain bike down to the lake, but the warm weather has made the snow on the lake squeeshy....makes riding much harder on the lake.

Special Note: talked to my mom this afternoon and she is getting stronger and stronger each week. It will be exactly one month tomorrow that mom had open-heart surgery. I am simply amazed at her progress for an 81-year old woman. She has a fighting spirit and a zest for life....well after all, she is a Marine's daughter!

Ice Cold

Well, at least the sunshine felt warm today considering the 15-20 mph winds that were blowing....again. Went out for a late run after work and came back with cold cheeks, and I'm not just talkin face cheeks either! Hello January.

Melting Trend

A little sun, a little melting going on today. I can't complain about 34 degrees. The side roads were mostly clear from snow and ice, except for a few spots. I was careful tonight running in the dark.....only slipped once!

On a side note: played with the Kindle Fire today at work......love it! Movies, magazines, music, books and Internet, all in one. I give it an A+

Crabby Girl Just Showing Her Love!

I'm not really sure why, but Crabby Abbie gets excited when I come home from work.....especially when I'm wearing a jacket. It never fails, when I wear a jacket, Abby gets the uncontrollable urge to jump up on my shoulder and perch there for a while. Thank heavens for the jacket, otherwise I couldn't stand her big claws! We need to clip that massive claws soon.

First time in a long time that I went out running in the dark, well, not really. The full moon lite my running route, it was so cool. Not use to this time change yet. Was I scared running in the dark? Yup, just a little. Kept thinking a deer was going to jump out from the wood and snort at me!!!!

PS. Don't worry, I actually wore my red blinkie light tonight so I would be visible to cars. Thank heavens for bicycle lights.

Was I Seeing Things!

Imagine this coming down the road towards you in the dark. While out running tonight in the dark, I see these colorful flashing lights......I think, gee there's another person out running in the dark just like me and they have flashing light! As the lights got closer to me, I realize the lights are colored and they are going round and round.

Awhhhh, it's Bike man!!!!!

He just ordered more Monkey Electric lights and wanted to try them out, so he took off looking for me on my running route. It was kind of fun having a running partner all decked out in lights! Me? I just had a red flashing light......boring!!!!

Do You Love Bread?

The beauty of bread.....who doesn't love it? Bought a loaf at the farmer's market and then the following day Bike man made his own bread. French toast, grilled cheese sandwiches and toast with peanut butter.....it's all good!

Switching gears now. Move over bicycling. Did a 3 mile run/walk this afternoon (my third week now). Bumping up the exercising so I can eat more bread!

Switching Gears

So two weeks ago I decided to try some walking/running. Totally being honest here......it hurts! I haven't run in about six years now. Being older doesn't help either. My joints and muscles are saying "no way" Lis!!! Of course I'm stubborn and don't want to admit my body is older....why is that? Must be a woman thing.

So anyway, because my bicycle rides are pretty much limited to weekends now, I decided to try another form of exercise. And by the way, I have vowed not to join the fitness center because my body and mind needs fresh air......lots of fresh air.

So tonight I ran/walked in light drizzle, but that was totally fine by me. Just craving some outdoor time to keep me healthy and happy. Will bring the bicycle back out this weekend.

PS. Bike man is still lake and stream monitoring. He should wrap everything up by October.