Ouch!

Is Yoga really excercise? I have to admit that I used to not think so. I've always thought that yoga (talking about only the physical technique, not the religion) was simply for relaxation and stretching. I have been proven wrong by my Wii fit board. I've always been told to stretch before every workout, so I've been using the yoga poses to stretch my muscles before beginning the aerobic portion of my routine. After that first day, I was sore in muscles I know I only used when I did the yoga poses. So after a week of Wii workouts, and still experiencing soreness, I can assure you that yoga, is indeed, excercise.

Hello, BLT's

My tomatoes have finally ripened, and Dave and I got to enjoy the BLT's we've been craving since the first green fruit appeared on the plant.

Memory Triggered

It always amazes me, how the smallest detail can make me feel so nostalgic At the produce market, they have a pea shelling divice, that separates the shells, sending the peas down a conveyor belt. Today, I got to watch them do purple hulls. As I got closer to the area, the scent of freshly shelled peas took me back in time. I could just see my mother and me, sitting and shelling peas from Dad's garden, as we watched TV together. Now, I'll always associate that smell with that memory.

Well, I know I've written several photo-heavy posts, but I just wanted to share. I hope you enjoyed them, and if you get a chance, I highly recommend a visit to Eford's Peaches And Produce in Pittsburg, Texas.

Assorted Photos

As we sat to enjoy our ice cream treat, we also got to enjoy some beautiful scenery, including a vintage tractor fountain. I took these photos to share with my readers...

Yummy!

During our visit to Eford's Peaches and Produce, we decided to treat ourselves with a dish of ice cream, blended with their fresh fruit. They offer several different varieties, making the decision almost impossible. I finally chose blackberry, while Dave opted for peach. Of course we ended up sharing both of them. :)

Pittsburg, Texas

Dave and I had such a great day. We went to Pittsburg, Tx to visit the Peaches and Produce market, owned by Eford's Orchard. We were happy to have a little cloud cover protecting us from the heat, but we soon discovered the place to be cooled by nice, big outdoor air-conditioners. We could have shopped in comfort no matter what. After browsing the variety of merchandise, Dave bought some fresh, local honey, some blackberry perserves, and of course, some fresh peaches. We plan to return in July, when they'll have the free stone peaches. Those are Dave's favorite...

Obesity Crisis?

Ok, so my husband and I decided to get out our Wii fit. I had shoved it to the back of my closet last year, when it told Kloe she was overweight. Rediculous. It's hard enough to motivate yourself to excersize, do they have to make you feel like such a loser, before they even allow you to start? Anyway, I packed it away, having never even touched it.
As the heat increased, making my daily walks unbearable, I knew it was time to find some way to get a regular workout while staying indoors. I prepared myself to be told I'm obese. The Wii fit goes by BMI only, and since I'm not 120 or less, I'm obese. So after it told me I was obese, it gave me a ballance test to check my Wii fit age. Your Wii fit age tells you what condition your body is in for its age, in other words, how fast your body is aging. According to my Wii fit age, I have the body condition of a 31 year old, and I'm in great shape. That's almost 12 years younger than my actual age. Wow!
So wait a minute...I'm obese, but in great shape? And if it's possible to be obese And in great shape, then why does our society consider obesity to be such a crisis? Makes no sense to me, either...

Happy Father's Day

I hope all you Dads out there are enjoying your special day. Back in May, when I wrote my Mother's Day post, I spoke of her love for animals, cats in particular. I thought I'd continue that theme with a cat story about Dad.
I was a young girl, still in school, when I came home one day to find we had a new kitten. I don't remember if he was found in the road ditch out front, or if he was just wondering around in that area, but I do remember he was tiny, and beat up looking when they rescued him. He was so small, and pretty rough looking, and Mom named him Prince Albert. Of course, I was just thrilled to have a kitten in the house. With plenty of food, and Dad's willingness to doctor the cat's wounds with Peroxide, Prince grew into a beautiful, huge, healthy as a horse cat. He loved us all, but he really had a special place for Dad. I know because Dad is the only one who could hold him like this and not lose a finger...I miss my Dad and Prince very much. I don't know if there are pets in Heaven, but I really hope there are.

Refreshing

Nothing like a nice cool drink of water from the hose. I posted this picture on facebook, but I wanted to share it with my readers, too. I'd say Monroe has the right idea.

Picking Time!

Yes! I was beginning to wonder if my tomatoes would ever develope a blush.And now, we wait...

Well, That Explains It...

Each year, I noticed my shasta daisies, as they mature, have a tendancy to lean forward. I mentioned it to Dave, and he suggested they might be reaching toward the sun. It actually made sense, because, my roof does cause the area to be shaded at certain time of the day. This year, however, they're REALLY leaning. I discovered the real reason as I was watering my pots. Mystery solved...

A Little Test Drive

Dave is still looking for the perfect riding mower...and having tons of fun in the process...

Sharing Photos

During my early evening walk, I decided to take a different route. I thought a little change of scenery would be fun. As I was walking down 22nd street, somewhere between Culbertson and Simpson, I saw this plot of land, filled with yellow and rust colored lantana. I took these photos with my phone so I could share. Most gardeners would consider this over grown and unattended, and for all I know, maybe it is. To me, it doesn't change the fact that it's beautiful. Sometimes nature creates it's own beauty without our help. :)

Gross!

Last time Dave and I did the yard, I was exposed to poison ivy. Two days later, the all too familiar itch developed, leaving the unfortunately all too familiar rash. Poison ivy is terribly hard on me. Usually, before it runs its course, I have rashes all over my body, and even on my face. None of the traditional treatments have ever been effective for me, and I normally end up in the doctors' office, getting a shot. All that changed, when I discovered Technu. This body wash cleans away the oils that cause the rash. Since this has become my treatment of choice, no more doctors or shots. (Yay!)

So, when I began to break out, I went straight to Walmart for my Technu wash. They didn't have the product I normally buy, but it had been replaced by a product called 'Extreme Technu,' Which is thicker and has a gritty texture. According to the directions, I was supposed to squeeze out the needed amount, mix it with an equal amount of water, then gently rub it on the area for fifteen seconds. Well, I didn't follow those instructions. I was so itchy, and that gritty texture felt so good, I omitted the water. Then I rubbed it in for thirty seconds before rinsing it off. The good news is that the poison ivy dried up, and spread no farther than the legs. The bad news is I dried up my skin so much it itches almost as much as the rash did. :(

My Favorite Hoya

This is my hoya pubicalyx. Most of my hoyas are from the carnosa, or wax plant, variety. Because they are from the same family, they all have simlar blooms, white with pink centers. They are absolutely beautiful, but I just love the pink flowers of this plant.

I'm Posting Comments Again!

Thank you so much, Norma. After you wrote that you sign in each time instead of staying signed in, I decided to try that. Well, it worked! I just hope it continues to work. Signing into my gmail everytime I want to check it might get annoying after a while, but at least I can answer comments now.

Bee Balm

I took these pictures today. I've had this bee balm for several years, and this is only the second time it's bloomed. It isn't in full bloom yet, but just look at all the buds! I can hardly wait!

Motivation Lacking

I don't know if it's the heat or possibly the worry I've been feeling over my sister, but something is taking all my energy. I haven't finished a project in so long. Oh, I've started plenty, but I don't seem to have the ability to stick with it. I sometimes look through my knitting magazines, remembering all the patterns I love so much, and at one time, had planned to knit. Same holds true with my crochet books. My poor plants have been neglected, except for the ones in the back yard, and that's only because I water them at cat feeding time, after I replenish the water bowls. I now have to take my afternoon walks in the evening around 7, and by then, I don't want to do it. I guess it's not unusual to feel this way during the heat of summer.
But Saturday, I did make myself repot some plants, and I did finish one of my socks I had on the needles. Hopefully, It's just a matter of making myself do it, which will eventually restart my wanting to do it. I'm sure that's all it is.

Please, all my readers who believe in the power of prayer, send a few to my sister. She just found out her husband has cancer, and will soon begin treatments. They need all the strength they can get.

It Makes No Sense

I'm still having trouble signing in to comment. When I try to answer a comment, blogger takes me to the sign in page. I sign in, and it takes me back to the comment section, but as annonymous. Fine, I said. I'll be annonymous. I hit post, and it takes me back to the sign in page, and the process starts all over. I just don't understand why it keeps me signed in, and allows me to write on my blog, but it won't keep me signed in to comment. I just don't understand it...

Hoya Buds And Blooms

Just sharing some photos I took today...

Mower Shopping

Dave wants a riding mower. A few weeks ago, he'd bought a used one from my uncle. It was a 46 inch tractor-style mower, whose owner had recently bought a new one. Dave mowed the back yard with no problems, but quickly discovered it was too much mower for our small front yard. He called my uncle, who bought it back from us, and found another buyer, whose yard was a better fit than ours. So, happily it worked out for everyone. Well, everyone except poor Dave, who really wanted, and still wants, a riding mower. I told him that if he wants one that much, why don't he just get one. He hardly ever buys anything for himself. We can get the money from savings, and pay it back without the interest involved in using a credit card. So he's been looking online for just the right mower. He now has his eyes on a 28 inch Forest Gump (his discription, not mine) style mower from Snapper. We have a dealer here in town, who also happens to be the authorized warranty center. And, even though you'd expect his prices to be higher, they're not. So, hopefully, Dave will soon be riding around the yard on a sweet new mower, and I'll no longer have to push his old mower, while he weeds (I'm terrified of the weedeater). That will leave me free to do the housework, and maybe we can finally have the indoors and outdoors looking nice at the same time.