sunday in the park.

entering the park from the "back gate", holly chooses which way we go; today, she chose clockwise

...it hit me hard as holly and I set off for the park this morning. this is one of our last walks there on a sunday (weather permitting, we have next week, and that will be it). it really caught me off guard. I'm going to miss many things about this home, and walking holly in hembree park, on a sunday, is for sure in the top 10.

looking back as we approach the big hill

I did a series of blog posts about our sunday walks last november and december. the colors, the seasons, the sounds or the quiet, the simple peace of walking that mile-long trail (despite holly's occasional barks at squirrels, or chipmunks, or birds). it anchors my week.

looking back (again)... a favorite spot to see the seasons change

the best part of the trail for shadows - sara and I have been here, too

so I was especially glad today's walk was one to remember. there was a slight chill in the air. the sky was bright blue. holly was full of energy (I only had to carry her a little bit). we had the place to ourselves. and enjoyed every minute of it.

wordless wednesday.

wordless wednesday.

wordless wednesday.

the second lap.

that's me - moving fast to keep up with holly...on the 2nd lap

...holly and I are two days back into our two laps at the park routine. a routine I don't think we've had since early december. weather, holiday visitors and vacation...those walks just didn't happen. I missed them. and judging by holly's pace on the second lap this morning, I think she did too. or maybe it's just so easy to spot the squirrels and the birds now, it's more fun for her?!

in any event, we did two laps in 41 minutes. I don't make that kind of time with some of my human friends.

that's a great change for holly since the summer. and for our weather since this time last year. yikes! for the record, today was shower-y and mild; highs in the low 60's and I'm guessing - based on my hair - humidity about 90% :-) ...make that 100%...it's raining now!

sunday in the park.

...I fumbled through my mittens to create my 2011 top ten christmas playlist on my iphone.

holly did get just a bit impatient. my fingers did get really really cold.

and when I got home I asked sara to download one more song. so now my 2011 holiday list has 11 songs.

I think it's perfect!

what music is on your playlist this holiday season?

sunday in the park.

...the crisp air and clear blue sky were energizing. the little pops of red made me happy.

but it was the sunshine that really made me smile.

sunday in the park.

...we walked two laps. holly chased and barked at squirrels while I noticed the grays and browns in the landscape (it took my mind off my very cold fingers).

and then she posed for a photo.


the perfect way to commemorate our one-year anniversary!

sunday in the park.

...holly treed a squirrel.

(actually, she treed about four, but it was no fun taking photos after than first one!)

sunday in the park.

...it was quiet enough to hear the water tumbling over the rocks. and reflect on my thoughts. as we walked two laps in the damp morning mist.

sunday in the park.

...I was again reminded how grateful I am to all who serve this country to ensure my freedom. I send my heartfelt gratitude to them and their loved ones for all they've sacrificed. thank you!

a colorful canopy.

sunday in the park.

...I saw a few pretty bits of red still hanging on to their branches.

the morning walk (fall).

the second lap.

...thank you, fall, for cooler mornings (even if daylight doesn't come til nearly 7:45 am!), because I now have my walking partner back! yes, for two whole laps, holly is energetic and curious and great company. I snapped these photos at the beginning of our third lap yesterday...not that I intend to make three a habit, but it's nice to think we could do it!

a walk in the park.

...that I love hembree park is no secret, but I was surprised I hadn't posted about seeing the change in seasons there since last summer. note to self - the park deserves four seasonal posts each year!

so it's a bit of serendipity that holly and I took a walk there yesterday afternoon and captured a bit of early fall, 2011. I usually teach class on monday evenings and these past few months it's been hotter than hot; even if I had the time for a walk, I'd rather be indoors. but yesterday, it seemed like fall. the morning was actually cloudy and a bit chilly, but by 4:30 the sky had cleared to a bright blue, there was a slight breeze and it was about 72 degrees. (when I go to heaven, that's what I imagine the weather will be like...unless I've just finished an alpaca sweater and then it will be about 32 degrees...I digress...)

I had my camera. holly had the breeze. we walked. a man strolled by while holly was checking out the leaves around a tree trunk. he said "this is going to be a long walk..." I said "yep!" *SMILE!* because really, what better way to spend an hour!

and - as always! - I was amazed by what I saw. I spend at least a few hours in this park every week. I hope one day to be such a great noticer that I'm not surprised when I slow down and look...or maybe I don't. (and for the record, I had noticed the beautyberries and the pears and the leaves before the walk!)

here's what we saw - the soundtrack is leaves rustling in that light breeze, the crack of metal baseball bats against balls and the occasional yell.

the uphill path, looking up... this is my favorite direction to run, but I love to walk it downhill

the sole mystery sighting... the outer covering resembled raspberries last week - cleary, they're not!

sap on birch tree (confirming that amber is one of my favorite stones)

beautyberry - I always thought this was a fall show, but wikipedia says no, it's actually summer...which explains why we saw so much of it in rosemary beach!

the best color we saw

the pears... looking good despite the drought and the heat

pecans (really, we have pecans?!)

and acorns - I see them in abundance on the ground, but not usually on the tree

the last photo I took...a fitting end to our early fall walk.

focus friday. august one little word.

...another month nearly done, and another prompt complete. this month was a self-portrait (it will be printed 5x7) and a few affirming words. ali's prompt included a list of suggested affirmations, with the idea we'd print them and cut them out to adhere to the photo, but I added mine in photoshop. so one photo to print and done!

I love shadow portraits and knew right away that was the way I wanted to capture this one. on the (right) path at my favorite hembree park, daily exercise, and holly. we walk there a couple of mornings a week, just the two of us. that fifty minutes of quiet time is perfect to get my thoughts together for the day/week ahead. and the exercise - for both of us! - is a bonus.

of course it took me a few tries to get 1) a sunny morning; and 2) holly's cooperation! finally came together yesterday morning.

I ran 3 miles today.

...two years ago that wouldn't have been a big deal. but for the past year and a half or so, I've just been walking. chalk it up to having more time, or almost 50 year old knees that aren't as nimble as they used to be, or having a little dog who needs to be walked... but I can't even remember the last time I ran. and lately, I've been missing it. the endorphin rush. working up a sweat and breathing hard. the rhythm of my feet hitting the trail. burning 250 calories in 30 minutes :-)

so this morning, when holly turned right back for home after just a quarter mile walk, I decided I'd take a run. I made it three laps around the park (about 3 miles) with just one bit of walking on the 3rd lap. and it was as good as I remember.

I took the trail in the other direction, so I didn't see this sign til the end of lap #1. love the reminder. sometimes all you need to do is start.

the second lap.

...hoping the cooler temperature and lower humidity, combined with the fact we hadn't been to the park since friday might give holly the energy for two laps. nope. she made it about half-way through the first, walked a bit, and then pretty much gave up. I figure carrying her means more exercise for me, so maybe it's a win-win?

but after the park we went to the vet (time for that super unpleasant semi-annual tapeworm check) and she got weighed. 8 pounds and a few ounces - wow, that's a half-pound gain in just six months. I'm thinking she needs the exercise more than I do!

the morning walk (a new friend).