Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Cable surprise

Rarely do I plan ahead to watch a program on TV - I did so tonight gladly. I've been a fan of Sally Mann's work since I heard of her in the early 90s. Tonight, Cimemax showed a wonderful documentary What Remains concerning her work. Catch it if you have the opportunity....some content may make you squirm but also make you question your beliefs about death (among others). She lives ~40 miles north of Roanoke so you will also see the beautiful area where I live!

I joined a gym today. I'd cancelled my membership a few months ago since I seldom used it but the frigid weather today convinced me to rejoin. Ran on the threadmill for 30 minutes and used other cardio equipment for another thirty. Work the next two days then off the weekend!!!!!!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Food and slippers

I'd done some tasty cooking the past few days. First, I made Provencal Bean Pot from Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons - every soup I've made from this cookbook has been fabulous.

Comfort food was on my mind today so I made a lentil loaf topped with my homemade tomato based barbeque sauce, whipped potatoes and green beans.


Taking leftovers for lunch tomorrow at work..... I learned to knit in elementary school and would buy the little books about knitting that used to be sold in department stores. Browsing the 'net the other day I found directions for house slippers I remember seeing long ago. Well, I just had to start a pair for me. Here's the first one - yes, I have tiny feet!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A Gift of Time


No lecture after the test in my afternoon class today so I had an unplannned extra hour! Weather is cool but certainly bearable so I decided to do some errands on foot and get some much needed exercise. I live within a mile or so of a grocery store, drugstore, post office, library, several ethnic markets - there's much more commerce close by but these are the places I usually go. With my running shoes on my feet and the packages of Bookcrossing books I needed to send I headed to the post office. This neighborhood is friendly to walking with many sidewalks and plenty of stop signs (drivers can only go so fast if there's a stop sign ahead). I try to minimize the use of my vehicle but could certainly do better - Roanoke does not have a very efficient bus system. To get most anywhere, you have to first ride to downtown and transfer to another bus. I've tried to use the bus sytem throughout the years but it never seemed to work for me. I often consider what I'd do for transportation as I age because I suspect I'll need to stop driving at a relatively young age due to my (corrected) poor vision. Oh well, as long as I keep on my feet I'll be able to get around. I had a wonderful brisk ~3 mile walk - good use of my "extra" time today. Next two days are work days...notice anything about the clock?

Monday, January 22, 2007

Snow


Half day off from school due to inclement weather - hey, I'll take what I can get!

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Biking Indoors

Thirty minutes on the exercise bike last evening - quite cold outside.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Quiet

The past week or so I have been in several waiting areas and have noticed the ever constant presence of a television blaring in the background. Two of these waiting areas were in doctors' offices and I can't help but wonder the health implications of all the noise in our environment. During the 90 minute wait I had in a doctor's office today I heard at least three loud ring tones and the accompanying conversations once they were answered. A small TV was in the alcove of this particular office and several people were scanning the channels - thankfully one person turned the volume down so only the people close by could hear it. I also heard several loud conversations about people's health conditions etc. - do people realize how loud their voices are sometimes? One of the ongoing battles I had on my former job site was the playing of a radio at the nurses' unit. There is so much noise in the hospital we can't control - monitors and other equipment, telephones and pagers, overhead announcements.....the radio blaring just added to the chaos. Additionally, the radio was mounted on the top of a large cart that was often in the way and had to be pushed to the side to access needed supplies. Well, it was a battle I lost and I left that unit - not just because of the radio even though it was symbolic of the problems on that unit...... On a related note, I read about John Francis and his 17 year silence in his quest to listen more completely - listening more fully is a goal for me - along with decreasing the noise pollution in my environment.... ....meanwhile the lovely clicking sound of knitting needles producing yet another pair of socks....

Monday, January 15, 2007

A New Trail

Roanoke is developing a series of connecting greenway trails to be used for recreational purposes. The Roanoke River Greenway is probably the most widely used but there are others in development. Yesterday I explored the Link Run that connects downtown Roanoke with the Valley View Mall area.The trail was challenging in areas with some rather steep inclines. I saw few people on the trail and I will admit I was somewhat concerned because it runs through a part of town that has a rather high crime area. I also saw numerous empty beer cans and wine bottles along the way. I don't think I will travel that greenway alone .. hopefully it will become more populated as people find it. I also mowed the grass - can you believe mowing grass in SW VA in January! Near record highs this past weekend.....

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Back to school

Started classes this past Monday - so far, so good. The workload is more manageable and no more evening shifts at the hospital! Start the new job tomorrow and work the next four days....

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Changes....


Back to classes tomorrow and start a new job later this week....not happy how these changes occured but ready for a new challenge and the opportunity to start fresh with a new group of coworkers...and finished a pair of socks knitted on size 2 needles with washable wool sock yarn... ( the sock picture looks a little funny - well , I do have little feet...) I do believe I've found a new obsession! Oh, and don't forget running!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Training for Uwharrie...

Beautiful day for a 12 mile trail run - parked one car at Black Horse Gap, ran to Wilson's Shelter, back by Black Horse Gap and to Bear Wallow Hollow to the second car - what a treat to have the Appalachian Trail so close by....

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Back to it....

Ten mile fitness walk at the cove today - spring time weather today! Now time to finish up that second sock.....

Monday, January 01, 2007

A New Year...



I celebrated the new year by doing several of my favorite things....first, I ran/walked up Mill Mountain with the Star City Striders. Thank goodness the temperature was warm making the rain more tolerable. By the middle of the day the sun was out....
Secondly, I knitted a sweet little baby hat for the Save the Children caps to the capital campaign. Lastly, I packed up some books to send out to some of my Bookcrossing friends.


I recently read that knitting is a mental challenge producing an effect similiar to that felt after physical challenge such as running....most be the reason I've been on a knitting frenzy later....
My resolution for the new year? I will strive to be better- better at exercising regularly, better at managing life's stressors, better at creating boundaries between my work life and home life.