Biking Indoors

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

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....

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.....

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....

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!

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....

Back to it....

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