Retreat Day Four -- One SMALL step at a time

Have you ever looked at a task as a whole and just about fainted because of what you have taken on? Oh yes -- that can be the most daunting thing in the world. How will I ever walk the equivalent of the distance across Canada? How will I ever finish these UFOs? The whole thing looks too much, and we fall off the wagon. 

I want to show you what happens when you take one small step at a time. You MUST keep that end goal in the back of your mind, but you can't let it get you down. 

Even though I'm at the retreat, my waistline isn't on vacation. My body just loves sweets and if I overeat, well, think of it this way: calories in, but no calories out -- my body isn't going to be too happy. So I was back out walking yesterday and managed to get over 12 KM in. I feel terrific about that -- it helps my mental health, not only my physical health!!

And by taking those steps every day, this is what happened. 

I'm now less than 100 KM from my end goal. Since January 1, 2020, I've walked 8,281.3 KM. When I started almost two years, I felt the task was impossible, but step by step - it happened. I've developed a NEW positive habit in my life, and there's no going back! I'll be the one who will drive the nursing home staff crazy as I race up and down the hallways with my walker. 

Now you don't need to be as ambitious as I am. You may not have the ability, nor the time. But perhaps you can set a goal of ONE KM (or mile) a day. Or maybe, you meditate for 5 minutes every day. We NEED to clear our minds of those damn screens at least part of the day. Between dogs and errands and just plain old mind-clearing, I feel like in seventh heaven. This is HUGE!!! 

The second "miracle" is this. 

The bed runner

This is what the bed runner looked like last night. It's a bit more together this morning -- yep  - I've been up for hours and quiet as a mouse in the house!!  I am NOT going home until it's in one piece. Thankfully, I've made good progress this morning, and that will be very doable and well before my scheduled departure. 

I remember at the last retreat that I finished the last seam right when I had scheduled to leave. I'm slightly ahead of schedule. That is a HUGE accomplishment, and I'm thrilled, to say the least. It's a UFO and a nasty one. Let's just say that I've had my fill of curved seams for a while. 

I didn't get to the other four projects I brought with me, but I'm just fine with that. It just shows that you can do ANYTHING if you put your mind to it. Trust me, I didn't want to do this - well, part of me did, and part of me did NOT. I didn't go shopping -- I don't need anything. I didn't get sidetracked by what the others were working on -- it was slow and steady with LOTS of breaks in between!!!

It appears that I can't count. Well, I didn't count -- I just made pieces for the papers I had with me. And this is what is leftover. Not enough to do anything with, but I'll figure out something to do with them. 

Extra bits

And I'm not being picky about matching that one seam in the center; however, if your seam allowances are good, this is what happens. Now, this is NOT every block, but enough to make me happy. 

Points match

This is the same block -- just the other end. Yep -- I can live with that. 

The other point in the block

Here's the latest on the Postcards from Sweden quilt. It's gorgeous with all those colors, but I think it would take half the time (or even less) to randomly sew those half square triangles together. 

Postcards from Sweden

And yes, like many people, we bought lottery tickets for the big draw the other night, but we didn't win the big one, although I think we won a free ticket. Next time -- we'll win next time!!!!  It's funny because we all want more money, but when I was out for a walk the other day and "dreaming" about how I would spend my share of the winnings, I really couldn't think of anything that I would want. Oh yes -- we all want to pay off the mortgage or bills or do some renovations, but there wasn't really one burning item that I would buy. 

Our lottery tickets

There is usually ONE item that everyone covets to make during any retreat. This time, a tea towel that cleverly fits over the stove handle. Someone was supposed to send me a photo of the finished tea towels on the stove, but they forgot. Not going to mention any names, Ronda!

Anyway, the instructions were on a video, and I don't know how many times I heard that video playing yesterday!! Here are the girls listening to the next set of instructions so they can get to work. 

Listening to a how-to video

In total, the group (but not me) made 24 of them. Paula made 10!!!  I'll have a picture tomorrow. I swear, there are NO tea towels left in this town. 

The weather has been bizarre, and I've been lucky in timing my walks, so the temperature has been very nice, although a bit windy at times. 

Here's one of the clouds from yesterday. This was the view from my sewing table. We called it a snow tornado, but I'm sure it was just the cloud. Anyway -- pretty cool. 

Snow tornado

Thanks to Karen and Helen Anne, who are way smarter than I am, I realized that we are very close to the Bruce Trail, which I want to walk in person! So Susan and I got in the car to check it out. It's too far away to walk too, but only a five-minute drive by car and probably less if you go the back road which we know how to get to. 

We stopped at the first parking lot. OK -- we see NO markers or signs. But we saw a little path leading off the parking lot. OH BOY -- this leads down a steep path to a small river. I don't think this is the Bruce Trail. 

A river near the parking lot

Across the road, we spotted another trail, so we went in that direction. Hmm -- it doesn't seem to be the Brue Trail either, but we got a good view of the parking lot! After our investigation, we think this upper trail is the backway to get to the Bruce Trail -- or should I say, one of the side trails leading to the main Bruce Trail. 

The parking area for the trails

Then we checked one of the other trailheads. Yep -- this is definitely the Bruce Trail. Well, at least it was a side trail to the main trail. Some small loops that would make good hikes. Sadly, we didn't check this out earlier - I won't get to it today, but we'll be back before you know it!!

Side loop to the Bruce Trail

And we saw a sign explaining all the blazes -- I've never seen that before so this was great. 

Explanation of the blazes for the trail

We drove to the third and final parking spot in the area, and this is Bruce Trail all the way. Here I am, standing beside the sign. 

Me beside the Bruce Trail marker

Thanks to Karen and Helen Anne for alerting me to this. You bet I'll be back and off on a Bruce Trail hike the next time I'm here. 

There is also a rail trail south of the town, so I'd like to check that out. I hate to get in the car to go for a walk, so I can walk on the road or get in the car and have a peaceful walk. Either way -- new stuff to check out!!! 

Sadly, today is our last day, and it's time to pack up the cars and go our separate ways. But after five days, I think we'll all be anxious to get home. I'm sure Murphy and Lexi are missing me - well, maybe not me, but they will be missing their walk!!

As the new year is approaching, remember the goal-setting I set out a couple of days ago. And remember that everything and anything is doable by ANYBODY  - it just won't happen overnight. You must plan, and practice, and be patient. DO NOT give up!!!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Deep in the woods......................

Sunday was such a gorgeous day that I bundled the girls up and we were off for a hike. Hmmmmm - where to go??   The first spot I was going to was PACKED - there was no room in the parking lot, no room in the second parking lot, but we managed to find a spot to park and did a bit of investigating.

HEY - look at this. We had an awesome walk for over two hours and only met TWO people.  I guess everyone else went for easy and we went for the more challenging route?   Whatever - I felt we had choosen wisely since we had a carefree walk. I will definitely go back to that spot again. However I may have to go alone. While we were only hiking for about two hours, Sparky was pretty tired - she is 13 after all.  I had to help her into the car when we were finished. Not sure that it was in her best interests to go for that long of a hike. Poor Sparky!   She seems to  be fine today, but is starting to be unstable on her feet.   My baby!!!!!    Well - enough of that - let's have a look at the pictures I took....................

It was just beautiful, but hard to believe that all these pictures were taken in the same area.  I didn't get any of the rugged areas - too busy trying not to fall into a crevasse or slip on the rocks!!!!

We walked beside a small river/creek for a bit - see the small water fall

Saw a couple of flowers - yeah spring is here

More flowers - these were teeny tiny, but very pretty

Moss on the rocks

We walked amidst these kinds of trees

And moments later - this was the view - very wild!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good thing we didn't have to go that way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It was a mud pit

Terrain wasn't so bad for most of it

You could see lots of fallen trees and debris from the ice storm in December

A MUCH  bigger water fall  - OK so it was only a couple of feet high, but bigger than the first one we saw

There was a bit of snow left in the deep shadows

And snow/ice underneath all the cedar boughs on the path

At one time, and there must have been something in the area because out of the blue - there are PICNIC TABLES!   Old ones, but still - I think we saw four in total

The path maintainers were out and the path was pretty clear - you could see where they had chopped trees that had fallen on the path from the ice storm

Fording a stream 

And taking a bridge

Sparky on the bridge

Here the trail was wide open

Very wide open here

Cute little Sammy

A wolf!!!!!    She sure looks like a wolf in this picture

Wild knarly tree root

Thank goodnes for the blue blazes for the Bruce Trail. There were a couple of times when OH OH - I don't think we are on the trail. and yep - we were NOT. Fortunately, we had not gone far and were able to find our way.  But if you were not paying attention - it would be easy to get lost!!!!

And here are the happy hikers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Look at Sammy - she is so cute!!!!!

Another selfie of the happy hikers!!!!!!!!!!

It really was an awesome day. It was hot. Even though that terrain wasn't difficult, my feet were very tired at the end of the hike and I have to admit, as happy as the dogs were to arrive back at the car, I was just as happy.   I think I did over 20,000 steps that day.

We had fun and lots of awesome memories!!!!!    Thanks Sparky and Sammy for a great hike.


On that note - it is time to get to work.



Have an awesome day.................


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!

The weather..................

After I did my usual morning routine - drive M to school so I can also get my Tim's (I know - that is so SAD!!!!) and as I was writing the last of the blog, I decided that the weather was TOO NICE to pass up. The temperature was SIXTEEN degrees above zero. I mean - this is December. How many days like that will we have in the rest of the year. I decided to pack up the girls and away we went for an adventure. I know - who knew I was so spontaneous. I mean - I had work to do, but what the heck - you only live once.

The girls were excited and this time I took a backpack which made things easier - somewhat easier. Wait for the story on that one.

While I love to hike in this particular area, parking is a PAIN. There is NO STOPPING on the road sides, and the only place really to park is at the golf course. I went in, but there wasn't a soul around. They offer parking for a price, but there was NO ONE to pay. So I parked near the gate of the golf course and hoped for the best.  (Oh yes - the car was still where I parked when I arrived back!!)

Car parked at the golf course. Although you can't see it, but there is a  road between the car and  where I am standing. The road is down in a gully. 

Now Sammy has a potty issue. No matter where we go, that dog has to take a poop shortly after we are out of the car. I got myself organized, I got the dogs organized, I got my backpack organized. We start on our adventure. Sammy has barely gone 20 feet and yes - she is taking a poop. Off comes the backpack to get a bag which I walked back to the car since we were very close.

We then crossed the road and once on the other side, I put their leashes in the backpack. So off comes the backpack. We had barely gone 50 feet when it is Sparky's turn. Off comes the backpack again because she pooped right in the middle of the path. I left that bag to pick up on our way back.

It is hard to know what to wear when out hiking and within a few minutes, I had to take my scarf off - off with the backpack one more time.  But I think that was it for a while. We finally got things organized and I didn't have to take the backpack off for a while.

Now to find a spot for the self portrait. Ah - here is a tree that will be perfect.

Me with the girls - Sammy and Sparky

This path is part of the Bruce Trail and the more I hike it, the more I read up on it, the more I want to hike it from end to end. It is 840 KM with about 440 KM of side trails. And it is free, although I am going to become a member to help with the cost of maintaining the trail.

Here are some of the pictures that I took yesterday................

The white blazes on the trail. We didn't get "lost" once. Although at one point, it was difficult to tell where the trail went, but we soon picked it up again!

A pregnant tree!

Marks on the rocks (these are glacial rocks so the holes have been there for a few years!!!)

A foot bridge over a MAN MADE entrance into a quarry (more on that in a bit)

The girls weren't afraid of the bridge. Sparky was very intrigued at the trucks - there was a LOT of happenings at the quarry. 

Sammy - enjoying the view

It is hard to describe where we hiked unless you are from this area. But there is the escarpment. A HUGE formation of rock from the days when the area was covered with glaciers. My geology isn't that great so don't take my word for all of this. Anyway - we hiked ON top of the escarpment. A big shear cliff for the most part. With great views whenever there was a peak in the trees.

Looking out over one of several golf courses in the area

The trees are growing right on the edge of the rocks!!!

Sammy in action jumping over a log

More weird trees

This tree was literally hanging on for dear life - the tree itself is hanging over the edge of the rock - just held on by the roots!!!!   In some places you can see where part of the rocks have broken away from the main cliff. 

Cutie Sammy!!!

Bright eyed Sparky

Here is a MAIN crack in the escarpment. It is quite deep - you could walk down there as well, but we didn't go. 

This road is the road leading to the quarry

There was a small area which over looked into the quarry with a History of the Quarry

You would NOT believe the traffic in and out of this place. The trucks were coming in and out  like a revolving door. INCREDIBLE. Sad to think that they are eating up these beautiful rocks, but apparently this rock is EXCELLENT in making super strong concrete and with all the construction around here - well guess what wins!

And if ever you look up at the escarpment from the road and wonder what that big boxy things is - this is it!!!!!   This is taken from the observation outcrop

These views are taken from the road below - this is the foot bridge in the gap

Moving slightly forward, you can see the BIG thing which is in the picture up above.

Now it WAS a gorgeous day when we started and by all accounts it still was a gorgeous day when we stopped, but have a look at what happened................

Yes - that are two WET dogs in the car. 

 You see - we got about one hour away from the car and it started to spit. It never was clear so we knew we were taking a chance. Then it started to rain a bit more heavily. Finally I decided to turn back, but we were still one hour from the car!!!!!!!!!!!!   We were protected somewhat by the trees and it didn't rain steady - thank goodness. But it is ONLY RAIN!!!!

Needless to say we were a bit wet when we got back. Now it was WARM so it wasn't a big deal, but NOTE TO SELF - when hiking, one must bring a light weight rain jacket!!!!  But it was so beautiful, I didn't really care. While it would have been fun to have company, planning sometimes takes away from the sheer fun of the walk. Besides the girls and I could be as silly as we wanted, we went as fast as we wanted and no one to bother us!!!!!

I am not sure how far we walked. My guess is about 9 KM in total in about 2 hours. Which isn't bad consideriing that we had to be careful. The rocks were wet when we started and EVEN wetter on the way back. No slips, no falls and we all had fun. I must remember to take my bike GPS next time because it will allow me to get the data.

Here are the girls resting in their beds in the back of the car!!!!

Little nervous nellie!!!   Has to be upfront until she got tired!!!!

The moss was GORGEOUS - this picture does NOT do justice to it. 

Sign about the foot bridge

There you have it - my day. I had to take M down town for an appointment at 3 PM. And when we finally got home, I was too restless to do anything. That is so bizarre.

I did manage to get a quilt loaded on the machine and got most of Easy Street cut so I will show you that tomorrow. Today - I am off to the quilting machine. FOR REAL this time.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!