Escape Artist

I ran away this weekend to the Olympic National Rainforest. It was necessary to get away for a while, as life has been brutal the past month. I hiked in the Quinault and Queets rainforest, bringing me up to six full hikes this year, getting me closer to my goal of 24 hikes by January 1st. Not too bad considering I lost a month while my leg healed up. I hiked a little over seven miles total on Saturday, then frolicked at Kalalock beach this morning. I'm sore but happy, and a little more able to sit down with thesis. Since I'm on a deadline, I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

Biking to Matthews Beach Park

I did an 8 mile bike ride today, to enjoy a little sun, and a break from my constant computer time. I think I'm developing carpal tunnel, and that isn't even a joke. I thought I did pretty good for my first bike ride since surgery. I was fine when I was moving, but starting up the bike I could tell my strength and balance aren't all back yet. Maybe I'll start biking to school again on nice days for the last month of school.

Yikes. There is still so much to do in the next month if I want to graduate. Hope I can get it accomplished. Maybe I should hope for more rainy days, they make it easier to study.

The first few pics are from Meadowbrook Pond, then the last ones are Matthews Beach.

Spring flowers

Slow going

I have been extraordinarily busy. Which I like for the most part, but it does limit blogging significantly. My surgery was a huge success, far better than what anyone predicted. I kind of figure it is about time that I get some good health karma :)

Pounding out my thesis...I defend in about six weeks. Yikes. Need to have the paper completed by 7 weeks from now, but preferably before the defense. Yikes again. I'm having a lot of days where I work hard from morning to midnight, and still feel like it's an uphill battle. At the same time, in less than two months I'm done. Completely if I want to be, which is how I feel at the moment, but I one day figure out what I want to do with myself, I'd be willing to go back to school.

I'll probably try to photo journal soon. I've done 4 of my 24 hikes for the year, and should be getting more done soon. Surgery put a halt on my plans for a while. Garden is planted, horse is getting fat and shiney with spring. Life is good, but I am tired.

I've gone crazy, couldn't you tell?

...Threw stones at the stars, and the whole sky fell.

This has not been my week. I'm facing an uncertain surgery, with an unknown healing time, at an unknown location, on an unknown date. It's shitty. I'm really tired and overwhelmed. Trying to do as much as I can beforehand to prepare, but it really isn't something that I can make into a great experience.

Appreciation

In honor of Valentine's Day, I was thinking of all that I'm so privileged to enjoy. Obviously, I have a great family and friends, but I also have the opportunity to try so many things that bring joy to my life. Some are simple and free, and some are more rare and expensive, but I'd recommend them to anyone as worth it.

Stuff I Like:

-Tea
-Tea with whiskey
-Whiskey
-Lace
-Yoga
-Candles
-Chocolate
-Horseback riding
-Carbs
-Sunshine
-Swimming
-Hiking
-Jewelry
-Art
-Crafts
-Thriftstores
- Music
- Naps
- Well-written romance novels
- Puppies
- Laying in the grass
- Happy hour pricing
-New experiences
-Driving on the highway at night
-Fresh sheets


An inane little post, but it is always good to remember the little pleasures, as well as the big.

Last of the sun

Today was our last extraordinarily nice day. About 60 degrees and clear blue skies. I wish every February was like this. A full week of sun was just what I needed. I spent some time prepping my garden, though I still need to clear out more trash from last year. It looks much better, though. I'm going to focus on growing shade loving plants, like herbs and lettuce, trying to stick with what did best last year.

It is pretty sparse, but I think it is impressively green for February.

My theme is "things I didn't kill"-- lavender, peppermint, strawberries, lemon balm, chocolate mint. I'll plant more things later on in the spring.

Peas I planted last fall, then forgot about, but looks like they are actually doing well.

I also made baked pickle chips. Pickle chips are a truly wonderful snack, but like most fried foods, make you feel a little sick afterwards. These baked ones are a nice change of pace. I think of them as the best quirky bar food. I followed the directions on this link: http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/175869/Oven-baked-pickles. My only difference is I upped the amount of spicy red pepper. Mmm, so good.

I guess they were more pickle fries than chips.

I managed to ride and hike a lot this last week, taking advantage of the sun. Tonight I'm hitting up a comedy club for open mic night, which can be hit or miss. But hey, it is free. Better run and go prep for it though.