Scenes from a Trail Run - Sulpur Springs, Hamilton, Ontario

 

 

I took these pictures today while doing a 25K training run on the Sulphur Springs trails.

I love all the mushrooms on the trunk of the fallen tree in the first shot.

The second shot was not done by me.  I ran by it and it took me a few seconds to realize what the glove signified.  It made me laugh so I took a picture of it. 

The colours on the stump were amazing, ranging from brown, green and black to almost purple.

The fourth shot is of some new flowers in a hollow stump at the bottom of a tree.

The last shot is of sap dripping off a cut log; it's hard to see but the sap formed in droplets along the bottom of the log that looked like little jewels.

As always, a beautiful day in the forest!

Is Anyone Else Falling Apart at the Seams? Anyone?

My five year old daughter had a play date the other day.  Her friend walked into our house, looked around, and promptly announced, "Wow.  This house is REALLY messy."

I ran around frantically picking things up and trying not to say testily, "I think the phrase you're looking for is 'lived-in'...."!

Yes, the house was messy.  Mornings are always such chaos, and then I go to work.  I go directly from work to pick up the kids from school.  So as soon as I walk into the house I'm faced with the morning mess.

And it had been one of those mornings, with everyone rushing around.  It's hard to get four people fed, dressed, packed with extra shoes and lunches, and with teeth brushed.  I wish my house were cleaner, though.

That morning I had poured a coffee and then couldn't bring it with me to work because I couldn't find the lid.  (It's always an ominous sign when I can't take coffee with me.)

When I got to work and looked in a mirror, my bra strap was showing and there was a run in my nylons.

I can't be the only one who feels like she just can't get it together, right?  (Right?)

But I have a solution!  Google 'messy homes'.  It's amazing.  My house looks absolutely sparkling clean in comparison.  Thank you, perspective!

Boston Marathon Bombers and "Moral Vacancy"

My newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator, published an excerpt from an editorial a few days ago that spoke of the 'moral vacancy' of the people who set off the bombs at the Boston Marathon.  I completely agree with that term.  Morally bankrupt is another good term, as is unconscionable.  How can anyone justify doing that?  Those people were runners.  There were family members and children there.  As a runner it definitely hits close to home.  My son said to me, "Mommy, I'm really glad you didn't run in that marathon."  No one should have to worry about running in a marathon.  I don't know why the bombers did what they did.  And I guess I don't need to know.  Because there is no justification.  There is no rationalization.

This Is 40...Is Hilarious!

This movie made me laugh hysterically.  There were so many funny parts.  So many lines I could relate to.  You've got to laugh, am I right?  The part with Paul Rudd on the bed with the mirror...it just has to be seen to be understood.  And the scene in the principal's office too.  A classic.  We're all dysfunctional and imperfect but we have to love anyway.  We've got to keep having fun.  Who's with me?

Can Laundry Be Magical? Please?

My daughter found her pink sunglasses from last summer and was so excited to be able to wear them to school now that it's sunnier.

In the parking lot at her school, she turned to me and exclaimed happily, "Mommy!  We are both wearing sunglasses.  It's magical!"

I love her outlook.  That's the great thing about children; they get so happy over the smallest things and they let you look through their happy lens.

Imagine if I could take that perspective with me everywhere.  If I thought that washing the dishes was magical, it would certainly make everything easier. 

Could I ever think that laundry, for example, was magical?  I could if I could match every sock in the load.  Now THAT would be magical.