Let's Start Here...

 As kids, walking in the woods was an everyday event.  We pretended to be 'indians' and hunted stealthily for arrowheads.  We gathered food sources with mushrooms and wintergreen berries.  Contests were held to see who could find the first-and very elusive ladyslipper flowers.  We speared (illegally) suckers from the river and gave them to a local guy to smoke.  Needless to say, I loved walking in the woods-and I still do.

So when my cousinfriend asked me to go hiking in the woods with her, I was all in.  I love to walk and I love the woods, so lets' do the darn thing!  What a perfect way to move while catching up on all the familial gossip.

So dressing warmly, Dayna and I made out way to Bloomer Park.  Dayna is a very practiced hiker and even snowshoes the trails during winter.  As we began, you can't imagine my surprise (shock) when I discovered that the 'walk in the woods' was a true hike with hills, giant staircases and narrow trails.  I seriously underestimated this 'walk.'  Kids, we were HIKING!

Dayna expertly navigated all terrains, but me-not so much.  I slipped, lagged behind and desperately needed my forgotten inhaler.   But I persevered and loved every step of it.

 Thanks to Dayna for the full body workout including our jaws!  Can't wait to do it again-with my inhaler!

Yellowstone (Theme)…

 

I love to party.  And I hate being late.  That said, I find myself horribly late for the 'Yellowstone' party.  I'm not talking about a visit to the great park-but just a date with the Netflix series, "Yellowstone."  

Now, I did try to watch back in the first season that the show aired.  I've never liked westerns and I was sure that this one would be no different.  In all my wisdom, I deemed the show a loser, with poor writing and mediocre acting.  "Well, this one will never make it."

Randy binge watched the series while he was hospitalized and got totally hooked.  So, trusting his judgement, I watched last season with him and joined the Yellowstone Party-better late than never.  And I love it.  Fast forward to this week.  While Randy is quail hunting/swordfish fishing in the Outer Banks, I am bingeing myself silly on the early seasons of Yellowstone.   

I've finished season one and two and about to start season three.  Many of my questions have been answered and I understand some of the intricacies of the characters.  I have learned that cowboys are not just cute guys in western wear but guys who actually work with the cows. (Get it? Cow Boys?)

 It makes me want to slip on my boots and cowboy hat and drink a tumbler of warm whiskey.  Living in the bunkhouse looks worlds more fun than the college dorm I missed out on.  And I love horses and cows.  Maybe I would be a great cowboy-one that wears the cool outfit and pets the cows and horses. 

 But I draw the line at the warm whiskey.  XO

Tragedy…

The news is as dark as our weather.

 I am as captured as the rest of the world following the Idaho murder tragedy-where four innocent, beautiful students were randomly murdered in their beds.  

I have always been intrigued by true crime and have read and watched the stories for years.  The mental condition that justifies planning and carrying out murder just mystify’s me.  Does this qualify mental illness; because how could it not?  Your head must be somewhere I just can’t understand.  In another lifetime I would totally entertain forensic psychology in a better effort to do so.

And those poor families… Losing a child is something I understand and I mourn deeply with them.  

Kudos to the police and FBI for the work they did in bringing in the suspect.  I can only pray the madness of senseless killing can be understood and the perpetrators be brought to justice.  Rest In Peace, Kaylee, Madison, Xana and Ethan.