Walking

Walking is something that most people can do. There isn’t anything intimidating about it and you don’t have to worry about how you look, your form, or hurting yourself. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. It fits all shapes and sizes. Walking doesn’t require an investment in shoes, clothing or equipment. It’s always age appropriate. I have a friend that is sixty-something. Last time we met, she was telling me how much she used to run. For many years she used to run. Then she added a little walking. Now she just walks. She enjoys it so much more and it isn’t as hard on her body.

Walking is restorative. Several years ago one of my first cousins suddenly died. It was so devastating. My brother questioned how someone so vibrant and full of life could just die. He wasn’t even 40 years old. During this time, his mother told me that her doctor prescribed long walks to help her to get through the grieving process. So she walked and walked and walked some more, trying to makes sense of it all.

Walking is something that I love. I walk with friends and I walk alone. I mostly walk for enjoyment. At the same time, I find it very helpful when I’m troubled, stressed or simply perplexed. Most times when I walk, I don’t listen to anything. I love music but sometimes it’s just another distraction preventing me from being fully present. I like for my senses to be stimulated -the smell of mulch and the sound of rustling leaves and barking dogs. I see things that I tend not to notice. I know I need walking in my life because as my mother says to me, you need to rest your mind.

This morning, I grabbed good ole Brandi and we went for a walk. It was about 8:30 and a cool 50 degrees when we started out. I had a few things on my mind. There were things I could do something about and other things I couldn’t do a damn thing about. I didn’t know I would end up walking for two hours. I had forgotten about the time. I just walked and walked and walked. When I left, there was the sun, on my face like God’s love, causing me to lift up my head. When I returned, there was the same sun, on my back like grace and mercy, following me, reassuring me. I knew they would be there. All I have to do is to just keep walking.

   

 

 

 

 

3 Day Weekend

I was looking forward to Columbus Day weekend and doing a little extra cooking.  I find it relaxing. 

I poached some salmon.  I love cold poached salmon over salad.  Since I don't poach salmon often, I often look up a few poaching recipes on the internet.  I then adapt it based on what I have in the refrigerator.    On this particular day, the poaching liquid included water, hard apple cider in place of white wine, lemon, pepper, dried basil leaves, allspice and a little Old Bay seasoning because I'm from Maryland.   I made a salad with mixed field greens, sliced almonds, mandarin oranges and raisins.  The only thing missing was a little blue cheese or feta cheese.   The salmon in the picture below looks more like chicken. 

I made some chicken soup.  I buy the chicken breasts with the bone in and the skin on as these tend to be very moist when boiled.  It also produces better stock.  The breasts in this package were so big that I decided to cook one and freeze the other two.  I add the chicken breast to a large pot of water.  I boil it until the breast is fork tender or falling off of the bone.  After cooling, I leave the stock in the pot.  I take out the chicken, remove the skin and bones and cut the chicken up into small chunks.  I bring the stock back up to boil, throw the chicken back in add a small package of frozen mixed vegetables.  I add a can of cream of mushroom soup.  For seasoning I add, salt, pepper and of course...Old Bay.  I also add a little sugar.  I allow this to boil moderately for about half an hour.   I remembered that I had some Mary Hill frozen dumplings in the freezer.  I cut them in half and drop them in one at a time.  I allow the pot to simmer for another 30 minutes. 

A couple of years ago, I was in the produce section of the grocery store.  This cute little old lady with a head of white hair started talking to me.  This is what happens if you linger in the produce section too long.   I know we were hovering over the fresh corn.  I mentioned that I probably would make some creamed corn.  She mentioned that she was going to bake it in the oven.  What?  How do you do that?  Lil ole lady breaks up the ear of corn in half or thirds.  She also cuts up other veggies such as asparagus and tomatoes.  She places her veggies on a pan and adds balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.  She mixes it up and sticks it in the oven for about 15 or 20 minutes.  This is my version below which has eggplant, tomatoes, red onions, okra and zucchini.  I also add fresh garlic and season it with salt, pepper and dried basil.  But this time, no Old Bay seasoning.  I bake it on 400 for about 20-30 minutes. 

Sunday Get Away

Last Sunday I headed to Rome, Georgia for a reprieve and to visit Moriah.  Moriah is a sophomore in college.  When I was in my twenties, I lived with her family for about a year.  Moriah has two older sibblings and one younger sibbling.  I've known all of them since their birth.  When I was twentysomething, it never occured to me that one day I'd be visiting these same babies at college. 

I got in my car and headed north of Atlanta.  It was a beautiful and outstanding day.  I recently purchased a Garmin GPS unit because I was sick and tired of getting lost when I ventured into unknown territories. I put in the address of my location and merrily and trustingly went on my way.

Garmin told me to get off at exit 285 (I-75 North).  I went down some long and winding roads.  It was quite scenic.  Was Garmin leading me in the right direction?   Why didn't the exit sign say Rome? 

Once I saw cotton fields I knew I was going in the wrong direction.  I called Moriah.  She said, Oh Lord, Miss Karen!  I don't know where you are but we always take exit 290.   So I got back onto I-75 heading north.  I didn't need to buy a GPS unit to get lost. 

I made it to my destination.  Moriah jumped into the car and we went to get some food.  When I asked Moriah about restaurants she said, Now Miss Karen, I know you like to do the local thing but there aren't any good local restaurants in Rome.  So we ate at Chilli's and it was good.  We then headed to downtown Rome.  I wanted to check out The Old Town Clock. 

I hoped that we would be able to walk up to the top and view the city below but the doors were padlocked.

The Old Town Clock is on the National Register of Historic Places.

We hung around and took pictures.  Moriah...

 

 Me, AKA Miss Karen...



 The Fall leaves...

We left the clock, drove around and stopped here and there.  I took too many pictures to share.  Sometimes, when I paused to take another picture, Moriah said, OhLordMissKaren!  Moriah had my mouth watering about a downtown local bakery which we discovered was closed on Sundays.  From there we went to Jandy's for frozen yogurt.  That place was fun and delicious.  We also visited Berry College located on 26,000 acres - where there were many bicycles and few cars and the shiny black cattle looked relaxed and happy. 

We made it back to Moriah's campus and hung out for awhile.  I met her friends, roomate and suitemates.  She lovingly introduced me as her godmother.  I consider godchildren to be those that God has placed in your life that you are to watch over, support, pray for, mentor, guide, love and assist as they grow and develop.  I'm fortunate to be considered in that way.  We talked about everything, something and nothing.  It was a perfect day.