Vacation Day 3: On Hiking, Naked Hula Hooping and Anxious Pets
It’s a warm, sunny day. I awoke at about 8 a.m. with kitty curled up on one side and Loverboy on the other. Just the way I like it. Kitty wasn’t nearly as active as his first night. Everyone is sleeping hard.
Still thanking God kitty didn’t run away and cuddled them both for an hour as the sun streamed through the windows. I love all the windows and light here. My condo is a little dungeon in comparison.
The day’s adventure was to hike the Superior Trail at marker 13. Fabulous vistas according to the cabins owner. I discovered, however, that Loverboy is just not cut out for hiking. He is more of a city dog. Stroll, sniff, mark, roll around in the grass. This marching through thick forests is not his game. We stopped frequently in shady spots and Loverboy crawled beneath the underbrush. I congratulated myself for purchasing him a flea and tick collar, the thing looks like chemical warfare encapsulated, so I draped it around his neck instead of pulling it to a snug fit. I hope that was enough to protect him from the critters. I was seriously afraid he might get a reaction of some sort, the thing looks lethal and smells poisonous.
We turned around after a quarter of a mile when Loverboy refused to drink his water, a sure sign he was tired and overheated. This was one trip I would have to take myself. We returned home where I proceeded to hula hoop to United Future Organization, a CD from an old boyfriend. Sixty minutes of funk/jazz/rap/world fusion. I have the perfect hula hooping perch, a sun deck balanced on a hillside, tiny streams running beneath it to the river bordered by firs towering a story high or better. A hawk soared overhead. One of the few birds I’ve seen the entire trip, much to my disappointment. As I said, it is definitely not like home where dozens of them flock the moment you put out seed. I’ve filled every birdfeeder here and it’s only attracted a chipmunk who proceeded to down all of the sunflower seeds.
I caught my reflection in the sliding glass door as I hooped. I looked like your typical middle-age Russian woman. Thick upper arms, lumpy torso, thin legs and the dress I was wearing was not flattering, and it was getting hot. So I whipped it off, and hula hooped naked, for a short time anyway, until the next tune began with the telltale waaa-waaa of a stripper’s song. What timing. Self-conscious, I threw my dress back on. But I liked how I looked naked in the sunlight, as opposed to naked under fluorescent lamps. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the sliding glass door, I looked strong and sensual, not dowdy like I did in that ugly, old sundress.
The day’s adventure was to hike the Superior Trail at marker 13. Fabulous vistas according to the cabins owner. I discovered, however, that Loverboy is just not cut out for hiking. He is more of a city dog. Stroll, sniff, mark, roll around in the grass. This marching through thick forests is not his game. We stopped frequently in shady spots and Loverboy crawled beneath the underbrush. I congratulated myself for purchasing him a flea and tick collar, the thing looks like chemical warfare encapsulated, so I draped it around his neck instead of pulling it to a snug fit. I hope that was enough to protect him from the critters. I was seriously afraid he might get a reaction of some sort, the thing looks lethal and smells poisonous.
We turned around after a quarter of a mile when Loverboy refused to drink his water, a sure sign he was tired and overheated. This was one trip I would have to take myself. We returned home where I proceeded to hula hoop to United Future Organization, a CD from an old boyfriend. Sixty minutes of funk/jazz/rap/world fusion. I have the perfect hula hooping perch, a sun deck balanced on a hillside, tiny streams running beneath it to the river bordered by firs towering a story high or better. A hawk soared overhead. One of the few birds I’ve seen the entire trip, much to my disappointment. As I said, it is definitely not like home where dozens of them flock the moment you put out seed. I’ve filled every birdfeeder here and it’s only attracted a chipmunk who proceeded to down all of the sunflower seeds.
I caught my reflection in the sliding glass door as I hooped. I looked like your typical middle-age Russian woman. Thick upper arms, lumpy torso, thin legs and the dress I was wearing was not flattering, and it was getting hot. So I whipped it off, and hula hooped naked, for a short time anyway, until the next tune began with the telltale waaa-waaa of a stripper’s song. What timing. Self-conscious, I threw my dress back on. But I liked how I looked naked in the sunlight, as opposed to naked under fluorescent lamps. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the sliding glass door, I looked strong and sensual, not dowdy like I did in that ugly, old sundress.
I decided clothes are for skinny women. How much more accepting we would be of each other if we all ran around naked. And I’m sure the definition of what’s desirable would not be so narrow.
Loverboy and I strolled down the river and I stood in the middle of it. It’s shallow and fast-moving, but refreshingly cold. Loverboy took a couple sips but stayed on shore, he’s not a water dog. My next trip, after I lose my weight, will be in February, I will be 125 pounds by then, and to celebrate, I am going to plan a beachside vacation. I do miss being able to bounce around in the water, like you can on a lake. However, on a lake, you are also surrounded by the noise of powerboats and families, as opposed to the soothing sounds of water flowing.
I’ve been on a grilling frenzy. Charcoal isn’t cheap, neither is lighter fluid. So I cook in huge batches and now realize I brought too much food. Loverboy and kitty are on a hunger strike. I grilled chicken thighs today and Loverboy had just a couple of bites. The rest waits for him in his dish; his doggy biscuits, however, are getting cleaned up fast – we’re halfway through a box that lasts a week. Perhaps the biscuits are easier on an anxious stomach.
I think the kids are nervous about the change. Loverboy has only been to my parent’s cabin and a camping trip with an old boyfriend. There were other people, and dogs, not just me. This is so much different than his world. I realize change isn’t easy for me, either. I am confronting my aloneness and the fact that my only real family is my pets. I’m scared to be around people for extended periods of time. How do I entertain them? What do I say?
Once I lose my weight, someone will want to join me in my life and I won’t have to work so hard to keep them happy. I’ll be thin, and thin is rare and valued in this day and age, so I won’t have to try nearly as hard to be appreciated. There are folks who will disagree with me vehemently and try to assure me I am perfect just the way I am. Whatever. I don’t care. I speak truth. I am reading the book, “When Society Becomes an Addict,” by Anne Wilson Schaef. She has a whole chapter on dishonesty – all of society is dishonest. She advises to “See what you see and know what you know.” I see what I see and know what I know. And what I know is society, right or wrong, loves skinny and abuses people who aren’t.
Loverboy and I strolled down the river and I stood in the middle of it. It’s shallow and fast-moving, but refreshingly cold. Loverboy took a couple sips but stayed on shore, he’s not a water dog. My next trip, after I lose my weight, will be in February, I will be 125 pounds by then, and to celebrate, I am going to plan a beachside vacation. I do miss being able to bounce around in the water, like you can on a lake. However, on a lake, you are also surrounded by the noise of powerboats and families, as opposed to the soothing sounds of water flowing.
I’ve been on a grilling frenzy. Charcoal isn’t cheap, neither is lighter fluid. So I cook in huge batches and now realize I brought too much food. Loverboy and kitty are on a hunger strike. I grilled chicken thighs today and Loverboy had just a couple of bites. The rest waits for him in his dish; his doggy biscuits, however, are getting cleaned up fast – we’re halfway through a box that lasts a week. Perhaps the biscuits are easier on an anxious stomach.
I think the kids are nervous about the change. Loverboy has only been to my parent’s cabin and a camping trip with an old boyfriend. There were other people, and dogs, not just me. This is so much different than his world. I realize change isn’t easy for me, either. I am confronting my aloneness and the fact that my only real family is my pets. I’m scared to be around people for extended periods of time. How do I entertain them? What do I say?
Once I lose my weight, someone will want to join me in my life and I won’t have to work so hard to keep them happy. I’ll be thin, and thin is rare and valued in this day and age, so I won’t have to try nearly as hard to be appreciated. There are folks who will disagree with me vehemently and try to assure me I am perfect just the way I am. Whatever. I don’t care. I speak truth. I am reading the book, “When Society Becomes an Addict,” by Anne Wilson Schaef. She has a whole chapter on dishonesty – all of society is dishonest. She advises to “See what you see and know what you know.” I see what I see and know what I know. And what I know is society, right or wrong, loves skinny and abuses people who aren’t.
Anyway, I am really looking forward to not having to try so hard at everything in life.
Kitty is resting his paw on my feet as he grooms himself. Love that. Love him.
Later – Day 3: It’s Dark Out There!
Later – Day 3: It’s Dark Out There!
I just let Loverboy outside to go final potties. He did not wander far to pee and poop, thank God. I was spooked. Kitty was in my arms with leash on. He had no desire to go to the ground and was enthralled by the bugs that the porch light attracted. Moths are the ultimate kitty toy.
I wish I was brave enough to go outside and look at the stars by myself. But I’m spooked up here alone! If someone was with me, I might be more courageous. What a wuss I am! I can’t miss this opportunity. But not tonight. Not yet. Four more nights to gather my courage. People camp by themselves out in the wilderness, why am I such a coward?
I wish I was brave enough to go outside and look at the stars by myself. But I’m spooked up here alone! If someone was with me, I might be more courageous. What a wuss I am! I can’t miss this opportunity. But not tonight. Not yet. Four more nights to gather my courage. People camp by themselves out in the wilderness, why am I such a coward?
I am enjoying reading about the history of this region. My mother’s family came here around the turn of the 20th century. My grandfather was a contract logger and wouldn’tchaknow – this stretch of highway is adopted by the contract loggers association!
Breaking news: There is a luna moth the size of my fist flitting outside the window. Kitty is mesmerized. It’s impossible to get a photo, I tried. It moves too fast and it’s too dark. All the camera picks up is the flash against the screen door. Well, I may not be getting birds, but I am getting spectacular moths.
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