Back to Nature

Today was so amazing. It was a very pleasant day, the sky was clear with the sun warming the earth with her bright rays of light. Warm filled the air.

We traveled to a suburban town called Wayne, Illinois. Part of the Illinois Prairie path runs through Wayne. About four weeks ago I went on a bike ride out there with my friends. My thoughts as I traveled in this highly forested area was how peaceful and blissful it was in this area. I had to take my children to this wonderful place. Thus we hopped in the car and drove there.

Exploring the forest perserve by foot was even better then when I rode on the paths on my bike. Plus I was able to take the kids of the prairie path into the beautiful meadows and truly get close to nature and our lovely earth.

We found a stream and a pond. The pond was amazing because we saw so many frogs. I became a child again. Javi, my darling son, and I tried catching some frogs. We weren't successful I had totally forgotten how fast frogs are. The joy on my son's face to attempt to catch a frog was priceless.

There were several garden snakes and we did try to catch and take a picture of two of them but alas they were much too quick for us. We did find a deceased mouse, frog and snake. Javi wants to go back to have a funeral service for each of the deceased.

It was lovely, breath taking and peaceful. A nice way to end the week or start the next week. I enjoyed spending this time with my kids and wish it hadn't ended.

To climb or not to climb

I spent five hours today rock climbing. What I enjoy about the climbing is the exhilaration of ascending the 60 foot wall and the descent. I like the danger which is minimal when you are not on an actual rock face and when you are on the rock face. It is the power of being able to conquer mother nature.

Today, I pushed myself to the point that my biceps, triceps and deltoid are aching. My extensor digitorum, extensor pollicis longus and extensor carpi ulnaris are still twitching. I at least wore my ace wrap on my right knee which I know has a lateral meniscus tear, however, the wrap has at least saved my knee today as I have no swelling. I know I am so pushing myself but this is my exercise, my joy and what keeps me going.

The reason for the blog is that I have found so much challenge and joy in climbing. My little obsession.

When I came home tonight, ate a bit then sat to relax as my body is not liking that i am pushing it. Decided to watch a movie and ended up watching a documentary called "Touching the Void" the story of Simon Yates and Joe Simpson, the only two mountaineers to successful alpine climb the Siula Grande in the Andes.

One thing I admire is that they actually climbed to the peak of the Siula Grande. They used the skill and knowledge needed to conquer the mountain. However, upon the descent Joe fell putting excessive pressure on his left leg causing the fibula to jolt up and bang into his femur causing a severe break. Simon tried to get Joe off the mountain after going over a huge ice ledge and making no progress, Simon thought Joe was dead and cut the 150 foot rope.

Luckily, Joe had fallen in a crevasse in a glacier and miraculuslly made his way down to basecamp and out of the Andes alive.

Brings me to my point, should we be climbing these high peaks? Everest has become the "tourist" mountain for unexperienced climbers. Look back at the 1996 disaster on the mountain in which two of the worlds most experienced mountaineers sacrificed their lives to save the unexperienced climbers who paid them to take them on the mountain.

The dangers of climbing over 20,000 feet; ice, poor oxygen, frost bite, extreme wind chill, changes in temperature from day to evening, dangerous descents, storms, white outs, and more dangers.

My thoughts, climbing is a fun adventurous sport however it is dangerous and important make sure you double check your knots, equipment, have trust worthy climbing partners and experience. Personally for myself, I would not go up Everest, K12, Siula Grande or any other high peaks. Our grand creator of the earth did not intend for humans to be at such elevations. Kudo's to those whom climb the elevations. You will still see me on the rock but I won't be in places of snow and ice.

Thoughts upon reading: Where Men Win Glory

I enjoy reading classics, fiction, nonfiction, biographies, well anything I can get my hands one, except romance novels. I read "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer this last spring. I was extremely impressed with Jon's writing style. He not only has a captivating way of writing but he also does research and presents as much of the facts regarding the story that he is sharing. Granted in the book "Into Thin Air" his intent was to write a story about how Mt. Everest had become so commerical however he ended up being involved in the biggest disaster on Mt. Everest in the history of climbing the moutain.

Thus, I borrowed "Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman" from my friend. I am not far into the book as of yet, however I am learning a lot and have discovered some other books which I will add to my already long list of "To Be Read" books that I would like to read.

Usually, I don't follow politics and details on wars, and will readily admitt I don't tend to talk about politics as I know so little about the topics. I know that even if the war is not on my homeland of America I do know that it can impact my life. The first thing I have learned is that I really should pay closer attention to politics and the reasons behind wars and it goes deeper into history of each country and even my own country.

As I have been reading, I must say that American politicians need to carry a lot of the blame with the recent war in which many of our young military men and women have given up their lives or suffered severe injury either physical or emotional. In the process of reading I have learned that not only did the US support Afghanistan by providing them with weapons but they continued to do so through Soviet occupied Afghanistan, but they supported Iraq with weapons. Which are now being used to kill our American Troops. I could ramble for hours on why this infuriates me. However, I am going to stop because it is raising my blood pressure.

Another thing I learned is that the leader of the Taliban Omar (I forgot his last name) brought Ben Liden back to Afghanistan after Saudi Arabia didn't want him anymore. Omar initially started out doing good deeds, rescuing women and children who where being physically beaten and/or raped by fighting political parties. Thus he stopped some horrible things going on in Afghanistan however, in the process became very hateful and vendictive.

Apparently the US put pressure on Saudi Arabia to expell Ben Liden. Once expelled from his home country (keep in mind he had done some things in Saudi Arabia to the point his family disowned him and he was a very feared man), instead of being a real man decides that he is going to blame the US for his actions. Thus we have the two attacks on the World Trade Center. Clearly a man with severe moral and psychological issues.

Pat Tillman, I should cover him too. I am impressed that first he was willing to give up millions of dollars to serve his country after 9/11. In learning about him in this book, he has the gumption to push himself to his limits and exceed. A great role model for adults and children. Especially little boys. There just doesn't seem to be enough great role models for our youth today.

To end this entry today I am going to dedicate this to my friend Jessie. He was a brilliant young 20 year old. Four years ago he was killed in combat in Afghanistan. Brilliant young man who impacted my life and was a very dear friend. Here's to you Jessie, your life did not go unnoticed. Thanks for serving our country you will always have a special place in my heart.

The Kiss

Recently, I was reminiscing with my dear sister Heather about the one I truly loved an let get away. In reality I broke his heart. He wanted me to move to New York, I was nineteen and scared to leave my little Utah home to go to the big city. We kept in touch, I got married and he told me that I was the one for him and his heart was broken. Though we aren't together he was my first love and our first kiss has and always will be the most memorable kiss I ever had.

William took me to a lovely dinner to Ruby's in Immigration Canyon. It was my first glass of red wine and he knew how to pick a perfect wine with our meal. I remember we had alfredo and a garden salad.

After dinner, William walked back to the car and pulled out this ratty old army blanket. He grabbed my hand and we walked under the half moon in the canyon. He laid the blanket down under a huge tree. we laid down staring at the stars and moon. He began reciting "A Thing of Beauty" by John Keats. When he finished he turned his head toward me, put his hand ever so gently on my chin and pulled me close to his face and then we kissed. The kiss that has imprinted upon my brain as if it happened minutes ago.

Long Time

It has been a while since I blogged. My plan to blog weekly didn't work out so well. My intelligent teenage daughters just went back to school and they tend to require the use of the computer nightly for homework. Thus I have disappeared for a while.

My book buying ban is going well. Eleven days into the ban and I haven't purchased a new book. Which is good as I have so many books that I need to finish reading. There are so many I would like to add to my list also. Must finish ones that I own and books that I have borrowed.

The diet I am on is working out great. I feel so much better eating healthy and pushing myself to work out. Twenty days without sugar. I have a horrible sweet tooth. I could eat so much junk food that it could be severely bad for me. I am sure the holidays, just around the corner, will be tough as I do so love cookies, cake, candy but I shall let myself have a minor snack once the holiday's come around. It will just mean pushing myself to work out more.

Ummmm, a rather boring blog today. I am still asleep. Not sure why. I went to bed late and slept in. I tend to get more sleepy when I actually sleep versus when I don't sleep. I think that is rather odd and then again I am not a normal person.

We do have lovely rain this morning. It did put a damper on my morning bike ride as it is coming down profusely and I didn't want to ride through mud.

Oh, the man ban. Going well. It has given me time to think about what I really want in life and I do know that I need this time to gather my thoughts, better myself and enjoy my dear beautiful children. Really it has opened my eyes to the importance of my lovely family and sweet friends.

Until I pop on again.

Breath of Memories

My baby started third grade. As a mum I am both excited and sad. Sad that he is no longer a baby and overjoyed to watch him grow into a little man. With watching him take off to school a flood of memories over came me and brought me back to the day of his birth. A wonderful day one of the greatest days of my life.

The birth of all my babies is a fond happy memory. Even though they have grown so much and are no longer little babies I remember their births as if they were yesterday.

I treasure the memories. I love to watch them grow, learn and explore this beautiful world. Here is a cheer to all three of my kids for a great third grade, freshman and junior year in school. Enjoy the learning, enjoy your friends and make me smile!

Book Buying Ban

I was just reading Book Coop blog, which is my most lovely friends blog. And she is going on a book buying ban. I so need to do this. I have so many book that I need to finish.

Okay with that said. I shall add a book buying bann or BBB to my list of goals. No new books starting September 1, 2010 until I have read 15 books that I already own. Then I can only purchase 1 book.

1 book for every 15 read. That is a good goal then hopefully I can get caught up on some reading of books that I own.