Free

Screen free

for one week.

What does that mean to me?

Well...

instead of the

"No TV week!"

of yesteryear

my new spin 

(a.k.a. twist of phrase)

takes  the 

focus

away from what is being excluded

and the emphasis is

placed

where it should be...

on the return.

The return to real books.

The return to quiet

moments.

The return of summer.

I have been saying

I haven't had that summer feeling

yet...

with long hours to dedicate

at the computer...

why?

Long hours of watching Netflix...

cuz I have an addiction

to that big sixty inch.

Screens have a way of stripping

me of my calm.

Does that make sense to anyone

out there?

Which is why I have eliminated

the Kindle and even my

bedside clock radio.

They chip at my soul.

I am a firm believer 

in the old adage...

extreme times call for

extreme measures.

I want to feel each and every

long-hour of daylight

that the solstice

brought my way...

even if I get a little twitchy

because

I am ready to experience 

the void.

With absolutely no planned

itinerary

to fill it.

This week...

I'm off-roading it.

It's going to be a bumpy ride

filled with unexpected

twists and turns

narrow escapes

smooth terrains...

I'm ready for wherever

the road takes me.

When the ride is over I will be able to say

Hello, Summer!

Won't you join me?

p.s. I can still be reached via land lines...

please take a moment to 

leave a message

See you after my trip.

;)

Let'sGetOutside

Been visiting the 

FIMBY

site...(check out sidebar)...

where curiosity was piquing

in regards to

barefoot/minimalist footwear

approach to life and fitness

Shopping with sisters

yesterday

landed me at The Shoe Dept.

where I found these babies.

Took them out for a 

test drive

early this morning

(thanks, Susie)

following a bit of online 

tester reviews

which recommended

wearing socks for awhile

Felt good.

Felt free.

Felt like a walking nerdista 

since I was so geeked-up 

about their maiden voyage.

Followed tips.

Yep...these shoes come with training tips

since many aren't used to 

the natural movement of the

foot as one walks.

Found my Bareform*

*aligned posture

*balanced mid-foot landing

with soft knees

*faster, shorter strides

with a cadence of 180 steps/ minute

(for runners).

I walked.

Follow those stickers...

all the way down to

$34.98.

A price that had me

at hello.

For some a grace period

is recommended...

giving your body time to adjust to

the strengthening of

unused muscles.

I went for my usual trek without

any  unwanted

side effects.

Could have something to do with

the fact that

after about 5 seconds home

they were off and I was

barefoot watering and weeding

and strolling around my 

gardens.

I will keep you posted on this newest

purchase of mine and

give you a final report card

at the end

(dare I say it!)

of Summer.

Don't foresee any 

problems 

since it's walking...

as nature intended.

(Thanks, Renee&Damien@ FIMBY)

on the look-out

for ideas.

Using my phone

like a modern day memo pad...

with pictures of

plants I want to include 

in my gardening...

fun and funky things

clever minds

come up with...

ways for creating shade

on our deck...

the umbrella above the table

does a fine job...

a cool draping above

the pergola area

has been on my mind

since we got rid of the

can't-fix-it

hot tub.

Saw this at Lowe's

left with the feeling of

I can make that!

Capture that thought...

snap...snap...snap.

All that idea grabbing

can make you hungry.

Chipolte's stop for three...

one opting for the nearby

Five Guys.

There's a rebel in every group!

So...

what's on your memo pad?

~this moment~

Joining in on the fun.

I know what your thinking...

Where's his helmet?!

Me too.

This picture was taken

 with my husband's

Droid.

I love how he captured the action

and the rest is a blur.

Those phones are way too

smart!

Now...

as for that helmet...

Good day to all!

cutting, eating, dancing, viewing, walking, eating (again!)

Friday

I cut my bangs with rusty

kitchen scissors

I just had my hair trimmed

but that longer bang

was driving me nuts!

Now I've got bangs

alright!

Enough said!

No picture provided.

Mac~n~cheese
to the rescue

I made some Thursday.

Hubby took the leftovers

and I was left with about 3 cups

of cooked macaroni only.

I needed my mac and cheese

I told you about my bangs...

right?

Comfort was a must.

So I made a quick one-pot wonder

with what was in the frig.

The players.

Sauteed diced onion in 

1 T Earth Balance

made a roux by adding 1 T flour

slowly added 

1 C Almond milk and stirred until thick

1/4 chunk of the Daiya Havarti 

(jalapeno garlic) cheese

added the pre-made mac and heated

through.

Mmmm...

Really good.

Creamy goodness with a little bite.

Saturday

I got to watch my girl

Kierstin

dance like no one was watching...

to a packed house!

That girl knew every step
arm movement
and wiggle...
and she wasn't bashful about it.

It's true when I say...
she was the best.

Sunday
took me to the wall.

Walking with young men

reading the names of young men

who gave their lives for their country...

we started at one end

and as we walked

I said a prayer

that

included names of people

I didn't know

until I reached

amen.

Enjoyed the sites.

Enjoyed the fresh-fishy air

as we walked along the docks

and tried to 

name the countries

by their flags

Until our stomachs growled

for some

Spaghetti Warehouse.

We were downtown after all...

We were seated in the trolley!

My first time...

it felt like our own private

diner

with a splash of sangria.

So...

what did you do this weekend?

compiling

a list.

a bucket list.

a summer bucket list.

read about this.

loved the idea.

now my mind can't 

put-it-down

and i'm continually adding to mine.

let's get started.

with lots of watermelon

the real deal

 seeds and all!

how else are you going to have

a seed spitting contest?

spend the day

lazying in a hammock

with a good read

that i intend to finish

in one sitting

create a new cocktail

and share it

with friends

go ahead...

wear that bikini

be open to 

adventures

that come my way

spend some time

with an

old friend

create a backyard 

oasis

and throw a party!

what a perfect

way to spend the evening

after the party

eat s'mores

then eat some more!

camp out

with the girls

right in my own

backyard!

play

yard games.

go to the drive-in.

discover the perfect pie.

start a book club.

go on a bikers weekend

(with hubby!)

...

make...

a summer to

remember!

what's on your list?

take five

wandering the grocery store...

our Kroger is being

remodeled

It boasts to be the 

"Biggest in the Tri-State Area"

Sounds great on screen

but most days when all I need is

some almond milk

I consider "wandering" part of my
daily exercise routine

They have stuff

you'd never expect to see in a grocery store

furniture (for in and out)

clothing (for in and out)

jewelry...

yesterday, they cleaned my earrings

for free...

there's a perk.

Magazines these days!

Every imaginable interest

has a mag companion

but this one takes

the cake

So I'm out gardening

near my private

dock 

carrying

God knows what under

my summer wrap

Puts a new spin on

always be prepared...

don'tcha think?

Moving on.

Made a dessert the other

night...

just because.

All desserts

should be this pretty.

Almost a shame to eat it.

But I did.

:)

A yummy recipe from Heather

at my 30 Day Vegan Workshop.

Being a vegan never tasted

so good.

Finally.

What to do...what to do...

when your husband 

while doing you a favor

mars your freshly painted

wall?

Scream? (did that...in my head)

Have a stiff drink? (considered it)

Meditate.

And no.

I'm not kidding.

While he went out

to do whatever it is he does in

the garage...

probably meditate...

I searched for 

5 minute meditations.

And found them!

Just like those magazines

I can count on You Tube

to have it covered.

Turns out 

I was in need

of 15...since I tried out

3 different videos.

One featured a female voice guiding me along 

with soft music...

nice

but when someone tells me to 

focus on my breathing

I start to think about my breathing

and its hard to relax and let it all go...

#2

had a calm (they're out there!) male voice

with nature sounds in the background...

again nice

but he did that whole breathing thing as well.

What up with that?

Winner.

Mindfulness Bell.

I don't know what it was

about that bell

but it took me to 

my happy place

full of relaxation

and release

and forgiveness.

A wall can be fixed.

Accidents happen.

Get on with the important

things.

#3...

highly recommended!

hands on

for the young

learner

I could tell you about

this beautiful orange flower.

We could find its name together.

This picture might help to visually identify it...

but to touch its crepe paper petals

would leave you breathless

with wonder.

Just for fun

we took the girls to Ann Arbor

for the Thursday night special

"Five $ after Five"

As I perused
my pictures
I found 

a different story

Bernoulli

Archimedes

could be studied
 in books

Somehow 

I think they too

would appreciate

having their conclusions

tested and explored

"in the field"

rather than through words

alone

hands on learning
so important for the young learner

Hmmm...
I wonder.

My pictures
sing a new song.

Couldn't sign off without
sharing my favorite
spot...

the word wall

Oh...

how I want one in my home.

A place to share ideas.

A place to create.

A place to 

whisper...

in a hands on way.