~~~Gratitude~~~ Health

As of today, I have been home for 15 day without leaving!  My record is 16 days and it looks like I will beat that this week.  I try to go to town once a week to swim at the Y, do errands, and be with other people.  But everyday that I could leave lately, I have either been bound here by a snow storm or by the lack of a plowed driveway.  I am not complaining, just sharing an interesting fact about my existence.  I do not feel cabin fever at all.  I have been quite busy. I also, I maintain my sanity by getting outside each and everyday.  

My chosen fun activity is snowshoeing, as you know if you follow this blog.  You will also be aware of the fact that we have quite a bit of snow.  A few days ago I blogged about my snowshoes here: http://injoyemporium.blogspot.com/2015/01/snow-snow-snowshoes-x3.html  I talked about our old gut snowshoes that have been on the wall for years.  Well, folks they are off the wall!  The snow is too deep for my lightweight modern shorties.  So I have been packing trails with the old gut ones.  I have been packing down a bit every other day and using the light ones on the off days.  It is a pretty good workout!  These snowshoes are 60 inches long...yes 5 feet!  I am 5 feet 8 inches.  Each step includes a bit of snow lifting.  I have to say it is fun to be using them again!  They are quiet and beautiful.  I feel connected with days gone by~~~

We purchased these snowshoes December 1979 at Ed's Surplus, Lynnwood, Washington for $39.99 each.  At the time it was a pretty good chunk of change for us.  We had just returned from a hitch hiking trip around Alaska and the Yukon.  We had made vows of relationship commitment while we were there and these were "wedding" gifts to our Selves.  

Here are some scenes from todays snowshoe....

Unbroken Trail

Turning Around with these Shoes is an Interesting Side Step Dance!

After Turning I Go back and Re-Pack

A Nice bit of Trail....Until the Next Storm!

I Am GRATEFUL for my Healthy Body that Allows me to Snowshoe!
Today I know my heart is healthy...
I nearly stepped on a Ruffed Grouse that exploded into the air out of the snow!!!

It is my intention, each week, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your moments of Gratitude. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~

Snow, Snow, Snowshoes X3

Finally, some sunshine on Thursday!  Finally, I got to try out my newest snowshoes.  Wednesday I was just a bit too tired after the shoveling workout!  Snowshoes have come a long way since my first pairs.  The ones in the photo below were what we used for many years.  They are about 4 feet long and great in deep snow, a definite workout for your legs but, a bit hard to maneuver with in the woods.  The bindings were always a problem too.  

At the beginning of the winter I bought these snowshoes from LLBeans to replace the ones I wore out last year.  I didn't not care for these bindings.  I had a real hard time keeping them on and adjusted.  So I returned them...Thanks LLBeans for your great unconditional return policy! 

 Here are my new ones.  I had some trepidation since they are only 24 inches long.  I have been using 30 inch snowshoes since I graduated from the gut & wood.  With only 2 straps I wasn't sure they would stay on but they have super nice ratchet mechanisms!

Ready for the first test walk in post fluffy & deep Juno snow!

They are super! In about 3 feet of powder I only sunk about 8 inches which is to be expected in this fluff!  The bindings stayed on well and are easy to remove with gloved hands!  Thumbs-up!

FRIDAY'S SNOWSHOE 

Friday brought clouds and more snow but also, warmer weather...in the 20's!  Felt like a heat wave!  Spent a good deal of time outside getting some air...oh the work will still be there~~~

Pond Bench!

 So nice out the duckies even went for a snowshoe!  Here is where my new snowshoes received another test.  As I was "jumping" over the stream to take this photo I took a tumble.  I ended up in a position that would best be described as snow twister.  I was sort of stuck.  My left leg was behind me in the snow and I couldn't get up.  But my right snowshoe was nearly in my face.  I easily removed my right one and used it as a pole and pushed my way up.  Then strapped it on again and I was good to go!

Friday Night a Mini Blizzard

Friday morning more snow to shovel and plow....

Short little snowshoes worked perfectly for doing the morning chores!  Besides duck care this morning, included a trip to the mailbox with an Etsy order headed to Ireland!