Ow, Ow, Ow

I told you I was going to be "back on the beam" so to speak. After a couple weeks off the wagon of running and working out, I went back to it this week. My prediction was pain.  I was right.

I woke up last night with a sneezing fit, no reason why.  The sneezes weren't the problem.  It was the after effect of each sneeze.  The way it felt, I would've thought I've got several broken ribs or something. But no, it's just aftermath of working out after not working out.

I've been running, I've been back in boot camp, and I've been doing strength training.  All this "good for me" stuff is probably going to kill me. Presently, at the very least its interfering with my already less than satisfactory quality of sleep.

Years ago, one of my workout buddies and I would have frequent conversations about exercise. We pondered together the pre-eminent question on our own minds about exercise; that being if exercise prolongs your life, what if it only prolongs it for the exact amount of time we spent in the gym.  Hey, I didn't say we were GREAT thinkers, just thinkers.

In another day or two my pain will be a faded memory. Its hard to believe that my brief hiatus has this much impact on my aging body. I can only say that the proof is in the sneezes... that and "ow, ow, ow."

Sugar Kisses Aren't So Sweet

Incredibly we're already two days into October.  Its still hot here, but all around I'm reminded its fall.  Even the local supermarket down here is selling cinnamon brooms. Its all you can smell when you walk into the store, and I don't like it.  Not at all.

Pumpkins, spices, foliage, and sweaters are the order of the day in many parts.  Not here, no way.  Ok, I've succumbed just a wee bit to the pumpkin & spice thing as far as baking, but as for anything else, not a chance.

It has been 2 weeks since my last run or work out. Instead, I have been tethered to the kitchen for a monster volume of baking. There's more to come on that, but suffice to say, today was another day with hours in the kitchen.... cupcakes, cookies, donuts (yes, donuts, VEGAN donuts; baked not fried!) and more.  I think sugar now courses through my veins instead of blood.  I'm feeling it, boy am I feeling it. My body is craving salad and vegetables, but I haven't heeded the call quite enough just yet.

There's been a couple mini-road trips over the last 2 weeks too, one of which resulted in a pit-stop at a Starbucks (ugh) for a pumpkin soy latte (double ugh).  I'm just not a fan of Starbucks, the coffee never agrees with me. The latte tasted delicious, but I shouldn't have had it, I felt sluggish immediately after. Caffeine, sugar, flour, chocolate. All these things have been lobbed at me lately, even though they're organic, I've had more than enough... these too many sugar kisses are no longer sweet.  I had intentions of starting a cleanse yesterday, it didn't work out.  I knew this weekend would pass by in a blur with hours in the kitchen, and I was correct. No running.  No cleanse.  Shame on me.

Tomorrow is Monday. My baking is done (for the moment) and I've got a bit of help for some chores tomorrow.  There is no way I'm not getting out on the street for a run... sadly with every fiber of my being I'm dreading it.  Maybe not the actual running, but more what I know I'm about to go through for the next few days as I get myself back in order with nutrition and exercise.

As usual...no pain, no gain.  See you on the asphalt!

Turtle - The Movie

As you know, its been a slow turtle nesting season down here in our neck of the beach.  We had one nest, which although it was predated, produced 97 live hatchlings.  The walks still continue, but truthfully none of us really expect any more crawls or nests; although we'll keep our fingers crossed til the last day of nesting season.

Today we went to see a movie at the lovely Tropic Theatre in Key West, called "Turtle, The Incredible Journey."  The story traces the life of a female loggerhead from hatchling to full grown adult.  The cinematography was truly breathtaking. There's some animatronics in the movie, but you'd never know that unless you're told ahead of time.  Whatever portions they animated were seamlessly blended with the actual footage, it was gorgeous.

As I munched on my popcorn (seasoned with Spike and nutritional yeast, hooray for the Tropic snack bar!) eyes fixated on the screen, I kept thinking over and over of the saga of so many turtles that begins on the beach where I live.  I watched the tiny loggerheads spring forth from the sand (although the movie showed this happening in daytime it really almost always occurs at night, one of the only things I found kind of inaccurate) I was on the edge of my seat.  There they were, showing the reality of the plight of the turtle.  She entered the world, had to get to sea, but between her sea and the sand were predators like ghost crabs and birds.  Then when she got to sea, they showed how the hatchlings can end up as "washbacks" still at the mercy of the predators.  All through the movie, they touched on real life for the turtle.  The beauty of the sea they inhabit, along with the mayhem that humankind brings to it with issues like pollution, contamination, overfishing and more.  They also showed an act of mercy and kindness (although it had to do with long lining, which should be banned).

By the end of the movie, I found myself crying as the turtle hauled out of the sea to the beach she was born on, wanting to lay eggs, only to find a vastly different land, one full of shoreline hardening and light filled condos and offices beaming forth their "artificial stars."

Despite all the obstacles, the message of this movie remains one of hope for the turtles.  Can't argue with that.

I read some reviewers felt the musical score is overly dramatic, and the narration at times the same.  The reviewers obviously have never been to a nest excavation, seen a turtle lay her eggs, or found themselves involved in a sea turtle rescue.  For, if they had done any of those things, they would have thought that the movie is very pointed in the realities of the plight of the turtle.

If you get a chance, go see "Turtle, The Incredible Journey."  It was a great way to spend a slice of my afternoon.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Wednesday. Today is Wednesday.  The last post I did was last Friday.  So, where did Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday go?  I've looked around, but couldn't find them.  I've asked a few people, no one had an answer.

Its been a good few days here.  I've been tethered to the kitchen for a string of days, so its kind of a blur.  Don't feel sad for me, I'm not crying the blues.  I've been baking up a storm, and a good storm it has been,  yes indeed.  I'm having fun. My idea of fun may not be YOUR idea of fun, but I guess right now my only explanation for the mysterious evaporation of several days of my life lurks within my kitchen.  My kitchen with the cracked tile has been my bestie the last few days. I'll report more on that soon enough.

To make up for my little posting lapse, here's a photo for you.  I went outside to put a can in the recycling, and this is what I saw.

Yup, a double rainbow. And, the main rainbow went from the ocean to the Gulf.  Don't you wish you were here now too?  Enjoy the rainbows. I'll be back on schedule soon, I promise.  Don't forget.... life is short,  have fun no matter what you do!

Another Equinox

The Autumn Equinox is upon us.  Some know it as "Mabon", a time to give thanks for an abundant harvest, and celebrate the changing seasons. A celebration of dark and light, for the space today is equal.  Some people I know celebrate this equinox simply for the abundant pumpkin lattes that are available for a short time at their local coffee houses.

Here today the temperature hit 91. Now that's what I call autumn.

I won't rehash what I've already blogged ad nauseum about... you know I'm not a fan of cold, that I live here in the Keys partly for the beautiful paradise weather.  But even I could've told you about 3 days ago that fall was in the air.  Sure, we're still in the midst of the "wet" season down here, I watch the tropical updates daily, scanning for information on storms that are swirling out there, or in the process of being formed.  Despite all this, about 3 days ago I felt something different in the air.  Not a chill, not a smell, but this time it was a feeling.  The humidity had dropped.  It was enough that I felt the big change in the air.  I went out for a visit with Pop and was sitting outside with him when I realized the air was different.  I mentioned it to him, he agreed it felt different.  His take on the situation?  "Even more beautiful than I'm used to."  Pop sure has a way with words.

So, here I am still enjoying temps in the 90s, but feeling what will eventually come my way to usher in the change of seasons, that beautiful dry air.  I love living here.  I love it whether its hot & sticky or warm & dry.  As long as its not snowing, its paradise for me... here in the Keys they sure know how to welcome autumn.

Enjoy your pumpkins.... I've got to go pick papayas.

Animal Antics

My friend Mr. Sandman wants to visit, but my cats are keeping him far at bay.

What is it that makes my felines rise at 4 in the morning to do whatever it is they need to do, which isn't really anything that cannot wait til a more human hour.  The cats are tormenting me lately. I only narrowly averted disaster overnight last night by less than half an inch.  Lemon was sleeping near my head, which is relatively common. Pink Moon was preoccupied by something in the bathroom, which I believe was a baby gecko (I guess this because I found said baby gecko -- alive -- behind a jar on the bathroom counter when I got up to investigate).  Pink Moon is a gecko spotter.  There's almost no doubt when she's got one in the crosshairs; she is relentless in her pursuit.  So, when I see her like that, I intervene. Last night however, here was no chance of that, it was dark, I was half asleep (it was after 4am) when I heard glass being shoved on the bathroom countertop. At first it was just a small noise, but it was enough to wake Lemon, which in turn made me semi-conscious.  Then it happened, the perfect storm.  Pink Moon made another shove of glass on the countertop, I turned over towards Lemon, and Lemon became spooked. These 3 things happened all at the same time. In an instant Lemon was leaping up, using his hind feet to shove off my face. It wasn't even my face actually, he shoved off my eyes. Yup, he dug his back feet directly into my right eye. Being that I was only semi-conscious in the middle of turning over, my eyes weren't yet full open, just slightly. So, that fluke averted a disaster. It was awful.  His leaping really spooked Pink Moon who freaked out totally in the bathroom and everything on the countertop came crashing down on the bathroom floor, which freaked out all the cats, and the  humans in the room.

Animal antics. I wish they'd happen in the daytime, not after 4am; not when there's a good chance some misplaced clawed paw will end up skating across my eye(s).  It was a rude awakening, and I've been awake since then.  The positive of all this?  I got up and rescued the little baby gecko and sent him on his way back outside where he belongs.

Almost bedtime. I'm beginning to think goggles might be appropriate bedtime attire.

Sara's Day - In Photos

I admit, I am not a strong picture taker.  In fact, in most areas involving technology, I certainly have my ups and downs, usually more downs than ups.

I'm posting some pictures I took at Sara's release. I knew when I was there I was limited in my ability to take good photos. The crowd was large, press was there, and most importantly I didn't want to obstruct anything involving her release. So, I took a back seat so to speak, figuring I could obtain copies of better photos from other people.

Dr. Doug (the hero veterinarian who saved Sara's life) was there for the release and was shooting pictures like mad. But, he was also directly involved in the release, so for a time his camera was turned over Mr. Happy Vegan to continue that photo shoot.  I did get a disc from  Dr. Doug with some very nice photos, however I have had trouble uploading them to my computer. This is why I haven't posted anything, I was struggling and hoping the problem could be resolved. It hasn't.  Without further adieu, here's Sara's release, in photos:

This poster explains what happened. It was an act of unbelievable cruelty.  The reward is still in place.

Here is Dr. Doug, Turtle Warrior, Saver of Lives.

This is the face of a hero.

This is a close up of Sara in the tub prior to release.

See that big circle near her eye?  That's where the very long spear entered.

1/4 inch in either direction would've meant certain death.  Even so, its a miracle she was found alive.

Here is Sara in the tub.

Closest to the camera is Richie Moretti, Turtle Hospital founder.

Also shown is Tom, another dedicated turtle warrior from the hospital.

More warriors; more heroes.

Richie is very serious and passionate about sea turtles. His vision has saved the lives of hundreds of sea turtles, MANY thousands when you figure in the hatchlings that have been rescued and released through the years.

Sara is carried down to water's edge.

Look! Look!  She's peeking up over the edge!

She can smell the sea air! She can see her home!!!

 She's now seconds away from release!

The tub is gently lowered...... 

She springs forth from the tub into the sea!

As her flippers hit the water, she gets her first taste of her ocean home since being rescued. 

She swam so fast, she was actually "snow plowing." 

She is jubilant!

 

Rejoice!  Rejoice! Rejoice!

Everywhere I look, I see Sara in the sea.

Sara is home.

Isn't she beautiful?

Yes. Yes, she is.