Category Archives: Fitness

Jul 17 2009

Spirited Away, Another Chapter Explored, Sheyu, & Rarrr Day

Watched Spirited Away. Great story. Very imaginative. The illustrations were remarkable, too. So much to enjoy in this movie. The dvd included the bio of Miyazaki, his genius, and touches to the illustrations that bring it to life. Excellent. Very inspiring. Lots of great tips for those who like to write. I especially like how he included flight which I think is so important to children who are forever dreaming of flying. Or is it a dream?  I remember my flying dreams and still have them on fortunate occasions. They are my absolute favorite dreams.

I completed another chapter of my novel tonight. It’s coming along. I’m staying with it, and I’m interested in what happens. I’ve got a story to pursue.  Tonight I wanted to stay with it to see what happened next. It’s cool. My main character, Aisling, is a sensitive and a visionary. Tonight, she touched something and retrieved the history of a situation, and it included a tip of the iceberg whaaat moment. They don’t quite understand what it all means….just yet. But the things they will learn! It rocks. I know that’s vague, but it’s under wraps. I am loving writing this. For a first draft, it’s pretty sweet. Which means the final draft will rock your world!

Today I received an email from Sheyu, my soon to be living companion. He will be a Chinese exchange student who will live with me for the duration of the next school year. He’s quite fluent in English and is excited about coming to America. I’ve lined him up with one our best, brightest, and friendliest students. She is equally excited to meet him as well. I expect he will enjoy spending time with her. She’s Native American and enjoys culture as I do. I’m sure they will learn a lot from each other and have a great time getting to know each other. I’m hoping to get Sheyu out in the community meeting people and having some experiences with American families and lifestyle. So, invite him to dinner and things you think he might enjoy if you’re in the Glenwood community. He will be here at the end of August.

And tomorrow is my yoga/cardio/swimming/hot tubbing/steaming/rarrr day along with tea and some rough drafting at Doppios kind of day.  The whole exercise routine keeps me tuned up and fit and writing afterwards feels…wow. Like the river flows right through me. That’s it. That’s how I can put words to describing flowing chi and the benefits of exercise. It’s already into the wee hours, so I need to be brief in order to get some sleep tonight…err.. this morning. I want to read a little before bed, too. I’m reading Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.  It’s a collection of childhood short stories told in a  way that only he can tell. Funny stuff and great bedtime reading.

Okay, to bed with me. Sooo late!

-Patricia

Jul 11 2009

Forest Meets Desert, Yay Me Pizza, the Morning Workout, Beautiful Sockeye Salmon, & Merlin Update

Yesterday was my day to take my test for National Boards which meant driving over the Yakama Indian Reservation and then to the city of Yakima beginning at 4 a.m. which I did. I took a four and half hour written test on computer. To make it more of a challenge, I couldn’t sleep the night before, actually fell asleep at 3 a.m., and the alarm went off at 4 a.m. Seriously.  But it’s done. I slept like a babe last night.  The most enjoyable parts? Seeing a coyote run across the road in the desert on the reservation and then seeing three herds of wild horses on the way back. The herds looked strong with many foals, some nursing. Then I always enjoy visually surveying the mountains on the line…the point where forests end and desert begins. It’s amazing to me how the landscape changes to desert.

The women at the assessment center were wonderful and sweet as well. When leaving they told me I HAD to celebrate being done and then celebrate again when I receive my scores in late November/early December. Very kind. So celebrate sensibly I did. I made a tomato/spinach/feta pizza last night and watched a movie. The movie, Brazil, was worthy of the garbage. If it wasn’t a Netflix dvd, that’s where I would have put it. Trust me, I have filed more than one dvd there that wasn’t to my liking. The pizza was amazing good. I bought a cheese pizza from a local store, loaded it up with sliced tomato, rough chopped spinach, and sprinkled on a carton of feta, baked, and then dusted with parmsan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. A vegetarian delight.

This morning was exquisite. I rose early, checked the yoga schedule, and headed to the gym with the intent of seriously working out. And that I did. Three and half hours of gym time left me glowing. To begin, I had the absolute best yoga class everrrrr this morning. She was divine. I gave it my all. The music was perfect. And my friend was there! We had a chance to chat about exercise before class began. It was lovely. Then a half hour of intense cardio.  I ended my gym day with aromatherapy steam, hot tub, and swimming lots of laps letting my thoughts be like clouds drifting by. Now most people would not put that much into their daily exercise, but me…I love working out. I love the way it makes me feel mentally, physically, and spiritually. The longest I have worked out has been four hours. So three and half is good for me.  Then quick stop at the Saturday market and then the grocer before coming home to pick up fresh veggies, chicken, and fish, the stuff of my existence.

The meat department was putting out the most beautiful Sockeye Salmon fillets ever! Ugh! Beautiful! I commented on them, and they said that if I bought two pound the price was half! And that they were fresh!! Gah! Yes! So I now have enough salmon to last me a month! Tomorrow, I’m cedar plank smoking it. That is the absolute best way to enjoy it. Seasoned and smoked on cedar planks equals an unrivaled slice of northwest heaven. Cedar planks are soaked for four hours in water. Then the fish portions are placed on top. I season them with lemon pepper, garlic powder, seasoning salt, and a little ginger. Then put them on the bbq with a packet of cedar or hickory chips to smoke in flavor, put the lid on, and let it go for about 20 minutes. Then flip on the plank, season, and smoke another 20 minutes. Check for doneness which it usually is by then. I like my salmon moist and flanky, not cooked to complete dryness. I’ll vacuum pack and seal most of it but absolutely enjoy it for dinner tomorrow. Beautiful, beautiful fish. Then soon I want to go crabbing before summer ends. I have a place I like to visit on the coast where I catch big dungoness crab. It’s great! Outdoors on the water and hauling it these lovelies make for a wonderful day. Think I’ll get a room and spend the night. I so enjoy the ocean as I grew up on it and feel quite at home there. One day I’ll return to the ocean most likely to retire.  I love the sound of water and being near the ocean. The most pleasant experience for me to relax is to read on the beach while the ocean sings in my ear.

Just a quick note about Merlin. He’s doing quite well now, getting around normally and seems to be settling down a little which is absolutely what I had hoped for. He’s with me for life, and I want to love him forever. Having him neutered was emotionally hard for me, but it was the absolute right thing to do. I would rather spend his days loving him more and loathing him less at times. He’s a part of my life, and I’ll enjoy him more this way.

Here’s wishing  you a wonderful summer day and living in such as way as to make your heart light and your soul glad. It’s never too late to live your best life.

-Patricia

Jun 26 2009

So Lovely a Day, Another Photo or Two, & Now Creative Things

Today was wonderful, simply said. After plenty of sleep and a log walk for Merlin, I dressed for the gym, went, and gave it what for. By the time I reached the pool, hot tub, and sauna, I was well lathered up and needing rest. I took my spray bottle of lemongrass/eucalyptus essential oil and water into the steam room and had a wonderful aromatherapy/ steam experience. Then the hot tub beckoned me to completely unwind which I did and loved, laps in the pool were swam, and then the dry sauna. I had roses in my cheeks when I left for the acupuncturist. I stopped in to chat, make an appointment, and pick a few things like protein powder and omega oil diet supplements. They were amazed at how trim, fit, and healthy I looked. Then the receptionist brought one of two acupuncturist into the lobby to look at me. I was a little on the spot, but they were interested in what I’m doing. So I explained my Asian food diet which is mostly vegetables and lean protein, fruit for desserts, and the fact that I work out regularly and faithfully. It all adds up to being healthy and making good choices about what I eat. I think they’re just surprised at how much I don’t look my age or feel my age.  But I can honestly tell you this and know that you are getting the best secret in the universe. Age is only a number when you take care of yourself. When you are fit and eat right, your medical age is much, much lower than your actual age. You can actually take control of your age. Age is the number that fits when you choose to do nothing or make bad choices. Then you feel your age or older and are not enjoying life to its fullest. I jog, I lift weights, I swim laps, and I go for long walks. This makes me look and feel many years younger than my actual age. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something with the purpose of working on your health. Then feeding yourself properly requires complete nutrition. I eat so many different vegetables a day it’s amazing. My solution to getting those vegetables out of the veggie bin in the fridge and in my tummy required careful navigation. I finally came to port with Asian cooking. I absolutely love Chinese food which is loaded with vegetables and also Thai ditto. The ingredients are easy to work with, the sauces are low in fat and calories, and I use lean meats like chicken or fish or sometimes just tofu when I don’t really want to eat meat but still need protein. Sauces usually involve soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. All very low fat, healthy choices to put on vegetables, but packed with enough flavor to make them extremely delicious. To stay trim, lean protein is essential to your core muscle groups while exercise tones and enhances any weight loss. No, I’m not being paid to say any of this or promoting a product. I have found a healthy path in life that has turned back the clock on aging. Mother was right when she said eat your veggies. I always wanted to and have now found a way to do it. So I’m definitely an Asian foodie, have embraced it, and now have four new cookbooks of Chinese and Thai cuisine. I’m constantly trying and learning new recipes. I’m your go to girl for an Asian home cooked meal!~

Here are a few more photos from my last wildflower trip.

Daisies

Daisies

Ferns

Ferns

I really enjoyed this day and will soon go to Bird Creek Meadows or as close as I can get. Some roads are still closed from either snow or a forest fire from a summer or so ago. I showed these to my daughter, and she gave me a directive to pick up the watercolors and get busy. And so I will. I took these photos with composition in mind and really wanted to paint a wildflower series. My influence in watercolor style is without question John Ebner. The style at the bottom of the page for the link to his site. I love his work and strive to be as fluid and colorful as he is. Love your work, Mr. Ebner! I haven’t painted for a while but need to. I once displayed my work and sold it in a gallery and need to return to this part of me. It’s a hobby I really enjoy.

Then there’s the novel. I have posted the most recent revisions and am continuing to write the first draft. I’m not quite sure why I had to have the first chapter close to polished before moving on. Just me being me I suppose.

I hope your summer is made of wonderful, magic, contentment, deep sighs, and joy. It is the easiest of seasons to live. Find pleasure in doing what you enjoy.

-Patricia

Jun 16 2009

Novel Writing, Why to the Gym, & Now More to This Later Finished

Now I’m heading t0 the gym to rock my body and rock it hard. I like being toned and fit. The increased energy flow is the best part.  A date with fitness is especially important as the date to sit and write. My Chinese medicine doctor has emphasized that the flow of energy in the body is first and foremost everything to good health. Most body aches, pains, and such are just symptoms of energy not flowing properly somewhere in the body. So keep the energy moving for good health.

And now, one of my favorite authors, Sherman Alexie.

-Patricia

Jun 15 2009

Wildflower Heaven, Writers’ Conference, Books on Writing

Merlin and I went for a long walk this afternoon. The wildflowers are coming on. There are fields full of summer daisies, the Cottonwood trees are still blooming and fragrant as are the beautiful pink wild roses. The lupine is blooming along with wild sweet peas, poppies, and dandelions. Lots of wildflowers here.  I think this week Merlin and I will head up to the meadows and take some photos of the wildflower fields. Mt. Adams has some amazing views of the summit and fields in bloom. I’ve always wanted to shoot a series of wildflowers. Now is a wonderful time. Everything is in wild, full bloom.

Next weekend I have a writers’ conference to attend. I am gleeful for that beyond words. Says everything doesn’t it. Approaching giddy. I am really anxious for this time to work on my writer’s craft and connect with others in the area. I have already sent a slice of a poetry manuscript on and want to take a chapter or two of my novel with me as well. So this week I will be spending much of my time  on writing. I will post information from the conference that seems useful to other writers so you can gain something from my experience.

Monday’s to do list is a to done list, so the rest of the week is writing, working out, dog walking, fun, and some photography. Good, like summer should be. There’s also an excellent book on writing fiction that I want to finish and post about here. It’s Immediate Fiction and is a great, helpful read. I’ve posted some things from it like want/obstacle/action, and I remember, I think, posting about tone and emotional hook.  I’ll post anything that I haven’t posted so far as I finish the book.Writing about writing just made me a bit excited which led to giggling at myself. I’ll take “Writing Nerds” for a $500, Alex.

-Patricia