As of Saturday, I have hiked all of the trails in 2 of the MetroParks. I've hiked them all in Inniswood Metro Gardens (a super-easy one, given) and now I've hiked them all in Three Creeks (another easy one).
I have one trail of less than 1.5 miles left to hike up at Blendon Woods, and one paved trail of about 2 miles to do at Walnut Woods and I will have those parks checked off the list.
There are still many, many miles to go, however. I'm so excited for consistently nice weather. The paved trails allow me to cheat at put the kid in the stroller, whereas putting her in the carrier lets me burn some extra calories. It's win-win.
I've been reading a lot again, and I'm grateful for every page. I just recently finished Stiff by Mary Roach, and The Midwife by Jennifer Worth. Next up, Bonk by Mary Roach and part 2 of Jennifer Worth's Memoirs.
I've also reactivated my account over on Find A Grave. I've already helped a couple of people track down stones for their research, and I'm hoping to get a lot more active with that now that the weather is nice and my kid walks. It's so much easier navigating a cemetery when your companion is capable of walking alongside you.
That's all I have today, a couple of quick, silly updates. If I ever have time again, I'll actually put together something of substance to share.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The MetroParks Project
I keep getting asked why I've decided to hike all of the public hiking trails in the MetroParks system (except the Greenway Trails). Honestly, I have no idea why. I have always really loved the MetroPark system, and being outside is my best form of exercise. Not to mention I have a little kid who loves outside and all it entails.
I guess that's my reason, then. I want to be outside, I want my kid to be outside, and I want to show appreciation for the system in some small way.
I'm around 20% done with the just shy of 100 miles of public hiking trails.
I haven't set a deadline for completion because I never know for sure when I'm going to get a chance to pop out and hike a trail. It'd be my luck I'd be one trail from completion and it'd flood out or my car would break down or some other force beyond my control would make me miss the deadline.
So this is a life goal. The sooner I complete it, the better, but there will always be more.
Earlier this week the Buckeye Trail at Walnut Woods opened. Land was recently purchased for a new park just off of 104 a little south of where I currently live. New parks mean New Trails.
I'm still trying to find out about Rocky Fork.
As part of this project I've put together a little binder. I have printed maps of each park with a trail list that I can check off as I finish, and a pocket for a copy of the official maps available at the parks. I'm trying to figure out what other sort of data I want to accumulate throughout this project. Maybe once Addy is older we'll add a flora/fauna checklist or similar. Suggestions are very welcome on that topic.
There you have it. I want to hike them because I can. I want to collect some sort of data while doing so, but I haven't decided what that will be. I want to teach my kid to appreciate nature from a young age.
I guess that's my reason, then. I want to be outside, I want my kid to be outside, and I want to show appreciation for the system in some small way.
I'm around 20% done with the just shy of 100 miles of public hiking trails.
I haven't set a deadline for completion because I never know for sure when I'm going to get a chance to pop out and hike a trail. It'd be my luck I'd be one trail from completion and it'd flood out or my car would break down or some other force beyond my control would make me miss the deadline.
So this is a life goal. The sooner I complete it, the better, but there will always be more.
Earlier this week the Buckeye Trail at Walnut Woods opened. Land was recently purchased for a new park just off of 104 a little south of where I currently live. New parks mean New Trails.
I'm still trying to find out about Rocky Fork.
As part of this project I've put together a little binder. I have printed maps of each park with a trail list that I can check off as I finish, and a pocket for a copy of the official maps available at the parks. I'm trying to figure out what other sort of data I want to accumulate throughout this project. Maybe once Addy is older we'll add a flora/fauna checklist or similar. Suggestions are very welcome on that topic.
There you have it. I want to hike them because I can. I want to collect some sort of data while doing so, but I haven't decided what that will be. I want to teach my kid to appreciate nature from a young age.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Heading towards Normal
Slowly but surely, the weather around here has been improving, meaning we've been going outside as much as possible. It's been glorious!
We spent one afternoon knocking off an easy set of trails from the list (Inniswood) and as of earlier this week, the Buckeye Trail at Walnut Woods is opened, so that's next on our hit list. I have a special appreciation for the paved trails since I can cheat and toss the kid in the stroller for those.
A friend of mine recently turned me onto the show Call The Midwife. I'm hooked. Once I finish the book I'm current working on (Stiff by Mary Roach) I'll be reading the first of Jennifer Worth's memoirs, which are the basis for the show.
Overall, my life is a fairly steady routine.
The biggest thing is that this Saturday is Walk MS, and I'm woefully behind on my fundraising goal. If you wanna chip in towards a world free of MS as part of my fundraising effort, please, click here.
That's all I've got, really. Check out the MetroParks page to see the updated tally.
We spent one afternoon knocking off an easy set of trails from the list (Inniswood) and as of earlier this week, the Buckeye Trail at Walnut Woods is opened, so that's next on our hit list. I have a special appreciation for the paved trails since I can cheat and toss the kid in the stroller for those.
A friend of mine recently turned me onto the show Call The Midwife. I'm hooked. Once I finish the book I'm current working on (Stiff by Mary Roach) I'll be reading the first of Jennifer Worth's memoirs, which are the basis for the show.
Overall, my life is a fairly steady routine.
The biggest thing is that this Saturday is Walk MS, and I'm woefully behind on my fundraising goal. If you wanna chip in towards a world free of MS as part of my fundraising effort, please, click here.
That's all I've got, really. Check out the MetroParks page to see the updated tally.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sick Kids Wreck Days
It's been close to 10 days of sickness in the Keating household. Just as it seems like Addy is healing up, she relapses. Poor kid has been fighting a cold with a disappearing/reappearing fever for the better part of 10 days. Fortunately the fever has been gone for 7 of those days, but the runny nose and now cough from the post nasal drip just won't go away.
We've been cooped up in the house because of this, and I'm going insane. The weather is finally feeling good, so I'm desperate.
I did something silly that I've been procrastinating on for a very long time. I took my work bag from my last job and finally cleaned it out. I put all the papers from the old job into recycling, I threw away all the expired alcohol wipes, and even put the bag itself into the washer. Now I have a binder filled with page protectors and a pretty (but worn) tote bag that no longer has a job.
There hasn't been much going on thanks to the sick kid. I started watching Call the Midwife, my Degrassi addiction is still in full force, and...yeah, that's it. I have several books on reserve at the library, so that's cool.
Eventually, I will sit down and make a list of interesting topics I could blog about. Actually, I'll say it's happening soon, but I'm reserving the right to use the Joe Peacock definition of "soon."
Sunday, March 31, 2013
This & That & some ancient Jews
There are quite a few things going on in my universe recently, but I can never seem to find the time or the words to talk about them properly.
The weight loss is continuing, although it has dramatically slowed down. I blame myself for being less active recently. We had a cold snap and I hate the cold, so I went into lazy mode and hid in the house. The weather seems to be improving finally, so hopefully that will change.
Addy is sick. She woke up on Thursday a snotty mess and has gotten worse each day. Yesterday wasn't too bad, but now she's running a fever that won't quite break even with medicine. It lowers, but doesn't break. She's currently sleeping way earlier than her usual naptime. I'm guessing she's just got a nasty cold, but if the fever doesn't break today I'm calling the doctor first thing in the morning. I live in fear of an ear infection. I'd rather go in and be told it's just a cold than ignore an ear infection and have an ear drum rupture.
Other than my impromptu trip down to Slate Run, I haven't been to a park in a while and once again I'm blaming the cold. I did realize that I have one trail left up at Blendon Woods and 3 very short trails left in Three Creeks. Hopefully those will get knocked off the list soon. I don't want to drag a sick kid out of the house unnecessarily, though.
Of course the Gay Marriage debate is raging right now. I'll say one sentence and move on: I fully support equal marriage amongst consenting adults, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
I've been very behind of a lot of news recently and the part of me that is used to being plugged in all the time feels very deprived and ignorant. At the same time, the part of me that loves the happy little bubble consisting of me taking care of my kid is quite blissful. Ahh, to be worldly and self-absorbed all at once.
This past Tuesday, Addy and I went to Cinci to meet up with some friends at the Children's Museum. Now, my love of the Cinci Museum Center is well documented. I love the building, I love the museums, and I love the people. Until now, however, I'd never had an excuse to go into the Children's Museum. I now have a walking, exploring, mischievous toddler on my hands. We didn't even get a chance to explore the entire Children's Museum it's so big! I'm really excited to get Nate down there with her to play and explore. He still hasn't made it down there with me.
I also checked out the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. I know that's strange to many since I am a pretty vocal secular humanist, but whole college life once I abandoned theater was about archaeology. I had to see one of the coolest archaeological finds in global history. The exhibit was great, even for those of us who don't subscribe to the religions. There are many wonderful pieces, from pottery to mosaics, that highlight life in the 1st century BCE. It's there through April 14, so if you get a chance and you like history, go see it. The 10 scrolls are super cool to see, too.
That's really all I've got for now.
The weight loss is continuing, although it has dramatically slowed down. I blame myself for being less active recently. We had a cold snap and I hate the cold, so I went into lazy mode and hid in the house. The weather seems to be improving finally, so hopefully that will change.
Addy is sick. She woke up on Thursday a snotty mess and has gotten worse each day. Yesterday wasn't too bad, but now she's running a fever that won't quite break even with medicine. It lowers, but doesn't break. She's currently sleeping way earlier than her usual naptime. I'm guessing she's just got a nasty cold, but if the fever doesn't break today I'm calling the doctor first thing in the morning. I live in fear of an ear infection. I'd rather go in and be told it's just a cold than ignore an ear infection and have an ear drum rupture.
Other than my impromptu trip down to Slate Run, I haven't been to a park in a while and once again I'm blaming the cold. I did realize that I have one trail left up at Blendon Woods and 3 very short trails left in Three Creeks. Hopefully those will get knocked off the list soon. I don't want to drag a sick kid out of the house unnecessarily, though.
Of course the Gay Marriage debate is raging right now. I'll say one sentence and move on: I fully support equal marriage amongst consenting adults, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
I've been very behind of a lot of news recently and the part of me that is used to being plugged in all the time feels very deprived and ignorant. At the same time, the part of me that loves the happy little bubble consisting of me taking care of my kid is quite blissful. Ahh, to be worldly and self-absorbed all at once.
This past Tuesday, Addy and I went to Cinci to meet up with some friends at the Children's Museum. Now, my love of the Cinci Museum Center is well documented. I love the building, I love the museums, and I love the people. Until now, however, I'd never had an excuse to go into the Children's Museum. I now have a walking, exploring, mischievous toddler on my hands. We didn't even get a chance to explore the entire Children's Museum it's so big! I'm really excited to get Nate down there with her to play and explore. He still hasn't made it down there with me.
I also checked out the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. I know that's strange to many since I am a pretty vocal secular humanist, but whole college life once I abandoned theater was about archaeology. I had to see one of the coolest archaeological finds in global history. The exhibit was great, even for those of us who don't subscribe to the religions. There are many wonderful pieces, from pottery to mosaics, that highlight life in the 1st century BCE. It's there through April 14, so if you get a chance and you like history, go see it. The 10 scrolls are super cool to see, too.
That's really all I've got for now.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Where is Spring, exactly?
Today is March 20, the official start of Spring. Someone forgot to tell Ohio's weather.
It's currently 39 degrees fahrenheit at my house. This time last year, it was a record-breaking 84 degrees fahrenheit. I'd be perfectly content with a high temperature somewhere in between, say 55 or so right now.
Normally this time of year I can shut my heat off during the day to save power, I can sometimes even open a window. Instead I'm bundling myself and my kid up just to make it to the car.
I'm miserable in the cold. I want my Spring warmth. I want to put a big dent in the hiking goal, and I can't do that with the kid in tow when it's this cold.
Although, we did venture out yesterday. I knocked out 3 little trails down at Slate Run and found out that the Buckeye Trail in Walnut Woods still isn't open.
I also went over to Batelle Darby on Saturday and knocked out a trail over there. Yes, I also visited the Bison.
My weight loss has slowed down, and I have only myself to blame. I spent a week hiding from the cold and eating junk food. Fortunately I only set myself back a little bit. My ultimate goal is still very achievable in a healthy way. Despite the set back, I've noticed that my clothes aren't bursting at the seams to hold in my girth, so there has to be at least a little change happening.
On a related note, my poor kid is trapped in between clothing sizes. She's comfortably in 24m/2T shirts. However, she's all torso, so while 18m pants are the perfect length for her, they don't accommodate her belly. 24 month pants fit her belly, but are comedically long. I want shorts weather to show up so my kid doesn't need all of her clothes cuffed up at the bottom!
It's currently 39 degrees fahrenheit at my house. This time last year, it was a record-breaking 84 degrees fahrenheit. I'd be perfectly content with a high temperature somewhere in between, say 55 or so right now.
Normally this time of year I can shut my heat off during the day to save power, I can sometimes even open a window. Instead I'm bundling myself and my kid up just to make it to the car.
I'm miserable in the cold. I want my Spring warmth. I want to put a big dent in the hiking goal, and I can't do that with the kid in tow when it's this cold.
Although, we did venture out yesterday. I knocked out 3 little trails down at Slate Run and found out that the Buckeye Trail in Walnut Woods still isn't open.
I also went over to Batelle Darby on Saturday and knocked out a trail over there. Yes, I also visited the Bison.
My weight loss has slowed down, and I have only myself to blame. I spent a week hiding from the cold and eating junk food. Fortunately I only set myself back a little bit. My ultimate goal is still very achievable in a healthy way. Despite the set back, I've noticed that my clothes aren't bursting at the seams to hold in my girth, so there has to be at least a little change happening.
On a related note, my poor kid is trapped in between clothing sizes. She's comfortably in 24m/2T shirts. However, she's all torso, so while 18m pants are the perfect length for her, they don't accommodate her belly. 24 month pants fit her belly, but are comedically long. I want shorts weather to show up so my kid doesn't need all of her clothes cuffed up at the bottom!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A Taste of Spring
We're finally getting a taste of spring here in Columbus, and I couldn't be happier about it. Usually by mid-February, I'm a wreck and so sick of the cold that I'm going crazy.
March showed up with 6.9 inches of snow that, fortunately, melted pretty quickly. Each day it's been getting warmer and my soul has been perking up. Yesterday it was above 60! Today it's supposed to be above 65! Hallelujah!
I'm currently sitting in a silent house (Addy's asleep), enjoying my lunch and the breeze coming through the living room window. Once I'm done with this, I'm going to bake chocolate doughnuts to share with the guys.
Every Sunday my best friends get together and have our own version of family dinner. Everyone takes turns cooking (or paying for takeout) and we hang out, eat, play games...you know, things normal families do without the drama.
These weekly gatherings are what started the Nerf arms race, which is on temporary hiatus because Tim took a dart to the eye. We're adults, you think we'd be smart enough to wear eye protection.
Now we're on a board games kick. Last week we played 13 Dead End Drive. Remember that game? It's effing AWESOME. This week it's hard to say what we'll do, but I'm going to take a couple of my board games over.
I'm a board game junkie.
March showed up with 6.9 inches of snow that, fortunately, melted pretty quickly. Each day it's been getting warmer and my soul has been perking up. Yesterday it was above 60! Today it's supposed to be above 65! Hallelujah!
I'm currently sitting in a silent house (Addy's asleep), enjoying my lunch and the breeze coming through the living room window. Once I'm done with this, I'm going to bake chocolate doughnuts to share with the guys.
Every Sunday my best friends get together and have our own version of family dinner. Everyone takes turns cooking (or paying for takeout) and we hang out, eat, play games...you know, things normal families do without the drama.
These weekly gatherings are what started the Nerf arms race, which is on temporary hiatus because Tim took a dart to the eye. We're adults, you think we'd be smart enough to wear eye protection.
Now we're on a board games kick. Last week we played 13 Dead End Drive. Remember that game? It's effing AWESOME. This week it's hard to say what we'll do, but I'm going to take a couple of my board games over.
I'm a board game junkie.
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