In the midst of sunshine

Managed to work on a few things today - mowing, trimming low branches, a little bit of trail making through the tree growth between the house and the road. Grilled up some sausages for lunch. Strawberry season is getting underway so Carol was up for picking and I decided to make my debut at picking strawberries - turned out alright. We picked 14 lbs in about 15 minutes.

Decided to pickup some whipped cream for future strawberry enjoyment so took a roundabout drive in search of a grocery store. Managed to come upon a Tim Horton's and decided a cup of coffee and a donut was in order then relaxed at one of the outside tables before continuing our journey.

Once home Carol cleaned and cut up the strawberries while I did bit more yardwork and after grilling a steak eaten with potato salad and a beer we'll be settling down with  a movie in the DVD player - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I'm pretty sure there's a Guinness in the fridge, that will set the mood.

Another fine weekend

Another of a series of fine weather weekends has begun. The screen room has been up for several weeks, bird feeders are keeping the feathered ones coming and going and there is plenty of yardwork things to maintain with side projects to dabble in. This is the first weekend warm enough to eat breakfast on the deck so it bodes to be the warmest weekend yet. Savoring every moment of it.

Early nightcap

I have a blood work appointment at 7:30 am so I'm fasting for 12 hours, wine for supper instead of the usual weekday glass over the last hour before bedtime. Had my physical two weeks ago, that went well as it was the first one I've had since getting a diagnosis of mild emphysema after last year's physical. I'd been experiencing an increasing shortness of breath for a couple or three years. Hadn't smoked in 30 years but the damage had been done. I'm dealing with it and expect to be around for a good long time yet. Already been doing the recommended treatment, no smoking (duh), eating right (more or less), getting plenty of exercise, keeping the weight down - some others things as well. I now keep an inhaler handy for when I get a little breathless feeling which can bring on some anxiety. Still keeping up with yard work, the occasional day hike, lunchtime walks. For the time being don't expect "just a little is enough" to become a medical diary, I've got other things on my mind.

Father's Day

First of all, Happy Father's Day to any Dads reading this blog.

Though today is Father's Day mine was yesterday. My son Ian came up for a day visit as he was working today. We drove over to Bradbury State Park for the brief hike up Bradbury Mountain then took the park's Boundary Trail back to the parking lot. Beautiful day for a hike in the woods and though short, maybe 45 minutes, it was nice to be out on a trail and talking about whatever came to mind.

The view from the summit.

Nicely kept trails throughout the park, some large puddles to navigate as we had received about 2 inches of rain the day before.