Good morning. It's the start of a new month. It's becoming increasingly difficult to stay positive, but try we must. Wave the old month bye bye, and look forward with a renewed vigour to make the new month the best that we can.
There is nothing marked on my calendar for November, blank and empty, not a lot to look forward to. By the end of the month every square will have something written in it. By the end of the year my calendar will be full. Then I can look back and say, YAY, I did something.
On my calendar I make a note of every walk, no matter how short. Dog walks, late walks around the village, and a bit longer walks out of the village. I make a note of my shopping trips, where I went, and what time I went. I note the days I did some sewing, some gardening, and whether it was sunny or raining. I make a note of who I have been chatting on the phone to. I write down my gas and electricity meter readings, and I write down Crafty Club days, and visits to the mobile library. I make a note of any meet ups with friends for coffee and chat.
Every small thing I do is a reason to get up in the morning. No matter how much the Government try and remove my freedom, they will never control my brain. I look to my own resources to find a reason for my existence. There has to be a reason why I was put on this earth. If I give up searching for that reason then it will be a life wasted.
Now a shout out for the International Walking Group members, how have you all been doing? There has never been a more important time that we have to look after ourselves, our bodies and our minds. The two are connected, exercise your body and it calms your mind.
The target for ten months is 833 miles if you are going for the 1000 miles by the end of the year. Only two months left, so best foot forward. Those who have their own targets, lets hear from you, how are you doing? I am on 861 miles, so I am chuffed with that. Last night I wasn't going to go out, but I was still wide awake at 10pm and it wasn't raining, so I put a jacket on and went.
Photo's from the archives. A reminder of happy times.
Good morning ilona from across the pond (USA). How nice to wake up at 5:30 a.m. and see something nice to read from you. Didn't expect anything this early in the morning. We changed our time last night backwards 1 hour so will be strange for a while getting used to that. Great words of encouragement you speak. Hugs from Sharon Lee.
ReplyDeleteHello. I try and get the check in post out early, to give the early birds a chance to report in. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteGood morning Ilona! I did a lot of lovely walking in October, 142 kilometres, which makes for a total of 1181.
ReplyDeleteThis last week of October I only walked 6 kilometres due to a cold with a nasty cough and I was too tired to go out. I am on the mend again and hope to get on track next week, aiming for 1350 kilometres instead of 1000 in 2020.
It's always good to put my walking shoes on in daytime, not feeling secure when walking at night in the dark and now Autumn has arrived in full glory I love the longer evenings in my cozy home, counting my blessings,
Cheers!
Jeanneke.
I think it's best to be careful where you walk at night. I am lucky here with street lights. You are doing fantastically well.
DeleteMorning. It's lovely and sunny today so hoping to get some walking done. In October I did 99 miles making 941 to date. I was aiming for 100 miles a month so 59 miles short of my target. On a positive note, the lockdown allows more walking time. Take care.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Nick, brilliant effort. I went out today and got caught in heavy rain.
DeleteGood morning from wet and windy Wales! Lovely photos, Ilona - I need to get off my backside and do a bit of walking today, I feel like I've been lazy for the past week or so. This 'firebreak' lock down we're under at the moment has really dampened people's spirits, even though we're coming out of it (hopefully!) on the 9th,it seems like forever. I'm sorry to hear that England is heading the same way.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah, a bit of fresh air is called for, I think. I must stop moaning, I should be thankful I have my health and I live in a beautiful part of Wales. ☺️
I do envy you, going out walking at night, I'd love to but I'm not a great one for walking on my own, even in daylight I feel a bit anxious sometimes if im alone in a deserted spot. I like to have a bit of company, lol (my passion for horror movies probably plays a part in that!) 😂
A mug of fresh coffee is called for now, then I'll head out, it's quite mild today even with the wind and rain, but temperatures are set to fall tomorrow! Have a lovely day Ilona, bye for now 🙂 xx
Hello Liz. I would like to visit Wales, especially mid and southern, but it is just a dream at the moment. I loved North Wales and Anglesey.
DeleteI hope you're able to visit at some point, Wales is beautiful, especially Pembrokeshire, in West Wales - but then I'm biased, lol, it's my corner of the country. 😊
DeleteIlona, I dearly love your outlook on life! Finding our own meaning and continuing to do so is true freedom. No one controls my brain, my thoughts, my beliefs. There will always be things for which to be appreciative. Always. Thank you for your delightful, pragmatic and hopeful posts!
ReplyDeleteHello Karla. Live with an attitude of gratitude and you won't go wrong.
DeleteGood morning from Winnipeg. I really enjoyed your post! I do walk every day, and I'm hoping I can continue as snow and colder temperatures approach. Hats of to you Ilona for such a positive post, and I find too if I keep track of what I did in my daily life it is a very positive thing to look back on. Jean/Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteHello Jean. Walk if you can, but don't go out if it is too slippery. I keep my calendars year on year. It's good to look back on them. Reminds me that I have made the most of every day.
DeleteFifty four miles for the month of October, a total of 591 miles for the year. Wet and gusty winds here today, some snow expected sometime today also. My new hiking poles are going to be helpful during the snowy and slippery conditions yet to come.
ReplyDeletePatricia
Good miles from you Patricia. I have one walking pole, I hope I don't need it.
DeleteThe photos are great! Where were they taken? Amazing views.
ReplyDeleteFrom the top. 1 Somewhere in Derbyshire. 2 Stanage Edge in Derbyshire. 3 Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire. 4 Near Todmorden Yorkshire. 5 Crinan Canal West of Scotland.
DeleteWe drove up Sutton Bank yesterday. The weather was lovely and the views incredible.
DeleteA nice fall day here. My total for the last 10 months is 1114 miles. Did a wonderful 10 mile hike the other day in the foothills that surround my city. While walking through neighborhoods is okay, nothing beats a hike through the woods.
ReplyDeleteSheila in Idaho
It's nice to have a change of scenery. You have smashed the challenge. Well done.
DeleteI screwed up. I am at 1414. All of a sudden, I was walking and thought, hmm, did I put down the right number and, no, it appears I didn't.
DeleteSheila in Idaho
I strongly believe vitamin d and being as physically healthy as possible, are great assets to have if you are unfortunate to catch this awful virus.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to use the month lockdown to ensure I eat more healthy and get out walking a lot more.
I will go along with that Gill. A good use of your time.
DeleteI didn't get to walk as much as I wanted in October but still got in 114 miles. This brings my yearly total to 911 miles It's really been fun to track my miles this year. Hopefully the weather will hold the next couple months and I'll be able to close 2020 with a bang.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing really well. You will reach your target.
DeleteHi Ilona - 131 miles in October. Was under the weather for a week and a bit, and had to isolate for 4 days waiting for COVID test and results (negative, thankfully) but that cut down my total. I'm now at 1287 for the year, so need to do 213 more by Dec 31 to hit my 1500 goal. I'm going to do my best!
ReplyDeleteGreat news, Allison. Glad you have escaped the dreaded plague.
DeleteHa Ha! Me too!! Other bits falling apart, but that's due to aging . . . which is part of the reason why I agree so wholeheartedly with your approach to looking after one's own health. You're an inspiration Ilona!
DeleteHi Ilona 89 miles in october,on track to do the thousand Miles.
ReplyDeleteVery good, Ray. Thanks for checking in.
DeleteWhat device do you or any of your followers use to track the miles? These comments are wonderful, and I am inspired to get with more walking asap! I enjoy all of your writing and especially your crafts and your meals. Mary Ann in USA
ReplyDeleteI have Google fit on my phone. It's free
DeleteI don't have a smartphone or a tracking device. I use a web site bikehike.co.uk, which allows me to plan routes, and to check distances after I have done a walk. I wonder if there is something similar for the USA. Perhaps someone can help. Like Cherie says, an app on a phone might be your answer, a GPS for example.
DeleteMary Ann - I think there are probably quite a few apps that you could choose from, if you have a smart phone. I have a "smart" watch, which basically has a pedometer in it that links to my phone so I can keep a record. Alternatively, you could use an old style analog pedometer, or if you have a usual route or two just calculate how far they are and count that every time you do it?
DeleteHi Ilona,
ReplyDeleteHello from the desert southwest of the US. Daytime high temperature started the month at 100 degrees, dropped to 60 and now back to 90. No complaints! My knee healing is very slow so most days I walked just a mile, but am now aiming for two walks a day. My Apple watch screwed up October month to date walking miles so I will estimate 34 for the month. My year to date is 346 miles.
Thank you for organizing us and for keeping positive!
Thanks Hilly. Good to hear from you. Keep going.
DeleteHi Ilona. I am a bit confused about 'Meanqueen' from the US who you call Hilly and has the same photo (and blog name) as you. I am probably being a bit dense, but wondered if you could explain please.
DeleteHilogene sends me her report by email. She says she can't send a comment to the blog. I copy and paste it and post it here. I could change the settings and put her name on it instead of mine, but I would have to change the settings back again, and I can't be bothered. The report comes from Hilogene not me. There isn't a Meanqueen in the US as far as I know.
DeleteThank you for explaining. The first time I saw it, I thought someone was trying to impersonate you, which was a worry. All makes sense now X
DeleteI just walk when I can and I say to my self every step is a few more than yesterday. I love your postive thoughts and looking on the bright of life, life is to short to keep moaning. The sun is shinning and I have my singing group today and you have craft group so enjoy the day.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk 🌈🌈
Crafty Group is on hold for a while. We are taking a break. Enjoy your singing.
DeleteThe second picture down looks like Robin Hood's Cave at Stanage Edge. Am I right or am I wrong? Your attitude to life is so positive Ilona. I wish you could bottle it. You would be a multi-millionaire... but that might freak you out!
ReplyDeleteCorrect, it is. I went camping in that area with a group, something I don't normally do, the group thing that is, not camping. I like camping. It was just one night. We walked to a pub from the campsite. Two of us walked back in the dark and left everyone else to it. Very weird catching the eyes of the sheep laid along the hedge bottom, with the torch.
DeleteHi Ilona. I get up every morning and give thanks for health and strength to live another day. I work part time as a medical Secretary in the NHS and type letters. Often I see how ill others are and am grateful for my health. I think I've walked around 50 miles this month. x
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona and fellow walkers, some lovely photos here and great to remind you of places visited. For the first time in the six years I have been doing the challenge I have reached the 1000 mile mark in October. My total for the month was about 102 making a total of just over 1025 for the year so it looks as though I'll be looking to beat 1110 miles, my total last year! Keep active and positive, everyone, Vicki in the East Riding
ReplyDeleteHello fellow walkers, lovely weather for all my walking this month (well at least some of the time it was lovely, and to be honest I don't mind walking when it is windy or lightly raining). Clocked up 146 miles for October and am feeling all the better for it. Total 971 miles. Can't believe it!! Am super super happy, and grateful to be able to do it. Cheers, Joy Central Vic Australia.
ReplyDeleteHi folks...november already.. can hardly believe it. I'm quite pleased with my total this month as we had so many hideous days of gales and washouts. my total is 32.4miles for october. fingers crossed for a drier month ahead. gillian
ReplyDelete