It's All YOUR Fault!

These are Virginia Bluebells.  This picture was taken on April 23, 2010 in the White Oak Sinks area of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Native to Virginia, this is supposedly the only area of the park where these can be found.  There aren't very many and I consider myself lucky to have been shown where they are.  Come on over next April and I'll take you to them!!

I posted today's picture in honor of Tish because it is her fault that I am posting so late.  You see, here was the plan.  I may have mentioned before that I am an unbelievable morning person.  I've never needed to set an alarm in my life and no matter what time I go to bed, I am awake and ready to get up no later than 6 a.m.  When I started this blogging thing in mid-May, the plan was to complete my morning devotions (that is always first), write my blog post and then go about my day.  What I didn't factor in was the extra time I would need to read everyone ELSE'S blog.  I can hear you all laughing from all corners of the US, Canada and France (yes, Sarah that would be you!) because you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.  Tish was a new reader who left a comment on yesterday's post, so of course, I had to look her up.  I loved reading her story (yes, all of it!) and voila! (Sarah, that's the only french word I know) Tish has a new follower, I hope she will click on that "follow" button and I'll have a new friend with whom I have lots in common.  Of course, yesterday it was Deb, the day before that it was Tami, before that it was Lindsay, etc., etc., etc.  Thanks to all of you for reading my blog, taking time to comment and choosing to "follow."  When my picture appears in your "follower" category, rest asuured that I've spent at least a little while learning some of your story.  An added pleasure that I never dreamed of is finding new friends from all over the country.  Where you are is one of the first things I look for (see Tish is in Virginia, thus the picture of the Virginia Bluebells in her honor) because I enjoy learning more about your neck of the woods from you.  That's what a "vagabond in training"does!!  So bring it on - I'm looking for a new friend from every state!!  

Now where did all that come from?  I've noticed several of you writing posts over the past several days that deal with our food issues and the mind.  Specifically, do we ever get to the point where thoughts of food and/or eating stop dominating our minds?  You've come at it from different points of view using different terminology, but the underlying premise is the same.  Will this ever get any easier??  I don't have an answer for that, but I do know this.  My best reaction to those thoughts is to get out of the house and away from the food.  Being out in nature is the ONLY thing that has always made me be able to forget about food.  Until now!  I have found that reading these chronicles of your struggles and identifying with them myself is another thing that has caused me to go for HOURS without ever giving food a thought.  And think about it - that's while I'm looking at your gorgeous pictures of food you've eaten, recipes you've tried, produce you've bought at the market, new things you've found at the grocery store and accountability posts of exactly what you've eaten that day.  But it just makes me respect your struggle and how hard you are striving to "work your plan."  I sit in my den laughing with you, crying with you, wishing I could say something to encourage you, clapping for you and I hate to admit it, but I've actually caught myself talking to you!  LOL!!   And all the while, sitting less than 25 feet from my kitchen, the refrigerator and the pantry never giving one thought to eating anything.  Wow, the power of a support group even if it is only virtual.  

Here is my current struggle and it is a new one for me.  I love to walk.  For the past four years, getting in my daily walk (10,000+ steps) has been a joy, never a struggle.  But for some reason, this summer it has become just that.  It is hot - we all know that.  Right now, even at 7 a.m., the humidity is so thick you can cut it with a knife.  But that's never stopped me before.  With kind of a "just do it" mentally, I've made it through the summer months with a bit of creativity and been so thankful when September arrives with cooler mornings and even some cooler afternoons.  I have a treadmill, we have two shopping malls, a trip up and down every aisle of Lowe's nets me 8,000 steps.  I have no excuses - just some unexpected laziness.  I've been wondering if anyone else is experiencing the summer exercise doldrums?  

I have just realized that it is 6:15 p.m..  My normal dinner time is 5:00.  I have not eaten or THOUGHT about eating since early afternoon.  See what I mean??   Thanks goodness, Mr. B had an evening meeting.  But all of a sudden, I am having some major stomach growling going on and there is no doubt that this is genuine hunger.  

Till tomorrow...maybe morning, maybe afternoon, maybe night.  Who knows - depends on whatever new friend I can blame and say, "it's all YOUR fault."