A Tranquil Spot In One of My Town's Best Kept Secrets!
Ijams Nature Center - March 16, 2013
It started one week ago today when I arrived home after a lovely hike with Becca in one of our beautiful Tennessee State Parks. We'd had a wonderful day and with Bill still in Spain, I was looking forward to a hot shower and a restful evening on the couch finishing up a book. But first, decided to catch up on today's blogs....WHAT!! Google Reader is doing WHAT? Going away?? And trying to do it sneakily overnight the night before! The outcry quickly brought it back, but only with a warning that it would be discontinued as of July 1, 2013.
I have been reading blogs via Google Reader for at least two years now. I read a lot of blogs and I skim a lot of RSS feeds. I have my Reader neatly categorized into subjects, relevance, priority, etc. To say the least, Google's announcement did not set well with me. What's next? Blogger??
Much has been written over the past week regarding suitable alternatives and I've already made up my mind what I'm going to do, so no advice solicited here. It was just the start of an endless comedy of errors leading to megadoses of frustration. Despite my good intentions and determination, the will to write just kind of left me for awhile.
These are not the sorts of frustrations that are life-threatening or anything about which you should worry. Mostly issues with people, expectations, arrogance, life decisions, etc. Just lots to think about.
So what's a girl to do when she just needs to calm down, reflect and be reminded of all that is good? I think treating myself to lunch was a great idea, don't you?
Wednesday's Lunch Spot
Sutton's Ridge - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Complete with a thermos of this and a book - Two hours of heaven!
Thursday's Lunch Spot - Same thermos, different book!
Will Skelton Greenway, Knoxville, TN
I have let some excellent eating habits achieved over the past 1 1/2 years slip. Not to the point of disaster, but definitely to the point of GET A GRIP! Sadly, I'm learning that "treats" don't really have a place in my eating plan if they involve sugar or white flour. Do they make me ill or bloated? Not that I can tell. They just simply make me want MORE! I have learned that there are many things which I can easily substitute for those kinds of temptations which are still satisfying "treats" for me. No need to give in or undo all I've worked so hard to achieve. Not a hard lesson to learn. I just wish I didn't have to keep learning it over and over and over again.
Anybody got any exciting weekend plans?
Posts
I recognize some of those spots and enjoy the same. Eating habits and I have fought the battle since becoming an adult, and will quietly fight to the finish. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can do okay with treats if I exercise, but if I sit and have a treat at home, it usually leads to several. I try to keep those things in the house I am okay with (dried pineapple, chocolate squares, dates) - but hardcore things like cookies and the like lead to trouble.
ReplyDeleteI am not rushing out to find a new reader yet as we have until July, but I am quite annoyed because I like Google reader a lot.
I made a batch of cookies last week while experimenting with substituting 1/2 the flour for gluten-free and half the sugar for dextrose. They turned out a little too great. I ate about 6 cookies worth of raw dough, then the cookies themselves for a few more days. Yesterday I made another batch because my daughter is home from college. I only had about 4 cookies worth of raw dough last night, and with her and an extra friend of Cory's in the house I'm hoping the rest of the batch will be gone today. Generally I find the best thing is to just not have baked goodies in the house! Sometimes slipping is a good reminder that it IS a constant battle!
ReplyDeleteWow, I feel your frustration. For me, once I get frustrated, it does seem like one thing after another happens.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your last sentence " I just wish I didn't have to keep learning it over and over and over again." Even after all these years I still find myself having to "try" something that I know I don't like as much any more. But now I give myself grace about it. Because I learned that those things were "good" and gave me "pleasure" over the course of 50 years. So yes, its going to take a long long time to unlearn them. (neuropathways and all that stuff ;)) )
Hi Sharon, I noticed that Blogger has made another change --which I don't think they have even told us about. It's not major --but just shows me that changes are going to continue. One thing I loved was clicking on a picture in Blogger and having all of the pictures come up where you could just go from one to the next and see all of them larger. And then you could just click somewhere on the side of your post and it would take you back to the original page. SIMPLE. NOW---you have to click on each picture individually to see it larger --and then go all of the way up to the BACK button to get back to the post... Little change for significant to me! Dang!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you found a nice place to sit and contemplate life.... We all need to do that at times. However, it's too darn cold now to do much of anything. Where is SPRING???? It's not here for sure.
I know you don't want advice --but FEEDLY is excellent. I like it better than the reader...
This weekend we are supposed to meet a friend in Nashville on Sunday... BUT--the weather doesn't look too promising right now...
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm headed to NC to celebrate my mothers 80th birthday fully aware of how lucky I am to be able to go home to both my parents. Then next week is Spring Break and I plan on hiking hopefully 4 days! Soooo excited! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteHotmail is also making updates that my husband and I hate. When something works well, just leave it alone!
ReplyDelete:-) Marion
Okay - what are you going to use as an alternative? I was so bummed out by the news. I also was equally saddened when they announced (some time ago) and end to igoogle, which I use all the time. I've been playing with other readers myself, so far I'm leaning towards feedly but it really has been a learning curve for the phone app. I also discovered that the feed from my own (wp.com) blog doesn't seem to work for feedly - frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI am probably the only person on blogger that doesn't use google reader. I rely on my side list of blogs to give me updates. Admittedly, that doesn't always work but I am trying to limit my time on the computer as much as possible to keep my eyes happy. I keep learning the same lessons again as well. At least we're teachable. :)
ReplyDeleteI wondered where you'd gone. I figured to the mountains. I'm sorry you've had such frustration, but am glad you can find solace in the woods and not in a candy bar!
ReplyDeleteLori
Cherie Carter Scott wrote: "Lessons are repeated until they are learned", which I agreed with wholeheartedly for years, but the older I get, I can't help but wonder if we're unable to learn them because they're the wrong lessons. I'm still unsure, but I keep seeking. I'm sure you will, too!
ReplyDeleteI don't use google reader so was unaware of any changes, until I started hearing them from other bloggers. I'm not sure what it is I'm using that provides me blog updates, but I hope it isn't going bye-bye. **sigh*** Just when you get something good they change it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going for a long run tomorrow (gotta amp up my training for a April half marathon) And Sunday I'm - you guessed it- going skiing! :)
I was ticked about Reader too!! I have my folders all set up and this just stinks!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your lunch spots!! SO relaxing!!
Ah...you certainly have the right idea to alleviate frustration, Sharon---lunch, a good book, and a mountain or trees to rest your eyes against. Heaven indeed. You are blessed.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comment on my blog! I'm glad my NYC and Colorado posts will be helpful to you as you plan your trips.
I've visited your beautiful area in the past. I am also interested in your weight loss program so I'll also be reading your blogs for tips and inspiration!
I certainly hope Google does not do away with Blogspot blogs...shudder --I've been writing mine over 5 years and would feel the void if they do! Keeping up with all the blogs we love can be hard but as you said it should be an enjoyable thing and not something that brings us stress. I hope we all find a new way now that Google reader is being phased out.
There's nothing like a lunch shared with nature to calm ones spirits!
ReplyDeleteConcerning treats- anyone that has the willpower to break that horrible
sweets has my respect!
I highly enjoy outdoor activities. They require lots of energy, but give you great pleasure! In order not to feel tired I am taking dietary supplements which enhance my physical capacities. Not only they help with my active lifestyle, but also improve my workouts in the gym. These are special pre-workout supplements by Military Grade. They work perfect - just pure energy, right when I need it most. I easily lose pounds and gain muscles instead.
ReplyDelete