“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
LIFE…
You awake in the morning, listening to the rain. The bed is warm and cozy. Your fuzzy dogs are near. What do you do?
I got up, made a hot coffee, jumped into my gym gear and drove to the gym where I proceeded to do a 30 minute jog on the treadmill, some arm weight machines, and a lot of stretches while listening to geared up tunes. I had to tell myself winter cold is a state of mind and you’ll feel really good if you get yourself some exercise.
While I prefer to walk outdoors it isn’t always possible or comfortable with the cold rain.
BOOKS…
I am almost finished with the latest book I’m enjoying called Force of Nature by Joan M. Griffin.
This is the story of three women in their fifties who hike the 200 mile John Muir track through 200 miles of mountains.
From google– The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. The John Muir Trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world.
The trail is 211 miles long and runs (mostly in conjunction with the PCT) from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, in California. Winding through the famed Sierra Nevada, the JMT visits some of the crown jewels of America’s park system: Yosemite, John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks end of google
I am enjoying the camaraderie of the walkers with each other and others on the trail. The adventure is high. It is an arduous track and the challenges are hard at times not to mention the enormous lightning storms around them with little shelter. The blurb on the book compares this book to A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I wouldn’t go that far. Bill Bryson is a much better writer than this one as he is a professional writer and he is also much, much funnier. There is a bit of naval gazing from the women which Bryson doesn’t do but I would still recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories of middle aged or older women who get out of their comfort zone to take on challenges, whatever they may be.
PHOTOGRAPHY…
I did a good walk in town of a few kilometres walking around Hobart, then up to North Hobart to a cafe for a cappuccino and a slice of lemon tart. The cappuccino was a bit of a disappointment as I ordered it in a cup and it was served in an espresso cup. Who does that? I was in too good of a mood to complain. I don’t know if it was a newly hired young staff member or a money saving exercise by this particular cafe who has been known for that but I just moved on. Such a first world issue.
On my local travels in Hobart and back to the bus stop I chatted to some women I found interesting. Either their culture, dress or smile attracted my attention. Here are the three lovely women.
COMING UP...
I have an 85th birthday lunch this week with a dear friend. Then Tuesday I have another dinner with some of my older friends. One is 89 and she just had a bad fall but she’s already up and about and back to her job at a community centre she works at. We are a tough bunch. Other than the social business, we should all engage in for better health, I hope to have a photography day out and of course two more gym sessions.
Now feeling so self righteous for my gym work today I’ll be sure to have a slice of cake or two this evening to celebrate. I made the cake yesterday and cake is a treat to us so I don’t feel bad at all.
ANIMALS…
GETTING TO KNOW MY READER FRIENDS…
What is a challenging or memorable experience you had out of or in your comfort zone?
Until next week, stay well.
Travellin' Penguin 
Ugh. I try NOT to get out of my comfort zone if I can help it.
Ollie! So cute!
I added the John Muir ladies hiking book to my TBR.
Love the portraits! What three vastly different women!!! I wish we could go to each of their homes and follow them around for a day.
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That would be fun. The women were so different to each other. It was quite the challenge for them.
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I love Ollie’s wet, thoughtful pose, but I will echo Sue & Bill’s words to say how much I admire your portraiture. Also loved the night scene from Constitution Dock – I can almost see the room Mr Books & I stayed in at the Grand Chancellor when we were there earlier this year.
I have been out of my comfort zone constantly the past two months since moving to the mountains – meeting new people, starting a new job, talking to tradies about some renovations….butu I’m not as nervous or naxious about these things as I once was, so it is also nice to see that I am improving with age!
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I’m envious of people who take good portrait photos. Yours are very expressive.
Out of my comfort zone: lying on the lawn – Perth is a bit warmer than Hobart – with two grandchildren and one great granddaughter, total ages 7 years, jumping on me and using my upraised arm as a maypole. Not sure I’ll get away with that much activity much longer!
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Another busy week Pam – you set an example with your activities! I guess you are in the depths of winter now, and that’s when it’s hardest to keep the activity up, I find! As for my comfort zone, I rarely get out of it at the moment, and I really should…
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Dear Travelling Penguin First, I enjoy your posts, and your photography, and your dog snippets. I too have a little dog, now 16 years old, with a big personality and mind of her own. Your latest photo of the woman in the lovely rust coloured clothing really appealed to me– not just the colours but the textures. I find hand crafted textiles interesting and works of art, and have a good sized collection from my abundant travels around the world to places like Mexico, Peru, India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Easter Island, Papua New Guinea, and many more. Scarves, shawls, throws, pillow covers and little purses are so easy to pack, and even bigger items such as barkcloth and carvings have made it back to my home here in Toronto Canada. Given my age (77) and extensive travels, I have many good memories and several ‘outside my comfort zone’ experiences, but the one that mainly comes to mind is hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 35 years ago with my previous late husband ( I have now been widowed twice). The hike, the Milky Way at night, the women’s bunkhouse where I discovered just how loudly women can snore, the hike back up, the incredible pain for the next 2 days due to stiff, overused muscles…and we were in good shape before we started the hike. But it was all worth it.
I look forward to your postings. Regards J
Josée Posen Toronto
647 924 4683 cell
On Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 1:54 AM Enjoy life with the Penguin and me..books,
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Thank you Josee. We have a lot in common. I am going on 75 now, have a nephew whose family lives in Mississauga and sister in law in London. Mr P and I grew up in Michigan but have now been here for 36 yrs. We left when Ronald Reagan was president.😄. We have travelled extensively and met many wonderful people over the years. I do hope you visit again. The grand canyon excursion sounds like fun but I know it can be very challenging to traverse. All the best.🌻🌻🌻
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Great post as usual Pam… Love your exercise routine. This week I added some line dancing routines to my yoga session. I did this a decade ago (teach yourself line dancing through You Tube) and decided now was the time to beef up my exercise regime again. It’s a bit of a hoot.
Love those three women you photographed. I love that you ask them if you can photograph them (at least I presume you do as these are not impromptu snaps.)
Oh and your book sounds interesting to me. I’ve been to some of those national parks and have heard of the JMT.
But your question… I can’t actually think of a recent example which suggests my life is too boring at the moment. I suppose I could say that watching THAT debate took me out of my comfort zone!!
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That debate was SO hard to watch. Yet he was so buoyant the following day at the North Carolina rally. I don’t have any idea what was happening unless he was suffering from exhaustion. 👀
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Or he’s better when he can prepare what he’s saying and is not stressed about what question when? He looked a different person didn’t he. But still, he’d be 85 at the end of the term. I’m no ageist but you have to be sensible.
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Oh Ollie, what a tough little buddy he is! My Amber appropriates the warmest spot in the house and doesn’t budge all day if she can get away with it.
Last week I was unexpectedly out of my comfort zone when I took the train into the CBD for a medical appointment and forgot to take a book to read on the train. Can you believe it, me?!! I thought I’d put the Kindle in my bag, but no. So all the way there and all the way back I just had to sit and think and do nothing. It felt very strange…
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