Linda Baldocchi Gill, life lived well

Linda with Nate

When I think about finishing well what comes to mind is a person who has lived in such a way that they really lived an active full life. Some like Gordan Huber lived into his 90's. He lived well and rounded off the curve where he was active in life until the last months in his life. Health  is more than just doing the right things. There are many people who do the right things and despite their efforts they encounter hardships and illnesses that take there life too soon. But when we look at their lives we see a life lived well and finished well.
Such a person as my friend Linda Baldocchi Gill. Now grant you Linda and I have many similar activities we enjoy. Linda was a traveler, she loved mysteries, baseball, music, the arts, kids, family, good food and friends. Linda was also a person of faith. When I look a little closer these activities contributed to her love of her husband Ken and daughter and grand kids. She was a passionate teacher and again travels, mysteries, baseball was part of the painting of her life that made her such a dynamic teacher. Her subject math she mastered to teach but it was the student's success that counted. If a teen struggled with math Linda would encourage the student to hang in there and learn. Many students loved her as a teacher but struggled with math. She helped them succeed. She was good at challenging students to reach for higher goals than they knew about as well.

To me the philosophy of Linda's teaching is – “No matter the problem the student brings to the classroom, we can work it out.” I believe also there is a heart to it as well, a love for the student and respect. Her philosophy went further into a healthy relationship with student.

Linda loved competition and she was involved in sports and academic teams. She made the kids feel like family. There was no doubt what came first in Linda's life. She loved her family. It was special to see Ken and her, how they related to each other. In the Bible it says of marriage,"the two become one" and to me that describes Linda and Ken. Linda is the Cub's fan and Ken is the Sox' fan. Now me being a Cub fan, I have always wondered how can this paradox be? In the movie "Shakespeare in Love" Aussie actor, Geoffrey Rush gives us the line, "It's a mystery"! I think they loved each and some how the baseball thing worked its' way out. But every step Ken and Linda walked together. They are two very different people, but they worked together in raising a family and experiencing life together. Including Amy and grand kids was to them as natural as breathing. Going back to her philosophy on teaching applies to hr home, “No matter the problem the student brings to the classroom, we can work it out.” Family for Linda and Ken was a relationship of love.

They traveled to 17 different countries and the way they traveled they could have had their own travel show. Linda was the navigator and Ken the explorer. As Amy grew up the spirit of let's see what's out there.

It was Linda who introduced me to "The # 1 Ladies Detective Agency" knowing my love for Africa. Like me she loved the PBS mysteries and we both liked Robert Parker. I think it comes down to the love of the "games afoot".

Amy and Linda

Linda had to battle some difficult illnesses along the way. Courage we often think of as something done on the battlefield. But all of us are caught up in the battle for life. Linda battle cancer. To go to repeated treatments and set backs Linda continued to face disease for remissions to give her more time. I believe it takes great courage to repeatedly seek treatment that has side effects you have already experienced. Her faith in God was encouraged when she went to church. Faith even as small as a mustard seed is never easy. Paul writes, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:" There are alot of reasons we may have no faith or weak faith in God. Linda understood this life takes faith in God and life beyond our to brief life we have. It wasn't faith in good works, though Linda lived a good life, but faith in God Himself.

She lived her life well. She faced the end with a battle to continue, but in the end she shared her faith in God. We need better ways to fight cancer, but Linda showed us how to live with passion, skill and art. To join her we need to come to faith in the time of our lives. (see page Begin Your relationship with God at the top menu bar "pages") Keep walking

Bird walking - Isn't summer grand

Barb looking at an oriole

We walked 7000 steps birding. As we walked we listened for bird sounds then looked for birds we could see. Then we focused on finding them with the binoculars. Three birds we found were the beautifurd walkingl gold finch, an oriole and a dove. I was watching a finch when he took off and I followed the bird during it's flight. Seeing the bird magnified was fun. We used the park benches for push ups and dips. It is a nice way to get a full body work out.
The draught has really shrunken the pond and things are very dry. The trees are already loosing there leaves. We have had dry summers before but this summer has been particularly hot. The last couple of days have been cool by comparison and easy to walk out doors. Tonight we went to the movies at our local dollar theater. It was beautiful out in the parking lot with the final minutes of twilight. It would be a great night for star gazing.

A beautiful cluster of flowers

I have enjoyed pictures of friends and family out on the go this summer. There is so much to see and enjoy right where ever we live. I think this will sound like an old guy, but here I go anyway. When I am out for a walk my breathing gets deeper. Walking on the trail away from cars, it feels good to take in the fresh air. Zoos, trails, walks along a river, beaches, parks and neighborhoods it is good to get out each day for a walk. This Friday we are meeting with friends for breakfast. Some of them walk to breakfast.
Getting out helps us when we are healthy or fighting some problem with health. Each day we have there is something to grab a hold of. For a quiet time get a copy of Our Daily Bread. Online address, http://odb.org/ The booklet is three months of daily devotions you can put in your pocket. I can use my iPhone. A few minutes and you have a break from the stress of the day. walking gives your immune system a boost. Summer ain't it grand! Keep walking

The Big Year and walking

Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Jack Black

Last night I enjoyed the movie, The Big Year. It stars Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin and Angela Houston, Brian Dennehy. These three and others take a year to sight as many birds as possible. They share a love of watching birds and knowing about birds that most people would find hard to live with. We see that conflict in Owen Wilson's character. The hobbyist or full time enthusiast for most of us we see as some type of geek or naturalist. The movie for me gets us to like them.
We are like Brian Dennehy's character Ray Harris, the dad of Jack Black's character Brad Harris. He views his son's obsession as a waste of time. His son living at home, divorced, in middle age, alone, the dad has a point. But the son lives his dream. It is a movie, we can go along with it for a couple of hours. Dad Harris has his own crisis, a heart attack and a change of heart about his son's quest. He joins his son on one of his adventures which changes both men.
The characters really love birds. Their love for birds is basic to their appeal and why I liked the movie. Not a bad idea to care about something.
See the movie, I think you will like it. Read what birders think of the movie.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/roundrobin/2011/10/18/birds-birders-and-birding-in-the-big-year-what-we-noticed/
After you see the movie listen to the passion of a guy who has won a big year. http://www.nabirding.com/2011/10/04/interview-with-sandy-komito-on-what-it-takes/
I have walked trails and have seen bird watchers and talked to a few. I have always have had pleasant conversations with them.  Ian Flemming's James Bond was named for a bird watcher. In the movie and what I have seen, walking is part of the birdwatchers hobby. In turn in my walking birdwatching has become part of my walking. Photography as well. My camera would need a serious update to really photograph birds. There are people who have seen up to 8,000 species of birds in their life time. Inspired by the movie, Barb and I have begun a count how many birds we have spotted over the years. Her and I, since we walk together has noticed our feather friends, mostly with the ear and naked eye. She spots them usually first, I'm to busy with the walk. I tend to be watching the trail and things I may trip on. I do tend to notice the sounds of people and see them. Birds can be seen in the morning or evening. It is at those times when they make sounds. Like flowers, birds are colorful and brighten our world. I am glad God created the variety of them.
Birders love and care about birds. They learn about them and do their best to help us care for them.  That is a good thing. In the Bible God uses His care of birds to teach us He cares even more for us. (Matt. 6:25-33) In fact the Bible tells us us that we can be"casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you." We all have worries and fears and the need for care and love. God is One you can always talk to about them. When I am on the trail or outside, looking at birds, the sky, flowers, water, mountains or valleys I can talk to Him abut my cares. Come to think of it I can do it indoors as well. Keep walking

Is exercise harmful? Good question

Photogapher Richard Reeves

 The other day I reviewed and article By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer, entitled, Is Exercise Harmful? I actually found the article encouraging. It clealy reinforses our need to have our doctors being aware of our exercise changes.
A side note: Being aware of summer heat please stay hydrated and take precautions. The last week i have been exercising indoors. Thank you Leslie Sansone. Go to her website for indoor walking programs that can help you on hot or cold days. http://www.walkathome.com/
Here is the link to the article.

http://www.lifescript.com/blogs/ed_geehr/health/is_exercise_harmful.aspx

Dr. Geehr writes health articles that are pro preventive health and proactive in advising the health benefits of exercise. The article addresses a number of conditions that have an adverse reaction in those who begin an exercise program who are sedimentary.

• " The PLoS study reported adverse responses in 8.4% of study subjects for fasting insulin; 10.4% for triglycerides; 12.2% for systolic blood pressure; and 13.3% for HDLs. As many as 7% of subjects recorded adverse responses for at least two cardiovascular or diabetes risk factors, a subgroup felt to be at particular risk of experiencing an elevated health risk."
• Turn those stats around and we find beneficial responses  91.6% for fasting insulin; 89.6% for triglycerides; 87.8% for systolic blood pressure; and 86.7% for HDLs. It follows that 93% of subjects recorded had beneficial responses for at least two cardiovascular or diabetes risk factors. My numbers are inferred and it is possible that there is a hidden number of people who see no adverse or beneficial response.

There are many studies that tell us exercise helps most people move from the negative lifestyle of sedimentary living to a positive lifestyle of moving 30 minutes a day or 10,000 steps. They also have been studies that point out moving a little bit through out the day can be very good for us. Being sedimentary can be as harmful as smoking cigarettes.

When I look at a study like this, it is not take my word for it. I just want to encourage you to walk or exercise in a way that is good for you. To me this article reminds us when we start an exercise program particularly if we have been sedimentary at any age, or as we get over 40, to check with our doctor before we start an exercise program. We should know if we have problems with blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity. Do we have problems with our heart and cardiovascular health. Based on medical science and your personal health your doctor can advise you on appropriate life style changes that help you. Being aware of your health is vital. Every good exercise program tells us to see our doctor before starting.

Being the fat man walking, I know the inner thought that screams, "My doctor will yell at me!" We may fear health diagnoses, and receiving bad news. I understand that fear, but it doesn't help us to improve our life. I have found that medical professionals are very positive in helping your health improve. If you are willing to take responsibility for your health they will be very supportive in your struggles. Our three enemies; heart disease and stroke, cancer and diabetes are best fought when we combine sound medical advise with a good diet and exercise.

So is exercise harmful? Most of the time not harmful. Exercise combined with medical care of your doctor even more so. If you are one who may not benefit from exercise being on top of your diet and health care; you then can make the needed modifications. My thoughts here are not intended as medical advise. It is an opinion I hope you find helpful.  Keep walking 

Have energy fo the "game that is a foot"

I suppose there are few fictional characters that take on a character you think are real like Sherlock Holmes. He was born in 1854 interesting five years before the writer who invented him was born. His last case was in 1914 when he was sixty years old. In retirement the world's first consulting detective was a bee keeper in the English countryside. Dr. Watson and Holmes first teamed up in 1881 some six years before the Holmes stories first appeared in the Strand Magazines. It appears Holmes had an active career for about 30 years before he retires and occasionally enters the game.
Of course all of this is fictional and fits the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who like Holmes wanted to break away from the famous character he created. He actually killed him in the Final Solution and due to the reality that Holmes stories sold, wrote him back into reality. Because we have no record of his death many writers continued his adventures well into Holmes sixties. We see over and over Holmes being reinvented and yet we can always recognize him. From Gillette, Rathbone, Brett, and now Downey who physically is not Holmes still carries the spirit of Holmes in all his strangeness. PBS now carries a modern Holmes whose stories are no longer in a magazine but on a blog.
Well what does all this have to do with walking? Good point. If you look close at the person of Holmes most of the time he spends his time reading the papers and writing of peculiar interest to the science of crime detection. When he is on a case he will spend days without moving from his chair, smoking a pipe. Without a case he may brood for weeks in what appears to be a depression. But when the game is afoot he burst on the scene with great energy and physical ability. In the times I picture him with great aerobic abilities, can fight, and has great strength when needed. Ah the world of fiction is great, we can smoke and never exercise but when needed we have an athletic body. Holmes is a genius and singular in interest and he has the advantage that his creator can write the perfect solutions. I am one of millions who don't care we buy it. Holmes has fascinated me over 45 years. I have many interests but I don't mind visiting 222 Baker St. now and then. They actually have a walking tour in London related to his adventures that never took place. Amazing!
In life though, if we want to walk the countryside and moors or miles in London we got to walk three to seven days a week. Pipe smoking definitely won't help us. I like the smell of it but we know better. For Holmes the "game is a foot" was solving the crime or mystery. I suppose for you and I "the game" may be some interest we have. To refer to another detective who uses the "little grey cells" whatever it is that we are focused on it helps to walk. I have read several reports of how walking actually stimulates our brain to grow. So better than a tobacco filled room (remember those) get out and enjoy the fresh air. Keep walking

Shopping can be a way to walk in the heat



I wasn't going this fast

Today's temperature was 102. Man that's hot. With my pedometer I checked out how many steps I would do shopping. I started with a mile walk on line with Leslie Sansone. I have that online in my pages. At the time I didn't know I was going shopping. As I was finishing my workout I was planning to return to research I was doing when Tanya ask me to go to Costco’s with her. It is a big store and parking lot. When we got home I helped unload the groceries and things. I looked at my pedometer nearly 7,000 steps. The store was air-conditioned but I still worked up a sweat. Sweating is no problem for me.

Barb came home and out again to shop for things we have needed. We went to the eye doctor, book store, Menards, Ace Hardware and Jewell. Unload again and pedometer was over 11,000 steps. How often do we shop? We don't think of it as a fitness activity. On a hot day, most of my walking was indoors in air. My meals were small and healthy. We slowed down in the evening and some cool drinks hit the spot.



We do look at shopping differently

This blog isn't exciting, but look how easy it is to walk 10,000 steps. Research has shown a pedometer motivates us. Shopping is work and it is an activity we don't give much thought when it comes too fitness, but there it is. Doctors tells us 10,000 steps a day can help us with all kinds of health issues, diabetes, improves your mood, flattens your belly, reduces body fat, and improves cholesterol. Now my belly isn't flat but since I got my insert in my shoe walking like today is not painful. I have been experiencing the benefits I did when I began tis walk program.

I have to admit I shop like a hunter. Forget the sales; I shop for what I want for reasonable cost. But the women in my life don't shop like that. I could argue that my way is better, but I have found that doesn't work. What does work for me is a pedometer and like cutting the grass it is all about moving and getting the benefits of a 10,000 step day. So a side benefit has been I am a less contentious shopper. We were made to move. Keep walking

A Day at the Zoo

A good walk to beat the heat - Lincoln Park Zoo

Not all walks are aerobic but they are good for us. We have all been to zoos, amusement parks, museums and outings when we are done we are tired. It seems like we walk so slowly and we don't know why we get tired. Take a pedometer with you and you will find out why. All those apparent slow steps when pick up between exhibits add up. My trip to the zoo added up over 15,000 steps, effort wise that is almost 8 miles. I think the actual distance is shorter because of the length of steps. I have read articles that inform us when we walk 10,000 are like a thirty minute aerobic workout. So I had a 45 minute workout. And here I thought I was enjoying a day at the zoo. I posted pictures on face book.

Digital photography isn't it wonderful

I took a lunch break in the shade and a break in the afternoon before we walked out of the park about a mile to go home. At Lincoln Park Zoo there is a lot of shade as you walk along. If you get to Chicago it is worth visiting. The lake front and parks are filled with joggers, hikers, and bikers. In July you will find swimmers to in the Lake. City people are better walkers than their country cousins. The lake gives those who walk the trail there a breeze and wave sounds that can give your ears and eyes an illusion of seclusion from the city if you look out towards the lake.

Ah the adventure begins

Liam was spell bound by the zoo. He walked for a while but became flush and needed to escape in the shade of his stroller. Many of the animals were asleep in the shade. The zebra, gorilla and giraffe all peak his interest as they happened to be moving around as we passed. He was able to make the connection to the animals from the many books he loves to read to. None of the animals compare to the delight of the water sprinklers. The zoo like many good zoos has quite the gardens. Summer time stay hydrated and make the strolls part of your health plan. As many of my friends would remind me, I'm blessed. Again thanks Chicago and zoo lovers there. Keep walking