Skyler Joy Reeves

Grandpe with Skylar Joy Reeves

What is important today is 10 days back to work with out an absence and even more important I saw a beautiful girl Skylar Joy Reeves, she is a beautiful baby girl who will great bless The Lord and us to boot. She feels to light but she share her beautiful voice and has a wonderful opinion. Liam was uncertain when she cried and wanted mom's assurance everything is OK. Definite motivation to keep walking.
This morning before lunch a took a 20 minute workout in the fitness center that include time walking there band back where I eat. Part of the way includes stairs,. Converting workout to steps easily over 2000 steps. Later I included my old man

Skyler

workout and I took several short walks through the day. This week end I will set up my boxing room where I will simulate three rounds of boxing. Once or twice a week I will do that workout. I am going to use my recombant bike for one to two outings a week, walk with Barb, use strength training equipment, play so tennis and disc gulf, hike some trails and it should add up to better fitness. I forgot swimming but that is on the list too.Cross train should work all muscles and add fun variety.
 

Birthday's and such

Donovan, Bompa

I personally celebrated my 61st birthday. A few days earlier I took note of my father's birthday He is no longer alive but memories, photos, talking with others, he remarkably remains a big personality in my life. I am pretty confident most of my life has been lived and yet the time I have left I want to fully experience. I enjoyed talking with my father in law tonight, sharing funny stories, and up to date stuff as well. He had a pace maker put in and he has more energy and is alert. He wanted to be around the birthday party for Donovan and even sat on a stool.  Donovan had his birthday today and it was perfectly OK the focus was on him. Being 61 I think I am mature enough. Being 14 is way more important. At 61 I am cool with being alive, walking again.
Tomorrow Lord willing little Skyler will be born and won't it be fun seeing her in her teens and maybe early 20's. As the years go by the grand kids birthdays will take center stage and the gift for me will be to take in a few of them. I will share her beautiful picture.
Most people in history didn't live to 61. Today we don't think it to be too old. It is old  enough for me to live each day. I would like to listen more to understand and respond. I want to be more than politically correct or have every thought filtered. I want to enjoy my reading and still soak up God's Word, maybe listen to the Bible being read. Enjoy friends and keep making new friends. I along with that want to by faith be close to God. I also think it is possible to have the next days - years be the best with Barb. Walking is a part of all of this, and these gifts can't be bought. Keep walking

Getting older choose life

Barb keeping the ol' man in shape

Morrie Swartz gives a great quote about aging, “Aging . . . is more than the negative that you’re going to die, it’s also the positive that you understand that you’re going to die, and that you live better because of it.” Yet in his book, Tuesdays with Morrie, he give no thought about the afterlife. Wise about knowing your mortal and chose to live better each day you have, but we also need hope with the here after. Since our experience with aging varies putting all our eggs in this life will have mixed results. Some people will have that retirement experience, walking idyllic locations and experiencing a well off many joys. Many of us will have to work and deal with lots of trials. In the end all of us may face hard times. For sure it is all unpredictable.
Morrie has a good point and choosing to live is better than choosing to die.
We need more today than ever hope beyond the grave.
Looking in the Bible we find humans are destined to eternal experiences. Our earthly

I will take a picture later when trees are full

bodies cease but our souls continue past the point of death. Luke 16 makes this very clear. There are many other verses that talk of these things but Luke 16 is a good place to begin. Choosing Christ as Savior or not is the biggest question of faith we find in this life. If we place our faith in the death, burial and Resurrection eternity with God is made sure. If not separation from God in eternity is also clearly taught. Our religion, our spirituality, and church have their importance, but the way of faith in Christ is a priority. Live well, but believe well too.
Had a nice walk in a new trail today along the Dupage River by Black Road walked over 50 minutes on a beautiful day, Spring green is yet to happen yet, but I think it will start this week. Keep walking

Hurting tonight, that is when care and love speaks loudest

Garden ready to go, just beat the rain in rota tiling and putting down the garden fabric. We can plant some cold bearing plants. We will have time to work on perennials and summer floral gardens around the yard. Our potted plants give green year round. They improve our indoor living as well. One of the best gardeners is Scott Huber I remember his planting a beautiful garden for his parents. Gardening gives us time outdoors and another way to work and move. 
My heart goes out to the Warren family, whose son lost to depression. We are so fragile. I hope someday we can be as open about our mental health as we are about sport injuries, accidents, and illnesses. In our fallen world let's apply the same care for our mental health as we do for a common cold. In my own way I have been open about my mental health problems so others can feel good about help and support. Theologically mental health is a "bitch" as my father would say. If I can heal and cope so what do I care that someone would think less of me. God has always encouraged me to cast my cares upon Him. He knows about them anyway. I have been accepted by God ad loved, and He has me sick or well.
I have found many are very supportive and kind. In truth in low times I am often cared about in surprising ways. CS Lewis title "Surprised by Joy" comes to mind. If someone has the mind to gossip about what ever weakness I have, what a waste of time and energy, it means little to me in comparison to being free of depression and the grip of an anxiety attack. It is kind of like the joy I had this week walking again after an injury a month ago. With each walk I can feel it making me whole and free of pain.
For Ken, Amy and Billy, go blue! Keep walking

Dad's birthday, triggers kind thoughts

Dad reading the
Herald

Today is my father's birthday, he would have been 86 today. He has been gone now nearly 18 years. Every Saturday nearly I have a cup of coffee and I recall in his later years how he used to come over for a cup of coffee and plan some rehab project at my house or his. We talked about alot of things and I wouldn't trade those times for the world. I also recalled the ballgames and basketball games we watched together. His TV was bigger than mine. He liked comedies and didn't care to much for movies, he liked reading the paper, doing the crossword puzzle and talking in the kitchen. We both love the outdoors an gardening, he was the better athlete, but then I have CP, I wasn't bad.
He never went to college, but he was smart. He worked hard for me to have care I needed to live strong the way I do, I owe a lot to him and he always had my heart. I don't think he would be on the Internet but happy birthday dad.
When I was a kid I fell a lot and he would never pick me up. The specialist told him it would be better for me if I picked myself up. He told me later that it bothered him every time I fell. I fall less today because I am more mindful of the pain, but I still don't like people helping to get up. I naturally get a little gruff. That doesn't make me right for I think people are being kind. It is just old habits are hard to break.
I was touched today by the Principal's kind words and a nice visit with a friend. Later I enjoyed the company with my daughter.
My knees are healing and I a able to stretch a bit without pain of injury. The paved trails are great for movement an healing. Tomorrow I hope to walk a new trail and I will be fun to see that trail through the seasons. Kind thoughts for my dad and keep walking 

Thinking of Wyoming and recovering along the way

Knees and injury on the mend, back to walking. Walking now is helping alot with reducing pain. The weather the last three days has needed a warm hat but for walkers perfect weather no sweat.
I can hear the Cardinals on my walks, we have a pair of Cardinals in the trees around our home. I like hearing their call. Our trees and bushes haven't started showing us the new green colors yet. The skies have been partly cloudy and and easy on the eyes.
I am reading the Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson. The mysteries take me to Wyoming very easily. I have been able to talk with an old friend Larry Menshel who lives in Dayton Wyoming near the Big Horn Mountains. I've downloaded some pictures in that area and it is beautiful. I walked a few trails in that area in the 90's. I would like to return for a walk or two and share some time with Larry and Anne. More motivation to do more stairs at work and walk to enjoy a mountain trail.
At work today I helped a few kids and got a kick out of it. That never gets old!
I have shared my rehabs with you and once again movement reduces pain and gets me back into life. Where are you at today? Are you recovering, struggling with, or dealing with getting older or ill? Walking can help. Start out slow and take your time. Each day work at it. In two weeks how do you feel? Stay at it, how do you feel in a month? six weeks? Two months?  10 weeks? Three months you will be feeling better. With Biking , now walking it has been a month for me. My fitness level is improving, as we move into spring and summer I will let you know my progress.
That is how it is often, we have set backs but the key is not quiting. Let's round off that curve, Keep walking

 

Easter a great encouragement

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

Barb and I were off for a walk today, we were well dressed for a windy cool day. The skies we blue and we could here the birds. We added push-ups as we passsed benches on the way back. It feels good to breathed the cool air deeply into my lungs as the walk pace was aerobic.

Yesterday our plumbing went haywire and forced us to take lodging at a local motel. The plus side was pool time with Liam. I was able to do about 20 laps, it felt good to swim.

Being Easter, I preached an Sunrise service. In our all to brief lives I wish more would grasp the truth of Jesus' ressurection being witnessed by so many. He is the way, truth and life (John 14:6) to get us to heaven, (John 14:1-3). Faith in the truth of Jesus being God and Savior, personally, even weak small faith can save to the uttermost.

Today our plumbing is mended and back to home sweet home. Keep walking and enjoy the many benefits.