The Lazy Trap

I think we all get caught in the lazy trap every now and then.  I have been in it off and on the past two weeks.  And some days, I have allowed it to swallow me whole.  Sometimes the R&R helps me rejuvenate, but more often than not, it leaves me feeling less energetic and less productive, which leaves me feeling crappy in general.  I don’t like being lazy.

My biggest laziness violation has been in not going to the gym to lift weights.  Getting and staying fit takes a lot of work and it doesn't happen when you are in the lazy trap.  I like Jess C. Scott's point - “A fit, healthy body is the best fashion statement.”  I also wonder, is the way we dress a reflection of the lazy trap?  Do people need to leave pajama pants at home, flip-flops at the beach, and stop wearing sneakers to work and sweatpants to the airport?  I like to dress for comfort, however, can we look and feel comfortable without looking lazy?  If I don't wear make-up, do I appear to be lazy?  I like to go au-naturel.
Being 'lazy' in the fashion department saves me time and money.  I also think, just as a smile adds to anyone's appearance, so does a fit body.  So even though I don't spend much time on my looks, I should at least get to the gym to work on this body.

I woke up Saturday feeling a void.  I guess I miss Joe more than I admit sometimes.  I also was feeling lazy and unproductive.  I think my slacking on the workouts and long walks has left me less energetic and unmotivated to get going.  Or maybe this is just the beginning of the lazy days of summer.


Mr. Snapper was down in the pond at the bottom of our hill.  He had something in his mouth, quite possibly a tadpole.


Mid-morning, after I had shaken myself loose from the bonds of laziness, and this computer, I went for a walk.  Some of the Lutheran Church men were in the process of cutting down a tree, so I stopped to watch, and then took some photos.  Can you see what has happened in the second shot?  The rope broke, and all three burly older men fell down.  Luckily no one was hurt.  I continued on my walk before they got the tree down.

Moving on across Lakeview and into the woods on Library trail, I met up with some of the Hiking Club trail builders.  These guys were trying to configure steps up to get to a good place to cross the street to get to the new (soon to be) paved path.













Deeper in the woods, this group was working on building steps through this rock formation.  There is nothing lazy about this crew of workers.

I continued up the trail to the Library building where the Art and Music Festival was in progress.  Maggie and I sat and listened to this brass sixtet.  Notice the trumpet player missing his bottom left arm, and he played amazingly.

I toured the booths and then bought a Mrs. Miller's yeast roll.  It was way more than I could eat.  Seen left, Maggie's reaction after I scolded her for begging.  I threw 1/3 of my doughnut away, but did give her a small taste once I was done.

Next we walked to the four way stop where the Cruisin' Party was going on.  Donna and DJ were playing music and had various games for the crowd.  The day was heating up, so I kept Maggie parked in the shade most of the time.  Becky gave her a little bit of popcorn and a cup of ice water.  I had to leave early to get home to prepare to go to work my 2-7 shift.  It was a busy day at the pool and I didn't get home until almost 8 pm.

Sunday I met Shirley at church and we sat with Lisa and Nolan.  Once home I started work in the yard, weeding in front, transplanting some iris, and planting two pots of flowers (I had gotten from Cathy and Carol quite awhile ago).

Then I took a break and went up the hill (Library Trail) back to the Art and Music Festival. These photos I actually took Saturday.  This little pedestal is made all of wood, woven and stained to get all the different textures and colors.  The left photo shows the front of it and the back of it is shown in the right photo.  I am not sure what you would use the piece for, I guess a table decoration.  I think it is amazing craftsmanship, all done by a woman!

Marty and Annetta from our church band were playing and I could hear their music as I walked up the trail (video).  Maggie and I sat and listened for almost an hour before returning home, back down the trail.









I worked out in back from 2:30 - 5:30, planting five (with one remaining) juniper.

After Maggie, Stevie, and I had dinner, I headed out with the dog on a long walk, going farther than I had originally planned.  I walked to Mirror Lake, then turned and went down Peavine towards Weigel's.  

I had to check out all the progress (demolition of trees and moving of signs) along Peavine for the road widening project.  Maggie and I were out for just over 90 minutes, and it had gotten dark.  We saw a fox, skunk, and deer before getting home at 9 pm.

Monday I worked at climbing out of the lazy trap by doing two loads of laundry while I started this blog.




My hibiscus has all but died so I got my garden bucket and trimmers to cut it way back.  As usual, my mischievous, curious, 'helper' had to stick her nose into what I was doing.

I ran to Mirror Lake (with Maggie) to met Linnea and set up our chairs.  I also let Maggie run off some energy.

Then I got to work in the yard.  I planted the last juniper and mowed both side yards and all of the back yard down to the creek.  I also did weed whacking until both my batteries ran out of juice.  The deer have demolished this cluster of Hosta out front so I sprayed more Deer Off on it and other vegetation they tend to go after.

I showered, fed dog and cat, walked Maggie, and was off to Mirror Lake Blast.  Ken and Linnea met me there and we really enjoyed the new band, Jeff Allen & AC Drive.








A little thunder and rain drove half the crowd away at intermission, but we stayed till the very end.  After ten minutes of sprinkles, it cleared off and was a beautiful evening.  I was home at 8:30, walked dog till 9:00 and read (maybe two pages) in bed till I zonked out.

Tuesday I worked a hot sunny shift at the pool from 9-2.  The water was 80 degrees when I got in to scrub tile at 9:15.  Once home, I was trying to convince myself to go to the gym, but hated to leave the dog home alone again.









It began to sprinkle just as Maggie and I were getting home from a 15 minute walk.  I showered and laid down to read.  I woke up 90 minutes later.  Scheesh.

The above photos are of the yard after our little summer rain shower.

Stevie sticking her nose into trouble, atop the fridge, at feeding time.

Brian picked me up and we went to Spikes where we enjoyed beer and grub with Ken and Linnea.  There was a local musician playing, providing enjoyable background music. 

Wednesday I was at the barn before 9:00 and soon Jean, Deana, and I were on the trail.  Seen left, Deana on Sandy and the barn in the background.














Seen above, Jean on Shelby and the mountains in the background, as we left the barnyard.

We started out on the long ride, crossing the little creek several times.  Then we stayed down in the valley and rode along Daddy's creek, going out and back.  It was cool and pretty in the woods and we had a lovely ride (video).

Some sprinkles moved into the area and since I was tired and hungry, I had lunch and took a nap.  It didn't clear off enough to make outside work appealing so I ran errands.  It was flag day and community disposal of old flags was available, but it took me four stops to finally find the correct place, First National Bank.







I picked up a bottle of Choco Wine and a bunch of fruit, came home and made a big fruit salad, and after a bit, it was time to go to Brian's for dinner.  He made the best beef stew.  The conversation was lively and it was 10:30 before I made it home.  And wouldn't you know, I had troubles falling asleep because I had gotten a second wind.  Also, the mid-day nap might have contributed.

Thursday started out pretty, warm, yet a bit muggy.  I had watered all my inside plants and was in my yardwork clothes watering potted plants outside when Jan called.  She wanted to show me a horse property with a big covered arena and introduce me to the lady who owned it (and is willing to let us use the space for a fee).  So off we went, to Fire Tower Road.






We also explored the entrance to Catoosa Wildlife Management Area at the end of the road, and investigated the possibility of riding there.

The above and right photo are of the rock by the 17th green that has been covered in vines (mostly poison ivy), leaves, branches, etc.  Jack, the golf course worker, is in the process of clearing it and wants to make it a back drop (or focal point) for a garden there.

The rain started while Jan and I were out exploring in her car.  I got a call that the pool might be closing, and 90 minutes later, after finishing up lunch, I got another call that it was definitely closing for the rest of the day.  I had had some hot leftover stew Brian sent home with me and was sipping on hot tea, and fell asleep in the recliner while reading.  The cat was on my lap, the nervous dog beside my chair and I was under a blanket, oh so warm and snugly.




I took the dog for a nice walk during the short break in the weather mid-afternoon.  Seen above, she is on part of the rock formation at Snead's Canyon.  And notice in the right photo, these two I spotted enjoying the sun also.

I was too lazy to go to the gym to work out, even though I had plenty of time.  It has been so long, it is really going to be tough to get back into shape.  So what did I do?... ate the rest of the leftover stew, and then snacked, and basically felt like a stuffed, lazy pig.  Whaaah.  And even though I had napped, I was in bed early, heavily ensnared in the lazy trap.

I was up at 5 am on a misty Friday morning.  Stepping outside with Maggie, I noticed that Brian had just departed for work at the hospital, and then a guy rolled up in a truck and pulled onto the Lutheran lawn to load up the stack of logs there.  As Maggie and I rounded the bend at Snead and Lakeview, the 'runner' guy arrived and started his workout.  Quite often I see him jogging big loops in the flat parking lot.  I got home to hot tea, about completed this blog, and kept telling myself, 'I can't let this be another lazy day' as I started my next cup of tea and cruised from e-mails into Facebook on my computer.

The ducks had finished their morning cracked corn and were having a lazy moment down by the pond's edge.  Meanwhile, the golf course workers were zipping across and around the 17th green as they were mowing and preparing it for the day's play.


Action at the bird feeders was anything but lazy.  I caught the flicker, squirrel and chipmunk all there at once in the left photo.


I spent some time getting organized for the day and trying to figure out what to wear to the 50's dance for later.  I had to do a load of laundry to clean a shirt I was going to borrow from Joe.  It also needed mending.

Just after 10 am I made myself get a move on, and went to the barn.  As usual, I rode Amiga (bareback and bridle less) in from way back in the pasture.  This time, when the other horses saw me up on Amiga, they all started cantering to the barn.  Amiga wanted to go fast too, but I kept her at a walk, and then I decided, oh what the heck, and we joined the "stampede."  What fun.  She slowed back down when I asked her to.  I use the lead rope and sometimes a hand on her halter to communicate with her.  I just love her.

A few of the other ladies were tacking up to ride, but I stuck to my original game plan and went alone.  I like to do this so I can go any direction and speed I decide on, at a moments notice.  I even let Amiga have a say sometimes.  We went up into the winter pasture and noticed they were plowing it.  This messed up the footing along the perimeter in a few places, so I will probably stay out of here for awhile now.




The little pond between two of the fields had water lilies growing and blooming on it, and was actually kind of pretty.

Amiga did great during our ride, over two hours out.  She has shown no lameness since the abscess burst.

Amiga was plenty warm and sweaty, and a little muddy from cantering on the damp trail, so I hosed her down when I got back to the barn.  Of course she rolled in the dirt when I turned her back out to pasture.

It was a rather lazy afternoon, and rather than go workout or go outside to work in the yard, I took the dog on a long walk.



At 5:30 I was off to Ken and Linnea's for a visit and to tour their house and yard.  I was also catching the beginning of their party.

Seen right, the back of their house, that faces Lake Canterbuty.  Ken is up on the porch, smoking the pork butt and shoulder.  Below is a view of their new dock and kayaks.



I had to leave the barbecue just as the meat was coming off the grill.  My next and last destination of the day was the Library Building where the Moonlighters Dance Club was having their monthly dance.  The theme this time was 50's Rock & Roll Party.  And that is what we did.  I discovered that dancing in tennis shoes does not work too well, so part of the time it was a sock hop.  Seen right, Gail Moon, the dance club president.

I don't know how I am going to work my way out of the lazy trap, especially as the days get hotter.  At least the gym is air conditioned... that should coax me to get there.