Thanksgiving Pandemic Version

 

Yesterday marked the annual Canadian Thanksgiving gathering for our family. 

Each year I am grateful for those in who are able to visit. As the family expands and the younger generation comes into their own, the gathering ebbs and flows with the rhythm of our lives. 

Ebbs, & flows and rhythms have been turned upside down and inside out in this Year of Covid. Out of an abundance of caution we cancelled the in-person gathering. At the last minute we decided to open a meeting in Zoom and invite everyone to drop in when they could. At one point we had 16 people and 1 baby on the call at the same time. 💖 

We met the Sweet Baby James (just 8 days old). He slept through it of course. Thank you to his parents for using up precious down time to hang out with us. 

This was James' first Zoom meeting. We learned that he was not the only one on their first zoom call. 

We met Wally, a beautiful black cat and new(ish) addition to our son's household. 

Our niece listened and chimed in while she turned over her garden for the fall. The rest of us safely tucked away on her phone in her pocket. 

Our nephew joined us as he played virtual Star Wars games. 

When my step mom joined the call she entered the room saying "I see ___ and ___ and ___....." which prompted a discussion about the Romper Room lady. 

Another niece joined us between work shifts as she folded her laundry and dismantled her bed in anticipation of a new one arriving later this week. 

We were treated to glimpses of the newest house in the family as my sister and her husband hung light fixtures and installed a fireplace screen. 

Yet another niece joined us while scrapbooking. 

Gathering via Zoom is, of course, quite different than meeting in person. For one, it's more obvious when someone heads for the bathroom! On the other hand, it's easier to head for the bathroom when each has their own. No waiting!! 😄

Keep Smiling and Keep Moving (even if it's from the comfy chair in your living room)
-Paula 

How to complete a 30 day Challenge in 79 days !!

There's an argument to be made, of course, that adding length to anything 2020 is just plain crazy. Let me explain. 

My fitness buddies and I have entered October with the a create-your-own challenge. Challenge ourselves for today, for the week, for the month. It's all up to us. I'm inspired by the variety of choices the group has made. 

I chose to do 30 days of yoga. I chose Yoga with Adrienne as my guide and started right on time on October 1st. A Thursday. Then the weekend came and I had a class to teach on Saturday (an enjoyable but physically and mentally draining task)  and preferred to go walking on Sunday. 

I modified my plan to do 30 days of yoga only on the weekdays (M-F). 

By the time I was ready for yoga on Monday, October 5th (after work) I had decided that I should repeat day 1 and day 2 and continue through Friday to day 5. I liked the idea of building the flow of the days one into the other.  Then I had some talking to myself to do: 

ME: Maybe I should keep going straight through to day 30. Even on the weekends. 
Still ME: But I like walking and hiking on the weekends
ME: I can do both in the same day you know
Still ME: I can but it's likely I won't. 
ME: .............

Then I tried day 3. Day 3 was hard. A lot of standing poses balancing on one foot at a time. I had to reach for the wall to stay upright much of the time. I got lost and had to catch up to the video. 

Still ME: What if I do every day twice. And only do them on Monday through Friday. 
ME: ????? 

Still ME: The first 2 days I did Day 1 and Day 2; (this week) Day 1,2,3,4,5; (next week) Day 3,4,5,6,7; (the next week) Day 6,7,8,9,10 etc.  

Now, I have to admit that Still ME was being affected by my perfectionist tendencies. But only slightly. Yes, I like to get things right. But I am learning to be kind to myself - especially when it comes to trying to get my old lady body to cooperate with my not-so-old-lady ideas of what I can/want to do. 

Perfectionist brain tends to go over the parts of each session where my balance was off or my muscles felt strained or my lower back caved in. When I repeat the day, I do so with an intention of finding ease or strength in those movements or moments. It doesn't have to be perfect and it will likely be better. With that thought in mind, I'm looking forward to Day 3 repeat on Monday 😎.

So then a spreadsheet had to happen. Another plus! LOL And it turns out that my scheme (see Still ME above) means my 30 days of Yoga will be complete on December 18th. 79 days after I started. 

Stay tuned! 

Keep Smiling Keep Moving (and Keep Thinking)
-Paula 

Laps For Lexi 2020

This year's Laps For Lexi could be subtitled "Singing in the Rain". Or at least it could be here in Media, PA. And since the event is virtual this year due to CV19, I did my laps in my own neighborhood. 

Here a photo of me at the end. 

My 1 mile route took me 2 laps around my neighborhood block. I prefer looped routes but I thought laps were appropriate today and if it weren't for the rain I might have gone to the local middle school for 4 laps around the track because well, Laps 4 Lexi, get it? Ok, moving on...

Lexi loved the color purple so I wore the only purple shirt I own. The words you can't see on the shirt say "Old Enough to Know Better, Young Enough Not to Care". Appropriate given the weather, I thought. 

Lexi also loved Care Bears. My bear's name is ALGEE. ALGEE is not a trademarked Care Bear. ALGEE is the mascot for Mental Health First Aid. A different kind of care bear. ALGEE kept me company for my walk. 

I probably looked a little silly hugging a bear while walking the rain. I would have welcomed the opportunity to explain. 💜💜

Lexi Speight was an exuberant and hilariously funny 8-year old.  After complaining of a "tummy ache" Lexi was diagnosed with liver cancer and died just 12 weeks later.  There were no other indications -- the doctors called it an unexplainable "lightning strike."

Since Lexi's death in 2010, over 7,000 people have participated in the Laps for Lexi annual 5K run/walk that raises money for both pediatric cancer and a scholarship in Lexi's name. It’s more than just the money raised. Laps for Lexi has energized a community; They’ve raised awareness about children’s cancer; They’ve helped improve the quality of life of children. 

Please consider a donation so other children and their families can Keep Smiling and Keep Moving. . (http://www.lapsforlexi.org/contributions.html) Running, walking or singing in the rain is optional! 

-Paula  

Leiper-Smedley-Crum Creek Loop Guide

The Springfield Trail is just one hiking adventure that can be started at Smedley Park. Another loop can be created by combining the Leiper Smedley Trail with the Crum Creek trail. This loop is part paved (Leiper Smedley) and part woods (Crum Creek) trail. I recommend hiking shoes and poles for this one. The woods portion is rocky, full of roots and it's position on the side of the hill between Crum Creek and Swarthmore college makes for some awkward footing in some places. At least it does for me. Don't let that sway you away from this delightful adventure. Forewarned is forearmed. :)

This loop starts at the parking lot by the Penn State Extension in Smedley Park. Enter the park off Baltimore Pike on Paper Mill Road. Turn left just before the trolley tracks; following the sign for the Penn State Extension. Go slow. It's a narrow road and you may meet another car coming out.

[Note about the photos. I used the smallest image. To see more detail, click on the photo and it will enlarge for you]

After parking the car, continue walking out of the parking lot (away from the direction you drove in) toward the Penn State Extension building.  Follow the road to the right (see above)

 And pick up the trail just on the other side of the bollards pictured here.

This short section of trail is taking your towards the Blue Route (476). Note the sign (above) for the Leiper-Smedley Trail (on the right of the photo). It can be confusing as just where that sign appears there is a dirt trail off to your right. Notice, however, that the arrow takes you forward then right. Just past here the trail goes down toward the on ramp to Exit 3 of the Blue Route (476). 

Stay on the side walk which heads left toward the Traffic Light Crossing of Baltimore Pike. Use the designated cross walks to pass safely over the merge to the on ramp; Baltimore Pike; and the off ramp merge onto Baltimore Pike on the other side. 

You are now back on the trail and walking alongside the off ramp from Exit 3 of the Blue Route (476). Stay on the paved trail to Plush Mill Road. Alternatively you can take the dirt trail (see the left of the photo above). It will take you to the same place as the photo below. It's a bit steeper though and prone to blockages. A fun detour if you are up for it though.

Either way you will end up here (above) at Plush Mill Road. At the road you will turn right onto Plush Mill Road. This takes you over the Blue Route (476). 

 On the other side of the Blue Route (476) turn left.

The highway is now on your left and on your right is Wallingford Community Arts Center and Pendle Hill. It's noisy because of the highway (the sound barrier can only do so much) but ignore that and enjoy the glimpses of some fun looking buildings on your right.

 At the end of this section you will turn left to stay on the trail. However, a right turn will take you on to the grounds of the Arts Center and Pendle Hill. There are some interesting paths there through old ruins and mosaic gardens. It's very peaceful. You can put together a nice out and back adventure between here and where you left your car.

Staying on today's tour, however, turning left will take you back over the Blue Route (476) on Rogers Lane. It's actually two lefts. One to get you off the trail and one just after crossing Rogers Lane. Follow Rogers Lane then, over the highway. After the crossing, turn right to stay on the Leiper Smedley Trail. 

You will now follow the trail between the highway on your right and the woods on your left. Today, there was a competition between the Cicadas and the Traffic. In some places, the Cicadas won. :) Highlights of this section are glimpses of Crum Creek and the crumbling ruins of Lytlecote. 

You will also pass under the Septa Media-Elwyn Line. The path here takes a sharp, blind bend. Be aware for cyclists coming the other way. Take a moment on the other side of the underpass to learn about the Crum Creek Viaduct. The path-side information sign gives much more information than any link I could find on the Internet. 

 The trail will eventually bring you down to Avondale Road. You will pass under the highway and at the stop sign carefully cross over to pick up the trail on the other side. There is parking here just to the left off Avondale Road.

Avondale Road can be busy at times and parts of the trail are no more than a wide shoulder off the road (as shown above). However, it is wide and safe enough to travel. You now meet up with Rose Valley Road. 

At this juncture, turn left to continue our loop. However, make note that if you turn right onto Rose Valley road you can continue on to the Thomas Leiper House. If you park in the space where the Trail meets Avondale road it's just a short walk to the Leiper House. I don't know if it's open during COVID but it is a nice tour if you like to learn about Delaware County history. 

 To continue our loop we leave the Leiper  Smedley Trail and follow Avondale road to the left. You will walk a short distance on the shoulder of the road then up on to the sidewalk pictured above.

 You are heading toward the Crum Creek Trail portion of the loop. However, there are no signs. You have to know it's there. Following the road (on the sidewalk) a short distance ....

... you will see the slightly worn path off to your left. The creek is on your left as well and when the creek turns 'inland' you should follow it. It won't take long for the slightly worn path to become a fully obvious trail. Until then, you may feel uncertain. Don't be. If you come to the high rise apartment building you went just a tad too far on Avondale. 

You are now on the Crum Creek Trail. It's mostly dirt, rocks, roots and greenery. You will see a lot of markers such as the one pictured above. I haven't figured out what they mean. Although I imagine they were placed there by (and mean something to) Swarthmore College & Arboretum. 

There are no blazes along this trail and many many dirt trails wander off here and there. Most of them will take you up or down the side of the hill between the creek and the college. Keep the creek on your left and you will be headed the right direction. Explore the side trails for some interesting views. The worst that can happen on the side trails is you'll end up on the college campus. 

Enjoy this section. The views of the creek are amazing. However, don't neglect the woods either. The rock formations (although not as photogenic perhaps as the creek) are beautiful. 

The trail will eventually bring you out to a big meadow with lots of little trails in and out of the wildflowers growing there. When you reach the Septa Line again you will need to head UP to go under the tracks and then the trail will veer up and to the right. It will follow the line of the tracks for a bit before veering off the left to the join the path of the creek again. 

The trail will bring you out to Plush Mill Road again -- down the hill and around the bend from where the Leiper-Smedley portion of this loop crossed Plush Mill Road earlier. 

Turn left on Plush Mill Road to cross over the creek. Be careful the cars coming toward you are coming around a sharp bend. It's safer to cross the street first then walk across the creek. 

 On the other side of the creek notice the yellow blaze on the guard rail. Turn right here....

 ... and follow the path into the woods again. There are no extra trails wandering off in this section. The creek will be on your right now.

 It's a bit rocky here but eventually the path lead you under Baltimore Pike....

And on the other side of Baltimore Pike you are back in Smedley Park. Follow the dirt path through the grass. There will be a ball field backstop on your left.

Just past the backstop look for these steps on your left. Head toward them.

 The steps do not lead anywhere but they alert you to the existence of this trail that will take you back to the parking lot where we started this adventure.

The white building at the top of the hill is the Penn State Extension where we started. To the right of that is the parking lot. 

I was able to map this loop in MapMyWalk.com. Here is the link. It's a little over 4 miles. If you are in the mood for a pleasant long hike, you can combine this with the Springfield Trail Loop for a 9+ mile adventure. 

To connect to the Springfield Trail from this hike, instead of heading toward the steps above continue across the field to Paper Mill Road and pick up the Springfield Trail on the just across the trolley tracks. 

Keep Smiling Keep Moving 

-Paula 

Pandemic Baseball

Last night Baseball returned. Sort of.

A very brave, mask wearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci threw out the first pitch to kick off a new season with new pandemic inspired rules. And, finally, after months of speculation and negotiation, in a rain shortened game, the Yankees beat the Nationals 4-1.

I've been debating whether I will watch the new season. The Phillies open their season tonight against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. No fans, no crying and no spitting allowed. It's not the new rules, the piped in noise, or the shortened schedule that bothered me though. It's the money grab.

My initial reaction to the announcement that a 2020 season would happen was annoyance. It's all about the money, I said. The TV revenues is what they are really after, I thought. The rules allowed players to opt out under certain conditions. And some players with big names and solid careers are doing just that. What about the little guy, I wondered? What about the ones trying to make their name and solidify their position? Do they really have a choice? It really bugged me for awhile and I know that my tiny personal boycott would not make any difference ---- except to me.

Then I realized that my indignation was hypocritical. I still go to work every day. And that's about the money, too. I need a paycheck (and a sense of purpose). I shut down like the rest of PA for a long while. And when allowed to return, I began to feel my way toward doing the things (I believe) can be done safely. For my own safety and that of others. Although I believe I am careful there is no way to know for certain that what I'm doing is enough.

Just because MLB is bigger and makes more money than me doesn't mean they should be held to a different standard. MLB shut down too. And when allowed to return they began to work their way toward returning to the field. Yes, they need the money. As do we all.

After getting over myself and my distress, I realized that the return of baseball can do a lot of good for many. Not everyone loves baseball. But for the many that do, this may be a chance to reconnect.  We can't go to the stadium and we shouldn't gather together in large groups but we can - as we've done with everything else for months now - participate together alone. And if you are a Phillies fan you know value of High Hopes.

Go Phils.

Keep Smiling Keep Moving
- Paula