I can sum up Kauai in one word. AMAZING.
We loved it there. So much, that I cried when we had to leave. It was wonderful. It was beautiful. The people were friendly. It was, well... amazing.
Since the RHPB and I hadn't been on a honeymoon yet and are coming up on our first anniversary, we decided to take advantage of some "recession airfares" and go somewhere warm for a few days. I love Hawaii and have many fond memories of visiting family on Oahu and the Big Island. My Grandma was raised on Oahu, and my cousin still lives in Lanikai... same 'hood as Kina. I'd never been to Kauai, though. From what everyone had told us we'd love it, so that's where we went. We purchased our airline tickets, arranged for a Jeep, and reserved a vacation home (we don't like doors with numbers on them) all of five days before we left. Talk about a whirlwind plan!
Thursday, April 30
Sunday, April 19
Light of Hope
Today I participated in the CASA "Light of Hope" 5k with Shannon and Fawn (well, for the first leg then she left us in the dust...). Shannon and I did our "regular" Couch to 5k workout rather than kill ourselves trying to run the whole way. One of my big goals is don't get hurt... which is sometimes easier said then done. Especially when you are a klutz like me.
So we didn't set any land-speed records... but we did finish in under 40 minutes. Not bad, considering 5 weeks ago I was winded after running for one short minute. Now a five minute leg is a breeze... and eight minute legs aren't so bad either! Training is going pretty well and it's definitely been helpful that friends joined in. On the days I just don't feel in the mood, I go anyways. And I pretty much always feel good about it! I can already see a big change in my mood and my body shape. My "fat pants" fall down, and some clothes I haven't worn for a while are starting to fit again. It feels pretty darn good to put those on, I tell ya!
Next up is the Salmon Run 5k on May 2nd... I don't know if I'll be up for running the whole distance but it'll be a good experience and I'm looking forward to it!
So we didn't set any land-speed records... but we did finish in under 40 minutes. Not bad, considering 5 weeks ago I was winded after running for one short minute. Now a five minute leg is a breeze... and eight minute legs aren't so bad either! Training is going pretty well and it's definitely been helpful that friends joined in. On the days I just don't feel in the mood, I go anyways. And I pretty much always feel good about it! I can already see a big change in my mood and my body shape. My "fat pants" fall down, and some clothes I haven't worn for a while are starting to fit again. It feels pretty darn good to put those on, I tell ya!
Next up is the Salmon Run 5k on May 2nd... I don't know if I'll be up for running the whole distance but it'll be a good experience and I'm looking forward to it!
Thursday, April 9
Pedal
It's cooled down outside, I notice, as I begin my journey home. My shadow, long and stretched out, rides in front of me.
The wind that had chilled me while running still blows, but now it cushions my ears against the sound of the traffic rushing along Franklin Avenue. I make my way along the side of the road slowly, timing my pace with the traffic light ahead. I'm tired, and wonder if I have to stop, will I be able to get going again?
Distance and small hills that I take for granted in my car loom large from my bike. I maneuver around fallen pine cones, sticks, and other detritus in my lane. Cars pass occasionally - I can hear those with winter tire studs grinding towards me from further back.
I'm energized each time I reach a landmark... that park, a roundabout, the school, and the store. When I reach the store I know I'm almost home. From there it isn't much further, and there are no large hills left to climb.
The breeze has died down, and in this part of town, at this time of day, there is little traffic. It's peaceful, that last leg of my journey. As I turn into my neighborhood I feel the weight of the accomplishment. I can make that commute on my bike. And I will do it again... soon. For now, I give myself a few days off, and will try it again the next time the sun is shining!
The wind that had chilled me while running still blows, but now it cushions my ears against the sound of the traffic rushing along Franklin Avenue. I make my way along the side of the road slowly, timing my pace with the traffic light ahead. I'm tired, and wonder if I have to stop, will I be able to get going again?
Distance and small hills that I take for granted in my car loom large from my bike. I maneuver around fallen pine cones, sticks, and other detritus in my lane. Cars pass occasionally - I can hear those with winter tire studs grinding towards me from further back.
I'm energized each time I reach a landmark... that park, a roundabout, the school, and the store. When I reach the store I know I'm almost home. From there it isn't much further, and there are no large hills left to climb.
The breeze has died down, and in this part of town, at this time of day, there is little traffic. It's peaceful, that last leg of my journey. As I turn into my neighborhood I feel the weight of the accomplishment. I can make that commute on my bike. And I will do it again... soon. For now, I give myself a few days off, and will try it again the next time the sun is shining!
Monday, April 6
Sprouts
I am home from running, and weary. It's unseasonably warm outside and I want a cool shower. First I must attend to the dog's needs - she's happy to be home and in her yard, where she is comfortable doing her business. Waiting for her, I notice the lilac bushes are budding out with green leaves. I wonder if they will finally bloom this year.
Inside, the dog is grateful for the large bowl of cool water that I set by her food. She slurps up water and collapses on the cool wood floor.
Meanwhile I notice that the tiny pots holding the seeds we have planted are dry. My kids are beyond the age where they stare and marvel at how much a tiny plant can grow in just a day.
While I water them I notice the ones that were only two inches tall are now three, and those that were only sprouts yesterday are now one or two inches tall.
And still more have tiny shoots of green, barely visible, starting to peek out above the soil.
I don't have a watering can, just an old glass bottle from Trader Joe's that used to hold lemonade or something equally refreshing. I have to hold the bottle steady so as not to splash too much water over the tiny plants, uprooting the delicate seedlings.
The mourning doves that live in the juniper tree coo, and a jay lectures the neighborhood's stray cat.
Tomorrow I will again marvel at how fast the tiny plants have grown, and worry about the ones that have not yet sprouted. Soon I will have to consider when to thin and what. I will watch anxiously for the day when the snow has melted off Black Butte, the threat of frost has passed, and I know it's safe to move them to their permanent beds outside our living room window.
But first, I'm going to take that shower.
Inside, the dog is grateful for the large bowl of cool water that I set by her food. She slurps up water and collapses on the cool wood floor.
Meanwhile I notice that the tiny pots holding the seeds we have planted are dry. My kids are beyond the age where they stare and marvel at how much a tiny plant can grow in just a day.
While I water them I notice the ones that were only two inches tall are now three, and those that were only sprouts yesterday are now one or two inches tall.
And still more have tiny shoots of green, barely visible, starting to peek out above the soil.
I don't have a watering can, just an old glass bottle from Trader Joe's that used to hold lemonade or something equally refreshing. I have to hold the bottle steady so as not to splash too much water over the tiny plants, uprooting the delicate seedlings.
The mourning doves that live in the juniper tree coo, and a jay lectures the neighborhood's stray cat.
Tomorrow I will again marvel at how fast the tiny plants have grown, and worry about the ones that have not yet sprouted. Soon I will have to consider when to thin and what. I will watch anxiously for the day when the snow has melted off Black Butte, the threat of frost has passed, and I know it's safe to move them to their permanent beds outside our living room window.
But first, I'm going to take that shower.
Saturday, April 4
Chicks
Don't get me wrong... I think chickens are OK and I loooove fresh eggs. If I didn't work full time and we had a little more space, I'd probably have my own. Raising chickens is a lot of work and responsibility and work. And it's all very worth it. At the very least I hope my friends that are first-time chicken raisers are practicing good hand-washing every time they handle a chick... and keeping their coops and pens clean.
I don't think any animal should be given as a gift for birthdays or holidays... especially cute, cuddly baby chicks for Easter. Anna Johnson at Deschutes County sent this to me, and it's just one of the many reasons why you shouldn't give the kids a chick in their Easter basket...
As spring and the Easter holiday approach, local and state health officials warn of the potential Salmonella bacteria chicks, ducklings and other young fowl can carry.
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), these animals may not be appropriate as pets for children younger than five or for persons with weakened immune systems.
DHS also states that Salmonella poisoning from baby poultry purchased as pets or for backyard flocks represents an ongoing public health concern and causes multiple hospitalizations each year. Two cases have been identified in Oregon over the past few weeks; both had contact with young poultry. Both patients are recovering.
Many chicks carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria often may not cause any illness in chicks, but can cause serious illness in people.
Salmonella bacteria are easily spread from chicks to humans. Humans may become infected when they place their hands on objects that have been in contact with the stool of chicks, and then touch food that they eat. For Salmonella bacteria to spread from chicks to humans, the bacteria must be ingested. Therefore, simply touching or holding a chick will not result in spread of bacteria unless something contaminated with chick feces or the chick itself is placed in the mouth.
Most Salmonella infections in humans result in a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. However, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, bone marrow or nervous system, leading to severe and sometimes fatal illness. Such severe infections are more likely to occur in infants and in individuals whose immune system is compromised (for instance, bone marrow transplant recipients, people with diabetes mellitus or those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, and chemotherapy patients).
Fortunately, the spread of Salmonella bacteria from chicks to humans can
be easily prevented by using the following routine precautions:
This information is not meant to discourage chick or poultry ownership. With a few exceptions (for example, infants or immune-compromised individuals), most people have a low risk of acquiring Salmonella from chicks. This risk, however, can be reduced even further by following simple precautions. Purchasers of chicks should be aware of the methods for reducing their risk of acquiring Salmonella bacteria from poultry.
For more information about the risk of Salmonella illness, please call Deschutes County Health Services at 322-7400.
Anna M. Johnson
Public Communications Coordinator
DESCHUTES COUNTY
(541) 330-4640 office
(541) 280-5263 cell
(541) 385-3202 fax
1300 NW Wall Street, Ste. 200
Bend, OR 97701
www.deschutes.org
www.deschutes.org/mostwanted/
I don't think any animal should be given as a gift for birthdays or holidays... especially cute, cuddly baby chicks for Easter. Anna Johnson at Deschutes County sent this to me, and it's just one of the many reasons why you shouldn't give the kids a chick in their Easter basket...
As spring and the Easter holiday approach, local and state health officials warn of the potential Salmonella bacteria chicks, ducklings and other young fowl can carry.
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), these animals may not be appropriate as pets for children younger than five or for persons with weakened immune systems.
DHS also states that Salmonella poisoning from baby poultry purchased as pets or for backyard flocks represents an ongoing public health concern and causes multiple hospitalizations each year. Two cases have been identified in Oregon over the past few weeks; both had contact with young poultry. Both patients are recovering.
Many chicks carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria often may not cause any illness in chicks, but can cause serious illness in people.
Salmonella bacteria are easily spread from chicks to humans. Humans may become infected when they place their hands on objects that have been in contact with the stool of chicks, and then touch food that they eat. For Salmonella bacteria to spread from chicks to humans, the bacteria must be ingested. Therefore, simply touching or holding a chick will not result in spread of bacteria unless something contaminated with chick feces or the chick itself is placed in the mouth.
Most Salmonella infections in humans result in a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. However, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, bone marrow or nervous system, leading to severe and sometimes fatal illness. Such severe infections are more likely to occur in infants and in individuals whose immune system is compromised (for instance, bone marrow transplant recipients, people with diabetes mellitus or those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, and chemotherapy patients).
Fortunately, the spread of Salmonella bacteria from chicks to humans can
be easily prevented by using the following routine precautions:
- Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling chicks, chick cages and equipment, and the stool of chicks.
- Keep chicks penned in outside buildings. Always wash your hands after coming into contact with any area where chicks are kept.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling chicks, chick cages, or chick equipment. Do not kiss chicks or share food or drink with them.
- Children less than five years of age should avoid contact with chicks. Children should be supervised when they are handling chicks to ensure that they do not place their hands, or objects that a chick has contacted, in their mouths. Chicks should not be kept in childcare centers.
- Immune-compromised people should avoid contact with chicks.
- Follow instructions from your veterinarian concerning proper diet and environment for your chick(s). Healthy chicks living in proper environments are less likely to shed Salmonella bacteria.
This information is not meant to discourage chick or poultry ownership. With a few exceptions (for example, infants or immune-compromised individuals), most people have a low risk of acquiring Salmonella from chicks. This risk, however, can be reduced even further by following simple precautions. Purchasers of chicks should be aware of the methods for reducing their risk of acquiring Salmonella bacteria from poultry.
For more information about the risk of Salmonella illness, please call Deschutes County Health Services at 322-7400.
Anna M. Johnson
Public Communications Coordinator
DESCHUTES COUNTY
(541) 330-4640 office
(541) 280-5263 cell
(541) 385-3202 fax
1300 NW Wall Street, Ste. 200
Bend, OR 97701
www.deschutes.org
www.deschutes.org/mostwanted/
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