I went back to the woods today and walked more of the trail. I didn't take a different loop but I did take another cut off and walked farther than I did on Monday. I feel better about things. I honestly believe that sometimes when I am walking I develop a psychosomatic breathing problem- not unlike an anxiety attack- and today there was no sign of that. Just my regular old lady way of walking and breathing. My endurance is not what it should be, but a casual walk of a mile and a half should not make me feel as if I may be having a heart attack. This strange phenomenon has only happened a very few times but it is always frightening. I cannot seem to figure out the damn map that is posted at the entrance of the trail. It's straightforward for awhile but then it shows loops and different paths that do not make sense and according to Liz Sparks who knows more about the hiking and kayaking and everything-else trails around here than anyone, said that the first time she walked on it she saw people wandering around lost with the map on their phone in their hands and guess what? The map was wrong.
I'm a little afraid to go off in different directions because there's a good chance I'd end up at a completely different entrance and then have to figure out my way back. And I may not be dying but I'm not up to walking five or six miles.
Anyway, it's nice to be walking in a different place but I can already tell that I'm going to need some alternative routes to keep my interest up. It's not going to take long before I'll have closely studied everything of interest along the way.
This, according to my plant ID app is Common Hair Moss. It can grow up to two feet tall! I've seen it before, for sure, but none ever that tall. This patch today was probably about four inches tall.
More cypress trees in shallow water!
Another thing about the trail is that although there is a lovely restroom facility at the entrance, I am not really capable of walking more than two miles without having to pee. We all know this. And I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've peed in the woods, never once getting caught, except for that one time I accidentally peed RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TRAIL CAM and that wasn't an actual human that saw me but a camera lens. Sort of the same, but sort of not.
However, the trail has other people on it and you never know when someone's going to come by while you're trying to hide behind a bush. I'd hate to be arrested for public urination. So that's a little bit of a problem. The edges of the trail are either fairly sparse in vegetation or way too thick to get through easily without a machete.
I'll figure it out.
And here's the lovely restroom of which I spoke.
At this point in time, it seems to be as clean as an operating room but I imagine that will change. There are actually two restrooms, neither one indicating gender which is good.
After the walk I felt much better in my soul. It was almost magical. It was like all those self-help books say- Exercise is excellent for depression and anxiety!
I've never found it to take the place of therapy or anti-depressants but today it did absolutely help. I think I simply felt more myself, less hopeless, a little stronger. And sometimes that is all you need.
I tried to do some yard work this afternoon and I did get a tiny bit of trimming done on plants that had been frost burned or were just done for the year like various lily varieties. I also cut a sago palm down to the heart. All the fronds were brown or yellow.
Look at this thing.
I don't even have words to try and describe it. This is a female sago, even though parts of that center look somewhat like certain male parts.
See what I mean?
The male sago grows a huge and extremely phallic cone in the spring or summer, which stands proudly until it has dispersed its magical pollen which finds the female bloom and fertilizes it, at which point it droops sadly. Or perhaps in satisfied exhaustion.
Now where was I?
Oh yes. Yard work. I did some on-my-knees stuff too, pulling crocosmia and my body, already growling at me for using it in such a rude and physical way, told me after a short while in no uncertain terms that it was done with that mess for the day.
I listened. I came inside.
Marianne Faithful died today. Some of you may remember her as the sweet-voiced girlfriend of Mick Jagger back in the sixties but she was so much more than that. She influenced the music then in far more ways than most people realize. Not only the music, but the culture too. She was an extraordinary person. Her album, "Broken English," is one of the most powerful woman-made albums I've ever heard. It affected me a like a ton of bricks and I've never gotten over it. Oh forget the "woman-made". Powerful album, full stop.
If you don't mind hardcore music sung by a woman who saw it all, did it all, was addicted to it all, came back from it all, felt it all, and lived it all, you can go to this link. However, if you are a person who doesn't want to hear about things of a sexual nature, please don't go there.
She was, to put it bluntly, fucking fearless.
There's a lot more I could say about Marianne Faithful and a lot more I could say about other things, too. But for now, I'll just give you this:
Mr. Moon fixed the table.
We knew he would.
Love...Ms. Moon
I have had an idea about the peeing problem. If you wear long, hooped dresses like a Victorian lady when out walking then all that you will need to do is a slight crouch and you can pee inside the dress without anybody else knowing what you are doing. You are advised to whistle and look innocent while committing the heinous crime.
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh. Truly.
DeleteThat's the cleanest restroom in a park that I have ever seen. Now, the table is good to go for another many years.
ReplyDeleteBoth things true!
DeleteI've never been 'caught' by a video cam out in the sticks peeing. I'd give quite a show...but with my luck I'd be tracked down and sitting behind bars! I've done worse in the sticks than urinate. That would definitely get me in hot water...or a contract with 'certain' movie companies! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to read about Marianne Faithfull. Certainly, of my generation. I was somewhat familiar with her music. I was heavy into Motown...mostly. I'll have to go back and listen to her music. Sounds like she might have been talking to ME!
I'm fearful now of trails that I'm not familiar with. Too many years of working in psych and knowing what's out there roaming around!
Paranormal John
Come to think of it, I've done worse than pee in the woods too. Ooh boy.
DeleteIsn't that song a veritable bomb going off? I think it is. Turn it up!
There is one place I've walked that I get the creeps in. I don't go there any more.
Great that the trail is accommodating. Be careful to know where you are, since the map stinks. Stick close to the john.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, the restroom is back at the start. Or, end, whichever way you look at it.
DeleteBroken English really hit me too!
ReplyDeleteShe was not fooling around with that music.
DeleteI'm glad you're feeling better. Walking has always been my rescuer. That's a weird thing about the maps being wrong. I'd be careful, too. Maybe you should get a Shewee? I don't think that is get you arrested.
ReplyDeleteI've see ads for Shewees but I've never wanted one. While I can still squat, I hope to continue doing that. Actually, it's not the getting down part, it's the getting up.
DeleteSigh.
That would, not is, arghh.
ReplyDeleteI knew.
DeleteI'm so glad you had a good walk. I walked indoors today on my eliptical and felt much better afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThere at times in which it does help.
DeleteBest line I reckon is "'Cause she had cobwebs up her fanny and I believe in giving to the poor", altruistic cheater. I loved her as GOD in Ab Fab. I believe in her! She made the GOD idea fathomable...
ReplyDeleteAs for peeing in the bushes- I am sure that you have considered this-
https://www.amazon.com/Urination-Silicone-Portable-Standing-Activities/dp/B0899QCKZB?th=1
I have, but then I think about traveling with a pee soaked gadget in my pocket and that idea is not good. I swear I have forgotten how to walk...bad foot , too much weight, too cold out there, blah blah, but DANCE? oh yes, your link did turn that crank!
Yeah- who wants to stick a peed-on silicone device in their pocket? I guess you could take a plastic bag to put it in but this is starting to sound like too much.
DeleteI ripped some muscle in my back and/or hip the last time I really danced and now I am scared. Isn't that terrible?
Walking the trails and enjoying the natural landscape is enjoyable. I walk trails throughout Concord and Carlisle, MA with my dog. For me, walking in the woodlands is better than a gym membership.
ReplyDeleteYou are growing some very sexy palms in your garden. Trim carefully, you do not want to harm those reproductive organs!
MF lived life to the fullest. RIP MF.
I could never exercise in a gym whereas that is where Mr. Moon feels at home.
DeleteI don't think I could harm that sago is I wanted to.
Yes. Marianne did faff about with life, did she?
I just read somewhere that the microbes in upturned earth (think animals foraging for food or humans plowing their fields) stimulates the making of endorphins which are used in anti-depressants. Being outside in nature you're bound to pick some up!
ReplyDeleteCorrection: which 'can work the same way as anti-depressants' not 'are used in'.
DeleteYes, I have heard that in relation to the benefits of gardening.
DeleteThe tree reflections are wonderful. I remember Marianne Faithful, one of her songs got airplay out here but I don't remember what that song was. I was never a fan though.
ReplyDeleteWe all like what we like and don't like what we don't. It's the way of it.
DeleteI loved Broken English. For me, exercise along with medication is great for depression. Will that sago palm recover? Of course, Mr. Moon fixed the table!
ReplyDeleteSagos were around with the dinosaurs. Pretty sure the palm will recover. Some people trim them down to the heart every years. I just try to keep the yellow leaves trimmed up.
DeleteYes. Mr. Moon is an excellent fixer.
I had heard of her, of course, but had actually never listened to her music. Yesterday I did, and I enjoyed it. Strong woman indeed. I was also touched to read all the posts and comments each of the Stones made about her. She really was loved.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine if all women felt that they could express themselves like that? Our pain and anger and sorrow. I am in awe of her. I know Keith loved her. There's a picture of them having tea together about seven years ago, I think. He wrote some funny things about what happened between them in his book.
DeleteI thought I knew the songs of Marianne Faithfull but when I went to listen to them now, I really did not remember many of them. I knew her name but I thought she sang other songs. Which is weird, I know.
ReplyDeleteGlad you felt better after your walk, Mary.
She put out a lot of albums so maybe...
DeleteFinally a dry sunny day so more cutting of freeze damaged vegetation is on the agenda for today. All our music people who survived their era are slowly gently passing away. Holidays and cold weather having retreated yoga class is more regular. I've been terrible about my home practice and yesterday after Wednesday's class I was sore in too many places. I need to get on the butt kicking machine and be more proactive.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you but when my dominant emotion is despair, it is very, very hard to get motivated to do a lot of things I should be doing.
DeleteOmg I adore Marianne Faithfull. Her song The Hawk is my anthem!
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassingly, I had never heard that song. Now I have. Thank you.
DeleteLovely ambling, great table and I'm glad you feel better!
ReplyDeleteIt's a relief to feel even a slight improvement.
DeleteThe table looks great! That path in the top photo is so Florida. I love those sandy trails through scrubby woods. It looks like home to me.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know Marianne Faithfull's music but of course I know of her and her influence on many prominent musicians. She even appeared on "Absolutely Fabulous" once back in the '90s!
I know I had heard about her being on AbFab but had forgotten.
DeleteYes. This Tallahassee greenway collection of parks and trails is about as Florida as you can get. Which is wonderful.