Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

@jude07 This morning I remembered to bring my phone so I could look it up - the plant is burdock.
@ellens Yes - I am on the other side of the state - Detroit Lakes area, there is an old lock between two of the lakes on the Pelican River that I like to walk to. Have already been out there today, and once my husband is ready we will be riding the bike trails for a while too.
@migizii I think I am not too far from you. We usually visit friends in the Bemidji area when we come here, but with covid it doesn't seem prudent. We have also decided to skip our pilgrimage to Itasca and dinner at the Douglas Lodge - sad how fun traditions have been disrupted, maybe next time.
I am so fortunate that at home in the Twin Cities we are very near many wooded, quiet trails near lakes and a creek - I can easily walk three different ones right from my home.
Sue

@susandenise, you are receiving notifications about this discussion "Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group" because it is included in the Autoimmune Diseases group. @becsbuddy, who has an autoimmune disease called CLIPPERS started this discussion to help herself and others who deal with fatigue related to autoimmune diseases and cancer. It has grown in popularity as people are staying home due to COVID and offers encouragement to stay active.

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Colleen

PS: You're always welcome to join the walking group. 🙂

Thank you! I’m sorry I was extremely confused. Wonderful idea for the walking program . My pain and fatigue has knocked me down again today. Usually I’m having coffee to keep me moving and awake just to finish barn chores.

@susandenise, I'm sure you're not the only person who can be confused about the notifications and how they work. You're question gave me the opportunity to explain not only to you but to recent newcomers to the group and even long time members who may be surprised by the sudden increase in volume of emails.

Barn chores must keep you active, whether your body likes it or not, I assume, especially if you're dealing with animals. They must be fed, right? How do you manage on days like today when the pain and fatigue want to get the better of you? Do you take more breaks? Rely more on help?

@sueinmn Sue ,Hi one of my favorite mentors. You went on a wonderful walk. I know San Diego doesn't have all those things, but walking my dog on the bluffs above the ocean and walking on the sand by the ocean. It was so relaxing. I miss the sound of the ocean. We only lived 5 miles from the ocean. We were only there for 5 years and then back to Seattle for 5 more, then home to Iowa. It does have it's own beauty, you just have to look for it. Our back yard is like a forest we have so many trees we planted. During the summer can't see any of our neighbors and since we face west we have a tree to shade the deck in the afternoon. Oh you lucky girl. You did a wonderful picture. Jeanie

@becsbuddy ok, since my surgery, 2 months ago, I walk 3 times a day and adding the house walking I do over .30. I need to walk 4 times, but I get so tired yet from the surgery. At least I'm doing what the surgeon wants me to do.

@ellens and @sueinmn, I took you both on my far different west Tx walk this morning. Your mention of MN and particularly our two years in Duluth where I taught at Birchwood Ele and my hubby completed his last 2 of 4 yr air force duty had me reminiscing about our incredible time living in and exploring your beautiful state. Lake fishing for northerns,pike and another whose name I can't recall; snowmobiles; smelt runs; tiny wild strawberry gathering along the heavily wooded streams nearby; canoe portages between lakes; ice fishing with our very own ice auger on Lake Superior; hubby taking a "real Finnish sauna" built by our good friends at their lake cabin and then bravely jumping into the lake to "finish off the dare"; observing N.Years with friends who served "Kelte?? a white fish in a white sauce?; my first attempts at ice skating on a rough frozen pond; spending much of a school day dressing and undressing 6 yr olds for school and home; making pies with a fruit? I can't remember the name of now but never see in groceries here.

Can't report a thing about the surroundings on my morning walk here but had the most incredible journey remembering that time and introduction to a wonderland I'd not imagined. But best of all were the fabulous friends who welcomed us into their tightly woven circle of family and friends. Both my Birchwood principal, Bill Lainen, and teaching partner, Carmen Arnold and I continued to correspond until a few years ago when their health failed. We considered the twin cities a trip to the Bahamas and I am so thankful for our youth and energy that propelled us to also layer up; keep emergency supplies in our vehicles and spend time outdoors in truly the land of 10,000 lakes. Love the expression: "forest bathing"; I can almost conjure up those lovely smells right now. Thank you for a happier than usual walk in the neighborhood today!

@lilipaws, As a small town girl, I always thought living on a farm would be exciting. A good friend who did grow up the only girl with two brothers (who refused to let her join them in their escapades) said it was lonely growing up as well. I do remember the fun of buying new paperdoll books and the hours spent trying on the clothes for different occasions. I wonder if they went out of fashion before my daughter came along? She was always much more into her stuffed animals than the storybook dolls I gave her so that might have been another reason I don't recall her having paperdolls. To have loved and married to two fine men is truly a blessing. These recounted memories from our walking partners do add to our current walks, yes?

I drink lots of coffee and fight my way through the day. I work laboriously from 3:30 am until 9-10 pm. It’s tough. I cry. I pray. Today is super hot.. mid 90’s full sun so the heat makes it harder. I also am an animal rescue of 26 cats and dogs. I run a household with children also and cook and clean inside and out diligently for cleanliness reasons and overall health reasons . I have a swollen lower leg down to my toes which as of right now look like sausages and my ankle is throbbing. We are a self sufficient farm so weeding, pruning , mowing...gardening all hurts my hands and wrists. I feel like I’m being ripped apart seam by Seam. My doc has me on klonopin and vistaril as I am bipolar mixed with schizophrenia ..no RA drugs though?! She feels it’s all in my head. I also have osteoarthritis in my spine plus I’m beating oral cancer on top of all of this. I left my career as a nurse for my husband and his farm life so I became a veterinarian nurse and care for my animals also. I’m beat, whipped! I cannot to lay my head down but then the pain comes on full force and it hurts to lay on my bones. It’s only God that gets me through and that’s the truth . No RA doc or my primary have it will ever prescribe me with the correct drugs and my organs will all eventually be affected and I will die. You have inspired me to walk one if my dogs for a short distance because I do take many short breaks and drink lots of weather them I eat a full veggie meal with a slight 4 oz. of protein on the side. The water weight gain has added 12 pounds to my 101 I used to be a week ago. Yes, my “ disease“ is progressing rapidly .

Would the other fishing be for walleyes? Pretty popular here in Wisconsin northwoods. Oh, those teeny, tiny wild strawberries have SO much flavor, beyond belief!