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

@ellens I would never think of shooting any birds now. Something about living on a farm that a bored kid did. The stupid BB gun never shot straight anyway. But I could not shoot a pheasant, many big town guys would come and ask if they could shoot pheasants on your land. Oh yes, don't forget about the deer. Those gorgeous creatures should be left alone, but I guess there are too many of them.

@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

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!

@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!

@wisco50, Yes! Walleyes and how delicious!!!! Thank you. I was about to do a search for MN lake fish...thx for saving me the time!

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 .

You are very welcome! I haven't started a lot of the things that you enjoyed here. I live above Leif Erikson Park and the wonderful Rose Garden, so I often walk down the hill to those places and can scramble down to be next to the water. It's hypnotic, a good trade-off for the mountains I enjoyed in MT. Duluth is the most climate-change resistant city in the US according to the NYT. because of the Big Lake.

@sueinmn yes, Detroit Lakes is not too far away (1 1/2 hr). I agree with you to pass on traveling to the Bemidji area as taking too many risks while traveling is not a good idea. I live in the woods about 15 miles north of town and it’s very pretty in the summer. Unfortunately, I cannot represent our chamber of commerce because I do NOT like winter! ❄️❄️❄️

@susandenise, My goodness, you truly do define the term "daily warrior". Thank you so much for being an animal rescue good samaritan for so many left behind, sometimes ill and injured, cats and dogs. A good friend in San Fransisco does the same for feral cats in Golden Gate Park. That alone is a full time "volunteer" avocation. That you also live on a self sufficient farm spells another full time job. And then there are also those children who require 24/7 attention, meals and care. Another "super achiever" joins the ranks of so many others in these Connect forums who keep going forward despite their chronic pain and daily challenges. I am certainly not one of those but can stand to the sidelines with nothing but admiration for what you and they determine to do. I don't have RA and absolutely no medical background but a close friend does and I know it took visits to several docs before she found one who could help her. No idea what might be causing the large lower leg swelling but would encourage you to seek a consultation with a different doctor who could treat you for that. Sending you best wishes and hope you are remembering to also practice some good self-care.

Thank you! I hurt. My husband works out if town 7a-7p mon-sat., so it’s me alone Innagony. I do appreciate your comments . Sometimes I feel it’s all in vain. I have been to 4 doctors already. The last one, the second RA I’ve seen finally figured it out since all the others said it’s “
In my head”, put me on benzodiazepines and sedatives. I was dismayed and mad! I’m a nurse ( was) so I cried and cried. Anyway.. woe is me....
I do have to find out what the lower left leg swelling is.. I’m guessing my heart has just had enough and the RA is affecting it also. Funtimes!! IM SICK OF IT ALL...