Saturday, April 4, 2020

Staying Safe


How are you all doing while staying safe and away from friends and family?  I admit it is quite hard not to see my son and daughter and grandchildren.  This is probably the longest we have all been apart.  Since not seeing them while we went on our 57 day South American adventure and now not knowing when we will be visiting again has caused some angst for my heart.  I imagine the same is true for many.  


I'm so thankful that we can still take our daily morning walks.  It's a great time to share with my sweetheart and get exercise.  I find being in nature is good for my mental health.  We took the camera with us this morning so I'd like to share the beauty that greeted us.


The ospreys swooping over the river caught our attention.  We continued on the path spotting another one having his breakfast.



Getting outside in the sunshine always makes my soul feel refreshed.  Seeing nature in action is a privilege.  



Mockingbirds were flitting around the path this morning.



We are so lucky to have such a beautiful walk by the river and then beside the canal.



The redbuds are blooming in Virginia.  They are spectacular with their never ending blooms. 



Every morning the cororants are at their posts on the rocks along the fall line.  Every now and then they dive under and get a fish.



Though not a great photo, we were thrilled to spot this bald eagle.



It's so interesting to see the turtles climb on the logs in the canal to sun themselves.  Our grandson reminded us that they are ectotherms, meaning they are cold blooded and get their heat from their environment. 



The canal section of our walk is so peaceful with a turtle or a duck or occasional goose.

















We both are incredibly thankful to be able to continue to take our walks.  Please stay safe, my friends. 











25 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos, Martha Ellen, and proof that Nature is carrying on regardless. I can't help wondering if what is happening is her way of telling us to stop. I know how hard it must be for you and Grayden, I don't see anyone now from one day's end to the next, it is a strange new world in which we find ourselves and I pray, with all that I am, that we will learn from all this chaos.

    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Nature does carry on regardless, Deb. I find comfort in that and know that our Lord is watching over us. There are many lessons to learn from this crisis and I too pray we will. Take care of yourself, my friend. xoxo

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  2. I am glad that you are able to get outside and enjoy nature. It's amazing what it can do for the soul. I am so thankful that we are heading towards nicer weather here in PA. I am sleeping better after being outside. Not being able to see Emily every Saturday for our weekly visits has been the hardest part for me. I understand your heartache. One day at a time, my friend. Sending you lots of love and prayers. Take care!

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    1. Kim, nature has a way of putting things into perspective for me. I'm so glad the weather is good for you, my friend. I hope it won't be long before we both get to visit our loved ones. Stay safe during this crisis. xoxo

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  3. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful pictures of your walk. I am very glad that you are able to get out and enjoy it (and share it). Hopefully, you will soon be able to see your family again. I haven't seen my grands for way too long; however, my son brought supplies this morning and they included a few fun surprises. ☺ Blessings this Palm Sunday!

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    1. Oh Vee, surprises are always nice! So glad your son restocked the larder. Blessings to you on this Palm Sunday as well.

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  4. Beautiful area you live in! Being able to walk near the water is so nice. I wish we lived closer to water. My son and daughter have been working from home. I am going to drive over to see the grand girls and sit in the yard to watch them play.. Like you say it is so hard but will be over hopefully so very soon.
    I was reading about the Spanish Flu. Now that was just the worst ever!
    This will pass. I think I have talked on the phone more than I ever have these days
    Happy Sunday
    betsy

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    1. Betsy, I'm so glad you will see your grands today. I hope you and them will continue to stay well at a safe distance. I've talked on the phone all afternoon as well. Skyping with our daughter was fun. If I can't hug her it's nice to see her.

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  5. What a wonderful place to walk and what beautiful images you shared. Thank You. Happy to hear you are good and are able to get out and be refreshed. What a time we are all experiencing. Stay safe!!

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    1. Ellen, we are so blessed to have this beautiful trail to walk. It's a balm for my soul. It is a strange time we are experiencing. Take care and stay safe!

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  6. I'm so glad you have a beautiful place to walk. It's one of the things keeping us sane in a way, isn't it? I know what you mean about not seeing your family. I miss ours too, and being at six feet from Rick. But we grab out beauty as we can and hope. Just hope.

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    1. Goodness, Jeanie it must be quite hard to keep six feet away from Rick! I can't imagine. Do take care and look for the beauty of Spring awakening in your area.

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  7. I enjoy your outdoor pictures so much! You have a beautiful place to walk. While you were away and we began to hear about the virus, I thought of you! I am glad that you are safely home. We hadn't seen our son for several weeks until a couple of days ago, when he just walked in the door. I guess he decided enough was enough! We did have a great visit!

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    1. Thank you for thinking of me, Mary. We are quite fortunate to be back home safe and sound. I'm glad you were able to see your son. Even at a distance that is a blessing.

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  8. I'm so glad to have you back to blogging. I always enjoy your posts. You share wonderful photos, too. I'm glad you can get out for your walks. We sat outside today and decided where we're going to put a raised garden bed to be delivered tomorrow. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Isn't it wonderful to enjoy the outdoors on lovely spring days? I'm looking forward to seeing the progress of your raised garden beds--how exciting! Take care, my friend.

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  9. You have a beautiful place to walk! Our rosebuds were gorgeous this year but are just about all turned to green now as it has gotten warmer. I'm enjoying my walks more than ever and I wonder if one reason is I don't feel as hurried as in "getting it over" to get on to the next thing I need to do. I am missing my grandchildren though. We may go for a yard visit--where we keep the distance but can see and interact with them. They are quite busy doing school at home, with online times with their teachers. Your trip to SA sounds wonderful and long! I'll have to check back on your previous posts to learn more. Stay safe!

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    1. Dotsie, walks have always been important to us, but now they are one of the highlights of the day. You are so right, it's lovely not to hurry through these special times. A yard visit sounds very special for you and your grands. I'm afraid I'll have to be happy with phone calls with mine. I need to write about our adventure while it's fresh, but frankly I don't seem to have the heart now. Thank you for visiting and please be safe, my friend.

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  10. What a lovely and peaceful walk, Martha Ellen. It was as if I was right there with you. You saw so many turtles along the way! And I love the geese - they are a favorite of mine. The redbuds in Virginia are beautiful. Most of the blossom trees have come and gone here, as Spring arrives early in California, and we have been having lots of rain, making the blossoms scatter to the ground. But they are glorious when they first open up. It's nice that you got to take a walk around the river.

    Stay safe and take care, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, we are so blessed to walk this trail daily. We love nature so much and get so excited when we see something like an eagle soaring today! It's good to look for beauty around us. Especially these days. I hope you are staying safe and well.

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  11. Such pretty nature photos from your walk Martha Ellen. Thank you so much for taking us along, and I wish you all good health and happiness :)

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  12. Love all these photos, but especially the ones of the turtles... I've always loved turtles :-) I'm glad you are doing well and please do stay at home and stay healthy! Have a wonderful weekend and Easter!

    Many blessings,
    Jill

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  13. Lovely photographs.

    We are staying in touch with the family using the internet, it's not the same but at least it's something …

    Do take care, stay safe and stay well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm so glad you are able to stay in touch with your family, Jan. It's a tough time for all of us. Please take care, my friend.

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