Do you challenge yourself?
How often do you step outside of your comfort zone?
Do you strettttch your muscles and your brainpower?
Ever read a book that you have to reread passages or look up words to understand what is meant?
Or exercise beyond what is easy or comfortable?
I still love to learn new things even at ‘my age’.
And I like to do a few things ‘on my own’ to make sure I am happy in my own company.
So I went on a hike….in the forest…by myself.
It was fun seeing the pretty Spring green color in the bushes.
And I was rewarded with some beautiful wildflowers in full bloom.
I faced monsters as always…
hahaha!
(and even saw a black racer….yes, it’s a snake and no it is not poisonous…but yes, it still scared me..and no I didn’t get a photo AND of course it’s the ONLY one we’ve seen in ALL of our hiking!!!)
I’m joining Beautiful Sunday,
and Amaze me Monday!
What have you done lately
‘out of the ordinary’?
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49 comments:
Love the pictures. Was that Nessie?? LOL. I am not so afraid of snakes if I see them first. And better from a distance.:):) I used to be way more daring than I am now...I miss that person. Enjoy your Sunday, hope it's a pretty one. xoxo,Susie
I really like your photo collage, you brave girl! No snakes for me, lol.
I'm with you, Diane. I love learning and am always trying to stretch my horizons. Good for you.
And those black racers FREAK ME OUT! xo Diana
I love all the wonderful springtime photos!! I think I always read books that challenge my little brain. I love thinking through things! That's probably why I've always preferred non fiction. Thank you for the cheery pics. Love the monster! :-)
I'm not a snake person at ALL! We have a bunch of them in our woods and I usually run in the other direction. Good for you on hiking alone and enjoying all the spring time blooms. Please send some our way!!
Oh my goodness, you ARE the brave girl and I sure hope you had your cell phone with you! I don't mind snakes but don't like any sort of creature "sneaking up on me" unexpectedly and make me start.
like you .. I am interested in so many things. That is one of the reasons I read and love the internet
but one of the things I am not interested in is seeing a snake up close!!
Dottie
Love your post; it's good to challenge yourself once in awhile. I've not done anything heroic lately, but I'm sure as we get more settled here, I will push myself too, XOXO
Not one diggety-dog thing! Maybe that's why I am getting so cranky! I love that you stretccccchhhh and share your experiences with us.
laughed at your racer run-on sentence. :)
Figures doesn't it, a snake...well did you scream? It's good to keep challenging ourselves, by learning new to us things.
Jen
Wow so beautiful...I love it but no mr.snake..lol..
Hugs x
This is such a great post. It is important to continue to learn and grow as we get older. Yesterday, I graduated from our local CERT Program. It stands for Community Emergency Response Team. I felt it would be a good idea to become a part of something in case of emergencies since it may take a long time for Fire and Rescue people to arrive in our canyon.
Great post Diane!
Nice post. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary here lately. Of course since the weather is getting warmer, maybe that will all change.
I think it is important to learn new things as we get older. Learning is a way of life it keeps our brains young. That's why I like blogging I am always learning something from each and everyone. Thank you for sharing your new adventure and pretty pictures!
These are really nice photos. I too like to venture out alone and...
I just took up yoga so am literally strrreeechhing out of my comfort zone!!
I love to take a solitary walk and think and enjoy my surroundings. Love the 'monster' LOL. I hope I never stop learning!
Big Hugs,
Linda
Seems like I do things I'd rather not every day! Ha, ha... Fun photos. That does look like Nessie!
Diane, this post was very special, it reminds us that it is alright to take a 'quiet time' for ourselves now and then, women often forget to do this. Your stroll must have filled you with peace and wholesomeness! Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed a little of it with you!
Happy you did not take a picture of you know what, very thoughtful of you!
Blessings to you this Sunday,
Good for you Diane.
I'm always doing something new - I think of myself as a "Jill of all trades" cuz I know a little about a lot of stuff. Right now I'm learning spanish. I'm also doing the 30 day arm challenge and the 30 day plank challenge, in addition to my running. Last year I learned to crochet and refinish furniture. There are so many cool things to try and NEVER enough time! xo Kim at Snug Harbor
Your walk sure produced some beautiful glimpses of Spring. I yearn to get out there on a trail too. Your monster is too cute.
Ann
It's been such a long time since I've been to visit. Enjoyed catching up. Lovely posts and photos.
And what a lovely header...your painting. Absolutely loverly!
Here's wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places......
Blogging has challenged me. I have had to learn a lot of new things to keep up my blog. I also have gone to a number of places by myself and need to be friendly and get to know strangers. It's been the best thing for keeping me young!
What pretty surroundings, and I hate to be a downer, but I would never hike alone. Even a cell phone will not help you if you have a heart attack or stroke. (sorry, it my nursing background talking). One thing I should try is going to the movies alone, That I have never done. At any rate your photos are pretty and I am glad you are home safe.
Good post Diane! And good for you to take that hike alone. I would except for fear of seeing exactly what you saw! My greatest fear; I need to get over it! Nice water color :-)
Love your photos....
What a lovely walk. I agree with you about learning and doing something new. I'm retired to and am able to do more that I could when I was working. I LOVE to learn about something new and am surprised at what I can learn when I study something new. I'm a quilter so I am ALWAYS challenged. I don't know if I will ever feel that I'm very good at it! LOL
Happy Weekend,
Linda
It nice to do something new and a challenge.. What a lovely walk, seeing the snake is cool. As long as it was not poisonous. Pretty scenery and flowers. Have a happy week!
Great post Diane. And nice spring picture. I like the one of the forest and all the fresh greens.
This must have been a beautiful hike, Diane. I used to hike on my own all the time, now not that often anymore. I should do it again.
I just started to learn how to bake bread. I still the good bread from home (Germany), so I decided to try and bake one myself. It's quite a learning curve and certainly a challenge, but I love it. It makes me incredibly happy.
So, Diane went walkabout. Looks like a tranquil place for contemplation and the reward of pretty flowers here and there.
I'm a pretty moderate person and don't very often step out of the box. Nothing lately comes to mind anyway but I applaud you for being adventurous my friend.
How beautiful everything looks! I went to Hawaii with my hubby -- that's out of the ordinary for me but not really challenging -- HAHA! I always think about taking a class on something -- anything. Need to keep the brain cells firing, right?
Hi Diane, I agree. I love to leave my comfort zone and explore on my own and try new things. Love your pics!! Great watercolor header too.
Thank you also for stopping by Jan's and leaving such a sweet comment. You are so kind!!
Blessings to you my friend.
Hugs
Enjoying one's own company is a special thing indeed.
Hi Diane - just playing "catch-up" with your posts - this one is great, I agree wholeheartedly my friend ... its good to challenge yourself from time to time & step outside your comfort zone. Your walk & the scenery looks amazing, I wish we had woods nearby to go walking in but I try to make use of the farmland around us to do this. Happy week to you Diane x0x Julie
I have been thinking a lot of that comfort zone. It seems the older I get the more i want to stay there in the comfort zone. Thanks for the reminder that i dont have to! Love your pictures!
Blessings, Joanne
I'm a firm believer that we should always hover out of our comfort zone!! Loved this post, thank you for dropping by my blog, I'm so glad you did... I will enjoy reading yours!! I hope you have a great week!
Tammy x
OMG, you are braver than me, not only monsters and snakes, but there is boogie men too!!! I think I shall stretch my brains and muscles instead. Now, no more hiking alone, we would soooo miss you!
Carol
Loved your walk but Lord I hate snakes!
Have a great week~
I was just thinking about seeing snakes in those woods and then you said you saw one! I would be high - tailing it in the other direction for sure!
Going to a water park with the grandkids was the most recent new thing I've done. Not especially challenging but lots of fun!
Oh you're so right! We need to get out of our comfort zone now and then. And now that you say that, I think I've been quite comfy for far too long! Haha! Hmmm I need to think about this and come up with something new and exciting.
Love your pics!
Erica :)
You pushed the boundaries Diane - it's a brave thing to do - well done!
I often have a note book and a dictionary beside me when I'm reading
as I read more history than fiction.
Wishing you a very happy week in Florida!
Hugs
Shane
My first visit here. Loved your "monster." :) I love to learn and try new things too, I'm sure none of us could ever get bored! I love that Waterlogue app too.
Love this! It's good to stretch, physically and mentally. I like reading books where I learn something.
Isn't it so true that we see monsters around trees when alone? Good for you for getting out there!
Glad that monster didn't eat you up! :)
Streetching the muscles every day is a must for me, Diane. I am a Docent at a local museum & I'm always learning more info on topics. So FuN!
~Judy
Well, my husband and I are opening a restaurant at the end of April. I guess that's out of the ordinary. ~smile~
Just dropping in to say hi,
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
I'm always trying new artistic techniques and mediums thanks to my Mixed Media Studio group and I always go walking by myself on the mountain behind our home (well, when the snow is gone anyway!) and love it. See so many beautiful sights when you can walk quietly by yourself, like your own little paradise!
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