I've spread my wings!

 When you suffer a loss, you have choices. If we're not careful, we let others or circumstances determine our paths. But I've been fortunate to have the strength and support of so many that the decisions I made came more easily.

Mississippi Kite

The first hike I made after my husband died was one week after he passed. I took this hike with two of my sons and my daughter in law. A week later, I took another hike with my son, D as a remembrance to my husband. Then when everyone left I hiked alone. I didn't want to do it but I needed to spend time in nature. And as they say....the rest is history.

God lifted me up, my family held me close and friends and neighbors supported me.

Spending time in nature has allowed me to heal.

It has given me joy.

I have hope and now I am looking forward to a brighter future.

Life is hard for us all. We have that in common....we all suffer.

Don't give up. Find joy in the beauty that surrounds you and be thankful.

Words are not enough to thank you for your outpouring of love last week.

All of my blog buddies mean the world to me. We love and support each other....through thick and through thin. It's a good thing. I don't take it for granted.

And of course a special thanks to J. for hiking in the summer heat in Florida. I think he likes me, what do you think?

My hiking buddy J.A. joined us on this hike and that was super special! Thanks J.A. for being there for me for this most difficult year.

God bless you, each and every one of you.

With love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Through thick and through thin.....

 Isn't that true friendship? Blog friends that see you through thick and thin?

You'll never know how much you have all meant to me this past year, I can't thank you enough for sticking with me through the saddest time in my life.

White Ibis in my backyard

But time passes. And we are forever facing more challenges. I know you are all going through hard times, whether you share it in a blog post or not. And I continue to pray for each of you. 

I was so exhausted after months of my husband's illness that when he passed away, I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I even spent one long afternoon in the emergency room having test after test done to find out what was wrong. But the doctor gave me a bill of good health and said I was normal. 

He said to go home and take care of myself so that's what I've done recently.

MaMa Deer on the Greenway

My family and friends have been so great at supporting me and encouraging me. I'm finally back to walking the trails at a moderate rate and enjoying nature with a renewed spirit.

OH MY! 

The spotted Fawn is running as fast as it can to keep up! What a fun siting! 

And this isn't a big announcement but I've reconnected with an old friend I've know for over 25 years and that's made all the difference. He's visited me from Virginia and I've drug him down more than one forest trail and haven't scared him off yet. What fun it is to hike with someone who enjoys nature as much as I do.

The 'You are in Bear country' sign didn't even scare him off!

So please tell me how you are in your comments. I'll spend the weekend visiting my blog buddies and catching up! I can't wait!

Take care and God bless you all. Words cannot express the love I feel for each and every one of you. 

So here's a big Southern HUG for you all!

Sweet hugs, Diane 💜

With the help of family and friends....

 I've felt uplifted this week.

And I know God is blessing me all along the way.

I'm getting outside as much as I can to see what nature has to offer. I still have low energy but I think I am seeing some improvement already.

So thanks again to all of you that have followed me on this journey and stuck by my side.

One of my favorite sitings in Florida is the Sherman's Fox Squirrel.

He is such a fun little critter and very photogenic!

Ahhhhh.....spring! 

Two red bellied woodpeckers were chasing each other from tree to tree.

Have you enjoyed some time outdoors this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

The Sherman Fox Squirrel on the Greenway!

 I've gone all of October without a single hike but my good friend, J. has kept me informed with her Greenway sightings. And that sure makes me smile.

She saw one of our precious Fox Squirrels this week and even followed it on the trail. 

These are photos I took in March of last year.

They are here in the woods year round so you might see them at any time.

The weather has been gorgeous and that has been a good thing.

But our lives have been turned upside down and my husband had a bad week. As you all know by now, he has a very rare cancer...B cell Lymphoma. 

I appreciate the prayers and words of encouragement. Every time I think of taking a blog break, I know it's not a good time to do that. Visiting your blogs is one of the best things I can do right now, when I have time. And I will comment when I can. I know you understand.

The bluebirds have been in our yard all week, even perching on the mailbox. 

Enjoy this beautiful blessed Fall.

Sweet hugs, Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Special Sightings

 We usually see a few people on the trails that we hike. It just depends on which trail.

Look how green it is here now!

There are always people at Blue Run Park and it's fun when someone mentions a sighting. We met a lady when we were almost to the bridge and she asked if we had seen the baby ducks yet?

NO....but I picked up my pace to get to the area she mentioned seeing them.

We still didn't see them then. We did see a pair of Wood ducks on the Rainbow River side of the trail.

We hiked over the bridge and to the pond, turned around and was lucky enough to see the babies on our way back out. 

They were SO cute!

Baby Wood ducks

They were scooting past just as fast as they could go so we only got a couple of photos but the sighting was priceless! 

Another day we hiked from the 49th Trailhead (West) and when we met a bike coming, he said there was a wild Turkey ahead. We stayed on the lookout for the turkey but never spotted it.

But look what we saw on the side of the trail!

A baby Gopher Tortoise.

He was about 10 inches across which is small for a tortoise.

And look how clean he was!

We approached him and he hurried away and down into his burrow.

The turtles at Blue Run Park have moss on their shells, even the small ones! They are still cute though! 

It's fun to see a few familiar faces when we hike. One day I went to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and saw a sweet young woman with her daughter. I've seen her from time to time over the years and it was fun to catch up with her. When I first met her, she was pushing her daughter in a stroller. Now her daughter is riding her bike! They hike with their dog on a leash and love the forest as much as I do!

I know the weather has been crazy this week. Have you had a chance to get outside and enjoy nature?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

 “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”  Dr. Seuss

I had no idea where I would go and what I would see when we hiked at Ross Prairie State Forest, Nov 10th 2013! But here we are 8 years later with (as of this Monday morning) 760 hikes to our credit! (these are hikes into the forest, I don't count neighborhood walks or community park strolls)

I don't usually pick these up when I see them, I leave them for someone else. But today I couldn't resist!

We've seen some amazing things over the years. 

I still marvel at the fact that we can see something 'we've never seen before'! But we do!

This was a funny sighting. We hiked Ross Prairie this week and when we finished we climbed in the Jeep to have a little snack of apple slices before we drove home. I looked in my side mirror and saw this...

I told my hubby, there's someone behind our vehicle juggling. He said, that's ok honey, we'll get you home and get your medication adjusted. (a little joke, meaning, you might be seeing things...I don't even TAKE any medication! hahahaha)

But I hopped back out and took photos so here's the proof! 

I was also pleased to see the hiking lady I met about a year ago. 

It's always fun to talk and catch up with someone who loves the woods as much as we do.

Have you had a chance to get out in the great outdoors this week?

Reindeer Moss (looks a little like snow, doesn't it?)

We took these photos on our very first Florida hike. We haven't changed a bit, have we? (that's a rhetorical question...don't you DARE answer it!)

A link to our first Florida hike 8 years ago is HERE!

 

Here's to another year of hiking adventures!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

Johnson Pond Trailhead in the Withlacoochee State Forest

 We kept waiting for a cooler day with big puffy clouds! It had to be both!

It's a nice hike to Johnson Pond but there are mosquitoes in this area so you need to be able to wear a shirt with sleeves! 

And the big poofy clouds are necessary for pretty reflections in the pond!

On Thanksgiving Day, we had the perfect conditions!

We've had the big family dinners in the past (and I'm so thankful for all of my memories) but it's nice to start new traditions too.

And living in Florida provides some beautiful weather for the Fall and Winter months.

I hope you have a good week ahead. Let's all keep counting our blessings and being thankful for what we have.

I've saved my most favorite photo for last....

the lily pads!

And now to add to my FUN! 

Tom from The Backroads Traveller sent me a special gift this year! A beautiful Christmas wreath!

I wish you could see it and smell the evergreen scent! It's incredible! We hung it on the Jeep just for a photo op! It's back on the front door now! 

Thank you, Tom! You've made my holiday season even more beautiful! I owe you a ride in the Jeep! 🚗

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!