Hickory Hill

Today Baxter and I tackled Hickory Hill Park. It is a large, wooded park that has a lot of steep hills to the trail. I thought we’d enjoy a vigorous walk and I needed the exercise to help me get ready for Wyoming. I’m afraid I’m not going to be in very good shape by then. Might have to stick to the easier trails.

Baxter managed to find the only mud puddle in the whole park to lay down in. He was filthy. We had a great 2 hour walk - admittedly part of the reason it was so long is that Baxter got us lost. I used my incrediable sense of direction to find our way which I did, no thanks to the dog. He just wanted to play in the creek so went out of his way to direct us back to it rather then to the car. LOL

The park was as lovely as I remembered - a lot larger though. We saw some rabbits, Cardinals and even two deer. Many trees were in bloom - I tried to take a few pictures but don’t think any of them came out well.

Ryerson’s Woods

Walking the trail at Ryerson’s Woods yesterday brought back a lot of memories. It also made me decide that I’m going to have to leave Baxter home on the days I want to maximize my workout. He wants to stop so often that I lose some of the benefit of the exercise.

As I sat on the deck overlook, I asked myself again what possessed me to leave Iowa in the 1st place. It is beautiful. Really, anyplace becomes routine and ruttish. Once life becomes so predictable then we all start looking over the fence for greener grass. I guess that is part of it. I wanted a change to get out of my rut and thought it would only work with a change of scenery. It did work too, for awhile, then I fell into a new rut there and Florida lost its major appeal.

Now I’m back and I can’t help but wonder how long I have till the rut reappears in my life? I plan on doing things differently this time - staying active and doing more traveling around Iowa. Also plan on trips to Chicago and down to see Paula - I just need to get my own place and get a bit settled.

Attraction

I must have been halfway attractive once. As I look in the mirror, I try to see myself as even remotely attractive but I find it difficult. I’ve never considered myself attractive or even remarkably average - I’ve always described my appearance as more of a “Plain Jane.”

What has always confused me, in light of this consideration, is how men fell so hard for me - some to the point of obsession. What did they say that I don’t? Could it be that I am possibly a bit above average in the looks department…or was?

I think it was more my refusal to be tied down - my free spirit. I was someone they couldn’t have - I didn’t want marriage and told them so upfront. But, yet, I had men “in love” with me who I never dated. Men who started out as friends and would have remained friends had they not expressed how they were starting to feel about me.

I wish I was beautiful - had the classic beauty of Angelina Jolie - but I don’t and never will. But maybe I can get back to “somewhat attractive in the right light” look. I am working at it and hope to be in great shape by Christmas.

Will I “date” again? I honestly don’t know. I’d really like a guy friend to do things with, but not become involved sexually. I do know my makeup and clothes are sadly outdated. Maybe I can buy new soon.