Category: Slice of Life

Outside Dining

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DSC07286

Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 10mm, f/11, 1/60 sec, ISO200

Today’s post is about (surprise!) food again… I guess our lives revolve around food so much! Anyways, the weather was so good this afternoon that we decided to barbecue and eat outside on the deck. We bought some pork riblets, red onion, mushrooms, and corn-on-the-cob and it all turned out great. Because we don’t have much furniture for the deck, Koa and I carried the breakfast table and chairs outside. It wasn’t really too much work because the table is right next to the door. But it was really nice to eat outside! It’s not too hot here in Texas yet so we have to take advantage of the good weather while we can!

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Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 10mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO100

Active Day

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Bluebonnets

Photo info: SAMSUNG SGH-T999, 3.7mm, f/2.6, 1/1150 sec, ISO80

Biking

Photo info: Panasonic DMC-TS2, 5.2mm, f/3.4, 1/250 sec, ISO80

Today was a good day. At lunchtime I laced up the running shoes and went for a nice run around the neighborhood. I ran about 2 miles and my knee felt pretty good! It is still a little sore but I think it is getting better. I am just glad I can exercise! It is frustrating to have an injury prevent you from doing what you want to do. These days though I have a new appreciation for exercise. Now I am not as concerned about burning calories, but I focus on just being outdoors and seeing the neighborhood and breathing the fresh air. It’s a wonderful feeling to just “be in the moment”. I’m not sure if it is because I am growing older, but I kind of am finding more appreciation in just being alive and not letting stress bother me so much. I think I’ve always been pretty laid-back, but sometimes these days I am at a different state of mind where I cannot even imagine what stress feels like. Of course that doesn’t last long, but it is pretty great when it does happen. And it happens most often when I am out for a run or walk.

Later in the day, I went on a bicycle ride with my son and his friend. Biking is a lot of fun too, and spending time with the youngsters is valuable. There may come a time when they do not want to spend time with the paerental units so I think it is important to be together when we can.

The photo above is of some bluebonnets that I saw while running. They still looked pretty good but I think there’s maybe only another week or two they will be around. The other photo is one I took when we were on our bike ride. It’s not too difficult to hold a small camera while riding, so I took several photos and I think this one came out the best.

North Face “Router” Backpack (2014) Review

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North Face Router BackpackPhoto info: SONY SLT-A77V, 26mm, f/5, 1/25 sec, ISO1600

I finally got a backpack that I am pretty sure I will keep for a long, long time! It’s the North Face “Router” backpack in Cosmic Blue/Asphalt Grey. There is so much about this model that makes it perfect for me. But first let me tell you about my backpack saga…

Not too long ago, I had two backpacks. One of them was a real backpacking pack, the REI Flash 65. I used it to go on a short backpacking camping trip where we had to hike to the campground carrying all of our gear and food. This pack fit me perfectly and served me well. But, I haven’t gone backpacking since then! So, it’s been sitting in my closet for a couple of years. Through the magic of Craigslist I sold that backpack to someone who could actually use it.

My other, more useful backpack was the North Face Base Camp Hot Shot which I loved and used often. The problem with it was that Continue reading “North Face “Router” Backpack (2014) Review”