BEYOND THE PALE

I have already written a letter of complaint to the
Plymouth Thanksgiving Parade organizing committee.
I cannot believe that they would allow such a balloon
to be displayed in the parade. I was horrified when I saw
this picture. If you find this offensive, please write
to the committee's Executive Director, Olly de Macedo,
at floats@usathanksgiving.com.

SCUSSET AT SUNSET

We went for a late afternoon motorcycle ride today

down to Scusset Beach. I love going to the beach,

no matter the season, but I especially love it in the

cold weather. It's so calm and serene and beautiful.

A LITTLE SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY

Monday was a gloriously beautiful day. I went for a walk out to Duxbury beach with camera in hand and here are a few of the images I captured.

Milkweed pods have let their seeds fly.

The bridge seems like it goes on forever.

Gulls are beautiful against the blue sky.

The water is mirroring the color of the sky.

Bittersweet at the entrance to the bridge. I think I understand now why it's called bittersweet.

Japanese maples and silver dollar plants at my sister's house.

Today I had my first workout at the Taunton YMCA. It has been 16 years since I belonged to a gym. YIKES!! I have been walking and cycling on and off for those 16 years, but it's not the same as belonging to a gym. I was able to use the elliptical machine for a total of 15 minutes. I burned 190 calories and got my heart rate up to 140. I've got a long way to go.

Last Friday, November 6th was my 48th birthday and I made a birthday resolution. I resolve to change my eating and exercise habits to be as healthy as I can be. I have also challenged myself to lose 100 pounds and stop taking blood pressure medications by my 50th birthday. I have quit drinking coffee and soda. I've been vegetarian for 21 years, so now I'm vegan, having cut out dairy and eggs. I have cut way back on drinking. I have begun to eat whole foods, cutting out as much processed food as possible.

Part of my decision was the health problems I already have, hypertension, 3/4" height loss, recurring foot injuries due to being overweight. The other things that have influenced my decision are two books, Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. Real eye-openers, I highly recommend them.

There was a time when I wanted to live to be 120 years old. I don't so much care about quantity as much as quality now. If I'm to live a long life, it has to be a healthy one. So, here I go.

Join me, won't you?