The routine life

This week was just a week of  normal, everyday life.   Nothing earth-shatteringly exciting happened, but I am still drawn to spending my Sunday morning writing.  Writing feels like the perfect way to spend some quiet time reflecting on what I've learned over the past week and contemplating what may lie ahead. And some undisrupted, peaceful, me-time is always a good way to focus some time on reflection and contemplation.  To focus on my journey, even the normal and mundane.  Because normal and mundane is what a lot of life is and that's okay.  It's not a bad thing to have an uneventful, ordinary, routine life...as long as that life is lived with joy and purpose.

   

Seidman Park NCT

Nothing gives me more joy than spending time with the girls out exploring the world around us.  So last weekend we went out to add some miles toward our Hike 100 Challenge on the North Country Trail. I decided to find a section of the trail we hadn't hiked before because I love exploring new areas.  And it was off to Seidman Park in Ada for our hike.  It is a lovely wooded area and the trail is well-kept and easy to follow.  We brought our buddy Bentley along for the hike, too. 

My hiking view

Before last year's Hike 100 challenge, I was aware of the NCT, but had no idea that the trail traveled through the lower peninsula or that it was relatively close to home.  Thankfully, I took the challenge last year and have discovered a lot of great new places and now hiking the NCT is just part of our weekly routine.  I think the girls approve.

Bridge over Honey Creek

We hiked 4 miles at Seidman park and saw lots of beauty along the way.  And I was even reminded of my childhood and my Grandma Adelberg when I saw this gem.  

I love wildflowers and can identify many, like this Black-eyed Susan.

Black-eyed Susan

But then I have no idea what others are, although I think these are beautiful little flowers.  I think I may need to get a wildflower identification book.

After four miles on the trail, my knees (and the dogs) had had enough and we headed home feeling happy and refreshed.  Spending time in nature will do that to you!  On Sunday, I decided we needed to get a couple more miles knocked out, so we headed off to the Lowell River Walk for a quick 2 miles.  We have spent a lot of time on this portion of the trail because it's close to home and this time we got to see the fancy new information kiosk put up by the NCT Volunteers.

We had had a great weekend, but now it was back to the work week and all of our other commitments-work, volunteering, dentist appointment, vet appointment, all the things the fill our ordinary weekly routine.  

Teddy the Redbone Coonhound

And this was the week that I officially met and got to spend some time with Teddy and Delores. Anyone who knows me will know how excited I was to have a couple of hounds at the shelter.  It has been awhile since we've had any hounds around (which is a great thing really), and I'm always excited to get to know them a little better and to pet those velvety, soft ears.  Delores was a bit more timid than Teddy, but they were both very sweet and loveable.  I even got to walk Delores on our Tuesday night walk!  Happily, Delores was adopted this week.  Poor Teddy is still waiting for his perfect home, but I'll be sure to give him plenty of love while he waits.

Delores, the Redbone Coonhound

In the ongoing saga of Imke's ear infection, we had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Peterson at the MSU vet clinic this week. I'm glad that Imke has such an easy-going, loving, and trusting nature. Because this girl LOVES going to the vet! And that makes these trips so easy for me.  They can poke and prod at her and she doesn't care in the least because she knows if she's a good girl, there will be treats at the end.  And for Imke, treats are life!  

And she is such a clever girl.  Travel somewhere enough and she learns the routine and the route we travel when going there.  Every time we take her to her normal vet, Dr. Kat, she starts barking with excitement the minute we get off of the highway.  This week officially marked the first time that she knew exactly where we were going on our way to MSU.  When we made that left turn off of Mt. Hope and onto Farm Lane, she knew!  And with her typical Imke enthusiasm, she had to let the world know.  So with her head out of the Jeep window and her big booming seal-like voice, she let the the MSU campus know she was there and she was ready to see all of her friends, and maybe even make a couple of new ones.   Now that we've been there enough, she is a well known patient too.  It's funny to be walking down the hall and have random staff say hello to her.  I guess she's memorable.  

Practicing patience while waiting for the Doctor

I really never know what to expect at these visits...but thankfully, there was no sign of the bacteria when they completed the exam, scope and cytology this week!  We must diligently continue to use an ear flush twice daily and monitor the ear closely and we will be back for another visit in 5 weeks.   And she'll be happy for another visit!  

 

And we ended the week just relaxing and enjoying a peaceful Friday at home. Best way to start the weekend!