This year, we had a dramatic and never ending winter in Nebraska.  There was lots and lots of snow, cold temperatures, ice and relentless wind.  I had not been able to pole walk for a while (I thought) when I got tired of not being able to walk outdoors, so one day in February, I bundled up, loosened the hand straps to accommodate gloves and set out to pole walk in the snow.  I thought I might go a block or so down my street.  I ended up going two miles!  I had a great time and felt more confident and secure on the ice than I did when walking without them.  Our extreme winter continued so I continued to pole walk a few times a week and loved it.  Then came spring, NOT!  We have had cold, rainy, and more wind. Its not fun when the wind knocks your poles around and I do not like pole walking while wet.  I do like walking in the rain with an umbrella, so I did that and got a few mundane walks in at nearby Stinson Park.  Finally, this week we have had some nice days in between the rainy ones and I was able to do some pole waling.  On the first day of summer vacation, Thursday, I took my two youngest grandsons for a hike to the waterfall at Platte River State Park.  Today, I explored the Woodland Trail at Lauritzen Gardens which I had never walked before.  Both were lovely and it felt so good to be back with the poles again.

On top of the the other busy-ness of my retirement, I also was gifted by my son, Brendan adaughter-in-law, Laura, and their almost 2 year old daughter, to a wonderful trip to Ireland last September.  I was unhappy to find that I could not fit my Keenfit poles into my suitcase, so I hiked without them or  with a sturdy tree branch when I felt like it.  We hiked in awesome places such as the Giant's Causeway, Tolleymore Forest, Dark Hedges, beautiful Glendalough, and Kilarney Nathional Park. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Well, I'm obviously not very good at blogging, which is weird because i am such a tech queen.  However, I am enjoying a very busy retirement, spending a lot of time with my five  grandsons and my one granddaughter in Omaha.  I've also been very busy with  church activities including serving on the Session and chairing the Youth Ministry Team (formerly Christian Education Committee).  I love what my church does for children and the opportunities they provide for children to enjoy wholesome fellowship with each other and to be part of a caring faith community that encourages independent thought.  Last May, I began membership at Engage Fitness and Wellness, a wellness program for adults that is affiliated with UNMC.  I participate in four group fitness classes a week and occasionally work on the abundant fitness equipment. I love the classes and have made new friends while reengaging with old friends from the Dundee neighborhood.  There is quite a lot of weight lifting and I have real muscles for maybe the first time in my adult life.

In the meantime, I have continued to pole walk (Nordic walking) at least a few times a week.  I really enjoy it.  I wish more people in Omaha would take an interest in this sport, for that is what it is.   People have said things about it being good for balance or stamina when walking.  That is not what it is about.  The poles are not assistive devices, they are sports equipment.  The best comparison is to cross country skiing without the skis.  Pole walking uses 90 percent of the body as opposed to regular walking with uses only 50 percent.