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Echoes of My Neighborhood

/ Luanne Shernisky / Leave a comment

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Echoes of My Neighborhood

I wanted to join in Jackie’s Echoes of My Neighborhood, so I chose some photos of the beautiful Buhl Park back home in Pennsylvania. 

Frank and Julia Buhl, pictured above, were local philanthropists who donated their money and time for the betterment of the surrounding communities. Through their generosity they developed the 300 acre park, a social/fitness club, and a public library, among other things. Another proud accomplishment is the nine-hole Buhl Farm Golf Course. Fondly called the “Dum Dum” by locals, it is the only free golf course in America!

Anyone who enjoys history and would like to read further can click on this link:  Buhl Park legacy

When you grow up with easy access to things we tend to take them for granted. “The Park” was always there, for as far back as I have a memory. We enjoyed the swimming pool, ice-skating rink, sled riding, bicycling, kite field, fishing in Lake Julia, and so many other wonderful activities.

It wasn’t until I grew older that I realized many communities don’t have these wonderful opportunities. Decades later, the locals continue to enjoy the beneficence of Frank and Julia Buhl. Thanks to them I have many happy memories growing up in the Shenango Valley!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

/ Luanne Shernisky / 13 Comments

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Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of time. ~  H. P. Lovecraft

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

“A” is for Atlantic, as in Atlantic Ocean. 

I was born in western Pennsylvania, about one hour north of Pittsburgh and ten minutes from the Ohio border. The ocean was out of reach except for vacations. My dad took us on a two week vacation every summer and Florida was a favorite destination.  

I remember the first time I laid eyes on the Atlantic Ocean. I was five years old and had never seen a body of water so large  it reached all the way to the horizon. The memory of that first glimpse has remained with me for 55 years. The happy times we had on those vacations have remained as well. 

I suppose those golden memories are the reason that I love the ocean and beach so much. I can sit for hours watching the waves and sky and it never gets old. But, could the allure be related to something more? Is it because our first home is a watery environment? Was I a viking or sailor in a previous life? 

Whatever the reason, my goal was to one day live near the ocean. That goal was realized in late October when I moved to Florida. For now, I am “testing the waters” and enjoying it very much.

If you’d like to learn more about these beautiful and expansive bodies of water, you can click here:  15 Fun Facts About Our Oceans

 

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

/ Luanne Shernisky / 15 Comments

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“This post is part of SoCS”

This is the first time I’ve participated and I’m glad I found the challenge; thanks to Jackie at  A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tales for sharing the link!

This week’s prompt from Linda at Life in Progress is “Ball.” So, the first thing that came to mind was “get on the ball” (as in exercise ball!)

It was 9:30 am this Saturday morning and I knew the fitness room would start to fill up as the day wore on. People generally sleep later after the Happy Hour of Friday night, so I knew I had to get moving if I wanted the room to myself.

Moving has new meaning for me, as an almost-55-year-old. I was a skinny kid and retained a thin to average build throughout most of my life. But, three pregnancies and not paying attention all these years got me to where I am today: over my ideal weight and out of shape.

What is ideal you ask? I wondered the same thing. So, I went to the Internet and made an interesting discovery. Based on height, age and gender, the definition of ideal has changed a lot!

In 1964 my ideal weight was 119 lbs. In 1974 it was 120 and in 1983 it was 123 – 129. Today, based on the same criteria, the ideal weight is a range of 107 – 145. Hmm…do you suppose all the changes in our eating habits, not to mention the foods we eat, account for all that leeway that the range offers? Or, is the standard lower, because as a society we’re much more sedentary? I’m not sure, but I always loved teachers who graded on a curve.

Anyway, now that I’ve returned to Florida I decided it’s time to get back on the ball of exercising and sensible eating. I started a food journal with one of those nifty apps and began (again) with the Couch Potato To 5k. This is all fine and good, except for the fact that I love to eat and hate to exercise. Well, that’s not entirely true. Unlike eating, which I enjoy while I’m doing it, exercise isn’t something I enjoy until after I’m done.

However, I’m not getting hung up on someone else’s idea of ideal. I know the difference between healthy food and junk food. I understand that consistent exercise is better than none. Therefore, I’m going to strive for a judicious diet and routine that allows for little indulgences and days off. Life wouldn’t be worth living without Rice Crispy Treats and chocolate and hey, even God took a day off! My goal isn’t to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight; I’m not a huge believer in miracles and prefer to retain a realistic sense of myself.

Looking in mirrorI think it’s important to realize that looking good on the outside has much to do with how we feel on the inside. Our self worth is just as important as fitting into the skinny jeans. When we look in the mirror we should see the whole reflection, not just the physical one. We should nurture our emotional and spiritual parts to ensure good health with each of those, as well. 

I’m turning 55 at the end of the month. I want to lose a reasonable amount of weight and inches and exercise enough to keep me feeling good and (hopefully) prevent the diabetes and dementia that run in my family.

So, excuse me, I’ve gotta get moving and get on the ball!