Dead or Alive?

sidewalk along State Rd.

On our early dog walk this morning, we came across a raccoon lying on the sidewalk!  I couldn't tell if it was dead or just sleeping.  He wasn't crushed and I didn't see any cuts or blood anywhere.  What do you think?  I hope he was just taking a snooze.

Special Trees That Made Me Laugh

On our walk the other day, I noticed these three trees that made me laugh in the backyard of a house in our neighborhood.  I thought it was a good idea!  They reminded me of the trees in Wizard of Oz that threw apples.  Did you ever see any trees with faces?  

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Never Know What I'll Find in Downtown Cleveland

 Last Friday while out at lunch I saw this:

Set of Abandoned Crutches

A pair of crutches was leaning against a trash can and no one was around that seemed to own them.  I wonder what happened and who would leave their crutches there like that.  Any ideas?


Later, on my late afternoon break, I saw one of these cute little furry critters walking on a leash! 

image source:  Wikipedia

 A lady was on her cell phone walking a ferret down the sidewalk.  I couldn't help but smile at it and she was nice and said I could pet it.  I did and it calmed me right down--and greatly improved my mood!  I was having a very busy but productive day and really needed a break so this was perfect!  It was later than when I usually go out and I normally don't walk down that street at break time.  It was cute and started crawling up my leg inside my pant leg but I didn't let it get too far.  It's neck was so tiny, I was surprised she found a collar to fit it.

Have you seen any interesting sights along your way recently?

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Do You Appreciate The Beauty Around You?

Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!

I love summer mornings and last Thursday, it was finally pretty warm when I went to work like it should be for July! It was such a pretty morning that I got off the bus a few stops early and took a 15-minute walk up Euclid Avenue to work in downtown Cleveland, taking pictures along the way of some sites I see just about every day only this time, I took my time and appreciated my surroundings. Among the things I saw were beautiful flowers, the Soldiers and Sailors monument, pretty blue sky, the Terminal Tower which at one time used to be the tallest building around, a double bus that I finally got a picture of, some sidewalk art, a fish pond with a little water fall and beautiful flowers. Enjoy the pictures in this slide show.

What are you surrounded by every day that you just take for granted?

Enjoying Wildlife Along The Way--A Nice Walk

I love my early morning walk to the bus stop on sunny mornings when it's warm. It's just invigorating and I usually find myself praising God on the way. Our neighbors are into yard work so our street is quite pretty. Here are pictures of some of the wildlife I encounter along the way:

These two little barking dogs greet me as I approach their house with loud barks and then their owners come out to quiet them down. They're kind of cute though! I especially like the little brown one.





Another animal I sometimes see along the way is a bunny rabbit. This guy stayed still letting me take his picture before hopping along through other yards down the street.

The secret to enjoying my walk is to give me plenty of time. I used to cut it close, giving me just 10 minutes and if something held me up, such as hunting for my cats before leaving, I'd miss the bus or have to really run to make up for my late start. Now, I allow myself 20 minutes and if I don't leave right on time, it's no big deal. This cuts down considerably on my stress level to start the day and I even had time to stop along the way to take these pictures! Often the birds are chirping and today a whole bunch were in the street, but I ran out of time so didn't get their picture.

On some days, I'll see cats out too. One time there was one in the tree on the tree lawn and one house on the way has 4 white cats that are outside a lot in the front yard.

This past winter one morning, I even came across a skunk! It was running across the sidewalk about 12 feet ahead of me. That was when it was still pretty dark and before I carried my camera so didn't get a picture of him.

Once on the bus, I generally read and the time goes by quickly. Not a bad way to start the day! Do you enjoy going outside early in the morning? This is something I intend to keep doing even when I retire (not walk to the bus stop, but at least walk or work in the yard early). It's my favorite time of day. I love this time of year when it's light early.

Breast Cancer 3-Day 60-Mile Walk

We are sponsoring Jan, one of my co-workers and a member of Team Kay, who is doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk to raise money for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for all women, and the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55.


Jan and her daughter, Elissa, did this walk last year too. They have to raise a minimum of $2,200 each in order to participate in this walk which involves camping overnight in a tent with all of the other walkers the weekend of August 22-24, 2008. If you would like to contribute to this, donate online at their website: http://08.the3day.org/goto/Elissa.Paul. (Donations are tax deductible so you will receive a receipt for online donations).


Team Kay was formed in honor of their Aunt Kay who is a breast cancer survivor and in memory of Jan's mom, who did not survive. They are walking for anyone who has had this horrible disease touch their lives. My sister is also a breast cancer survivor.


(After the walk, the tents get donated to Girl Scouts.)