During my morning break, I went down to the farmers' market and treated myself to a "bear claw" pastry from the bakery stall.
Later in the afternoon, I walked to the Japanese garden:
 |
| The azalea are in bloom |
It was a sunny day, the birds were singing, and I could hear the sound of the water falling over the rocks (they've designed some waterfalls for the stream).
 |
| Another view of the garden |
 |
| From another angle |
The Japanese garden is not that far from my office, but, today, after not walking much since my surgery, I really felt it, especially on my way back, which included a very slight incline! I was on a break from work, so didn't have time to sit down somewhere and rest, which is what I wanted to do; I felt tired by the time I reached my office building. Back to square one with building up stamina, I can see.
After I came home, I had a cup of tea, spoke on the phone with my daughter (she said I sounded tired), and sat on the sofa, watching TV and writing this blog post! I got up once to make something for my dinner and once to put away the laundry. I am glad I didn't list more things on my to do list!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being well enough to go back to work
- Co-workers welcoming me back and saying they missed me
- Paid sick leave
- Medical insurance
- Managing a walk to the Japanese garden and back
Thursday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Visit the farmers' market - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry - DONE
Friday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment in the morning
- Go to the office, afterwards
- Leave a note for gardener friend
- Go for a short(er) walk
- Wash the sofa dust covers
How was your day?
- Go to the office - DONE
- Visit the farmers' market - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry - DONE
Friday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment in the morning
- Go to the office, afterwards
- Leave a note for gardener friend
- Go for a short(er) walk
- Wash the sofa dust covers
How was your day?
I guess it's time for "slow and steady wins the race" for building up your stamina. However, I think I would spend every lunch hour at the Japanese garden if I worked where you did. It sounds lovely. .
ReplyDeleteYes, "slow and steady"; I mentioned it to my doctor, today, and she suggested walking 15 mins., sitting and resting for another 15-20 mins. and walking another 15 mins. To break up my 30 minutes target into two smaller sections. So, will try that, next. :)
DeleteAzaleas in bloom in March! Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteTake it slow with your walking until you adjust to getting up early and going back to work. Perhaps the time change will allow you to walk in the evening after work. You will get stronger.
This is the season for the azaleas, here, Sandy. In the summer, it gets too hot!
DeleteYes, I am going to break up my 30 mins. of walking into two 15-20 min. segments, with a rest in between. That is what my doctor advised me to do, today. And, thank you for mentioning the time change - I had forgotten all about it! Yes, it might be lighter in the evenings, when I get home. No Japanese gardens to visit in my neighborhood, however!
I love this Japanese garden, it looks so peaceful. It's a shame you didn't have time to sit and rest, Bless. Take it easy those first few days back at work. How is your sleep these days?
ReplyDeleteIt does look very peaceful, doesn't it? One of these days, I am going to take an extended lunch break and actually go down into the garden for a close up!
DeleteStill working on going to bed at a decent time, Nathalie. I tend to stay up till too late and then, can't sleep in because I have to get up early to go to work!
The Japanese garden is stunning, you are lucky to have such a beautiful place to walk to near your work and I'm sure it will inspire you to build up your stamina again. Glad your first day went well And I hope you're on top of your emails now :) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. Yes, it is a very nice place to visit and makes me wish my garden at home looked a bit like that! I did clear my inbox of all the emails, thank you!
DeleteWell, I thought I had warned you to take it easy going back to work right after surgery, but you felt a need to go for a long walk. Tsk. tsk. Well I hope it didn't tire you too much. I do love that garden though. I think you said once they do not encourage people to sit and eat lunch there...no benches? Or have I made the whole thing up in my head?
ReplyDeleteYes, I know you did, Susan; I actually thought I would just walk around the block, but then, I thought that would be taking it too easy! It really isn't that long of a walk, which goes to show just how out of shape I am!
DeleteYou are right. The garden is accessible only through the basement level of the building next to it and there is a sign saying no eating or drinking in the garden, itself. It is a privately owned garden (owned by an association) that is accessible to the public, not a public park as such, so they are well within their rights to restrict food and drink, etc., for maintenance of the garden. But, the plaza above, from where I take the pictures, has some steps that double as seating areas, and, one may eat lunch, up there. But, there is no view of the garden, when seated on those steps - just a view of a brick plaza and the two rock sculptures.