THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2022 EAR SEEDING

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2022, EAR SEEDING

I came upon this concept and was a bit bewildered.  

(mostly from: Ear Seeds: Benefits, How to Use, Evidence, and Safety (healthline.com))

The article states: “Ear seeds are small seeds used to stimulate pressure points in your ear. They’re a type of auriculotherapy, which refers to acupressure or acupuncture focused on the ear.

“They’re based on the same general principles as acupuncture. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in your body.

“According to TCM, this energy travels along invisible pathways, known as meridians. Meridians are found throughout your body, including your ears.

“Ear seeds are placed on certain points, usually along meridian lines, to help clear up any qi blockages. In TCM, resolving these blockages may help with a variety of health conditions.

*****

Okay - I’ve heard of acupuncture, and I know of a friend (singular - one) who has tried it and is “okay” (that is - mostly ‘so so’) with the concept.  

So along comes ear seeds - that stimulate points on your ear to give you more energy.  It does sound like TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Sometimes I have been smug - a worldly scientific westerner.  Who needs TCM when we have pharmaceutical companies that have studied all the properties of all kinds of compounds?  Then we have the human genome and mapped the combinations of DNA with a pretty complete understanding.  

The article I’m using suggests:

People claim ear seeds help with a range of health issues, including:

chronic pain, especially lower back pain

insomnia and other sleep issues

depression

anxiety

stress

infertility

migraine and other head pain

addiction

weight loss

I don’t like the statement “people claim … help”.  I can imagine that some of my former students could “claim” that drinking three beers on the night before one of my tests helped them to relax and focus (that is, overcome stress).  I know of people who swear that marijuana helps them to relax and cope with life and that CBD (Cannabidiol) - where the THC concentration is less than 0.3% - can reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  

I do believe strongly in “Mind over matter”.  Various philosophies and religions have professed mind over matter as one of their principles.  If you believe that acupuncture heals you and makes you feel better - great!!!

If you believe that ear seeds at precise points can also help reduce stress and depression - great!!!

If you believe that CBD can help you overcome other illnesses - great!!!

The article I am using noted this:

“However, the few that do exist suggest ear seeds may be beneficial for certain conditions, especially when used alongside other treatments. More research is needed to fully explore the benefits and side effects, though.”

More research is needed!!!

Another comment: “However, the authors <of a study of ear seeds and insomnia> noted several flaws in studies they analyzed, including small sample sizes, low-quality study models, and potential biases.”

*****

Can ear seeds help?  My personal bias is “yes” - assuming that the patient believes that the ear seeds will help.

Maybe someday we’ll have a perfect analysis of health issues.  Maybe someday, I can put my finger into a device that will spit out all data relating to my health and can exactly prescribe solutions.  

Maybe I’m a cynic and think that I am aging, I have not always been the best steward of my body and haven’t always done things that are healthy (like too much sugar).  I’m going to die someday.  Maybe they were right when they said “that person died of old age!!!

But, until we get such a perfect analysis, more research is needed.  And for the time being, I will not be using ear seeds!!!  (Besides, I already have earrings!!!)

LOVE WINS!!

Karen White, September 1, 2022, © 

 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 BALANCE

As I age more, and as I research more, the body is a “magical” entity.  It is a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces fit together to make a beautiful picture.

Let’s take the jigsaw puzzle one step further.  Have you done a puzzle and in the end you are missing a piece?  Let’s say this was a 2000-piece puzzle (I rarely do 500-piece puzzles and mostly just 300-piece puzzles).  It is an inspirational image - maybe with a deeply meaningful quote.  You were thinking you’d get the puzzle glue and put it together on your wall as the beautiful image that it is and the meaningful quote, but also to show off your puzzle skills.  

You wanted any visitors to your house to say “WOW - that really touches me, that is fantastic” - but you know that you are missing a piece in a vital central position.  If you had a visitor who looked at the puzzle, they might ask “what happened to the missing piece?”.  Saying “I lost the piece isn’t as cute an answer as “The cat ate the piece”.  

1 Corinthians 12: “Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part!  Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

Psalm 139: You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

*****

So, back to the theme - everything fits together.  I’ve written about sleep in connection to mental health and dementia.  Technically “sleep” is an act, not a part of the body, but sleep is a regiment that benefits the body.  Likewise another regiment that benefits the body is eating.  If you don’t get enough sleep, your body suffers.  If you eat mostly junk food, soda (with lots of sugar), chips, white bread, and not enough fiber, vegetables, and nutrients, your body suffers.  

Balance - “in everything moderation”.  When my weight “blossomed” to 243 pounds, I cut out white flour, white sugar, peanut butter, and most salt, and went on a high-fiber diet.  Even then, it wasn’t perfect.  I needed even more fiber as not everything was moving through my system (better name - constipation).  I got down to 200 pounds - and then I took my camping trip.  I did not take cooking pots and did not intend to cook.  That was both good and bad.  The good part was that I could keep moving to get to all my locations, the bad part was that I lapsed off my fiber and good food plan.  There are some higher fiber items but many have sugar too.  Trail mix is frequently a mix of nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, and other ingredients.  

And, as a “reward”, I allowed myself three big breakfast meals - two eggs over hard, bacon, potatoes, bread, jelly, and once it was a waffle (with oodles of syrup), and once it was two pancakes (with oodles of syrup).  

Getting home, I allowed myself a major treat - peanut butter.  I got groceries two days ago and I’ve already had half a jar of peanut butter (with butter and jelly).  And, this morning my weight was 205 (and, I didn’t want that - so when this peanut butter jar is gone, no more for a while!!!

Sleep is also a necessary action for health.  Studies show that a reasonable amount of sleep is needed and too little sleep is detrimental to a person’s health.

In balance, there are things that can be difficult.  If you are making a recipe that calls for ½ teaspoon of salt and you put in two teaspoons of salt, it won’t taste good.  

I have been told to watch my cholesterol (which I can do), but now, I’ve been told that my calcium intake is too low - drink more milk, and eat some yogurt.  (It might be a mistaken concept that cholesterol and calcium tend to go in opposite directions.  

For the last two days, I have been either bored or tired, and thus, I’ve taken some extra naps.  Extra naps mean I don’t sleep as well overnight.  Not sleeping well might mean that I am tired tomorrow - and “need” an extra nap!!!

Balance!!

LOVE WINS!!!
Karen White, August 31, 2022, © 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - TRIP - PART II

 Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - TRIP - PART II

MEMORABLE

I have written before about making memories.  I’ve also written about getting outside our comfort zone.  

I turned 75 last week.  I am learning about aging.  I’m starting this blog post in a hospice room in my work environment.  I’m sitting with a 95-year-old delightful lady.  (This is the first time I’ve been with her).  (I’m not sure if I’m working with her - or … she is working with me).    

She talked about taking a train from Tulsa Oklahoma to California to go to college in 1945 at age 18.  She talked about dancing, smoking, and about God in her life.  

As we age, we frequently slowly shrink into ourselves.  We don’t intentionally shrink. We just don’t do things.  

I have a group of friends that meet for coffee every Wednesday in Austin at Central Market.  I used to go frequently  - but I’ve been only once in the past few months.  I rationalize “It is hard to fight the traffic to get to Central Market”;  “It’s going to take me an hour to get there and an hour to get home and coffee is about two hours - that’s a lot of time on the road just for a coffee with friends.  There are friends here in Georgetown (my suburb), and I can go for coffee with them.  

There are other things that I could do.  Instead, I play solitaire too much.  I am shrinking.  Do I want to go to the senior dance this coming Friday?  But, what if my friend can’t go?  Can I go without a specific friend?  What if I don’t know anybody?  (So what?  Make new friends!!!)

Let’s look at two related words:  awe: a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.; Awesome: extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear.

BACK TO THE TRIP

There were some moments of “awe” on this trip.  Stepping outside my tent in Black Mesa State Park at 2:00 a.m. and seeing the myriad of stars put awe in my heart.  (Okay, it was really “awesome”).

The high plains of Panorama Point in Nebraska inspired “awe” as well.  These treeless prairie areas - mile after mile without trees, and very little difference in the view was awesome.  

The frog concert (and I got confirmation that it was a frog chorus) at Hall County Park was exciting - or “awesome”.  

The getting of 42.0 miles per gallon of gasoline was awesome (in a different kind of way).  The three big breakfasts (D&Js in Julesburg Colorado, Tommys in Grand Island, and Mainstay Suites in Oklahoma City) were awesome.  (And, yes, it kind of hit my diet the wrong way - but having a waffle with so much syrup - and so much sugar was awesome).

Driving 2450 miles was awesome.

Yes, I made a major memory.  I even told this 95-year-old hospice lady about my trip.  It was awesome.  

Doing this trip under $500 was awesome

Driving about 40 miles on dusty gravel roads was awesome.

Seeing buffalo in an open field without a fence was awesome (and they didn’t stampede!!!)

Meeting six new black friends on Black Mesa was awesome (they did have four legs and said ‘Moo’).

And, knowing I could still drive such long distances without falling asleep was awesome.

Crying happy tears several times; feeling the presence of God; stepping outside my comfort zone; camping in a tent - were all awesome experiences - and all totaled this was a memorable trip.

(I was informally thinking of next summer - and I had ideas - more state high points.  Still in the thought process.

*****

So, what have you done in the past month (or even past year) that was memorable?  That was made up of awesome experiences. 

Get out of your shrinking comfort zone, and make memories!!!  I did!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen White, August 30, 2022, © 

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022 TRAVEL PART I

 MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022 TRAVEL PART I

Yes, last week I took a trip.  A few years back I asked a friend if he took a vacation.  He smiled at me and said, “I’m retired, so I don’t take vacations, I take trips”.  So, I’m working a little part-time, so this was sandwiched between work assignments - so it could be like a vacation, and yet I am retired, so this could be a vacation.

Today, I want to talk about camping as a 75-year-old woman.

First - gender.

My gender didn’t seem to make any difference.  I had two female friends that insisted that I had to be careful.  Maybe I wasn’t camping in an inner city location or in a dangerous neighborhood.

On my first night, I camped at Black Mesa Oklahoma State Park.  I was the only tent camper.  There were spaces for about 16 tents (plus group camping that might be something like a Boy (or Girl) scout group).  There were six recreational vehicles on the property and I saw only one couple.  I wasn’t sure if the other RVs were just parked there and if the owners would be back later in the week.  I had reserved my space online so I didn’t have to see anybody, just found a spot, and erected my tent!!!

The second night I was in the only tent in a mostly abandoned RV park.  There were four RVs that seemed to be permanent (and I didn’t see any people in those RVs).  There was a building that said to call a number for information, and I called, a person came and took $15 for the spot and left.  

The third night was at a city campground run by the city of Grand Island Nebraska.  I was the only tent, but there were maybe 15 to 18 RVs - which were in a different areas.  There were gates that locked at 8:30 and opened again at 7:00 in the morning.  If somebody was looking for a single woman in a tent, they might have driven through the campground and seen me, but as I was out walking, it would have been hard to see who was camping in that tent.

The fourth night was in the same campground, but there was another tent camper - a male - maybe in his 50s.  We did talk but he didn’t seem to be interested in an older woman (even a woman who was taller than he was!!).

For these locations in the last full week of August when children are back in school, there just weren’t many tent campers.  Maybe in late May or early June (before it gets too hot), there would be more tent campers.

DISTRACTIONS

The first night there were no distractions.  As I walked around the area, a house on a property next to the park had two dogs that were in a fenced yard.  I thought maybe I’d hear coyotes, but I didn’t.  I did see two deer, but even if there were a hundred dear they would not be a distraction.

The second night I was near the interstate highway. And, it was windy.  And, I had done a lousy job of putting up my tent.  It was on a gravel area and I couldn’t get my tent stakes deep enough, so the wind collapsed the sound side of the tent.  I decided I could go out and try to fix it, or just live with it!!!  (So, I went back to sleep)!!

The third and fourth nights were in a county park.  It was noisy - but I’m thinking it was either crickets or frogs (and I’m leaning towards frogs!!!).  

OTHER COMMENTS:

The night sky on the first night was amazing.  The area was designated as a “dark night” zone and there were no security lights, night lights, or other lights.  

As I got up to use the restroom, the sky was full of stars and totally beautiful.  I did a quick look and identified maybe five constellations.  I used to know more constellations - and I might have to relearn my sky map.  There was no moon (until maybe 3:00 a.m.) so the sky was brilliant with stars.  I haven’t been to areas to see the night sky for years!!!

I spent four nights in a tent - and $15 each night - so $60 overall.  I’m guessing a hotel would be maybe $100 a night (or more), so maybe $400.  So, I paid for my new tent, cot, tarp, cooler, and other gear!!!  And, I slept great!!  (I was generally really tired by the end of the day!!!).  

Yes, I’m not 75 and for many years, I’ve needed to get up for the restroom.  In my apartment, when I wake up, I know I need the toilet, and ten steps later I’m there.  In campgrounds, I was not that close to the restrooms.  My options were to walk some distance to the restroom - or squat.  (My gender change was negative on emptying my bladder other than squatting!!!)  

After the first night, I tried to back off fluids before bed.  It wasn’t all that successful, but helped a little!!!

WOULD I DO THIS AGAIN?

Yes!!!  For some time, I’ve wanted to visit the National Parks in Southern Utah - but my finances are tight, could I do that with my tent?  I sure could!!!

LAST COMMENT FOR TODAY.

I sometimes write about spiritual things. For me this was almost like going on a retreat (except I had to drive over 2000 miles!!).  I meditated, prayed, thought, reflected, and relaxed (other than the driving!!!)  I think I don’t know how to really relax!!!  Maybe I’ll learn by next year!!!

LOVE WINS

Karen White, August 29, 2022, © 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022, LOVE IS BLIND - BUT LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 - LOVE IS BLIND (BUT LOVE WINS)

(From a friend):

“"Today my daughter changed her profile picture. After maybe 5 minutes I get a text ..” I didn’t know she was dating a black boy, did you?”

It took me all day to think up a response, which I didn’t send personally but thought I would share with anyone else that “may not know”

Yes in fact I did know, but the color of his skin doesn’t define who he is. What defines who is he is how he treats my daughter.

I see my daughter dating a boy that comes to my house and shows me nothing but respect (a big deal in my book). It’s always Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am, we talk about football and baseball, he tells me bye when he leaves, and has not once shown me a lack of manners or respect.

I see my daughter dating a boy who treats her well. He takes her on dates, to ballgames, out to eat..not to a club or partying on the weekends.

I see my daughter dating a boy who takes her to church with him. Every Sunday. He plays in the band, and she sits with his family. How many young men these days make church a priority? None of the others have.

He doesn’t hit her, cuss her, lie to her, or make her cry. Would I rather her date a white boy that did, to keep from her dating another race? Absolutely not.

So that’s my response to the question I was asked. And I know people have their own opinion, but at the end of the day, the fact that my daughter has someone that loves her and treats her like a queen makes me happy. That’s something I’ve never had in my life and I’m glad she does."

*****

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.  Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. I John 2:8-9

God is LOVE!!  LOVE WINS!!!

 

The two greatest commandments are summed up this way:

Love the Lord, Your God, with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself.

Is there a difference between the two LOVE words?  LOVE THE LORD, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR?  

Yes, English has one word for “Love” - but Greek has three words - Agape, Eros, Philo.  Agape love - pure love.  

Love your neighbor, love your daughter’s black boyfriend (and later, love your black son-in-law); Love your transgender brother/sister; Love your sister who is in love with a woman; Love your son who is in love with a man; Love your atheist neighbor; Love your Hindi neighbor.

LOVE WINS!!!

*****

May God pour out HIS PERFECT LOVE on you, and may you share that PERFECT LOVE with others!!

 

Karen White, ©

August 26, 2022

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 ON MY TRIP

 THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 - ON MY TRIP

This trip is for about 2,000 miles - and traveled through Texas, Oklahoma, (maybe a little of New Mexico), Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Tonight (if all goes well), I’ll be camping in Grand Island Nebraska so I can go to the Nebraska State Fair tomorrow.  If all goes well, I’ll be having coffee or lunch tomorrow with my son who I haven’t seen for four years and who has shunned me for four years.  I’m not sure what I would have done if my father would have transitioned to being a female at age 69.  For me, I know I need to show God’s Love to everybody!!!  Micah 6:8 - What does God expect of you - but to love justice, show mercy and walk humbly with your God.  I proclaim “Love wins”.

May God be merciful to me - a sinner!!!

LOVE WINS

Karen White, August 25, 2022 © 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 - MY BIRTHDAY GIFT TO MYSELF

 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 - MY BIRTHDAY GIFT TO MYSELF

Psalm 121:1-4

I look up to the mountains—  does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Yes, I am “lifting my eyes to the hills” this week, so I am writing this early.

Back in 1980 I (we) moved to Oregon and visited Timberline Lodge on the south side of Mount Hood.  To me, Mount Hood is a beautiful mountain and on clear days you can see this mountain from Portland and the area.

I was also teaching at Mount Hood Community College - so a double reason to visit the mountain.  

On the day I flew to Portland to interview at Mount Hood Community College, the neighboring mountain (Mount St. Helens) was also doing a little show for us on the airplane (not the major eruption that was earlier, but a little smoke and ash plume.  

While living in the Portland area we also had a few aftershocks from Mount St. Helens.  I thought I was being funny the day that our dishes rattled and I said, “Just an earthquake” - but it really was!!!

I did read up about those that went to the summit of Mount Hood.  They left Timberline Lodge at about midnight and arrived at the top at about 7 in the morning, and returned to Timberline Lodge at about noon.  The reason for the early departure is that the daylight can cause avalanches and it is better to get to the top and get down before most of the daytime heating!!!

Although I did not hike to the summit, I was ON Mount Hood - so that counts!!!

Today, I am 75 years old.  This week I am hiking to three state high points - Black Mesa in Oklahoma, Mount Sunflower in Kansas, and Panorama Point in Nebraska - raising my total to eleven state high points.

I have friends who are attempting to visit all the major league baseball parks.  So, my quest is a little different.  I have an athletic friend who conquered all the highest peaks on the seven continents - except Mount Everest.  (He also did the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Coast Trail in record times (at least at that point).  

Does this give me “bragging rights''?”  Probably not - but it is memorable for me.  I can remember my summer of 2022 as the summer I made it to three more high points.

George Mallory was an English mountain climber.  When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest his answer was “Because it is there”.  

As a child, I read mountain climbing books and wanted to climb (until I realized it was COLD on most mountains!!)

Today I’m hiking on Panorama Point in Nebraska.  It is my birthday, and I am excited to be alive, and to be 75 years old and active!!!

THANKS, BE TO GOD!!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen White

August 24, 2022, © 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART II

 TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART II

Picture is Mount Frissell in Connecticut!!!

This week I’m on vacation - and hiking to the high points of three states - Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.  If my plans work out, today, I’m hiking about 10 miles to the high point of Oklahoma - Black Mesa.

So, I’m writing about some of my previous hikes.

*****

MOUNT FRIZZELL 

The high point in the state of Connecticut is a little strange.  The high point is on Mount Frizzell on the Connecticut/Massachusetts border.  And, a quarter mile from where New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts meeting point. 

Connecticut is the only U.S. state whose highest point is not a summit, but a "liner" where the state border reaches a maximum elevation on an otherwise undistinguished slope. The high point of Connecticut is 740 feet south and 80 vertical feet below the summit of Mount Frissell, which lies in Massachusetts. This place is commonly referred to as the "South Slope of Mount Frissell", but could also be called the south ridge, even if not a very pronounced one.

The highest summit (local maximum) in Connecticut is nearby Bear Mountain, about a mile away to the southeast and 56 feet lower than the South Slope of Mount Frissell. This state high point is also only a quarter-mile east of the monument marking the Connecticut/Massachusetts/New York triple meeting point.

Reaching the South Slope of Mount Frissell is an easy hike from Mount Riga road to the east, or a bit longer and steeper trip from New York state on the east over Brace Mountain.

*****

My hike to Mount Frizzell was interesting.  I drove about two hours from Hamden Connecticut (where I lived).  The northwest corner of Connecticut is very hilly - and (in terms of the United States), has a long history.  I followed the route to Mount Riga road - and the road turned to gravel (which is somewhat unusual as most roads in Connecticut are blacktop).  It was not a good road, but I don’t think anyone lived on this section of road so good maintenance just for the few hikers that make the trip to this remote area is not considered necessary.  There was a small parking lot and a sign that said “Trail to Mount Frizzell”. So, up I went.  It was a rigorous hike - over roads and steep hills.  This isn’t like my “walks” around Georgetown Texas on paved sidewalks.  

There were wild blueberries and I helped myself to some on my way.  They were much smaller than the domesticated blueberries we frequently picked at Lyman Orchard.  I reached the high point after about an hour's climb.  It wasn’t the highest point on this mountain - that was farther up the slope into Massachusetts - and that wasn’t my goal.  There was a little rusty sign “High Point of Connecticut”.  This was before I had a cell phone so I didn’t take any pictures.  Then back down to the car.  I decided the route north into Massachusetts might be better than going back south on the rutted gravel road - and I was right.  At the state line (not too much farther than the hiking parking space) the road was smooth and blacktopped.  There were a few houses and then more houses - they mostly seemed like cottages and cabins, not permanent dwellings - but that meant the road had to be in reasonable shape.  (Note, this part of Connecticut/Massachusetts does get good snowfall and these houses did need to get plowed out).

Then back to US Highway 7 and back to Hamden.  As I think back on most of my hikes, I almost always have been alone.  My mind doesn’t jump to “what if scenarios” - but what if I fell and broke my leg (especially on that climb without a cell phone).  

To me, Connecticut has maybe the best hiking in the United States (but, I am very naive about that - having not experienced other areas.  The Connecticut Hiking guide had an abundance of trails.  There are 52 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and I’ve hiked only one or two miles (as they weren’t that close).   

I loved my hikes on Sleeping Giant in Hamden.  My last faculty office at Quinnipiac University was ON the side of Sleeping Giant - dating back to the time when the area was not a state park.  There are something like 36 miles of trails on Sleeping Giant and I did all of the trails several times.  Most people take the “tower trail” - built in the 1930s as part of the Conservation Corp projects during the depression.  It ends at a rock tower (see my illustration today).  The blue trail is the longest and I normally went from west to east up and over the giant’s head, then showers, and legs.  It also has the best views (and I did take numerous pictures while on “The Giant”.).

I also hiked the trails at East Rock Park in New Haven.  There were three peaks - Whitney Peak, Indian Peak, and Snake Peak.  I even rode my bike to the top a few times (great exercise).  The only downfall to East Rock park for me was that it was loaded with poison ivy!!!  

There were trails on the west side of New Haven too - called West Rock Park.  (Those early settlers didn’t worry too much about names - with New Haven, East Haven, North Haven, and West Haven, and East Rock Park and West Rock Park!!!)

*****

Now into my retirement, I don’t hike as much anymore, but when I do I enjoy it.

As I mentioned yesterday, this week I’m taking a vacation - and getting to Black Mesa - the high point of Oklahoma, Mount Sunflower - the high point of Kansas, and Panorama Point - the high point of Nebraska!!!  

LOVE WINS!!

Karen

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART I

 MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART I

Image is Black Messa Oklahoma - the high point in Oklahoma

I am on vacation this week.  Can a retired person have a vacation?  I guess I’m not working my part-time job, so to me, it is a vacation!!!

Psalm 121:1-4

I look up to the mountains—  does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Yes, I am “lifting my eyes to the hills” this week, so I am writing this early.

*****

Many years ago, with my family, we hiked to the top of Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota.  It has since been renamed “Black Elk Peak” in honor of the Native Americans who viewed the Black Hills as sacred.  

Wikipedia says, “Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the Midwestern United States.”  At 7244 feet above sea level, it is considered the highest point between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. It is in the Black Hills (and not far from Mount Rushmore).

We parked at Sylvan Lake and followed a nice path to the summit. The hike was strenuous but not overwhelming.  I did have to hustle down the mountain to move the car to a closer location and then went back to help our daughter down and guide the family!!!  The area was more open than I expected.

So, I began my search for the high points of various states.

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Some state high points are really high points, and some are quasi-high points.

Since that hike in about 1992 (about 30 years ago), I’ve been to seven other high points that I am counting (or eight counting Black Elk Peak)!!  (There are two that I’m not counting - “close but no cigar”.  Today (on my vacation), I hope to be conquering the high point in Oklahoma (number nine).  

My writing for this week will be a little about geography, and a little about setting goals (even strange goals).

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IOWA HIGH POINT:

The Iowa high point is aptly named, “Hawkeye Point” at 1670 feet above sea level.  It used to be on a farmer’s field between Ocheyedan and Sibley Iowa -off Iowa Highway 9 which goes from Lansing Iowa on the Mississippi River to Rowena South Dakota (near Sioux Falls).  I drove past this spot on highway 9 and said I’d been to the Iowa High Point.  Wikipedia says in 2008 the county acquired nine acres and made a little park commemorating the highest point in Iowa!!  So, in terms of hiking or climbing - Hawkeye Point is nothing!!!

Is Hawkeye Point exciting?  Did it require a climb?  Not really.  (I am glad that people can get out of their cars now).

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RHODE ISLAND

The highest point in Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill at 811 feet above sea level.  This is a point like the Iowa point - just off a state highway.  Not a strenuous hike.  I did stop so I could say “I was at the high point of Rhode Island”.

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ILLINOIS

The high point in the state of Illinois is Charles Mound at 1235 feet above sea level (the internet says this is state high point #45).  This is on private properties and the property owner allows access on the first weekend in June, July, and August.  I drove past the property but since it was NOT one of the weekends, I didn’t actually make it to the official high point.  This point is about ½ miles south of the Wisconsin/Illinois state line.  

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OREGON

The high point in Oregon is Mount Hood.  I allow “closeness” to count for visiting the high point.  I’ve been to the Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood - which is close to the summit.  (Okay, I’m using a “casual” approach and counting that as being “near enough” to the high point!!!)

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MASSACHUSETTS

The high point in Massachusetts is Mount Greylock.  I passed within two miles of the summit.  Can I count that as being at the high point of Massachusetts?  (I’ve not been counting it).

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NEW  HAMPSHIRE

The high point in New Hampshire is Mount Washington.  I passed within five miles of the summit and I have not been counting it).

VERMONT

The high point in Vermont is Mount Mansfield.  I was about 15 miles away, and am not counting it!!

So, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, Rhode Island - eight - plus Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska on this trip - for eleven (or 22% of the states!!)

More tomorrow!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen