A Different Walk

Day 124 - 76° - Sunny - Lerew Road

Day 123 - 58° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Today I spent time with a friend of mine who was recovering from foot surgery.  She has been in a cast for several weeks and has been getting around with a walker and a wheelchair.  Minka is a very busy and independent individual, but during this time she had to depend on people and limit many activities. It hasn't been easy, but she has a great support system with her family and friends.

I picked up Minka (wheelchair, walker and all ) for lunch and to see the progress on our kitchen.  Minka was the one who had recommended our contractor, so I wanted her to see the transformation.  She was delighted.  We ate in the sunny eating area, while looking out over the fields through the spacious bay window.

Afterwards, I took her in the wheelchair for a walk along Lerew Road.  It was a lovely walk and I found out that the road is flat, so it was an easy walk as well.

Coincidentally, my niece who has a master’s in Occupational Therapy posted an article on Facebook about “Wheelchair for a Day” campaign running throughout the month of May.  It challenges healthy individuals to spend a day in a wheelchair and learn to appreciate the day to day difficulties it presents.

When I spent the time with Minka, it gave me time to observe the challenges of a person in a wheelchair as well as the people who are the caretakers.  It changes the daily operations for everyone involved.  It takes patience because it takes extra time to do everything.  

Fortunately, Minka will be up and about in a few more weeks, but there are many individuals who will not.  Our friends, Lance and Doris, who I talk of often, have a son in a wheelchair. These individuals and families need our support and encouragement.  

Along the same lines, on May 10th  the “Warrior Ride” comes to Carlisle.  This program uses adaptive hand cycles, trikes, and bicycles to accommodate returning soldiers with various injuries and disabilities.  The public is invited to come out and show support for our military heroes who have made this sacrifice for us.  For more information check out: http://www.lovecarlisle.com/

As Minka pointed out, it is difficult for the person in the wheelchair to ask for help because he/she wants to feel independent and not be a burden.  So if they don’t ask, it doesn’t mean that they can't use some help.  It takes some time on our part to be observant and reach out without being asked.

I must say, there is always something that goes on at the Red Cardinal B&B to get me thinking. 

We have a lovely room on the first floor for guests who have difficulty with stairs. So if you are in the area, we would love to have you as our guests.

Jogging

Day 122 - Sunny - May 1^st - Spring Meadow park

Day 121 - 58° - Sunny - Last Day of April - Spring Meadow Park

Day 120 - 63° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park

Day 119 - 57° - Cloudy - South Middleton Park

Yesterday I completed 4 months of walking.  Now as I begin my next 4 months, I am going to do some jogging, which is not my favorite exercise.  I could walk for hours, but add jogging and it seems to take the zip out the experience.  However, as I walk with Molly around the park, there are some very fit men and women who pass by with an easy gait.  So here it goes!!

The Red Cardinal B&B is in a perfect location for guests who like to run before breakfast. Lerew Road is a quiet back road with little traffic.  It is a scenic road and our guests enjoy the run.  If the guests run up the road and back, it is about 2 miles.  If the guests want to extend the run to another 4 or 5 miles, they can connect to the park loop at the end of Lerew.

I usually walk (now jog!) at the park because of Molly, my border collie and companion.  I can’t walk Molly along the road as she loves to herd things - cars, chickens, or people.  Whenever a car passes by, the first thing Molly does is assume the crouch position.  She does this with every car. 

Now when I take her to the park, she only does this when she spots another dog.  When she takes her crouch position, she is immovable.  It is a site to behold and very humorous.  However, it does interrupt my pace.  But since I am moving at a leisurely pace, I don’t mind.

Molly is a favorite at the park.  She is also a favorite with the guests at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We have had guests who mentioned that they specifically booked a room with us because of Molly.

So if you like to jog in the morning and you like dogs, then the Red Cardinal B&B would be a great place to stay while you are in the area.

Spring Carlisle Part 2

Day 118 - 55°- Sunny, Windy - Spring Meadows Park

Day 117 - 61°- Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

Day 116 - 61° - Sunny, Breezy - South Middleton Park

Our guests have arrived for the “Spring Carlisle” event this weekend.  One couple is from Massachusetts and the other  from Virginia.  Bradley is restoring a Chevy Impala circa 61-63 and Bill is restoring an Oldsmobile 422.  As I mentioned, this is one of the largest car part shows in the country, so this is the place to find that elusive fender or door or handle.

The weather is going to be cool and some showers tomorrow, but that doesn’t stop the thousands, and I mean thousands of car enthusiasts who converge on the Carlisle Fairgrounds for the weekend.

The car show guests are early risers because they love being at the show when the gates open.  I usually serve breakfast @ 7:00 or 7:30 am.  This weekend is no different.  The breakfast call is for 7 and 8.   Billy will have the coffee going at 5:45 am.

Tomorrow I will serve a fresh fruit cup, then scrambled eggs, home fries with sautéed apples and ham. This will be followed with an apple/cinnamon breakfast cake.  I believe that should hold them over to late afternoon.

I have everything laid out for tomorrow, so it is just a matter of getting up at 6 am and getting in the kitchen.

Of course I am so motivated because the kitchen is just about finished and looking awesome.  Tearing down the wall and adding a bay window has added so much light, I love working in there.

If you are interested in cars then a trip to Carlisle should be on your itinerary and we invite you to come stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.