Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, June 6, 2016

Early Morning Walks on the Golf Course Cart Path

SUNRISE:  4/13/16  (Not many leaves on the trees yet!!)
What would it take to get you UP out of bed  about 4:45 a.m. each morning?  WELL---a few years ago,  I would have said that NOTHING could make me get up that early.  (I had always been a night owl --and enjoyed sleeping a 'little' later in the mornings.)  BUT-- once George and I decided to put a priority on exercise (walking is OUR choice),  everything changed!!!!

We got our FITBITS last May (2015) ---and have been faithful to that program (along with My Fitness Pal) since...  We have walked the streets in our area and also on some of the provided trails.  BUT--since we live on a golf course (Druid Hills),  it became our favorite place to walk.  We could walk nine holes which is about 2 miles on the golf course.  But we are limited as to when we can walk there.  The rules state that there can be no walkers anytime there are golfers on the course. SO--that basically limited our walking  to late in the evenings (almost dark) OR very early in the mornings (first light).

Last Summer---we chose to walk in the evenings...  When winter came, the golf course was closed sometimes (depending upon the weather).  SO---we walked at various times during the day.  THEN---when March came,  we decided to get up early and take our walks in the early morning... I'll admit that it was hard (still is, when we are tired) to get up that early ---but since we do it most every day now,  it is becoming more routine for us.  AND--any older person trying to stay healthy will tell you that ROUTINE is good and keeping the same schedule is good for us.

I never thought I'd say this but it's true:  "When I get up and take my morning walk early,  it makes the entire day go much much better"..... When I miss walking one morning,  I find myself much more sluggish all day long!  Crazy, huh????  BUT--for me morning works.

I carry my iPhone each morning on our walks ---and we try to get pictures when possible.  We try to time our walks so that we can see the sunrise.  SO---I went through my pictures from April and May ---and have chosen 16 to share with you today.   I'll put the date with them so that you can compare one day to the next.  Amazing how different things can look depending upon the clouds,  the weather,  etc...




SUNRISE:  4/14/16--  (Every morning is different!!!)



Pink Sky in the Morning:  4/15/16



SUNRISE:  4/20/16  (compare this picture to the one below taken on 5/28/16; sun is moving toward the left and rising EARLIER each morning)



Early Morning:  4/20/16   (Love the puffy clouds)



SUNRISE:  4/24/16--- (See the fog/mist in the distance?)



SUNRISE:  4/25/16  (more leaves on the trees!!!)



EARLY morning SKY:  5/4/16   (back to walking after a trip)



MIST on the Pond:  5/4/16   (There's always more beauty besides the sky!)



Early morning SUN hitting the Trees along the golf course fairway:  5/4/16



SUNRISE:  5/24/16  (Back from another trip;   Love seeing the sunbeams!!)



SUNRISE:  5/27/16 



SUNRISE:  5/28/16  (Compare this picture to one taken on 4/20 above.  Sun keeps on moving to the left..  It will start moving back about June 20.)



SUNRISE:  5/30/16---  (We get some great pictures when there are clouds in the sky!!!)



SUNRISE:  5/31/16   (Oh What a Beautiful Morning!!!)



Two Crazy-in-love, TALL people enjoying LIFE!! ha ha
Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them and sharing them.. Does this make you want to get up early???????

Hope you are enjoying JUNE so far!!!  We certainly are!

Hugs,

31 comments:

Ann said...

In my younger years I was never much of a morning person but 19 years ago when I started working in the bakery I kind of had to change that. I get up at 4:20 every morning so I have you beat by a little :) My days off I do sleep later but if I sleep too late I feel like I've wasted the morning
You have a nice view to look at while you're walking. Pretty sunrises

Unknown said...

GM - I have always been an early riser, which is likely a good thing because I tend to be the only faculty member who will teach willingly in the 8 AM time slot! I try to be out for my run/walk by 7:30 AM at the latest during the first part of summer school. When the second round hits, I have to wait until late evening. Like you, exercise really helps to keep me focused and keeps the blues away, esp during winter. Take care - you and G-man have a great day!

PS - have you ever compared the # of steps reported by your fitness tracker versus the # tracked by the App in the iPhone? Just curious as to whether they are similar....

linda m said...

With scenery like that even I would get up early. I get up with my hubby at 3:45AM weekdays to get him off to work but then I go back to bed until around 6:15. However, if I could take a walk on that course I would stay up and walk. Those are some fantastic pictures.

Janice K said...

My, how "tall" you are! Neat shadow picture. Beautiful pictures! Amazing how God can paint the sky differently every day.

George said...

You got some great pictures on our walks. I won't say it's easy to get up that early, but it is beautiful.

LV said...

I am not a morning person a all. Takes me awhile to get going. I could be a nighter, but like being out in the sun. Article in paper today by Dr. Oz on walking and how important it is. I used to do four miles a day, but got out of the habit when my husband was ill. I am going to get back, starring today. However, it will be in the evenings for me. You and George keep on doing your thing.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I CAN get up early in the morning if I have to, but I'm basically a night owl. I can easily stay up until the wee hours of the morning, but then I usually sleep in until about 8 AM. So I generally content myself with sunset photos or those beautiful sunrises captured by blogging friends like you. :)

Connie said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy! And good for you and George for turning a healthy habit into a fun activity for the two of you to look forward to every day.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

you and Goerge are very disciplined, consistant and determined. I am a morning person but have not got a 'George' to encourage me along to walk like both of you. The photographs are ALL gorgeous. keep up the good work Betsy.

Betsy said...

Since I got my Fitbit last month, I find it easier to get up early to walk before it gets hot. I haven't been able to walk the past couple of days because I gave myself a concussion Saturday at Home Depot. Don't ask. I am such a clumsy person! :-). Anyway, I haven't walked and I feel yucky. I don't know if it's the headache or the no exercise.
Blessings
Betsy

Linda G. said...

Lovely pictures, Betsy. I fell off the wagon again in regards to my Ditbit and My Fitness Pal. I wish I had your willpower.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love your pink header! And I think my favorites are the first three, plus tall you and George! What a fun picture! How would you know if anyone is on the golf course? That you would not be walking and there would be someone? I know you choose your times well, but is there a way to know?

Liene said...

Ha, I'm often awake that early... but it has nothing to do with fitness or beautiful sunrises!!! I have my own, personal, 1 year old alarm clock, that's all... Thank you for sharing your beautiful sunrise photos!

Fun60 said...

You are very fortunate to have those views on your doorstep and a great incentive to get up and out.

Shug said...

I truly admire you and George. You put your health as one of your top priorities and this is awesome. You do have a beautiful place to walk and I always enjoy the pictures that come from your walking paths. I'm still hoping to be a dedicated walker soon. Hugs

David said...

Betsy, Beautiful early morning photos. I appreciate your sharing them with me because we're never up that early! I spent way too many years getting up at 4:20 AM to commute to work in downtown Chicago. It's great that you both enjoy doing this and that you're both committed to staying healthy... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

The Furry Gnome said...

I'm very impressed with your dedication! And it's a great series of pictures.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

The shadow photo is so cute!
Wonderful light in the morning. You are getting some beautiful photos on those walks. Keep going!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am a morning person and feel better when I get up early,as I do most mornings.Those sunrises are so special.Love all your pictures that show how the beauty changes from day to day.

Ms. A said...

You two are getting up right about the time I'm (trying) to get to bed. Gorgeous sunrise photos!

Devilish Angel said...

Superb pics...

Lux G. said...

What a lovely sight to see in starting your day. So majestic.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, TN is lovely! Nice snap-shots. Glad you both enjoy your golf cart path walks on the course. Have a wonderful Friday!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

wow I am so proud of yall for making the effort to walk...and be healthy! You live in pretty country for sure. I like the mist pics the best but all great. Keep it up

Lady Fi said...

Wonderful shots. The early morning is my favourite time of day.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Goodness....such gorgeous photos EVERY morning! I'm a night owl too; so wish I was the other. Maybe one day?
So glad you and George are taking such good care of your health; you're both inspiring to me. I know on the days that I don't exercise....I feel like a slug too!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Your sunrises are amazing and I know it is great exercise to get out and walk the course in the early morning. Beautiful views!!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hello,

Lovely photos. The sunrise looks different in every photo.

Walking is surely a good exercise and going for walk early in the morning breathing in the fresh air surely invigorates us.

Most of our lives we spend our time doing routine things and doing routine things may be dull and boring but they have to done to give us peace of mind.

Best wishes

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Betsy,

Good to see your blog after some time. Glad to see you are continuing your lovely blog.

Best Regards,
K

Beatriz said...

Hi Betsy
Your photos are amazing, but those of sunrises are MUST!
I would like to take a walk in a place like that...
Have a nice week and take care Betsy!

Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Small Kucing said...

Early birds gets the early worms..in your case it's lovely snaps 😀