Finding Beauty

Well, 2013 has been a bumpy ride so far. My mood has been low. I wish I was the kind of person who didn't eat when she was depressed. Unfortunately, I am the kind of person who turns to food when she is feeling down. So, I've spent the past several weeks eating way too much junk. I've been withdrawing, not feeling like going anywhere, much of that made easier by the snowy weather. I've even been avoiding SP and instead have been caught up in bad eating and bad emotions. I would get back on track with eating right for a few days or a day, and then slide back into the unhealthy choices. The only thing I did right was exercise every day.

Not that it was the most fun exercise. Due to the weather, most of it was indoors, much of it on a treadmill for an hour a day. Plus shoveling. That was my outdoor time. I like the treadmill well enough. I finally settled on a 10% slope while I watch Gilmore Girls DVD's or listen to books. But I miss the sun. I miss walking outdoors without worrying about slipping on the ice and getting injured. But for whatever reason, I remained compulsive about daily exercise and stuck to that routine at least.

It was a nice surprise when one of my friends emailed yesterday and asked me what I thought about going to the beach. I immediately wrote back that I thought it sounded a bit insane and what time did she want to go? I have no ability to say no to the beach, apparently. Except maybe in a lightening storm. So we agreed to meet at noon today.

The beach looked very different than the last time we were there in early January. We've had a number of storms come through since then and the lake was frozen for quite a distance from the shore. There were mounds of sand, water and snow all along the beach. What my friend and I called Frozen Waves. It an entirely different landscape than we are used to and it was gorgeous. Without the water washing against the shore, it was so quiet except for the squeaking of our shoes in the snow and the panting of the dogs as they ran by. Also, the echo of my shouts for Quinn when he'd head for the hills or out over the frozen water.

Today we walked in a snowy canyon with the dunes on one side and the frozen waves rising on the other. We didn't walk as far as usual, stopping frequently to take photos but we still spent over two hours. As always, I feel rejuvenated after my beach time.

Even in the winter, in the cold, during the short days that often lack any sun, there is beauty and hope. Underneath those hills of frozen waves, there is a beautiful, great big lake that I will walk along in the spring and wade into in the summer. Taking care of myself now, making the right choices for what I eat and how much I eat, continuing to exercise every morning instead of sleeping in, will keep me healthy and strong for plenty of beach walks and plenty of good times all year long.

Here are some photos from today's walk:


The start of our walk


The beach looking very different from our last visit


Quinn and me posing by the same building that is behind us in my profile pic


The frozen lake


I know Lake Michigan is out there somewhere!


Curious Quinn discovers some water


Oh, THERE is Lake Michigan -- way out there!


Balto and Nanook atop the frozen waves

Hang in there SparkFriends, the days are getting longer and soon they will get warmer. Lots of good days are coming our way. In the meantime, I am going to try to see the beauty all around, even if it is while I am shoveling snow. :-)