Yesterday a bunch of us went To Valerie and Janet's home on the shore of Tispaquin Pond. It was the choir picnic, tho there were other people, friends spouses grandchildren.The Weather was perfect sunny with tempratures in the 80's and a bitof breeze. Food was the first thing on my mind. I knew there would be burgers and I planned to have one, but there were a lot of people and I got impatient waiting for mine, so I looked for the "healthier" alternatives among the potluck offerings. Grilled zucchini, cauliflower salad, had to try at least a tablespoon of my buddy's tabouli I brought my healthy Ezekiel bread because it tastes so good and I expected the usual whitebread hamburger rolls. Nibbling on corn chips and a delicious black bean/corn/cilantro salsa boosted my calorie count but I "only" had 6 of them, also a small amount of Cincinati chili over lettuce, oh and ONE oatmeal raisin cookie for desert.
Can you guess I'm a foodie? but most of us who are counting calories are highly aware of what they are eating (or trying not to eat)
I knew Val had some kayaks and planned to work off some of my lunch. I went out with my friend Dodi, but she only lasted about 15 minutes then turned back. I kept on, planning on at least an hour circling tthe shores of the lake, Val says it's 2 1/2 miles around, a fact stored from the days when she was swimming it daily while training for the Ironman Triathalon!
It took me over an hour to paddle it, poking into every cove. At one point I spotted a big bird soaring in circles. This is a suburban lake with every inch of shoreline other than swamp occupied by human habitation. There is a commercila campground with 50 campsites occupied by trailers and tents, the YMCA camp, and another youth camp. Ther rest of the shore is houses, some seasonal, some, like Val and Jan's year round. I was hoping the bird was an eagle, but more likely an osprey. I was paddling near a boat with 2 fisherman and I pointed the bird out to them. As we wathched, it circled lower, then folded its wings and plunged into the lake and caught a fish! It flew off, probably to bring its catch to it's nestlings. The fishermen were wowwed, they had been focusing on their fishing and hadn't seen the bird till I mentioned it.
I got back to the house pooped but my friend and fellow Sparker Andrea was bugging me " Convince me to go kayaking" I wheedled for awhile, then finally said "Just stand up!" That worked. Susan changed to join us and the three of us set off. This time we were out an hour. When I got back all I could think of was a nap! Got home, fed the horse and was heading upstairs to sleep when my inlaws drove in the driveway. I love them dearly, but they are over 80 and a lot of their conversation revolves around doctors appiontments. They stayed about 2 hours and I managed to keep my tired eyes open. when they left It was about 8 PM I reheated leftovers for my boyfriend fed the cats,made lunches foe work and crashed. At least I got 8 hours sleep last night!