“John…I read what you wrote about me shopping and of course it’s all true. I know you’re dating and let me give you this little piece of advice…when all else fails, take them shopping,” Donnie offered on our morning call. He has offered sound advice in the past and I know he has my best interests at heart, but I’m not so sure I could pull off ‘liking’ shopping. It is part of his DNA I suppose – he always was in touch with his feminine side – so it probably just comes more naturally to him. “You could build it into a workout, too. Think of all those steps you’ll be taking. You can carry all the bags of the wonderful gifts you’ve helped your lady purchase and that would add to the calories burned and up your training heart rate,” he concluded. I think I’ll stick to my workouts for now.
Which wasn’t much on this day. I did plenty at the farm, at least, including a visit to the local John Deere dealer where I placed my order for our new 625 4-wheel Gator. I was glancing through the brochure while placing the order with the salesman when I commented on one of the pictures of two guys in cowboy regalia lifting a bale of hay into the back of the Gator.
“Actors…are you kidding me? I lift 300 of those things alone. John Deere should be ashamed of this picture,” I said.
He laughed agreement, but that wasn’t enough. “I want you to throw a ‘John Deere’ hat in like the one my brother Jim used to wear on the farm. I’ll get it dirty and look like you’re supposed to look when using one of these vehicles and then you can take a picture of me. I’m sure that’ll sell lots more of these…especially to the ladies,” I said.
“Um…sure, John. One hat…one picture,” he said.
Thank you to the mysterious donor willing to come up with the 11K to make the purchase possible. Again, testament to the mission of Fieldstone Farm, TRC, and the way it is implemented by over 200 volunteers and staff. Like payment for the washed out carriage trails this past summer, someone recognizes the value of what we do and always steps up to help.
I went to Fran’s place after the farm and painted for the next two hours. By the time I arrived home, my feet were killing me from ladder work and my stomach was upset from who knows what. I took Dakota for a hike regardless, but once back from that, put my feet up for the rest of the night. I had some baked salmon, but nothing made the stomach any better, so I turned in early hoping sleep would do the trick.
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 75 bpm.
Calories Burned: 350
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