Tag: North Park

Joyful Life

Take Up a Hobby For a Joyful Life

Michele Kearns

Photography was my hobby before Joe and I became a couple. Then after our wedding things changed. Joe watched a lot of TV and wanted me to do what he was doing – so I watched a lot of TV with him.

Then when he passed I had trouble figuring out who I was as a single person. One day while cleaning out my closet, I came across my film camera and decided to get back into photography. The first thing I did was upgrade my camera to a Cannon EOS Rebel Xsi.

I dove into figuring out how to use it and began taking pictures everywhere. It gets me out of the house, seeing various places in Ohio, and getting my exercise by walking.

McKinley Monument, Canton, OH
Bonnie Park, Strongsville, OH
Mapleside Farm, Brunswick, OH
Alderfer-Oenslager wildlife sanctuary
Ohio Erie Canal Lock, Independence, OH

Due to car issues, I’ve had to stay in the local area and sometimes be content with photographing the sights in my backyard.

The car issue was resolved last October so I will be able to boldly go farther distances once the weather warms up and this nagging cough is gone.

It was good for me to get back to photography as it makes me look at things from different angles. Coincidentally, I done that at various jobs through out my career – find unique ways to solve problems by viewing them in ways other people don’t see.

I also look at the world around me and think “Oh, that would make a good picture.” You do not want to know how many pictures I have on my computer. It would boggle your mind.

So decide to take up a hobby in order to refresh your mind as you use it in a different way from your normal daily activities. It will help you lead a joyful life.

Mallards joyfully gathering at the park. (March 2020)

Related Resources: OgleOhio my photography blog that I started in 2012 because while one blog is good, two is better.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s currently using those skills as a virtual logistics contact center representative for a Fortune 100 company. She’s also managed call center teams, co-facilitated a grief support group, and helped small businesses with various writing assignments. Michele is a bookworm, and a lover of history, music, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com

52 Bible Verses

52 Bible Verses for a Joy Filled, Positive Year – Week 13

Michele Kearns

Here it is Sunday again and today starts my least favorite week of the year (more on that in another post).

You Are An Ambassador

Since the kingdom of God is within you, you are His ambassador. You represent the kingdom to everyone you meet.

If you and I remember, give thanks for and live out the kingdom being in us then maybe, just maybe we will thrive this week instead of just surviving.

KingdomBlog

Uncategorized

The Hardest 287 Calories I’ve Ever Burned

Michele Kearns

Two years ago I joined Faithful Finish Lines fitness program when it was in Beta. I am still a member. This week is the last week in the most recent 7-week challenge. Seven weeks filled with making small changes on a different topic (e.g. more protein, less sugar) each week. The less sugar week is tough as I have a big sweet tooth.

At the end of each 7-week period we have a goal to do. It could be a 5k, 10k, a plank or push up challenge,  or any other fitness goal. It does not have to be an organized event.

I was schedule to do Michele’s Mile Mall Walk this week but cancelled it as when God blesses you with upper 60’s on a February day in Northeast Ohio, the last thing you do is walk the mall!                 😉

Instead I did the 1 mile Duck, Duck, Goose Waddle at one of the area parks. The waddling started when I got out of my car, then I did 2 laps around the pond and ended when I returned to my car huffing and puffing worse than the Big Bad Wolf.

I walked 1 mile. It is not a lot but when you have a sinus infection that morphs into a asthma event, it is a lot. (Yes, sinus infections can do that.)

When the weather permits I get out and walk because asthma needs to go bye-bye. When the weather interferes, you can find me doing a lap around the mall or several laps up and down my basement steps.

Marvelous!

As I sit here typing this post, I can tell you I feel marvelous! I have to keep this up as the 2017 Tour de Parks is coming up (walking one Northeast Ohio park every weekend). More on that later.

Now on to the good stuff.

Pictures

Here are pictures from the 1 mile Duck, Duck, Goose Waddle event. All photo’s taken with my Moto Z phone – Yes, still an Apple virgin.

Duck, Duck

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Goose

wp-1487892874193.jpg Selfie-on the bridge at the back of the pond.

Cattails and last years leaves.

Look who decided to walk with me after passing the 3/4 mile mark.

Final Stats

2,003 steps.  287 Calories. 42.28 minutes. 1 mile walked. 2 laps around North Park pond, picnic area and parking lot.

Want Community? 

Check out the Faithful Finish Lines program. Sara Borgstede from the Holy Mess is the founder. You will not find a better community of friendly, supportive women.

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