Your Neck of the Woods--St. Mary

It's Tuesday, you know what that means--it's Your Neck of the Woods day! Head over to the RHOK and check out what's going on in other's neck of the woods.

Today I'm sharing this photo (sorry the quality of the photo isn't very good). This is a statue of Mary that is outside of my kids' school and our church.

We pass by this statue everyday as we pull into school, it's a very peaceful and calming way to start our day. Lately in my neck the woods we've been spending even more time at school and church than normal. You know how the end of the school year is...special parent's days, ceremonies, end-of-the-year concerts and performances. It's a busy, busy time of year. So we're seeing the Mary statue more than usual this past week (and next week). But I don't mind, I need the daily reminder that God is in control of my life...not me. I'm very glad that His presence is in My Neck of the Woods.

Have a blessed day!!

My Neck of the Woods--Babies are Coming!

I'm hookin' up with the laaaaay-deeeees at the RHOK to let you know a little bit about what's going on in My Neck of the Woods today. Head over to the RHOK to find out more about what's going.

In my neck of the woods, or I should say, on the electric meter on the side of my house, a mama Robin has made her perfect little nest and laid her perfectly Robin's Blue eggs. I wish I had gotten a better photo because this nest is seriously something out of a nature photo, it's perfectly symmetrical with cute little sprigs shooting out here and there. And look at those eggs. Precious little birds. BUT...I was taking my life in my own hands by taking this pic, that perfect nest-making mama was lurking, just waiting to attack if I made the wrong move. I will tell you this, she hasn't left her nest since I took this pic. She's probably thinking, "I leave for one second and blondie over there descends on my nest. No way am I leaving again." And she hasn't.

We're just waiting for the arrival of our four babies birds. Our next door neighbor has a nest on her front door wreath and her babies have hatched, so I'm thinking it should be any day now.

I love spring. I love signs of new life and new beginnings. The flowers blooming, the birds chirping. I love that even though we live in the middle of town that nature is unfolding right in front of us.

Happy Spring, my friends!!!

Oh--and I'd love to have a dress in the exact color of those eggs.

My Neck of the Woods--The Trail

I'm hookin' up with the RHOK again today to do In My Neck of the Woods. Go visit them to see what's going on in other people's lives. It's interesting!

So, what's in My Neck of the Woods you ask? Well, today I'm going to share with you one of my favorite things about the area where we live. We, unlike all the other Tulsans in our age bracket, live in midtown. I love the uniqueness and quaintness of midtown and how each home has it's own little unique quirk and charm. I know our days here in midtown are numbered as we've outgrown our home (yes, that's the draw back of midtown--the houses are small--even the houses that) and that we'll be moving sometime soon. Midtown just has a special feel to it that we love.

The city has really invested time and money into the River Trail that runs along Riverside Drive. It's literally a hop, skip and jump down from my house to the trail. And since I'm a runner (not a Runner, but I run) I use the trail several times a week. The city has repaved the trail and separated the walking/running portion of the trail form the bike portion. Which I LOVE because I remember just a few short years ago when I'd go run and would have to be on high alert for cyclists to come flying by me. Yikes! I love the new lights along the trail (and how each light has a number on it. For me as a runner, I use it as a tool, "go to light #260 today", etc). There's a nice gravel portion to the trail for those runners/walkers who don't like running on asphalt--I hear it's easier on your joints--I still prefer to run on the paved surface.

No matter if you want to go for a long run, a nice brisk walk, a family bike ride or push your kiddo in the stroller the River Trail is a great place to go. Even if you live in other areas of Tulsa, it is worth it to pack up the fam and drive down and enjoy the portion of the trail from 11th Street to 71st Street (I will warn you that from 47th Street to 61st Street is under construction). There are is a play park for the kids at 41st (this one also has a nice splash pad) and 18th and the new Blue Rose is open and right on the trail. If you time it right you can even catch a rugby game or ultimate frisbee game on the rugby field that is located right on the trail. Or if you're into disc golf, there's a disc golf course, too. Really, you need to hope on your bike or lace up your sneakers and take a stroll around the newly fixed up trail.

This pic was taken yesterday afternoon after the rains moved on...so things are a little wet and mucky looking, but still you get the idea.

All along the trail are bronze statues. Most are of wild life (I'll do a post on them another time), but there's also this guy...I like to tease WM that it's a statue of him. HA! (Trust me, WM does not look like that). I think it's a nice touch to the trail.

I hope that you'll take time this spring to come spend some time on this part of the trail and My Neck of the Woods.