Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month (for me a Tuesday), Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Read, Something Treasured, and Something Ahead. Sharing these four somethings is a great way to recap your month and highlight what stood out to you. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!
I just realized that the last time I posted on this topic was August. I have “pandemic brain.”
1. Something Loved.
Climbing Fire Towers.
Thanks to this pandemic, I have discovered a love of visiting the nature preserves. Then I started doing some hikes – ones with scenic views and even climbing to the top of a mountain.
But Fire Towers are my favorite. I never knew they existed. I never realized how many there are.
What I love about them is climbing to the top!!! It’s scary but thrilling at the same time.
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- Hadley
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- Dickinson Fire Tower
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- Spruce Mt
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- Beacon Mt
2. Something Read.
I picked this up in Target on a whim.
It takes place during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Fortunately it was not only about the flu and so not as depressing as I feared.
I won’t give too much of the plot away but it involves a 13-year-old German immigrant girl named Pia who after recovering from the flu, starts a frantic search for her twin baby brothers and a grief-stricken mother named Bernice who decides that it is her mission to rid the city of immigrant children.
It is a story of love, strength, courage, guilt, and grief.
I was amazed to read about how things have – and have not – changed since the last time there was a global pandemic.
Have you read this or Wiseman’s other novels?
3. Something Treasured.
Time away with my friends.
I hadn’t traveled since last February. I desperately needed to get away from my computer and my home office.
Luckily my running friends agreed that it was safe for us to spend 4 days in NH in a rented AirBnB. We ran our virtual race there, watched the sunrise each morning along the ocean, ate in outdoor restaurants, hiked and just enjoyed a “new normal” vacation.
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- Smuttynose HM
Do you have activity that you treasured before or during this pandemic?
4. Something Ahead.
My next scheduled race-cation is in February in Florida.
Feb 14
That is is a big race. I am toying with deferring and changing to a smaller Florida half marathon in Melbourne.
Feb 7
I ran this one in 2019 (in the pouring rain.) My sister-in-law lives there.
Then again, it may not be safe to go to Florida at all. We’ll see……
Are you looking forward to anything (besides the end of the Pandemic)?
Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).
I’m also linking up here:
Formerly the Running Coaches’ Corner, it’s back with new co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Running on Happy, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Fauxrunner.
Happy Running! What are your somethings? Share at least ONE.
My First 5K and More... 
I like this format, Darlene. I have to remember it, perhaps I will join it in November. Or maybe in December, as a 2020 recap?
I would love these hikes with the fire towers! Your photos for the autumn forests are spectacular!
I think I would go for the smaller race, too. It has a greater chance of happening.
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That’s what I was thinking. But I planned the big one with Cari. It depends on whether or not she goes.
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I love this format for a blog post – so cool! I love your something ahead plans. I remember that medal from last year’s race and thinking it was so cute!
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Let’s hope I get get a trip in. Our governor just changed the quarantine requirements to a test before returning to NYS and a test 4 days after. A little tricky if I don’t stay in Fla very long.
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I wonder if those races will happen. The smaller one is probably more likely to move forward! Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be flying anywhere for awhile.
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In Florida races are happening. We’ll see. The new quarantine requirements are tricky.
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I would like to climb fire towers. There is only one I know of near me and it is closed to the public. I’m going to have to do some investigating to see if I can find any more near me.
I hope you get to run in Florida in February! That is a perfect time to visit. I am ready for some warm sunshine by then.
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I’m ready now. It’s cold and windy today.
I know there so many fire towers in NYS. Not sure about PA.
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I read a fascinating book about the plague — based on a true story — quite a while ago (but during the Pandemic). It wasn’t uplifting, but it was really interesting and it kept my attention.It was Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. It’s dark, though.
My grandmother was alive during the Spanish Flu & living in NYC, but apparently she never talked about it I would’ve like to hear about that now, of course.
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Too bad she didn’t share her experiences. Esp now with what is happening.
I’m reading a lot but no dark books though all good ones. I have a co-worker buys a ton of books and gives them to me.
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I like your 4 somethings posts. I miss my friend time and getaways so much. It’s nice that you have found so many new places to explore in your area. Thanks for linking
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I agree. These hikes are one positive about 2020.
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The fire towers are a great find! I think I’d enjoy that book. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Hope you like it.
I’m hooked on fire towers. And there are so many to keep me busy.
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Besides the end of the pandemic I am looking forward to getting together with family. We used to have “cafecitos” (coffee dates) where we would get together to eat and drink coffee (and beer, etc). It was so much fun and I miss it.
Thanks for the book suggestion. I just put it on hold and I am #1 in line. 🙂
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Yes I miss seeing a lot of my friends too.
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I love this.
Those fire towers are so cool. I think it’s really great that you found something different and interesting to do in the midst of all this craziness.
South Florida is still experiencing some nasty effects from COVID-19. I hope you will be able to get to one of those two races, safely and without stress. I think we are all missing travel right now and can’t wait til it’s safe.
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Yes I agree. Can’t wait to go somewhere. It’ll be tricky with the NYS requirements for quarantining
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I like the Four Somethings! I’ll have to try to participate in this linkup in the future!
Something Ahead – I really look forward to Thanksgiving. Even though we won’t be doing anything over the top for obvious reasons, I look forward to my little girl experiencing this special holiday for the first time!
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I love Thanksgiving food…I used to cook elaborate food. That was then. This is now.
Hope E has a great first one.
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