a plan with goals August 23, 2025

Before I laid my head on the pillow last night, I put a best laid plan in place for today that was filled with goals. The first goal was to be out the door by 7:00 am.  I failed at that, when I looked at the time once closing the door behind me, it was 7:05 am.  Between waking and getting out the door, I checked the news plus the weather.  I did my first round for the day of recovery exercises.  Breakfast came next then cleaning up, dressing and finally walking out the door.

The additional goals were to walk 12 kms, to relax my shoulder and arm while walking, to capture some kind of moody photograph worthy of a painting project and finally to arrive back at my vehicle with a smile knowing I reached all my goals. Then there are always the goals of admiring scenery and being one with nature. 

I picked a route that included walking around the ponds at Carburn Park and then aiming for Fish Creek Park doing an out and back.  That route would give me the 12 kms I was chasing.  I walked away from my vehicle under a clear blue sky with not a cloud to be seen.  The early morning glow lit up the trees and shrubs.

The sun was rising over the tree tops casting out rays that stretched over the pond.  Ahhhh I thought!  This is the scene I was after!  It looks worthy of a watercolour painting project.  Stick around to see if I had luck with accomplishing this goal! 

The plan was to loop around the ponds but as I passed by this trail, it called out to me!  Seeing as I was already down there in one form, I went for it, I answered the call.  Doing so paid off!

At the clearing there was Mom and her two fawns.  

I saw them before they saw me.  

I was not able to get a photo of the second fawn as it was deep in the bush. 

They saw me!

I stayed where I was and just waited.  They went about their business savouring morning snacks.  Mom moved along and her fawn followed along.  These were very special moments in time experiencing such beauty.

I left Carburn Park behind and aimed for Fish Creek Park.  While walking that stretch I put  my iPhone away to focus on covering the distance and letting my shoulder relax and my arm swing freely.  I am still not at the point yet where I can carry my camera so all the photos are taken with my iPone. It felt very natural and comfortable, so much so that a few times I forgot about the titanium that is holding parts of me together.  Goal accomplished!  

I reached Fish Creek Park and continued further along for a short distance knowing the return trip would give me my 12 kms. This was my turn around point. The focus walking back was once again covering the distance at a good clip and letting my shoulder and arm, just be!  

I arrived back at my vehicle feeling happy and fulfilled which brought a smile to my face.  Goal accomplished!  I looked at Strava and it showed 12.12 kms as the distance I covered.  Goal accomplished!  

So nice that you stuck around!  

This is my watercolour painting of the moody photograph I took.   

Goal accomplished!

During normal times in the past, these goals would be very simple easily accomplished goals.  These days they take focus, commitment and perseverance.  Down the road, I won't think twice about them and they will once again come naturally and easily.  Oh by the way, this is the first blog post, since back on May 23rd, that I typed with two hands!