Lesson 508: Ash Kicking

Hello, Readers!

This week we find ourselves staring 

right into the heart of November.

I love the month of November

but this year it really kicked my ash!

On a normal year,

I'd be finishing up the 58 Day Challenge that I complete

with some members of my Team Adrenaline workout group.

For 58 days we ride through the fall

cutting down on 

or saying no to 

lots of the delectable delights of the season.

Everyone throws $50 into a pot

and the winners,

one male and one female,

take all!

The challenge is over the day before Thanksgiving,

and the cash prize in the thousands $$! is delivered that night!

This year I withdrew from the race unsure of

if my surgery would put me at an advantage

or disadvantage to win.

I couldn't have my normal fun 

of spreading the joy of 11th hour temptations 

with posts like these, 

hoping one of my teammates would cave

and I could stand a better chance at emerging 

as the dark horse winner.

They probably would not have bent anyway.

Heck,

here they are at the crack of dawn on a Saturday

for an ash kicking,

in the cold,

workout.

I mentioned the challenge in this blog

because I was surprised how many people who dropped off  food

after my surgery commented,

I know you are on the 58 Day Challenge, but I brought you these anyway....

Know that I had some of everything!

Food delivered in care and love is meant to be eaten,

and I enjoyed every single bite.

I think the 58 Day Challenge should really be called what it is:

58 Days of Learning to Love Vegetables.

Seriously, it's the secret to any diet's success.

Eat.

More.

Vegetables.

And also drink more water.

Eloise has learned that if you do those two, simple things,

your belly doesn't have room for a whole lot more.

Keep that in mind throughout your holiday eating.

I returned to work this week and it kicked my ash!

We did not study this book though.

I think it's censored.

Instead we played some chess

and also this game.

Mrs. Eloise highly recommends it for your holiday gatherings.

Absolutely anyone can play.

We haven't studied Mark Twain yet,

but after finding these ash kicking quotes of his,

maybe I'll work him into my curriculum!

The biggest ash kicking of November 

were our ash trees!

They are getting brittle and broken

eaten away from the inside out

by these little buggers!

Emerald ash borers

Here is your weekend science homework

if you are interested in learning more about this plaguing problem:

More on the ash borer in PA CLICK HERE

If ash trees are going to become a rarity

I figured I may as well make stuff out of the wood while I can.

I'm working on custom fitted

Ash Stools!

Come to the Lamp Post and I'll measure how wide your ash is,

and I'll chip you out a campfire stool for your backyard fires.

I have a variety of sizes.

Let me know if I should set aside a big stump 

or a small stump for your ash.

Eloise always saves the very best for last,

so here is my favorite duo 

in their ash-kicking performances on the Today Show this morning!

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 

songs and interviews

(there are several on this link)

are really worth the watch.

Today Show link CLICK HERE! Love, Love, Love

I love them 

and admire them

and want nothing more than to 

be their ride-along tour blogger 

during the month of July every year.

I'd mingle with the county fair crowds,

take candids,

and try on all of Tim's clothes.

Dream.

Job.

Happy weekend!

Love,

ELOISE