Thursday, May 26, 2022

What's in my backpack for hiking...

 Getting ready to have an active summer and thought I would share what's in my hiking backpack with you. It's time to BE on the move again. As the weather gets nicer I can't wait to hike again and go kayaking. It's important to be prepared for any situation.  For anyone interested I will put in links for where I purchased items.  Make sure to check the weather before you go so you dress properly and add clothes for wind or rain and wear proper footwear. 


 

2. Brightly colored bandana

3. Hair scrunchie or hair tie

4. bug repelant clip

5. CPR mouth guard

6. Tic remover

7. Hand sanitizer

 

1. Water bladder or water bottle

2. Headlamp

3. Bug spray

4. Sun block

5. Toilet paper in zip lock

6. Folding hiking poles

7. Micro fiber quick dry towel

8. Trail food, granola bars

9. Rain cover for backpack

10. Map

11. First aid kit (with survival blanket included)

12. Lip balm

13. Soap sheets

14. Small note pad, pencil and highlighter

15. Monocular

16. Compression knee brace

17. Compression ankle brace

18. Extra socks

19. Gallon bag to keep things dry

20. Whistle, knife & rope

 


Sunday, April 17, 2022

Girl Scout Memories Thru the Years Camptured in Photos

Girl Scout memories thru the years camptured in photos.
I have so many more but these are some of my all time favorites.

Free time at camp to just sit with friends

 Tie Dye Porch

Get to Know You Ball

Human Knot

Girl Scout Tree of Gratitude 

Campfire Friends

Bridging Bridge Built by Troop 2245

Service Unit Encampment Candle Opening Ceremony

Service Unit Encampment Platform Tent Camping

Some time to sit and read

Moonlit Hike at Camp by Flashlight


The perfect spot for my shoes 

Teaching the younger girls Cats in the Cradle

Froggy Fun

Service Unit Day at Camp Woodhaven

Platform Tent Peak-a-boo

Friendly Game of Spoons

Friendly and Helpful even when they think no one is looking








Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Eyes Wide Open

 11/9/21

Eyes Wide Open
        by Laura Brittain


Remember to keep your eyes wide open.
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
Around the next corner could be something amazing.
Everyday places you've been before can still surprise you.
If you remember to keep your eyes wide open and not shut.
Open to new possibilities, both visible and invisible.
Everyday things can make impossible become possible.
You don't always have to be able to see it to dream it.
Dream BIG, do, go, be, ArtsyBE.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1t8zDw_uLY8GmHu4CcR8qskAjohRcPHhYhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1C1RSU1lP9YdXIkBa1hF5M0W0mepzCDcg

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Old Bench

Old Bench
by Laura L. Brittain

Old bench, chipped paint that has been repainted again and again
Sturdy it is not, but stable it is
Memories it holds of younger days and old
Thoughts of days gone by watching my children sit and talk
Trivial lessons taught, news of the day discussed, memories shared of years gone by
Veteran, Teacher, Neighbor missed a lot
No grandchildren to carry on these memories
We will hold him our hearts for eternity




Saturday, April 9, 2022

I did it! I made my first Etsy Listing, plus 2 more.

I made ArtsyBE “the Original” painting card, 7 years ago for a Girl Scout camping trip. It was a success and the girls had a lot of fun.  After that weekend it has been in my idea notebook, along with ideas for other versions. In reinventing myself and trying to make a name for myself I finally dusted off the old notebook and started plugging away at making a set of cards to sell on Etsy. My very creative daughter has been helping me digitize and firm up my logo. My family has been an amazing support system to me the whole time. It’s because of their belief in me that I made my first listing on Etsy tonight for not just one, but 3 different card games. It’s official, check out my page. I'm excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: artsyBE "The Original" Painting Card Game https://etsy.me/3rdOkgp

And then as if the night couldn’t get any better. I made my first sale. It still gets better…my first and favorite art teacher bought it. Unbelievable! The women who shared her talent and  love of art with me for my formative years. I wanted to be just like her.  I hope I can stand up to her example of excellence.
 




Thursday, April 7, 2022

Sometimes This is All I Need

Sometimes This is All I Need

by Laura Brittain - 10/14/21

A place to breathe
To be one with nature 
Take it all in
Foggy morning paddle
Same place ever changing
Fog wraps around the distant mountains
Colors fading
Sun shines through and the sky turns to blue
Spider webs glisten in tree branches with no leaves
Peaceful silence, birds singing, babbling water, splash of my paddle 
Amazing wonders of nature
Beaver dams changing currents 
A reminder to be flexible and open to life’s changes like nature changes with each season


https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qpbEi2Senyk3XVXNu36rtsl3IjQj8Ku1

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16GWYi7UU7bYZV_hAZab67EmmEg2vlQTN

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pQ2POVj_aC6zwb4LNbihnsInzlgFYzyF

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xgH4WkxbLIAGQX_Y_YXh8x22LgbvBeUh

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RGsv2_o2QICYNkgKsjSZY6a79gDape07

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1e1SXcwsKgF_FCubfCRgMWnwwNYDQDAeK

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wASLjteMmbzVacOqYMHY5nDYV0DOMfRU

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1eWrHrsAhYQy-j8uDatMMVZW_LJsPFA5J

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SdWYnrVDcg1iUYmUPUVLsT_HjUUftKAe

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SKOxcrxsec9AIqKYPSRRdCGjr-qc1J2c

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SUZ_268qfhd0LtnziQx2pk8EHVKz8hxm

Photos taken October 12, 2021 at the Kunjamuk, Speculator, NY





Wednesday, April 6, 2022

"The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry."

"The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry." 
This is a well know quote from Robert Burns very old poem called, "To a Mouse," written in 1785.

This saying keeps running through my head as I try to find enough time to do all the things running through my head, all the ideas and dreams.  And the fear of what could happen, the unknown, so many things I don't know, where do I start and what's the next move.  I start, and I stop and I start again.  Anxiety fills my chest and my heart races.  I have a vision of a card game, a studio, a coffee shop, but I don't know how to really do it.  I've been printing and laminating my deck of cards from home and I really want to get them printed so they look professional, but then I think that it will lose it's charm. None of the decks come out perfectly, is that the charm of the homemade deck of cards.  Should I just post the games on Etsy? What's holding me back?  Fear...Anxiety...I created this card game 7 years ago for a Girl Scout Camping Trip and it has been written out in a notebook ever since, and I created 2 other versions since that have also remained in my notebook.  Recently my daughter has been helping me create the logo and we have printed cards.  I have given them to 3 friends to try them out, they all say it's a good idea.  So what's really stopping me...

I keep thinking about that saying, "The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry," it keeps coming back to me again and again.  I think what it's trying to tell me is to go for it, that no amount of planning will ever plan for everything.  That no matter how much I plan it, think and over think it, there is always something that can and will go wrong.  I'm trying to not let that fear get in the way.  I need to be flexible and ready to make changes, start over and do it again if neccessary.  Lets see if I can get past the planning and just do it. Ready or not here I come.

 

I watched this recital of the poem and I really enjoyed it, have a look and listen.  The poem sounds so much better with an accent then read by me.

Friday, February 25, 2022

Be on the move 52 week challenge 2022

 Be on the Move 52 in 2022 

Somewhere I saw a 52 week hiking challenge and thougtht I could do something like that.  So I decided to make my own 52 week challenge. 52 weeks of being on the move some how like hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing or other way of moving, weather and calendar permitting I am going to challenge myself to move.  The idea comes from 52 weeks in a year but they don't have to be done consecutively if weather or calendar don't permit being able to hike, kayak, snowshoe or some other way of moving.  I will document my challenge on here.  I have made a chart to log it incase anyone else would like to do it here is a pdf of the chart.

Back to the Chuctanunda Creek Trail Hike with snowshoes 5/52

 2/2/22

Hike 5/52

Beautiful warmer winter day to dust off our snowshoes and get fresh air and a hike in before lunch. Back to the Chuctanunda Creek Trail for another hike this time with snowshoes.  Using the snowshoes did make it more of a workout thats for sure.  It's been a year since I used them and I forgot how tired I would be afterwards.  You don't realize it while you are on the trail but later that day and the next day my hips hurt.  It did make walking in the snow more enjoyable though.










Sunday, February 20, 2022

Chuctanunda Creek Trail Hike 4/52

 1/23/22

Hike 4/52

For our 4th hike of the year we are staying in Amsterdam and hitting the Chuctanunda Creek Trail.  I have done this trail in the summer and fall but this is my first time in the winter.  This is a nice easy mile hike from the parking area to the old factory.  They city has placed signs on the strail with historic information on the old factory and surrounding area.  The Chuctandunda Creek was a vital part of the development of Amsterdam.  We only hiked a small section of the trail as there is much more to it.










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