Elicit Substance

Since we moved to Plainville over 20 years ago, I have celebrated an odd tradition of visiting the North Attleboro WWI Memorial Park less than a mile away from my home. Now, since my birthday is never far from Memorial Day, visiting a Memorial Park isn't so strange, what is a little odd is that the park, which has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, features a small Children's zoo and part of my birthday visit includes a bag of carrots to feed some of the creatures.

The town and its volunteers have been revitalizing tbe park for a couple of years now. Their efforts are paying off with some great recreation areas for the kids, a marked walking path, and some fresh sheds and such for the animals.

I have been so swamped with work and that,coupled with a sore knee that kept me off the bike all weekend (if I want to keep my job, I can't go into detail about that,) meant I wasn't going to leave here today, but my husband enticed me with the promise of a trip to Dairy Queen if I'd go to the zoo. That is the easiest bribe in the book and works every time.

I decided to use the trip to try and figure out my camera again. Fresh batteries and a small fidget with the SDM card seems to have done the trick.

Many of the animals, unless noted on their pens, are allowed to be fed pieces of carrots and slices of apples. The animals certainly know this and are eager to exploit their cuteness in exchange for a healthy handout.

This llama wouldn't stray too far from my bag of carrots. She isn't snarling here. She's chewing a piece of carrot.

"Howdy, Neighbor!"

On the quieter side of the zoo was Milly. An obviously aging donkey is on a special diet and so simply enjoys a nap in the warm sun.
One thing I noticed was that if the carrots or apples had fallen to the ground, most of the animals wouldn't touch them. It was as if they were saying, "5 second rule in effect."

In the midst of this animal madness, there's another section called "Julia's Garden." Julia Cekala was a little local girl that passed away in 2003 after battling more diseases than I can list here. This part of the park was developed in her memory as she loved the park just like the rest of us. It is loaded with beautiful flowers - a nice sanctuary in the middle of town. Click here if you'd like to read more about Julia.



The park, like the rest of the area, is very hilly. The designers of the park put this to good use for a very long children's slide.

Then, on our way out... uh, oh.

Is that I look of contempt I see on that birdie's face?
Hopefully, there won't be any karmic backlash to this unintentional slight during the HH100.

Sunday's Project Bread's Walk for Hunger was pretty nice but none of the pictures I took came out. What else is new? At about 65 degrees F and overcast most of the day, it was a very good day for a long walk.
Last report was more than 43,000 people walked and volunteered. Our collective efforts raised over $3.6 million dollars that will go to over 450 emergency programs in the state. It's such a great cause that's backed by a well-managed charity that seems to get stronger every year.

I was walking with my sister-in-law and her husband and we managed to go 14 miles before taking the bus back to Boston Common, grabbing the free ice cream offered by Hood and then heading on home. It's always a good day to help out those less fortunate and I managed to raise $140. Thanks again to all those who gave!!


Monday (yesterday) was forecast to be the best day of the week and I was bound and determined to make the most of it. It marked my first visit out to the bike paths this year. My other rides have been shorter local stints. Not knowing how my legs would hold up after the 14 mile walk on the previous day, I took it easy by pacing myself behind slower people that way I managed an easy 35 miles and can continue on with my training without missing a beat.

We're back to dreary weather in the mid-50's and showers for the rest of the week so it's back to indoor workouts for awhile.

Actor's portrayal of a week in Plainville