![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/9cb11e1b7d.jpg\")
![\"View](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/692bad8a26.jpg\")
\nMy friend, Fred, lost his mom yesterday. We got the word while we were visiting Buffalo Bill’s grave. It made me think of my mom. It made me think back to when my oldest was about three and Mom came out to Colorado for a visit. I brought her up here and we sat on this very bench. She was well and happy and healthy and I thought I’d have her forever. Years later, my mom got sick suddenly and was gone in five days.
\nNature tells us our parents will age and eventually die, leaving us to go on as best we can without them. But, at least for me, we never are prepared for how we’ll feel when the time comes and we have to say goodbye to our source…the giver of life, the nurturer, the teacher, the nurse, the chauffeur, the disciplinarian, the confidant. We’re never ready…we’re blindsided with the enormity of the loss. Incredulous as it may seem, this larger-than-life woman had the audacity to grow old and leave me.
\nIt’s been thirteen years since I lost my mom. I still want to call her every Sunday evening. I think of something to share with her then sadly remember she is gone. And now Fred is a member of the club of orphans…his mom gone away from him. He is alone. My heart is with him and his family.
\nWe enjoyed the visit to Lookout Mountain yesterday. And, last night I spent the evening with all my girls. Mr. FixIt takes great pics and it was so much fun to laugh and share funny stories. Stories about their dad…and Mr. Virgo…and Grammy. We hated to break away and end the evening. We vowed to talk more often. Another day done. Another day filled with love. ❤️
\n“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:”\nProverbs 31:28 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2017-08-03T01:55:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/03/road-trip-day-twentysevenwhen-your.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","The Grand Adventure","Grace","Wisdom","Aging","Fitness Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/02/03/old-friends-and-friday-fitness.html", "title": "Old Friends and Friday Fitness", "content_html": "![\"Artist](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/401bd08f82.jpg\")
\nI remember Color Day like it was yesterday. Our senior class had a designated day a few weeks before graduation where we had activities, built floats for a parade, and got to skip school to celebrate. Gail was literally the cutest kid in our class. Tiny, little petite spitfire comes to mind when I think of her. We knew each other pretty well although we didn’t hang out at each other’s house. But, as is often the case, Facebook has allowed us to rewrite history and develop close friendships with classmates we hardly knew. At least, that’s the way it’s been for me.
\nI saw Gail at the high school reunion in August and we all danced together. I knew she bought a place in Florida in the fall but didn’t realize she was this close to me until I saw a picture on her page of a place I was literally standing in. I texted her and we met for dinner last night. The Original Crabby Bill’s at 401 Gulf Avenue in Indian Rocks Beach was a happening place when we got there. It was packed and rightfully so. Yummy seafood, live music, and beach party atmosphere made for a loud but fun evening.
\nSince today is Fitness Friday, I’m recommitting to going out to play more. It’s just so difficult to keep up a good exercise program in the winter. I’ve walked at least four miles a day since I got to Florida so I’m going to keep going. I have kept off the weight I lost last year, but my muscle tone is definitely not as good as it was going into hibernation. I remember going to WV for a visit back in the late ’70s to introduce the future Hubby #2 to the family. We went for a run and my Uncle Bob laughed out loud at us running on purpose. They were farmers. Work was how they got their exercise. I may have to be resourceful out on the farm, but there are ways to work out without driving into town to a gym. There’s a perfectly good road to walk and hills to climb and they’re free.
\nAs for nutrition, lots of fresh seafood, salads and fruit, combined with increased physical activity and this just might turn into a weight loss vacation instead of the customary five pounds of self-indulgence that normally comes after two weeks of eating in restaurants. Win-win!
\nImportant PSA…wear sunscreen!!! I had a melanoma in situ in 2005 so it’s important for me to protect my skin. You, too! ❤️
\n", "date_published": "2017-02-03T02:55:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/02/03/old-friends-and-friday-fitness.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Positive Energy","The Grand Adventure","Fitness Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/07/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\nIt's Friday already??? Today, it's all about the fresh fruit. OMGosh...I can't get enough watermelon!!! I'm eating it every day, several times a day. I'm a watermelon junkie. And grapes. And blueberries. I've been throwing a handful of blueberries in my salads. Add some walnuts and kale and avocado and you have a superfood-packed bowl of goodness right there!
\n\n\nIf you've been following along the last couple of weeks, you know that I was struggling a bit. Yesterday I had an a-ha moment. I took a good look at my diet and realized, after being gluten free for six months, I binged on shredded wheat of all things! I had it for breakfast every day for a week and I just kept feeling sicker. I didn't have it yesterday and I feel SO much better! The other thing that made a huge difference is where I am in my book. The last two weeks I have been rewriting the first few chapters. That deals exclusively with Mr. Virgo's death. It was killing me to slog through that again, especially since my defenses were down from being sick. Now I'm at the point where I'm writing the fun stories and I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders! Last night I went to a concert to hear one of my favorite bands...SHEL. I've seen them three times and they are so wonderful. My older daughter was able to get away for the evening and go with me and we had a lovely evening.
\n\n\nI also got out for a walk yesterday. I've been so freaked out about exercise since I had that experience with altitude sickness. But, I've been here long enough now to be acclimated and walking felt great!
\n\n\nSo, there's my Fitness Friday message...eat lots of watermelon, start writing about fun stuff, listen to good music, and take your butt outside for a walk! You're welcome.
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,”
\nExodus 23:25 NIV\n
Photo Credit: Unsplash
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-07T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/07/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Choices","Change","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/01/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/d7bb259827.jpg\")
I have something really, really remarkable to share with you. Back in November, I shared a photo with you if the crepey \"old lady\" skin on my arm. I was laying in bed and held my arm up and was SO disheartened at what I saw. Then in February, I tipped the scale at over 200 pounds. My diet was horrible. I was eating tons of sweets, fried foods, fast foods, and processed stuff Trainer Paul refers to as Frankenfood.
\n\n\nI made a conscious decision to change my nutritional intake (notice I didn't use the D-word, as in \"diet\") and increased my playtime (notice I didn't use the E-word, as in \"exercise\"). I was concerned about what my skin would look like after losing weight. We've all seen people who lose large amounts of weight and their skin hangs loosely on their now-trim frame, belying the underlying weight loss with folds and wrinkles.
\n\n\nWell, look! Look what healthy nutritional intake and plenty of water has done to my skin! I still use the same amount of lotion. I have been using coconut oil on my skin, so that and clean/green living has changed the appearance of my skin drastically. This is the same section of skin, the same arm, the same camera, and the same time of day and as close to the same lighting as I could get. I even laid down and held my arm over me and shot from below so the gravity pull would be the same. I am stunned. I just noticed it last night as I was driving back from dinner. I couldn't wait to get home and take a picture and find the old one for comparison!!!
\n\n\nI don't go by the scale alone, but I've lost 34.4 pounds. My smaller clothes fit better and that's my go to indicator. I still am not playing here like I was in WV. I went back down in elevation and walked an hour in Omaha on Tuesday. I'll give this altitude another couple of days before I play outside again.
\n\n\nI'm heading to the high country today for the weekend.
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-01T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/01/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/bd09b6e9a0.jpg\")
It's not as easy to follow a fitness program when you're traveling. You have to plan ahead and make working out a real priority. Eating choices can be difficult when you visit people whose diet does not closely match yours. I am fortunate to have supportive friends and family who are very accommodating when I travel. I have my bike, weights, kayak, and walking shoes with me at all times. I have a number of people I can call at a moment's notice to exercise with. Fortunately, it's salad season and my brother/friend has fixed some wonderful healthy food. Yesterday I called a friend and caught her just before she left town. She was happy to walk three miles with me before she took off! I'll be doing a lot of walking this weekend so I'm feeling pretty good about my ability to stay on track.
\n\n\nI was thrilled to get a message yesterday from a fellow \"Rancher\" who lives in town. We met for coffee and as soon as I saw her, I knew I'd met her before. Turns out she taught in the kinder garden class next door to my youngest's classroom. Ann...it was a delight to spend a couple hours catching up! What a treat it is to meet my readers!!!
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-17T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/20/that-girl.html", "title": "That Girl", "content_html": "\n“that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
\nRomans 1:12 NIV\n
![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/a497fd9e1c.jpg\")
You remember her...that girl that loved to ride bikes, climb trees, catch lightning bugs. The one that fought the bath because it meant she had to stop playing and come inside. You remember...that girl that could eat anything and never gain an ounce because she played so hard all day. The one who liked to sneak a puppy or kitten into her bed when she thought no one was watching. The one who would defend her best friend's honor even if it meant she took the lumps. You remember.
\n\n\nWhere did she go? When did we forget to ask her out to play? Why did we think we didn't need her anymore...that she was a baby, someone we'd outgrown? I was so busy raising my kids, being a wife, entertaining....I distinctly remember that day when I remembered something important that I had long since forgotten. I remember telling my ex-husband I didn't know how to play anymore. It was such a sad thing. I remember how resigned I was to the loss...as if it was perfectly normal to kill this little girl that had lived in me all those years. That's what I did you know...many of us did. We left her in the dust by the side of the road. We left her to wither up on the back shelf of our closets with the clip on skates and the croquet set. I missed her, but I didn't know how to get her back.
\n\n\nThat's when the Sisters came into my life. I found the Sisters on the Fly very shortly after losing Mr. Virgo. It didn't take long to figure out who these women were. They were The Rescuers. They take us sorry old women and rescue the little girls inside them. And they don't take no for an answer. It's not just the Sisters. There are many Girl Camper groups out there. Facebook has lots of groups like Camp Like a Girl, Girl Camping, Mitten Kittens to name a few. And if camping isn't your thing, I'm sure there's a group out there that exactly fits you. The important thing is to step out of your comfort zone, shake things up, do something different, and find that little girl. She's in there...c'mon, let's go get her...
\n\n\nIt's Fitness Friday...lets go outside and play!
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-20T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/20/that-girl.html", "tags": ["Fun","Aging","Fitness Friday","Choices","Be Joyful!","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/06/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
\nJohn 15:12-13 NIV\n
![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/4db90bde8a.jpg\")
I've said this before but, fitness isn't just about the scale. Your interpersonal relationships are as important to your wellbeing as eating right and going outside to play. How you interact with other people can influence your mood and subsequently your food choices. Stress eating is a problem for a lot of people. Who hasn't consoled themselves with Haagen Daz at one point or another? Once isn't a problem. Making it a habit is.
\n\n\nI had to break up with Ben and Jerry and that wasn't easy. I've been eating well for two months now so if I went off the deep end and binged on junk foods, I'd certainly pay for it. I go to the grocery store and circle the perimeter now. That's where all the healthy food is located. The rest is made up of Frankenfood, for a lack of a better term. Overly processed foods offer very little in the way of nourishment.
\n\n\nI don't mean to come across preachy. I am on a crusade for longevity. I have seen firsthand what poor diet can do. I watched my husband die of a heart attack. Mr. Virgo had a lot of calcification in his arteries. Bad genes...perhaps. But bad food choices and smoking were a deadly combo. My experience as a Diabetes Educator leads me to these conclusions, though admittedly I'm not an expert in the field of medicine. I want all of us to be around to celebrate the anniversaries to come.
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-06T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/06/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Choices","Change","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/06/fitness-friday-update.html", "title": "Fitness Friday: Update", "content_html": "\n“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
\n1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV\n
![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/0a98aec67b.jpg\")
Ok, kids...count those fingers. Four! I climbed those steps FOUR times today with a loop around to come back to the bottom. I have NO idea how many steps there are...I was too busy maintaining consciousness to count! Wowza...my legs are noodles but I feel AWESOME!!! Yay for Fitness Friday!!!!
\n\n\nAddendum: Turns out there's 175 steps! Or maybe around 170. Who knows? There's a gazillion as far as I'm concerned! lol
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-06T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/06/fitness-friday-update.html", "tags": ["Fitness Friday","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/01/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/48ea108419.jpg\")
Getting fit isn't just physical. Getting fit is a whole life experience. You can work every muscle in your body till you're hard as steel but if your mind is mired in chaos, you're not even half way there. If you feel right with God, but you're going to bed every night with your two favorite men...Ben & Jerry...you're missing the boat. I like to imagine the areas of my life individually as objects...say, apples. They each need a good washing. They will be so much more appealing if they're given a good polishing. And they each offer the same nourishment. One isn't more important than the other. They are apples.
\n\n\nMy goal every day is to balance my apples...one on top of the other. One for my body, one for my mind, one for my spirit. That may not be easy. They're round, after all. It helps if I create a flat surface as a base to stand them on.
I trim the top and bottom of my apples every day.
For my body, I do something to get my heart rate up everyday. I move my muscles and stretch. I feed it with clean, healthy food. I drink tons of water. I sleep well. I care for my body with love.
\n\n\nFor my mind, I meditate every morning. I challenge it with new words, good conversation, clean input, and continual learning. I don't watch TV. I listen to music as often as possible. I laugh at every opportunity. I give my mind goals and when I achieve them, I give it new ones. I look forward. I look upward. I care for my mind with love.
\n\n\nFor my spirit, I pray every day. All day. I try to make my every thought a prayer in that I put it through my God-filter. Are my thoughts true? Are they loving? Are they helpful? Are they uplifting? Are my words spoken with love and light? In my dealings with people, have I looked for God in them? Is my motive to lift them up? Is my life a reflection of my spirit? I spend a great deal of my day in gratitude and praise. And when I fail, I forgive myself as I have been forgiven. I care for my spirit with love.
\n\n\nOnce I have everything balanced, my life is like a lightning rod. The energy of the Universe travels right down from top to bottom, grounding me to my Earth Mother....filling her and radiating God's Love through every molecule.
You cannot ignore one spoke in the wheel without going off the rails. Strive to achieve balance every day. Be grateful at night for another day in which to make the attempt. And rise to meet the new day with anticipation. It won't be long till you transform your life with joy.
❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-01T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/01/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Growth","Gratitude","Fitness Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/18/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n“My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.”
\nPsalms 104:34 KJV\n
![\"\"](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/6e9e09ee12.jpg\")
Just a very brief stop to encourage you to participate in Fitness Friday! I've been hiking and walking, weights, resistance bands, taking steps two at a time, lunge walking, squats, and ran down and back up 242 steps at Blackwater Falls. I carried a 5 pound weight with me in the car and worked my upper body as I drove the straight stretches. (I wouldn't recommend this on the turns.) While I was on cruise control, I tightened my tummy muscles and marched my legs up and down. You can fit movement in anywhere...and I guarantee it will make you feel better!
\n\n\nWhat are you doing for YOUR self this Fitness Friday?
\n\n\n?
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-03-18T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/18/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/11/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\nIn evaluating where I am in my grief journey, I have come to a very important crossroads. I always get introspective in the weeks leading up to Mr. Virgo's Angelversary. I look at where I was, where I am, and where I want to be in the coming year. This time, all it took was a critical glance in the mirror and too tight jeans to tell me what needs tending to in the coming months.
\n\n\nMy weight has always gone up and down. It was a real problem in my second marriage, but Mr. Virgo would have loved me if I had a third arm growing out of my forehead. He walked 12-16 hours a day in his line of work. I sat at my desk most of the time. The last thing he wanted to do was go out and exercise, which suited me fine. Or, at least, I thought it did.
As winter staked its claim on my hips and my psyche this year, I became sullen, lethargic, and not entirely pleasant to be around. The smallest exertion left me breathless and I found that to be alarming. See...here's the thing. I honestly thought I would just die after losing Mr. Virgo. I didn't dream I'd be left standing three years later in sweatpants and a shaggy Walmart haircut. Staring at that woman in the mirror was a rude wake up call. I've made great progress emotionally as I've navigated the roughest patch of water in my life. So now it's time to take back my body.
I never do anything half-a$$ed. I cut out sugar, gluten, and bread immediately. I had already virtually cut out sodas at the first of the year. February 28th is my older grand's birthday. What better way to celebrate than to begin a new lifestyle? I have either walked, biked, or done cardio everyday since. I've cut out all processed food. I eat clean and green...whole foods and grains. I eat raw fruits and vegetables...as much as I can. And water...water till my eyeballs are floating! I have not weighed myself, but I know how much I weighed in Colorado the first week of January. I feel SO much better already. My brain is actually sharper and I'm thinking clearer. My mood is elevated and I am even more hopeful than usual.
\n\n\nGrief is hard on you. It takes a toll on your body, mind, and spirit. Early in the grief process, there is absolutely no way you can control it. Eventually, however, there comes a point where you can begin to successfully make choices. Exercise, clean eating, and getting fit are my way of taking charge. I can't wait to see what come next!
\n\n\n❤️
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-03-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/11/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Choices","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/04/a-moment-in-time.html", "title": "A Moment in Time", "content_html": "“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
\n1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV\n
![\"Mesa](\"https://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/uploads/2026/a4fa4b7f17.jpg\")
“A Moment in Time”
I woke up to six inches of wet snow yesterday morning. The only good thing about that (besides the much needed moisture) is that snow doesn’t hang around long this time of year. When I looked out, I noticed my friend Sue was still at home. About then she texted me to see if I was up yet. I went in for coffee and we sat in front of the wall of windows watching a gazillion birds at the many feeders they have.
\nSue was supposed to go to work today but the weather kept her in. Once things cleared a little, we decided to head up to Mesa Verde to see the ruins. They had about a foot of snow up there and it was beautiful!
\nWhile wandering around it became apparent that I am not in shape. I was huffing and puffing and had to sit down whenever I found a bench. Granted, we were up pretty high, but that doesn’t excuse me for letting myself get like this. I spent the winter writing (and eating) and now that it’s Spring, I’m going to get out and walk. Who’s up for a challenge? Anyone want to form a walking club? We can walk “together” for encouragement. :-)
\nThis moment in time is all we have. Let’s make the most of it, ok?
\n", "date_published": "2014-04-04T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/04/a-moment-in-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Hope","Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Courage","Fitness Friday"] } ] }