I walk in the mornings. I have now, consistently, for six months. Three miles a day, six days a week. The first couple weeks I just walked two miles and worked up to three. And occasionally I only do two – if Harold needs to leave early. I usually leave about 5:45am. I really do love it. It’s dark outside again, and I kind of like that, too. Because I’m a morning person. And in the past six months I’ve made some observations along my route. Like this:
- Neighbor Dave smokes his pipe every morning. And it never stops smelling good.
- A member of our congregation wears boxers and has a very hairy back. He also needs some curtains.
- Crickets are very loud.
- Outdoor air conditioner units are very loud.
- Motorcycles are very loud.
- I don’t mind crickets.
- There’s an urn on Meadow Lane. With plants and a ceramic mushroom in it. It still startles me. Because it looks like a person crouched down and ready to attack me.
- It’s fun to watch plants grow over the summer and get cut back in the fall.
- The sunrise is almost breathtaking.
- The moon and stars in the morning is almost breathtaking.
- I like them both for different reasons.
- There’s a weird blue light coming from the Catholic church in town. I still haven’t figured out what it is. I have ruled out it being the eternal flame.
- Running lawn sprinklers when it’s 37 degrees outside seems a little stupid to me.
- There’s a very dark spot on Columbia Avenue that needs a street light. It’s right next to a house that’s all overgrown and unkempt. And I’m a little weirded out by it.
- People really seem to like yard art. I’m not people.
- The smell of natural gas next to the pipeline maintenance station is sometimes overwhelming.
- St. John needs a light on the steeple. It’s too dark up there.
- I’m always a little sad when I walk by the daycare center across from the hospital. It’s usually about 6:15am, and there are already kids there. Little kids. Watching TV in their jammies. Who probably miss their Mommy.
- Brent’s (my brother) neighbor has indoor Christmas decorations up. Apparently all year.
- I’m embarrassed to say that it took me a couple months to figure out that the window with the light on in Brent’s house is the stairwell. Not the laundry room.
- I see the hardware store guy every once in a while. I think I startle him.
- The coffee smell from Panama is quite pleasant. Even though I don’t care for coffee.
- When the Caldwells put up their little Halloween trees (like Christmas trees but with orange lights and spider webs), they scared the crap out of me that first morning.
- I have put over 400 miles on my shoes in six months.
- And the me time, the activity and the fresh air are all still worth it.
Wow- you have put on the miles. The observation regarding the Halloween trees made me laugh aloud. Thanks!
So jealous. My head wants to be a morning person. It’s the rest of me that always protests.
I had the following meandering thoughts while reading this list:
mmmm, smoke
how many people attempt to shave their own backs, and how many significant others either love them because of/despite the hairy back or shave it for them
There is a single cricket that lives in a bush on my walk, I worry he will attack he gets so loud
the light must be jesus staring into your soul
running sprinklers at 3 in the afternoon when it’s 103 is dumb as well
the road across the street from my path is not lit on the weekends, I hate the scary parts too.
you should look at burbia,com
they put the smell in natural gas, you know. there’s no smell naturally
what’s a little halloween tree?
I would like some good walking shoes, I’ve never had any
it sounds like a perfect activity, I’ll have to try it when I get out of newborn hell
End sleep deprived thoughts
All that walking, plus a little flax, and you’ll never have cholesterol problems. Until you’re older. Then there won’t be anything you can do about it.
Happy Friday!
400 miles! Wowzers! You would have made a great disciple (or an apostle).
Love the run-down – it’s like we were there with you, only not working as hard as you.
For your foot health, you may want to consider changing shoes. Even if they feel ok and look ok, the support system may be wearing down, which can leave you exposed to stress fractures. I have two friends who have had troubles with stress fractures from just walking… because of shoes that wore out.
Yep, I just looked it up, every 300-500 miles. What I do is make my “worn out” shoes my jeans shoes (because they’re still super-comfortable) and get a fresh pair just for the sport.
BTW, it’s totally awesome that you’ve kept this up so long!!
Me too!! Me too!! It sounds so nice to be out walking in the early morning air…observing the rest of the world (boxer guy with hairy back-HA!!)
Way to go Beth!!
Way to go Beth. I was hoping for some action photos of you walking to accompany the post though. In my minds eye, you definitely wear a headband, and back when you first started walking, before you had gotten into super walking shape, I think you may have even worn knee and elbow pads just in case….Oh, and I see you sprinting the last 100 meters in speed walking fashion too. Yep, good job indeed.
I agree with Nate. And I’d go one step further. I think ghat all walkers should be required to sprint the last 50 yards.
Boy! So you don’t really sleep long at night if I remember correctly that you don’t go to bed until after 10.
I have to tell you that reading how much you enjoyed and are making dishes from grandma’s really touches me. Sadly that Tina (my sister) don’t have that kind of fond memory with our grandmothers or even my mother.
What lovely hand me downs! Being able to get hand-me-downs after 4 years old is AWESOME!!!