I’m lucky that I can walk to work. It saves on money of course, plus I get 225 minutes of exercise built into my week without having to lift myself off the couch at the end of the day when all I want to do is watch the Good Wife on Netflix with a glass of wine. My life is one big parteeeeee.

I listen to the radio as I walk, but I’m a daydreamer and often zone out and realize I haven’t heard a word of the story I’ve been listening to.

If I don’t want serious, I listen to music but I only do this on the way home for some reason.

One day I worked on the opening line to a short story in my head while I walked. Opening lines are very important. So this:

Leslie thumbed through the large and colourful book in the bookstore. Practical Guide to Home Landscaping.

Became this:

The yellow rose bush on the bookcover caught Leslie’s eye – Practical Guide to Home Landscaping.

I think it still needs work.

I pass two grocery stores during my walk, and when I don’t have a lunch packed I try to pick up a salad or veggies so that I don’t have to eat cafeteria food. It is the new year after all.

Occasionally I slip on ice.

Some days I run into a neighbour and stop for a chat, though lately it has been much too cold for this. And unless they have their dog with them I don’t recognize them anyway since everyone is all covered with hats and scarves.

I always people watch.

I wonder if I’m losing weight or toning my butt muscles while I walk.

On super cold days sometimes neighbours offer me rides, but I try to only accept when it’s very cold or snowy or rainy or windy out. Or if I’m tired and hungry. It’s a slippery slope.

I try to think up ideas for blog posts. Usually I forget any ideas by the time I get to my destination.

I sometimes even think about work.

I worry about what my hat or precipitation or humidity are doing to my hair.

I see some weird things:

Gazillions of ants

Two dead mice on the sidewalk (no photo – you’re welcome)

A lit Christmas tree in a construction zone

And a bird dive-bombing my head, though technically I never saw the bird attacker.

I watch for cars at intersections. It would be good if some of you could be a little less rage-y.

On my way home I think about food. The salad or veggies have long disappeared from my belly and it’s time to make dinner without eating all the things as soon as I walk through the door.

The best part is that I have had time to decompress after work and before I get home to start the second half of my day. It’s a hamster wheel, for sure.