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:
Two dead mice on the sidewalk (no photo – you’re welcome)
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.
I really enjoyed this post, Finola – it made me feel like blogging again. (And walking to work again too.)
I hope you do both soon Zoom!
You zone out and don’t hear a word of the story you’ve been listening to. I can relate to that! So often I hear the beginning and end of something I’ve been looking forward to hearing, and then have to go on line to get the story.
So that’s where I get it from…Thanks Mom!
I love this. It makes me want to walk to work. But first I’d have to get a job. I should walk to school when I volunteer. I suck. I hate this! Just kidding. When I’m driving, I always make eye contact with the people walking and smile at them and when they smile back I am filled with love for the walkers. Except the slow-ass teenagers who you KNOW are totally walking slow on purpose so you’ll miss your green light for the left turn.
Oh, and the second first line is much better than the first first line.
It’s nice to see friendly drivers on the road. And thanks on the second line!