When:  Late afternoon
Weather: Mid-40’s with gray skies
Observations/Thoughts

What do you do if you are only passed by one bicyclist and you want to write about your observations?  You embellish or you stretch.  And, if really desperate, you make things up.  It would be unfair to write about my walk with a kernel of truth.  So, I will over-emphasize the mundane.  The weather must enjoy changing mid-afternoon.  As it did earlier in the week, I was smiling looking forward to my walk.  After I got home and got back outside, the weather had turned.  Today’s turn was only cloud cover with tolerable temps.  (I saw the cloud front coming as I was driving home.  It still did not motivate me to get back out quickly enough.)

• Whataburger:  Besides the biker who crossed the intersection incorrectly, the only thing of note was the Whataburger gift card.  The card was flipped upside down laying on the sidewalk.  The status of the card is unknown.  I will pull it out next time I visit one of these Texas gems.  The random things you find when you frequent a certain path.
• Work Walk:  My work location is moving from one corner of the present warehouse to the other corner.  It would have been great if the forklifts were able to move our equipment and tables, but they weren’t.  So, my coworkers and I took numerous roundtrips of over half a mile wheeling the various shelves using a pallet jack.  When I wasn’t doing roundtrips, I was loading the shelving onto the pallets.  By the end of the workday, I had logged over 15,000 steps.  After my deliberate post-work walking along my walking path, I had over 22,000 steps.  The next two days including Saturday’s overtime promise more heavy step days while on the clock.

When:  Late afternoon
Weather: Blue skies with mid-30’s
Observations/Thoughts

• Frogger:  My walk is virtually all sidewalks or walking along the side of the road.  I cross one road twice.  Usually, it is pretty easy to cross the road.  Somedays, it is reminiscent of the old Frogger game.  I had to time both of my crossings today.  I was just dodging cars.  There were no logs or streams.
• Running dog:  After playing Frogger the second time, I heard a likely jogger coming behind me.  Not only was it a jogger, but she had her dog.  I moved to the grass to allow her to more easily maintain her jogging speed.  She did give me a “thank you” after she passed.  I think her dog was wrestling with the leash.  Her running speed was erratic as she ran/pulled the dog along with her.
• Lost car:  As I was walking out of Walmart, I was easily finding my car.  Problems in the past have forced me to be very deliberate in remembering where I park.  As I neared my car, I looked to the right and saw the a cart with a driver wearing the “look”.  Can I call it Wandering Eye Movement (WEM)?  As the lost driver was walking between rows of cars, the head was making near frantic movements trying to find her car–the car wasn’t lost; it knew right where it was.  Apparently, the remote trick was not working OR she was so far from being in the correct row, the remote did not have a chance.  My shout to her of “I hate that.” did not seem to impress.  She was still wandering the lot as I drove off.

When:  Late afternoon
Weather: Freezing with a stiff wind
Observations/Thoughts

It is very difficult to write something based on observations when there is very little to observe.  The cold made me reduce my walk length.  I considered shortening it even more in the middle.  It was bitter cold.  Those who chose NOT to walk are likely far wiser than I.

• Am I in Russia?:  One person, i work with used to study in Russia.  After going out to his car today, he came back in saying, “It is as cold as Russia out there.”  Never having been to Russia in the winter time, I will have to trust him.  Compared to the normal Texas winter, it could easily be Russia from where I sit huddles with a blankie tonight.
• Bad weather distraction:  My daughter was called Sunday to babysit Tuesday night.  Since then, we were told by every TV station how bad the weather would be Monday night.  When the weather did not deliver, my daughter’s brain remained frozen regarding her babysitting appointment. When she received a text from her occasional employer looking forward to seeing her in a few minutes, my daughter went into “blur” mode.  We could barely focus on her as she grabbed something quick to eat before hopping into the car.  She made it back home less than 3 hours later.  Her role was to provide coverage as both parents had separate commitments.  She came home pleased with her hourly wage.  She is not allowed to be this old yet!

When:  Late afternoon
Weather: Got up to high 50’s
Observations/Thoughts

When I left work at 2:00, the sun was out.  I drove home the non-highway version.  I wanted to feel comfortable avoiding the highway and the ramps tomorrow morning.  The weather guys have engaged in substantial GroupSpeak.  We have been convinced the precipitation will mix with the VERY cold temps.  It is likely these fears that made my walk virtually void of any encounters.  I passed one guy just after I left the house.  The rest of the walk was sprinkled with a couple of teenage boys enjoying their day off of school.  (MLK day).  They were zipping around on one of those battery-powered skateboard things.

The only other thing of note was a comment from a fellow diner at the restaurant my daughter and I ate dinner at.

I told him what I was ordering for dinner.  He had one comment, “There is only one problem with the chicken fried chicken…there is nothing wrong with it.”  The way he said it told me he enjoyed the meal.  His smile left no doubt he enjoyed his life, too.

i replied, “I think that is a flaw I can live with.”

When:  Late afternoon
Weather: Supposed to be above freezing tonight, sunny and mid-50’s with breeze
Observations/Thoughts

With many having a day off tomorrow for MLK day, I thought the sidewalk might have been more crowded.  (Maybe they will be walking while I am working.) . The cold temps coming in were an additional incentive for me to be out.  I may or may not miss a walk, but I want to give myself the luxury of NOT walking should the weather take the expected evil turn.

• Merry Christmas:  Most of my walk is on a sidewalk.  While walking on the side of the road, I heard a conversation from the ranch house ahead.  A small boy was in his superhero underwear holding his dad’s hand. The dad while holding a bundle of what was likely little boy clothe looked over his shoulder and thanked the people sitting in the car in his driveway.  Before they went into the house, the 4-year old boy said, “Merry Christmas!” Not sure if this was some sort of shuffling of a young one due to a divorce or just a visit to an auntie.  He came home in the holiday spirit, so it sounds like he had a good time.
• Three Dog Walk:  Along the railroad portion of the walk, it is not surprising to see a dog walker.  Trying to walk 3 dogs of varying sizes and interest levels are certainly challenging.  The Chihuahua was holding back the pack.  The poor guy was letting them dictate the speed.  Twice the dogs pulled him to the side as he crossed the path of oncoming bicyclists.  Finally, he decided to dedicate one hand to carry the small lagger while balancing the leashes of the other two dogs on his other hand.  He still found time to mutter a “Hello” when I passed.
• A bicycle built for 2 revisited: Previously, I saw this couple riding the bike.  I felt comfortable saying the guy who was sitting in the front seat was providing the propelling strength for the bike.  Today, I saw his companion, likely his spouse, sitting right behind him.  Her facial expression was nearly expressionless.  I believe her husband is making every effort he can to be a good husband to the shell of his wife.

When:  After work; mid-afternoon on 1/12/2018
Weather: Lower 40’s with little breeze
Observations/Thoughts

• Armadillos last stand: The armadillo must have decided the dining was still best where he did his last foraging.  After a day off, he came back to where the grubs were best.  He was looking desperately for the high eating of earlier in the week.  The holes were shallow here–he (or was it she) will hopefully find the grub “mine” to get a little meat on those bones.
• Gloves:  During yesterday’s windy weather, there was not much to see.  The fellow walkers were non-existent.  During the last half of the walk, I noticed a glove lying in a yard.  I thought some poor fool has a cold hand.  Then, about a quarter mile later, I saw the gloves match.  I considered picking up the second glove with the hopes of maybe grabbing the other glove tomorrow.  Today, the weather was more pleasant with only a couple more participants in any form of exercise today.  When I cleared the half-way mark, the first glove was still there.  I grabbed it without hesitation.  Was the other glove still ahead?  After searching every yard in anticipation of the pair being reunited, I found the glove in the ditch of a house previously populated with a number of chickens. I shoved both gloves in my pocket.  I felt like I had a little secret I was hiding.  Once I got the gloves inside my house, I could finally claim the gloves as officially mine.

When:  After work; mid-afternoon on 1/11/2018
Weather: Rapidly dropping temps, lower 40’s and down,
Observations/Thoughts

• Really Windy: Before starting today’s walk, I had to do a sales job.  The wind was brutal.  While driving home after work, I could feel it blowing the car.  Yet, there is this part of me that insists on doing penance for any snacking I may do.  Walking is relaxing AND penance.  My second guessing was not a solitary pursuit.  However, I seemed to be the only one who acted.  I did not see a single fellow human walking.  The wind was so brutal trees appeared to be moving and animals were blown back onto their rear feet, but no humans.
• Leaves: Those who have raked up your trees annual shedding, congratulations.  Those of you (This is not about me or my neighbor.  This is just observational as I circulate amongst the neighborhoods on my path.) who choose to rake have done those who dwell on your right or left a great service.  Should you have not raked and be blessed by a windy day, you likely donated a number of leaves to your neighbor’s yard.  If they don’t express their gratitude, it is probably because they feel none.  And, if you want to blame them for their pine trees dropping a little love on your yard, you might find out they are VERY easy to rake up.  If you don’t own a rake, I am sure an “injured” neighbor would be happy to lend you one of theirs.  This was not a story about me and my neighbor.  This is a story given to me by the swirling leaves and the solitary loneliness of my walk…really!
• Chihuahuas:  The little doggie was barking at me frantically yesterday while being hushed by his owner.  Today, he had just been fed.  He was competing with his fellow lapdogs for the meal.  The owner was still outside.  She waved to me out of friendliness or guilt.  Speaking of guilt, when an owner’s dog (another dog with another owner) bites at your ankles, they may feel guilty enough to run you home when you are caught in front of their house during a thunderstorm.

When:  After work; mid-afternoon.
Weather: Upper 50’s, The sun arrived late, but it was very welcome
Observations/Thoughts

• Walking App: The Prequel:  Starting back in November, the park that was at the end of my walk was temporarily declared “Closed for Construction” by the city.  I foolishly hopped the early fences.  (The fences were the orange plastic type.  They just challenge you to stretch over them.)  Due to hopping, old age, frequent inclement weather or other circumstances best not described here, I was forced to modify my walking route in mid-November.  When I got back to walking my normal route, the fences were new and improved and idiot-proof. (They must not have approved of my early avoidance of their weaker barricades.)  The old route had been given the “walking app” treatment.  I knew exactly the distance of this particular route.  With construction still keeping my old route captive, curiosity was getting the better of me.  How far exactly was the modified walking route?
• The Walking App:  This was today’s assignment.  How many miles am I walking every day?  (This would not include sabbatical days, of course.)  As I left the front door, I turned the app on.  At the one mile mark and beyond, I really don’t remember that much of the walk.  Once I was told what the time was on the first mile, the couple miles that followed were an opportunity for me to compete against myself.  Despite the temperatures, I developed a light sweat.  I remember a couple of bikes and a couple of pedestrians. I was so focused on beating my last mile time.  I know I focused on each step launching out in front of me as far as it could–not running steps, but certainly a step that would sneer at most casual walkers.  After all of the self-competition, I found myself back at my front door.  I can now delete the app again and walk in confidently knowing I am walking enough…
• Armadillo dismissed: The Armadillo aerated the entire root structure of the base of the tree before leaving.  While time and a few inches of rain will again make the ground active to future grub-makers, the acne-like scars will likely survive for a few weeks.

When:  After work; mid-afternoon.
Weather: Mid 50’s, Mosty sunny with blue skies.  Breeze made it feel quite cool
Observations/Thoughts

• Seasoned Bicyclist:  As I walked, I was passed by a couple on a bicycle for two.  This was no mere “couple”.  They were likely in their 70’s.  They were not Quasimodo, but they were not sitting straight up either.  They were wearing their helmets.  They seemed happy to be out and about–I think the lead rider (Mr.) was providing most of the juice to power their ride.
• Straightening the tracks:  As I passed the train tracks today (my path takes me along the track for nearly 3/4th of a mile), there was a vehicle riding the tracks.  It had an extension a few yards out in front of it.  This track was recently replaced. (This may be retold at some point in the future.)  The extension in front of the vehicle had lasers on it.  It appears this is one of the final steps before the track is “approved” for speedier train travel.  This track is scheduled to be used to provide train transportation to DFW airport.  We don’t live too far from the airport.  It is the airport parking that will kill you.
• More Armadillo:  The armadillo was still digging today.  He had created holes somewhere in the teens or higher.  Typically, they seem to be night creatures.  I am not sure why he was so intrigued by this particular tree.  Obscure trivia:  What is one of the common ways people get leprosy in the US? Yes, it is from armadillos.

When:  After work; mid-afternoon.
Weather: High 50’s, Mosty sunny with blue skies
Observations/Thoughts

• Repealing the Sabbatical:  When I woke up this morning, it seemed like the cold was gone.  The day substantiated it.  A couple peeks out of the window during work, and I started to get excited to do a real walk again.  When I left on the walk, I was practically bouncing.  My stride was extra long.  Should I have encountered any fellow walkers, I am confident they would have realized I had some “extra” something today.  After being sick, it really makes you appreciate your health.  I don’t plan on taking it for granted for at least another couple of days. 😉
• Lock Licked bicyclist:  All the bicyclist today seemed unaware of the recommendation to utter an “on your left”.  I was so happy to be walking, I didn’t feel the need to go out of the way and remind them.  The last guy was willing to wave.  He was wearing a surgical mask.  Was he sick now or was he afraid of getting sick?
• Saw my first live armadillo:  I have seen a few dead armadillos along the side of the road, but I have never seen one live.  I have seen a few times when it looked like a creature was nosing in our flower beds–we assumed it was an armadillo looking for grubs.  Today, a naked tree was having its roots tickled by the armadillo.  I never saw his face because it was buried in the ground the whole time.  The base area of the tree was pocked with lots of grub prospecting.  The last glance I had of the creature was the top half of his body buried in a hole.  Dirt was flying to his rear.  I am not sure what he found, but apparently, it was a good one!