I woke up and did my meditation before the weekend alarm that I have set for 8 am. I wanted to stay in bed. But I got up. I had plans.
I was going to go to the Arts and Crafts fair at the fairgrounds. Friday and Saturday only, so if I didn’t make it today, I would be too late.
The morning slipped away. I ate my leftover dinner for breakfast. Nice and hearty for the walk into town. But then I just sat. Played games on my phone. Sat outside for a while in the morning cold.
I had a zoom call at 2:30 pm, so I knew I had to get going to town with enough time for the 40 minute walk there, and the 40 minute walk back. And that helped me get moving. It was like I found a way to escape from the apathy. Sweeping aside the objections the voice in my head tried to give.
I layered up and got to walking, wearing a backpack so I could purchase things if I saw something I liked at the fair. I walked down past one of my neighbors who has dogs that have free rein. One of those dogs liked to run with me when I would jog past, almost herding me. And today, the dog decided that I was going to take him on an adventure.
I extolled this pup to turn back, go home, but he would not listen. He just kept scampering ahead of me, exploring everything, periodically lifting a leg to let everyone know he’d been there. I thought he’d turn back eventually, but when I came to the top of the paved hill, heading towards the church, I put my foot down. I simply couldn’t be responsible for bringing someone else’s dog all the way into town, especially without a leash. And what would I do with him when I got to the fairgrounds and needed to go inside?
I tried calling some friends and family for advice, but folks weren’t answering. I cried at the side of the road because I figured I’d have to go all the way home to lose this dog. And then my mail lady drove up. I asked her for a ride into town, thinking he’d go back if I disappeared, but instead, she offered to give the dog a ride home. That made much more sense and I got to say hello to her dog as well.
The rest of the walk into town was uneventful. I got to hold a puppy at the Arts and Crafts fair. It made the cutest sounds and was so very soft. I also saw several people I know and talked with them. But I didn’t see anything I wanted to buy. I came close at the stand with these cute pens, but I just wasn’t feeling purchasey.
I decided to go to the grocery store next to get some food, but then I saw the Antiques place that another neighbor owns was open and having a closing sale. I had been meaning to stop there, but never got around to it until today. Inside, I met another neighbor (not the owner, who was at the craft fair), who lives on Mill Road. We chatted a bit and I have a standing invitation to stop by her place. Apparently, the property next to hers just sold so she and her husband are looking forward to meeting new neighbors.
There were books for sale, including a nice selection of sci-fi and fantasy, and I found three that I wanted. After that purchase, I went to the grocery store. I got soup, smoothies, and tortilla chips. Then I walked home. I kind of hoped that someone would drive by and offer me a ride, because I’d kind of skipped lunch so my energy was low. But alas, no cars drove by. I did chat with another neighbor on my way up the hill.
And I got home in time for the zoom. I’ve had a lot of social interaction today. Some of it, I wouldn’t have had if I’d been able to take the trike. Being on foot is good. If I had time, it’d be nice to walk everywhere.
I started the second level of the Knee, Ankle, Foot program on Move U. I wasn’t able to decide what program to do next, so I asked the Move U community for help. They suggested Knee, Ankle, Foot, and that struck me as a good place to restart. The foundation. I figure I’ll do just the 15 minutes on Mondays and Wednesdays, and then the manual workouts on the other days.
I think I’m going to do some mowing tomorrow. It’ll be cold, but the work will keep me warm. Maybe I’ll take a walk.
I’m watching the sunset, sitting where Ambrose sat on the couch. Seeing the same light show he would see, instead of the one from my side of the couch. I don’t know which one I prefer, but I’ve moved into Ambrose’s spot on the couch. I sometimes sit on my side, but his side is where I live now.