For the past week I've been going for a brisk 30-minute walk every day in an attempt to get and keep my cardiovascular system in shape. When I walk south I go as far as the creek, where the horses are often grazing, then turn around and come back this way.
Family heart-health history on Dad's mom's side isn't the best. My grandmother, whose spittin' image I apparently am, and all her siblings except the one remaining, died of sudden heart attacks. My grandmother died at age 47 (younger than I am now) and Dad himself needed an angioplasty 17 years ago, when I was pregnant with Everett. Dad's been up to snuff ever since, eating well, resting properly, and getting plenty of exercise (he's become a golf nut so does lots of walking), so he's set a good example and given me hope, and after all, not all my grandmother's siblings died young. Some lived into their eighties, which is a fair age. A heart attack is far from the worst way to go, but I'd like not to go any time soon.
Casper the Dog loves the walk, of course, and so do I. Most times it's been terribly windy when I went during the day; tonight it was calm and sunny, and we went north for a change of view. The visiting dog who accompanied us terrorized nesting birds in the ditches along the road, and in the flooded fields. She flushed out half a dozen American avocets, which were quite worked up about it all, so I turned back sooner than usual in order to draw her away from their nests. American avocets are beautiful birds and less commonly seen around here than a lot of others, so I'll head that way tomorrow, when it's just Casper and me again. She is too old to go tootling around chasing birds and stays near me, my devoted bodyguard. Between her and the dozens of dragonflies darting in all directions around me, keeping me from being chewed up by mosquitoes, I feel like a queen with her entourage.
I'm working one more hour tonight, after spending much of the afternoon in town — haircut, banking, recycling depot, accountant's office, post office, library, gas station, grocery store, drug store, bargain store — you bet I was beat by the time I got home and lugged all the bags into the house. Fortunately I'd stuck supper into the oven before leaving so all I had to do was sit down and devour it. Once in a blue moon I'm on the ball like that.
I know what you mean heart problems run in my dad's side of the family. Lucky me, I inherited them. But I'm not ready to go any time soon. I also have the errand thing. Once I leave the house I try to get everything done, so I don't have to leave again. Just wish I would remember to put supper on before I leave.
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous walk that must be.
ReplyDeleteI was doubly proud of myself, too, because all I'd eaten all day was a couple slices of toast -- granted, homemade raisin-rye bread with peanut butter, very healthy and filling -- and wasn't hungry before I left, but by late afternoon I was starving. So imagine me tempted to purchase something junky to shove into my face as I stood in cashier lineups; the thought of supper waiting at home made all the difference to my resolve not to eat garbage.
ReplyDeleteI try to go to town only once a week. It's only a 10-minute drive but I hope to do my part to reduce the old carbon footprint. I end up doing everything at once, so it makes going to town a bit of a chore rather than the pleasure it could be. I just have to take a few deep breaths and avoid hurrying myself, and then it's not too bad. But it does tucker me out anyway.
Sounds like a nice place for a walk and clearing out of the mental cobwebs. I too like to make my trips to the store count, once a week and not more. I don't understand why people like to keep busy shopping (and most times shopping for nothing) I usually have a game plan as well when it comes to meals good for you not buying any garbage.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Lorna. It gives me such joy - the sky, the scents on the air, the birds, the wildflowers in the ditches - that I break out in song (and sometimes dance).
ReplyDeleteWhich I would never do if I was walking in the city. Here, I feel free.
ReplyDelete