Inspiration/Small pleasures
Slow Down and Join Tuck and I on a Morning Walk
Every morning when the weather permits we take a 1 mile walk around my neighborhood here in Kansas
It’s a beautiful morning. Clear sky, temp of 73 and no wind for a change. This small neighborhood playground is a block away from my house and Tucker, our ten year old Shih-Tzu, excitedly pulls me here so he can sniff the ground and the trees. But 1st he’ll stop at that fire hydrant.
Leaving the playground and heading down a street. Birds are loudly chirping from the trees and it rained a couple of nights ago so the gutter’s still have water. I love that Weeping Willow tree on the right and the older woman who lives there told me it’s only 9 years old. I hope the one we planted last year will grow that fast.
A few blocks ahead we come to this community pool. It’s about 9am, so I guess it’s too early for all the kids and moms who’re usually here. When it’s cooler outside we walk later and we’ll hear water splashing, whooping and hollering and young voices screaming, “mom. Watch this!” Tuck enjoys stopping and watching them for a while, too.
We’re rounding the street that leads to my cul-de-sac and this is a pic of a friends house. Tuck needed to rest in the shade, so I snapped this.
We’re now sweating as the temp is climbing as we’re nearing our court. Tuck and I both need a drink of cool, clear, clean WATER and he wants to plop his belly down on the cool tile floor in the kitchen.
Then he’ll smile at me with eyes that say, “thank mom. I needed that.”
Thanks for coming along and I hope you enjoyed the walk, too. I know it’s not exciting, but it is cathartic as it wakes me up and gets me going and I think Tucker feels the same. Small pleasures in retirement are a big part of what makes this part of life so enjoyable.
Walking in nature that’s right outside my house is rejuvenating and it sets my mind on a path of gratitude. It reminds me everyday I’m blessed as I’m still healthy and able to be active, so I walk with a smile on my face.
What rejuvenates you and helps to keep you going everyday? So you have a dog to walk?
I’d like to give a shout out to some of my favorite writers on Medium, whose writings I enjoy all the time and whose support is priceless to me Klara Jane Holloway, Sahil Patel, Wire Editor Newman, Deborah Camp, B.R. Shenoy, Greta Dias, Pene Hodge, Brian Dickens Barrabee, srstowers, Dr. Preeti Singh Juanita Ellingson and Patricia Groshong. And this list is in no way complete so if you don’t see your name, I will mention you later because you are ALL in my community and each of you are invaluable!
If you’re not familiar with the stories by Deborah Camp, here’s just one of her many cat tales that I enjoy so much…Cat Personalities: The Feline Five | by Deborah Camp | Catness | Medium
And here’s one from a writer I’ve just discovered, Matt Middleton. His British story below is a fantastic hoot! Check him out for sure. Tea and Scones, Jam and Cream; Now to Mate With the Queen’s Dog | by Matt Middleton | Medium