Gay, Senior Editor

Still walking here, and feeling guilty when I don't, especially when the weather is fine and the dog (English Springer Spaniel) is totally antsy from lack of exercise and intellectual stimulation. The thing about a nice long walk is not only the physical fitness but the mental thing. Some people sort things out in the shower; for me it's when I walk, especially down this one road near me where there are still some open roads and even a farm where there are sheep and another where there are horses. (Or at least there used to be; it's been a couple of months since I walked that far down the road; for all I know there's a bunch of MacMansions where there used to be fields.)

Anyway, mind tangles often sort themselves out. I'll bet it has something to do with the rhythm of the walking. Once in awhile (not often enough) my best friend Karen and I take a long walk down that road and sort things out. (She lives in my neighborhood; how lucky is that?)  I always return feeling like I've had a mini-vacation--rush-rush brain slowed nicely, blood pumping, muscles all tingly and alive-feeling.

You know what else is on that road? A shrine to a kid who was killed a couple years ago in a one-car accident. His car went out of control and he hit a tree. I pause and look at all those mementos, put there by his heartbroken friends and family, and let the gratitude wash over me that, for today, I'm healthy and so are my kids and husband. Don't mean to be a downer but death is part of life and for me, remembering that I'm not going to be on earth forever makes me appreciate the day more.

I'm starting to inspire myself! I think I will take the dog and go for a good long walk as soon as I can.