Getting Back in the Swing of Things

I have begun walking again in the mornings. I noticed a number of my neighbors out walking their dogs or just exercising. Safety in numbers, and the grounds have lots of green space and wooded sections. The landscaping here is partially done by the management, and partly by the residents - an engaging combination. I appreciate the formal flowerbeds as much as the doorway plantings, everything from tomato plants and herbs to rosebushes.

I have taken to grabbing my CD player and heading out the door a half hour before I need to jump in the shower. The first day, I just walked down our side of the complex, just from our building to the end of the road. Not bad. The next day, I included swinging up by the entrance above our building and then to the end of the road, and each day I have added in another section. I'm not quite at the point of covering the entire loop and back yet, but I am working on it.

Somedays I see frightened little bunnies near the deep bushy wooded section at the back of the property. There are always two or three saucy squirrels and flashes of red and yellow birds flitting about. As I walk briskly along, I glimpse little sections in the wooded areas inviting me to a longer visit. Sunlight glistens on birch bark, beech tree leaves rustle expectantly. There is plenty of exploration waiting.

One of these days I will pick some Queen Anne's Lace. I mentioned to Drew and Kiel how we used to stick them in jars of colored water and watch them turn blue and red and yellow. They had never heard of such a thing. Where did I go wrong educating them!

First, I need to get some foodcoloring. Maybe next weekend when I get paid I will add that to my list of things for the new place next to new paper towel holder (the old one broke in the move) and new cutting board (the old one was pretty yucky so I tossed it). Life is too short not to teach my children to interact with nature as often and as much as possible.