I continue to pursue my walking goals for 2021. With a goal of 5 million steps for the year, I am over 2 million so far – according to my Fitbit.
One thing I enjoy doing is walking by areas that I usually drive by. You see so much more on foot. You can study the shape of leaves, the colors of flowers, and notice little characteristics of the neighborhood. Today, I walked by a very small park that I never really thought much of before. This time I noticed that the park was very clean and well cared for. Someone takes a lot of pride in caring for that little area.
I haven’t walked over 35,000 steps in one day yet, so my dream of a 50 mile walk is going to be a real challenge. I walk about a 100 steps a minute, so 6,000 steps an hour. A mile is a little more than 2,000 steps with my itty bitty little legs. So 100,000 steps would take….a lot of minutes. We’ll see.
Windy, windy, windy out here in the flatlands. I have always hated the wind. It reminds me of an obnoxious child who sits next to you on a 6 hour plane trip… no, an 8 hour plane trip. It gets really windy out here, especially this time of the year. Thirty miles an hour winds are not considered note worthy. Having planted close to 100 shade trees and 50 fruit trees, we have had to stake up a lot of trees.
Yesterday, I was out back, in the wind, checking out those newly planted trees and I looked up at a row of tall cottonwood trees we have behind the barn. They are about 40 to 50 feet tall. The wind was a blowin’ and the trees were just dancing in the wind, swaying back and forth, with their new shiny leaves glistening in the sunshine. I stopped my walking and mental complaining and I just watched the top of the trees. I smiled, a real smile, not one of my smart-ass grins.
Why did I smile at trees swaying in the wind? They reminded me of a choir that was singing praises to all creation. There is about 15 of these cottonwood trees, all dressed in their green choir robes. To them, the wind was just a playmate. The wind was their orchestra.
I thought about this for a bit. The natural world is a very wise teacher, I think.
Another Picture On The Wall 
I’m sure with all of your energy and the grand landscape you’re creating you’ll reach your 5 million step goal 😊. It’s as windy here on the mountain top as it is there, I understand your frustrations on those days gardening is quite a challenge and the birds tend to disappear, but I love the sound and watching the grand old pine trees movements, for me it’s soothing. I agree there is an inmate wisdom in nature, Mother Earth has ways to care for herself that humans may not understand. 😊
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As we used to say in the old days, “Right on, sister!” I miss those pine trees too. The wind sounds so nice going through them and it all seems to be above your head, not in your face. However, down here on the valley floor we sit on top of a very deep aquifer and this drought is getting pretty serious again, so that is nice. And the fruit trees really grow quickly down here too. Yes, I am on track for the 5 million goal, but I’ve learned you never know what is around the next bend, hey? I hope you are doing well!
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I’m doing great, preparing for my son’s visit home and enjoying the beauty of spring and feeling healthy.
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I visited the Central Valley in the late 80s and I remember those intense, hot and dusty winds. Do you have a plan for your walking when it gets really hot? I’m not sure I could do more than 1/2 mile!
I love that you have planted 150 trees – you are a hero in my book!
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Wonderful consistency, Gary. With me, I find it’s more mental. Trying to rise out of my general lazy disposition. That will be quite the feat for you when accomplished. Perhaps a photograph of yourself at the end of your goal with a certificate of achievement to memorialize your endeavor. Something to pass onto the grandkids for inspiration. If grandpa can do it, so can I. My daughter’s dog, Finn, loves the wind. His favourite time of year is the Fall as the leaves swirl around. He goes absolutely crazy and can’t be controlled. Happy days, Gary.
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I know what you mean, Len. That general laziness feeling actually can feel quite good. After awhile though I crave the outdoor air and next thing you know I feel like moving. Been very windy out here in California as these weather systems pass over with no moisture. This is a major drought. Fire season, yikes.
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Keep walking and watching and listening and learning. One thing i value is having the time to ‘stand and stare’
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