Nature Walk

I have been telling myself for well over 6 months that I was going to start walking and, up until now, have just sat on my butt and not even attempted to take the first literal step. As I said..."up until now". I'm so proud of myself for, not only taking the first step but, for taking step after step after step for (what I estimate to be about 3 miles!). When I first walked out the front door, ear-buds in place, my intent was to "force" myself to walk for 10 minutes. I turned on some (crappy) exercise playlist on my Blackberry and headed up the street. I was only about a block away when my ankle began to hurt and I was feeling pain in my shins and regret started creeping up on me. I thought to myself, "I can't do this." But I remembered an episode of Biggest Loser where the contestants got off the bus the first day and had to walk a mile. It was so sad to see them struggle, so out of shape and with pain and fear on their faces (the women who were smaller than I am) and I was suddenly DETERMINED not to allow myself to show that look on my face. Rather than turn around and go back home I turned the corner and changed the radio station to some good 'ol "youthful" classic rock and walked. At the next corner I reached a school with our local area mascot (the Buffalo) poised out front. Then, I got an idea! I would make this a "nature walk"...and make it fun. And make it a game....and an adventure....and keep myself interested in seeing what was up on the next block...and the next! So, I snapped a pic of the Buffalo, then some deer, then (now this was kinda fun), I walked past some people's house who were sitting on their front lawn. I got just a few steps past their house and thought to myself, "Self. This is supposed to be fun! So don't pass up a chance to be bold." So I turned around and told them, "Excuse me. This is going to be a silly question, but may I take a picture of your chickens?" They had little statuettes of a hen and baby chicks in their yard. They looked at me kinda funny at first but smiled and said, "Sure". I told them, "I know this is a goofy question, but I have a reason to ask...but, the reason is even sillier than the question...but thank you!" and I walked right up on their lawn and snapped the next pic with my cellphone camera and turned and went on. Well, anyhow, you understand now what the quest was and here are the pictures of some of my neighborhood wildlife. Later, when it grew dark and I could no longer take pictures, I just cranked up the volume and sang out loud all the way back home. I didn't even stop singing when a guy on his porch smiled and waved. I assume he thought it strange to see me singing without inhibition - but there's the possibility that he was inspired to see someone having a good time walking their tail off!  Oh, and here's the bottom line.  My "10 minute" walk which I expected to be drudgery turned into a 45 minute walk at a nice, rapid pace.  I'm so proud of myself tonight.