I went on a walk today. I don't do that enough. When I was younger, I'd go on runs (and I honestly still should, but the urge and energy to do so are waning). These days, the desire to go on a walk with the dogs around the neighborhood is getting stronger.
Usually when I go on walks, my mind wanders as much as my feet do. Today, it started by noticing all the Canada geese congregating at the golf course. They hadn't been there at all recently, instead holding to the river or, presumably, finding some thawed fields nearby. So it was with some amusement that I got to witness the ker-honks and squawks of ornery geese as they squabbled on the greens and fairways. In a few months, I'd probably witness that again -- but with middle-aged men and women in shorts and visors.
Sometimes, my thoughts turn dark. I blame this on my upbringing a bit (nature vs. nurture) as my mother has always been a persistent pessimist. Today, it was about some of the current news -- more war, more AI, more wintry weather on the way. Then I thought about even deeper things, like what this all meant any more. It used to be that life was about making a living. Making things. Doing stuff. Now, we do a lot of "work" that is mostly thinking. Or typing. Numbers and data. Which turns into money.
Money that really isn't real any more. It's all just zeros and ones in a digital bank account.
Wouldn't it be wonderful, I thought, to sell the house. Cash in the retirement early. Buy that 40 acres and just live simply. Some chickens, maybe. A place for pigeons and chukars so I could kickstart my dog training business. Maybe food plots and a trap line for the kids to work.
Then the wind picked up and the brief warmth of the sun was numbed by cold. We'd come home again. I let the dogs sniff some trees and remind the local woof-packs whose yard this was.
As soon as I was back inside, I checked the work email. Whoops, almost time to pick up the little girl from school. It's piano night, and I promised to make spaghetti so they could bring it and eat in the car. Luckily I remembered to grab some parmesan on the way home.
What was I worry about again? Oh yeah. I guess it's not all that important. When you're sitting and occupied, thoughts tent to focus more on the tasks at hand.
I guess that's why walks are nice. You stretch your legs and your mind a bit.
Tomorrow, I think I'll go on another one. Maybe I can hammer out this whole back 40 idea after all.
