Walkin and thinkin

[Lycanthrope]

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.

Ive got the 40, was planning to build right when covid hit. Now prices are up, interest rates are up and Im hesitant to pull the trigger with this unstable economy. Not sure things will ever get better unfortunately, this new war certainly doesnt help...

 

[johnr]

My youngest moved to Dayton FL for school, he loaded his car and off he went last august. He was unable to fit his motorcycle into the original journey, so I loaded it up in the rear of the pickup and made the 3,000+ mile trip to see him and deliver his bike. As you guys have stated, that much alone time, and thinking time was refreshing. I stopped at many rest stops and actually just walked around them. Surprisingly they all seem to have a walking path, a bit of history about the spot, and a really nice place to take a break. I must've looked like a moron wondering these little rest areas, sometimes with a tear in my eye knowing that my adult life's work of raising kids was over, and they are all on their own doing their own things. The kids I spent so much time and money on really no longer need me.
As an old man shit hits me harder than it used to. I miss them all, but this one hit hard, as he was my only son, and we had of course a deeper bond. Now I have a room with all his guns, fishing poles, and other items that he wont need to collect until his next step, and sometimes I just look at them and wonder where all that time went, and what I would have done differently.
I have been walking my dog too, pretty much every morning, it is refreshing, and really gets me in deep thought some mornings. My old bastard is now 13, and these purposeful walks will soon end too. I will not be replacing a dog at this time in my life, but don't know if the walks will continue without one.

 

[Maddog]

Later.
The walks will continue.
It will take you a bit.
But they will come back with a vengeance.
Good luck

 

[Allen Gamble]

You nailed it @Duckslayer100. I quit drinking just over a year ago when I turned 40 and found myself connecting with the outdoors more everyday. It was damn hard to keep me inside no matter the weather. Runs, fishing, hunting, shoveling snow, you name it - it's all fun, freeing, and theraputic to me.

About 6 weeks ago I tore my achilles tendon and I miss all those things more than ever. I've been able to walk again, with a boot on, for about 10 days now and it has been one of the most freeing events in my life. I may not be running near as much as I used to in the future, but I will continue my theraputic adventures outside as often as I can until I no longer occupy this earth.

The best thing we can do is take time to connect with mother nature and rid of those nasty chemicals poisoning our lives (booze, tobacco, sugar, etc.). It'll make you a better husband, father, and all-around human.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I'm like johnr , I like a long road trip thinkabout ,


I worked in the oilfield when our two little boys grew into men, I was gone a lot and didn't take the time I should have for them. Now I get to watch them raise their own littles and this song really takes on a meaning. One of them has a very demanding job and doing the work of two people with very little time for his kids even though he loves them dearly. I try to be there for my grands as much as I can be, fixing thier bikes, taking them fishing, and teaching them mechanical skills, all those things a busy dad doesn't have time to do. It's good therapy for all of us.

Before I was even married , I liked this song and I thought I'm not going to be that guy. Guess what , work got in the way and I had to feed them. Now after watching time fly by I like this song even better , it takes on a stronger meaning.

 

[Allen]

I have always been a runner, and my mind goes down the same paths as yours, on your walks. Some day I will be too old to do it anymore, but I will try to fend that off for as long as possible.

While I won't say I have "always been a runner", there have been times in life where I ran a lot. That came to an end as my last dog took me out while on a run and my knee wouldn't tolerate running for a long time afterwards. Not surprisingly, I put on a few pounds (ok, probably more than just a few), but since last summer I've gotten into taking long walks (2-6+ miles) and have enjoyed doing it.

I used to always say that I enjoyed walking...so long as I was carrying a bow or a gun. Now, I don't need to be hunting to enjoy the hike. Must be getting old.