ya know what I don't get?

Walking sticks. They've become so popular lately. I just saw a couple, out for a nice, springtime walk, and the woman had two walking sticks — the kind that look like ski poles. These people were walking up the street. Did she have balance issues? Possibly. But they really are "the new thing" lately. So many people are lugging these sticks around with them when they walk or hike. I can't imagine them being all that helpful. My philosophy has always been, don't drag stuff along on walks that you're going to have to carry the whole way.

I found this list on another Web site:

Why Carry a Walking Stick ?

IT WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR BALANCE

• Crossing Creeks, Streams, Rivers


• Traversing Hillsides


• Crossing Shale, Scree


• Carrying Heavy Loads


• Resting En Route

IT WILL HELP YOU MANEUVER

• Crossing Downed Trees Over Trails


• To Break or Prevent a Fall

IT WILL REDUCE STRESS ON BACK, KNEES, LEGS, & FEET

• Provides Extra Power & Balance, Going Uphill


• Reduces Shock on Knees, Going Downhill


• Takes Pressure off Back & Hips (mainly uphill)

OTHER USES

• Center or Side Pole for a Tarp


• To Prop Up Your Pack


• To Lean on When Resting


• Pushing Aside Spider Webs & Brush


• Self Defense ?

Ok...I've considered the pros, and still, I don't get it. In general, I don't have balance issues, and I really don't need a pokey metal object to "break my fall," thankssomuch.

To each his own, I guess, but this is one hiking fad that I'm going to pass on. If it doesn't fit in a pocket or my backpack, it's not coming with me.

The Estate Sale

I'm not a big garage saler. I stopped at them more when my daughter was little, because you could make a killing on kid's toys and clothes. But I'm just not a person that enjoys shopping, so rooting through other people's trash just doesn't appeal to me. I know, I know...you can find some amazing treasures at garage sales, and yet...I just don't enjoy them.

But today, I was driving through a nice part of town; one of those areas with the huge, old, gorgeous, historical houses, and saw a sign for an Estate sale...which means I would get to go inside one of those houses. For that, I'll stop.

The house was cool...they had these specially-made, beautiful stained glass windows in a couple of the rooms, and a really nice enclosed porch. But what grabbed me was that here we were, a bunch of strangers, picking through what remains of someone's earthly possessions. That creeped me out — but just a little.

As usual, I was drawn to the shelves and shelves of books. You can tell a lot about a person by the books they keep, and as I was reading through the titles, my thought was, "I think I would've liked this lady." Suddenly, I was sad that she had died. It was fascinating to look at all the "stuff" on all the tables: the china, the whimsical plates and glasses, the tons and tons of Christmas decorations. The surfaces were covered with angels and Christian icons -- crosses, pictures of Mary, classic pictures of Jesus -- and as I strolled through it all, I couldn't help but try to piece together a personality. I imagined someone kind and creative and fun; yet reverent, deep, and spiritual. And active; judging by her books on running.

Then I got to her closet. This lady had some clothes! And she was not a bargain shopper. These were top-of-the-line, dry-clean only, classy clothes. A million black skirts in every length and style; lots of velvet and suede suits and jackets. In one room, was a rack — an entire rack — of white dresses. Pure white. It almost looked like a bridal shop. I stood in the doorway with my mouth hanging open for a minute until I noticed another woman looking at me. I pulled myself together and started flipping through them. I wish the woman had been my size, there was an adorable, fitted, white dress that was calling my name. But she was a tiny woman who must've looked amazing all the time. And the fur...she had a fur purse. And two fur muffs! Muffs! Does anyone really use a muff anymore? I put my hands inside & it was amazing how warm they were. I really wanted one, but they were $50 each, so that wasn't going to happen.

When I got home, I found this in a short obituary on her:

She was known for her elegant attire, her sense of humor and the gumption to care about a vulnerable group of people who were previously underserved [the elderly].

Another person is quoted as saying, "I think she kept a lot of her inner child." I could see that in the colorful bowls with the snowmen and the glasses covered in hearts. I would've liked this lady.

I came out of there with two of her books and a small bookshelf for my desk at work. As I took one last glance around, I wondered; if I had an untimely death, and they put all my belongings out for strangers to rifle through, what would they say about me? What does my "junk" say about who I am, where my values lie, and what I've done in my life? What do yours say about you?

Welcome Spring

So, I was running this afternoon...

... and thought of this great post! But now it's 4 hours later and I can't remember any of it. Happens every time.

Tomorrow is Saturday. For the last month, every Saturday morning I've been meeting a friend at a "trail" we have here just outside of town. Every Saturday morning when I get up, I whine and moan and wail, "Why?! WHY did I say I'd meet her?!" For the entire drive there, I think of all the reasons I dread going, and how I'm definitely going to tell her I can't come next week. But time after time, I keep going back.

Long ago, this "trail" used to be a cog railway that took tourists straight up the side of a mountain. All that's left of it now are the railroad ties...which act as stairs. One mile straight up; an increase in altitude of 2,000 ft. I like to call it satan's stairmaster. It takes us about an hour to get to the top, but we're slow. We stop often to breathe -- something I've grown quite fond of over the years. People pass us. And there are always a lot of people out there...gasping, wheezing, sweating, and almost always treading slowly over the ties. It's not an easy climb for anyone.

You wouldn't think something this torturous would draw such a crowd, but it does. A lot of local athletes use it as a training exercise. Groups of military guys and girls are always there...because self-discipline & deprivation is what they do best. Why are WE there? Because my friend thinks that it will help us get in shape. Which it might do, if it doesn't kill us first.

gotta post

It seems that I need to have five posts on this blog in order to be "approved" for the mapstats listing (over there in the right column). So, I guess I shall think of something to say.

I'm watching Ever After...a remake of Cinderella from a few years ago with Drew Barrymore. They did a good job with this movie, and I'm a sucker for a good love story. It makes me wish that a certain someone loved me. Sigh...maybe someday. Probably not ever the "certain someone" I currently have in mind, but someday...somebody. And I'm sure when that happens, I'll feel like a princess. I'm a hopeless romantic, but I normally keep it to myself.

On a less-nauseating note, watching the show makes me want to go to the Renaissance Festival this year. It's been a long time since I've been there. Imagine the photo ops in that place! Yeah...I'm going to make a point of getting there this year.

home sweet home

This blog was created as a home for my blogroll. The Blogrolling sidebar feature hasn't been working, so it's going to live here instead.

But then I found this great template, and now I'm going to have to spend some time playing around in here. Isn't that how it always goes when you're online...one thing leads to another and it sucks you in until hours just melt away. It's a sickness, really.

Score!

I stopped at the grocery store a few minutes ago to pick up some pork chops (yum) for dinner, and lo & behold, this store happen to have a few chocolate bunnies left for sale! I thought I'd seen the last of those until next year. There were only three left in their sale bin, so I grabbed all 3. I'm sure this will be the last I see of them until next year. These are such an addiction for me.

In other news, I haven't been posting much lately. I think of things to write about while I'm out running, but by the time I get back, log my mileage, & drink some water, it has faded from memory...or I just don't have time to sit down at the computer right away, and then it fades from memory. I'll try to do better in the future.