Category Archives: Pedestrain Post

Scattered Saturday Stroll

First, to give a health update (although people who go on about their ailments are usually tiresome), I woke up this morning with no light-headedness but with a dreadful headache.

Still, I felt marginally better so thought to go for a walk to the post office.  I had finished a letter to a friend yesterday at the laundromat (so two useful results of the heinous part of the day) (I think I mentioned in yesterday’s post that it was a heinous part of the day).  I wrote three postcards, got ready and headed out the door.

It was cool in the shade but warm in the sun,  the beginning of a beautiful day.  I had on my crazy old lady hat and was grateful I was carrying my purse, which contained my prescription sunglasses.  As always, it felt good on my legs to walk.  For the first block or so I had the vague idea to return home, put on the proper gear and go running instead.  On the other hand, I thought, still ill, no running for weeks, maybe a longish walk would be better.

To make it a longer walk, after mailing my things, I walked towards Main Street then down Green Street.  I noticed the newspaper’s building, an old, interesting structure.  “Evening Telegram” stands out in stone letters on the front.  In fact, it moved to a morning paper some time ago and more recently merged with the Little Falls paper to become the Times Telegram.  I am actually quite impressed that the area can support a daily newspaper, three if you count the Utica O-D and the Rome Sentinel (in fact, we subscribe to the Times Telegram and the O-D, although there is some overlap in their coverage).

I thought it would be a good idea if I came down and took a picture of the building before they update the sign, if they ever do. After all, an elegant stone sign, why not keep it up there for the sake of history?

I continued down Green Street past the First Baptist Church, which hosts Cup with a Cop every month.  That is a chance to sit down and chat informally with our local police.  I enjoy it very much, when I am able to attend.  Unfortunately, this month it was last week, when I had to work.  I hope to be there again.  For one reason, it is usually good for a blog post.

Continuing on I came to the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal, a favorite place of mine to walk or run.  My legs were feeling a little tired by now, so I felt I had made the right decision not to run.  On the other hand, my headache seemed a little better.  I was setting a brisk, steady pace, which I have read is good for producing pain-fighting endorphins (why is my computer telling me “endorphin” is a word but not “endorphins”?).  That is one thing about not walking with a cute little doggy.  You can set a brisk, steady pace and not stop to let someone sniff every few feet.  That said, I would rather have my dog.  However, I do not mean to whine about my loss.

I continued walking for a little over a half hour, so I felt I had gotten some exercise.  My headache returned in full force almost as soon as I stopped walking.  I say this only to give an update, not to further complain (although I realize it may be difficult to tell the difference).  Later, after decongestant and a nap, my headache had gone to be replaced by the lightheadedness (again, UPDATE, not COMPLAINT! Sheesh!).

I did enjoy my walk.  I hope to take another one soon.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

A Walk Without a Dog

This evening Steven and I took our first walk together since we lost our beloved schnoodle, Tabby.  I love to take walks.  I took many walks before I ever got a dog and knew I would take walks after I lost her.  In fact I have taken cool-down walks after runs and walked to the Historic Four Corners for historical adventure purposes on Saturday (I’ll write a blog post about that later).  This was the first walk Steven and I have taken together.

I had two letters to mail, so we walked to the post office.  It was a lovely evening for a walk. The temperature was a little warm for me, but it was comfortable in the shade and an occasional breeze cooled us off.  It felt good to my legs to walk.

One does make better time without a cute little dog stopping to sniff every few feet (yes, I know, a big, handsome dog would have the same effect) (did you think I was going to say “big ugly dog”?).  We were soon at the post office.  Mission accomplished. We crossed the street to the shady side and headed up Main Street.

A fence blocked off where Glory Days used to stand. The building had started to collapse over the winter, and the village finally took it all the way down last week.  It was the former Waverly Hotel, a site of some historical interest in the village.  For example, the jurors in the Roxalana Druse trial stayed there.  That trial, along with the murder it concerned, is the subject of a play to be presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre (just thought I’d throw that in there).

We continued  on up Main Street, admiring houses and  the flowers in front of them.  I pointed out to Steven where the Historical Society is doing another archeological dig (more about that later, too).  We saw an old building that looked historical for sale. I told Steven to be sure to buy a lottery ticket.  If we won several million dollars we could buy it.

It was a pleasant if uneventful walk.  I was happy to exercise my legs, since I did not run today.  It would be a good idea to go running tomorrow.  After all, it is almost time for this blog to go All Boilermaker All The Time.

 

Not Too Nefarious

Steven, Tabby and I took a lovely walk earlier.   Full disclosure:  we walked with a nefarious purpose.  I wanted a glass of wine, so we walked to Ramar’s Liquor Store on Caroline Street in Herkimer, NY.

 

The sun was bright, and the temperature was warm but not too warm.   I always notice how bright sunshine makes everything look better.  I asked Steven if it had the same effect on me.  Naturally he gave the right answer.

 

Our schnoodle, Tabby, had different ideas of where we should walk to, but we convinced her to walk our way.  She had her own ideas about how often she should stop and sniff things as well.  We tried to accommodate her while not taking eight years to walk five blocks.

 

I admired many people’s flowers.  We have to get started on our own yard and deck.  We had both noticed that on Saturday there will be a Plant Sale at Mohawk Antiques Mall to benefit Herkimer County Humane Society.  We intend to go.  I’ll probably write a blog post about it (preview of coming attractions).

 

I’m afraid my blog has suffered during Finish That Novel May.  Just to update you on that, the body was still in the tarp as of this morning.  It was not in a tent nor yet being a busy body, as two comments suggested yesterday.  I’ll tell you what, it is way easier to start novels than to finish them.   No matter.  I’ve finished this blog post; I will finish my novel.  Hope to see you on Lame Post Friday.

 

Walking Away from Bad Attituesday

Two times of year I stare at the trees intensely, because the beautiful color lasts such a short time.  Fall, of course, and early spring.  In between bud and full leaf, the trees are such a delicate, beautiful light green.  I love it.  It lasts a shorter time than the fall colors, so I have to look fast.  Luckily, I did not trip over my dog on the walk we just took, as my eyes were almost constantly looking up.

 

I guess this is going to be a Pedestrian Post.  I suppose I could call it the Tuesday Trudge or, another standby, Tired Tuesday.  Earlier today I thought it must be my new one, Bad Attituesday.  But the walk put me in a pretty good mood.  Spring was a long time in coming to the Mohawk Valley, but (don’t say it too loud) I think it is finally here.

 

I know, I know, I should have gone running.  Boilermaker, weight loss, and I could have seen all the trees running as well as walking (really just as well; I don’t run very fast).  In my defense, my feet hurt.  I need to get some of them there gel insoles for my work shoes.  Anyways, it is very pleasant to walk with your loved ones (in my case, husband and dog) in warm air,  seeing daffodils, tulips and hyacinths (I didn’t look up the whole time).

 

We walked by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners.  I remembered that Museum Day is in May.  The 1834 Jail will be opened one Saturday, I hope.  I must find out when and go there.  I have a few friends that would like to go, too (Preview of Coming Attractions).    Going down Main Street, we turned into the park near Basloe Library.  Ah, the library.  Must make a trip there soon.

 

We walked on down Prospect Street then over to Meyers Park.  There we saw an adorable shaggy little white dog.  She barked at us indignantly.

 

“She told you,” I said to Steven.  The dog’s person told us she was still young and had not been outside many times.  We didn’t mind.  It was a very cute dog.

 

It was a very enjoyable walk.  I’ll try for a run tomorrow.

 

For Tabby on Tired Tuesday

Sorry, kids, it’s Tired Tuesday. I did work on a blog post today, about Saturday’s adventures, but it needs more work and I have completely petered out. In my defense, I did laundry. Hmm, that doesn’t sound like much of a defense. So don’t forgive me. In the meantime, I offer a Pedestrian Post with thanks to my beloved schnoodle, Tabby.

I neither walked nor ran yesterday, and my legs definitely felt the lack. And my conscience felt the guilt from not walking my dog (although she got a nice long walk with both her peeps Sunday, in addition to walking my cool-down with me after my run). Therefore, after I got the laundry in the house and the non-drier items hanging in various places, I got Tabby into her harness and we were on our way.

It was still nicely warm out, somewhere in the 60s I believe. Many people were out and about. A couple of neighborhood kids said hi to us, and one unknown college-looking kid said hi to Tabby. Tabby led me down Bellinger Street to Meyers Park.

I still haven’t gotten over my delight at all the snow being gone, so I felt contented to be outside in addition to my legs’ enjoyment of the exercise. We saw two young boys playing baseball in the park. At least, one had a glove and ball, the other had a bat. I suppose it was just batting practice, or else they had vivid imaginations (nothing wrong with that!).

After the park we headed towards Main Street and the downtown area. I looked longingly at Basloe Library as we went by. They are having a book sale. I could use a couple of paperbacks for this weekend, but I do not foresee an opportunity to go there. Of course, I have three or four paperbacks I purchased at Basloe a month or two ago which I have not read yet, but still.

Up to the Historic Four Corners. I must take another walk by the 1834 Jail after dark some night and see if I spot any ghosts. I rather doubt I will; I’m not at all sensitive to that sort of phenomena, but as the great Fats Waller said, one never knows, do one?

A very sweet toddler wanted to pet Tabby. His father told him to ask first then asked me himself when the toddler was too shy. I said sure, Tabby’s a good dog. A lady with a beautiful baby in a stroller joined us as Tabby was being petted. Tabby was immediately interested in the baby.

“She likes baby feet,” I said. We parted friends.

I enjoyed our walk, and I think Tabby did too. I even enjoyed writing about it. Happy Tuesday, everyone.

Come on, Spring!

Technically, Saturday Running Commentary could come back today, but I don’t feel like writing about that run. I ran in place on the mini-tramp, because it was raining and snowing. I watched the rest of that silent movie The Monster that I was watching before (took me three runs to see the whole thing) (and I’m still not clear on who the titular monster was). It continued to precipitate on and off for the rest of the morning, with the wind whistling in an alarming fashion (I always worry somebody will come along and drop a house on me) (it happened to a sister of mine once; long story), so I drove to the post office instead of taking my usual walk with Tabby. This afternoon, however, the sun came out and I thought I would give it a try and perhaps write a Pedestrian Post.

I hid upstairs while I changed sneakers, so Tabby would not get too excited too soon. Of course that merely delayed the inevitable. She was jumping and barking long before I was done puttering around looking for hat, gloves and poop bags. At last we were on our way.

The sidewalks were almost completely bare and dry. I reminded myself to appreciate that and not repine over the dropping temperature. For heavens’ sake, it was in the 60s yesterday. Did it have to drop all the way into the 30s? I kept telling myself it was above freezing, resolutely refusing to speculate on what temperature the windchill was inducing. Tabby did not seem to notice anything but trotted along happily, stopping many times to sniff.

We headed down Bellinger Street toward Meyers Park, Tabby leading the way. I looked around, testing my theory that sunshine makes anything look better. I suppose it does, but I am tired of seeing brown grass and bare trees. Courage, I told myself. Things will grow eventually. At least a lot of the snow is melting. Of course, one effect of that is a lot of old dog poo is appearing. I tried to keep Tabby from sniffing it. “You know what poo smells like,” I tell her. Oh, I know, she probably smells a lot more variation that I do.

Every once in a while the wind would completely die out and I would feel warm sunshine. It never lasted long, but it gave me hope. However, soon the wind started whipping more coldly and my sinuses were not happy. I persevered, because Tabby was so obviously enjoying herself. Also, I must admit, the walk felt good on my legs. I do love to walk. I tried to concentrate on that and ignore the wind. It helps that I have a sweet, cute dog. I look at her trotting along and I feel better about everything.

As we approached home I saw some shoots coming out of the dirt at a neighbor’s house. Yes! Something growing! That makes three houses where I have observed signs of life. It was really not a bad walk, but I sure did appreciate a cup of hot tea when I got home.

Pokey Pedestrian Post

It is not really Friday for me, because I work tomorrow, so I don’t feel right offering one of my traditional Friday Lame Posts. However, I am feeling, well, lame. Therefore, I offer a Pedestrian Post, having taken a nice stroll with my very nice pooch, Tabby.

I had been going to run. I’m registered for the Boilermaker, you know (more about that in future posts). As I drove home it began snowing again. It had been snowing and raining earlier. I thought I would run in place on the mini-tramp in front of the television. For one reason, I’m partway through a silent horror movie and haven’t gotten to the monster yet.

Then I got home and my dog was so happy to see me, so excited to do something, so obviously wanting to go for a walk. What could I do? I know, walk the dog then run on the mini-tramp. Sorry, I only have so much oomph.

It had stopped snowing again by the time we set out. Tabby eagerly pulled me down the sidewalk toward Meyers Park. The sidewalks were mostly bare and dry by now. We had to skirt a few puddles, walking on mud or snow to do so. Nothing too detrimental to my sneakers. Then again, who cares? It’s an old pair (must get a new pair for the Boilermaker).

Tabby nicely did her business before we got to the park, so I could throw her poo away in the park’s trash can. I’m not fond of carrying smelly dog poo around. However, I do pick up her poo and I would just like to say I am completely disgusted by the amount of dog poo that is left lying around on the sidewalks and lawns of this village. Come on, people!

As we walked, I reflected that I could have run outdoors. Still, I was glad I was spending quality time with my dog. We’ve missed taking a walk twice this week: once because of my headache, once due to pouring rain. Tabby doesn’t like to walk in the rain.

After walking through the park we walked towards Main Street then down around Albany Street, up Prospect and back home. The wind picked up some, which wasn’t pleasant for my sinuses. Tabby did not seem to mind. She trotted along happily, stopping many times to sniff.

It is the grey skies, dirty snow time of spring. I haven’t seen a crocus or daffodil poking up. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time, though. For now, Tabby and I were happy with our walk. I hope we take another one tomorrow.

Moseying through Monday

I’ve been telling all and sundry that I intend to begin running again this week, but I never said it would be Monday. I sort of thought it MIGHT be today, but I also knew I would find any number of good reasons to begin tomorrow. Or even Thursday (Wednesday has already been designated laundry day). Heck, Friday or Saturday are still this week. But I’m getting ahead of myself. As it happened, I took a nice little walk with my nice little dog, and so I offer a Pedestrian Post in lieu of Middle-aged Musings Monday.

The temperatures had warmed considerably since morning, with bright sunny skies. It was obvious a lot of the white stuff was melting. I say, “Woo hoo!” One reason I thought a walk might be better than a run is that I could check out the state of the sidewalks in my flood boots to see if sneakers were really eligible. OK, that was a spurious reason. When I begin to run, I’m just going to run through the puddles and get my feet wet. I won’t be running long enough at first to risk any possible wet foot diseases that aren’t old wives’ tales (are there any?).

I remembered to put on my prescription sunglasses this time (I had forgotten them on Saturday, to my cost). I changed my work shoes for my flood boots. I was already wearing my thermal sweatshirt. I had switched to that from the jacket I have been wearing. It was a little cool for it this morning, but it was fine for the 42 degrees my thermostat claimed it was. I put on a hat. I forgot my gloves, but they were in my sweatshirt pocket. It turned out I did not need them. Score!

The sidewalks had been plowed at some point, but they were still covered with a couple of inches of gushy snow. That made walking effortful, but I reminded myself of the calorie-burning properties of effort. Tabby found plenty to sniff but spent some time trotting along at a good pace as well. We waded through several deep puddles. I LOVE my flood boots!

We passed a lady carrying a cute little baby and leading a sweet-looking little boy.

“My dog is a good dog, she wouldn’t bother anybody,” I told them, in case they were worried.

Further along we met a pug with his lady standing in front of a house. I was surprised he did not bark at Tabby as she paused to sniff a few patches of snow before we got to them. Then Tabby surprised me by wanting to approach him. She is not usually interested in other dogs.

“She wants to make a friend,” I said. The pug and his person were amenable. While the two dogs were sniffing each other, the door opened up and a bigger dog came bounding out to check out Tabby. Not real big, but bigger than my dog. I’m not sure what breed she was.

“Sasha! Sasha!” called the man with her.

Sasha seemed pretty friendly and apparently meant Tabby no harm. Only Tabby doesn’t like to have her but sniffed and butt sniffing was what Sasha had in mind. The people got Sasha under control. I petted her and the pug and we went our separate ways.

I was enjoying our effortful walk through the slushy, gushy snow, but it wasn’t long before my legs began to feel a little wobbly. That’s what I get for slacking off on my walks. Tabby didn’t seem to be having any trouble, but when we don’t walk, she takes any number of good runs up and down the backyard. Perhaps I should try that.

We ended up walking for more than 20 minutes. I know, I’ll never get back into Boilermaker shape on a mere 20 minute walk, especially one with a pooch that keeps stopping to sniff. Give me a break, will you? It only just now got above freezing. And it’s only the second week of March. I can rock this, you’ll see. I’ll write blog posts about it.

I Finished the Book, By the Way

When I impulsively put the leash on Tabby and set out for a walk, I thought I had solved my blogging problem for the day: I could do a Pedestrian Post. As I sit here in front of the keyboard, I realize I still have to write something. As we tramped through the snow, Tabby stopping to sniff at every remotely yellow patch, I was narrating in my head. Now I can’t seem to remember any of the good stuff. If there was any.

Oh, but it did feel good to walk, when the wind wasn’t piercingly cold against us. I could tell Tabby felt good about it as she trotted along eagerly in between sniffing sessions. I kept a close eye on her for signs of shivering or limping. She seemed quite happy, and I kept the walk on the short side.

I was sad to walk by two houses that I know have lovely front yard gardens. They have the same mounds of snow everybody else has now. I was happy to note that the sidewalk plow has been busy. Of course that leaves a bit of snow behind, but a little more effort in a walk is a good thing when you are walking, as we were, for entertainment and exercise.

Most of us are longing for spring. Green grass, warm breezes, flowers. Even allergies seem better than the runny nose engendered by cold air (we’ll see how much better it seems when it gets here). I don’t want to bemoan my fate and add to the chorus of complaints. I’m grateful that I went for a walk today. I look forward to being more grateful yet, especially when I write a blog post about the first crocuses I see.

Now if I can only think of a good title for this post, we can call it Non-Sequitur Thursday.

What Was the Sidewalk Plow Thinking?

I have been sadly remiss in taking my little dog, Tabby for a walk lately. In my defense, it has been cold, cold, cold. I do not want a frostbitten pooch. Then again, dogs like to go for walks. It is not too much to ask to take your dog for a walk.

So when I got home from work today, I grabbed the leash and a couple of poop bags (I always carry a spare) and off we went.

I don’t know if I mentioned the big heap of snow that has been dumped on us lately. I’m too lazy to go back and check, although I’m pretty sure I wrote about the sad saga of getting the Stratus stuck in the end of the driveway. More snow has fallen since that day. We would be in big trouble if it was not for a couple of VERY NICE neighbors with snowblowers.

The sidewalk plow has been busy too, so I thought perhaps a walk was eligible. The temperature was not even too bad, sunny and 20s. Of course the shadows were fairly long when we went out, around 4 p.m., but days are lasting longer. I felt pretty OK about taking a walk, till we ran into a snowbank in the middle of the sidewalk.

That was when I discovered that the sidewalk plow had not been everywhere. No matter, Tabby always likes to cross the street about there anyways. It wasn’t really much of a snowbank either. We were both able to clamber over it. Across the street we discovered another place the sidewalk plow had not been, but some nice resident had at least cleared a shovel-width. That is what I try to get in front of my own house, at least as a minimum.

Further up, it seemed a narrower shovel had been used. Then no shovel at all. We persevered through a foot-trodden path till we were on German Street. This was better. Tabby found lots of places to sniff and was soon the snow-faced dog she often becomes on winter walks. We could not turn down Prospect Street due to snowbanks, but Main Street was OK. For a while.

Well, I won’t continue the saga of “here it was plowed, here it was snow.” You get the picture (it would be nice if I posted a few pictures, wouldn’t it? Must upgrade my own technology). Tabby enjoyed the walk, and I certainly needed the exercise. I mean to start running again soon. I’ll probably write a blog post about it when I do.