Ray's House of Love (Volume II)

Komnena, I'm a walker, too, and I've come to like walking in rain and snow more than I like walking on a pleasant, sunny day. Nobody's around, and the silence and aloneness while outdoors is really nice. Even though my typical day isn't all that stressful, I come home positively mellow.

For me, finding a great place to walk helped a lot. A paved or graveled trail that's fairly level, with no vehicular traffic, lets your mind wander all over the place. I've planned entire novels on a series of walks, although I did have to pull my thoughts back to the matter at hand a dozen times each walk.

I also enjoy watching the seasons change, walking the same few sections of the trail over and over. (I take along the camera several times a year.)

Add music to push you, or sooth you, whatever the day's needs are, if you like. I used to need music, but now I save it for the days I do not want to do this at all. Then it's like an added enticement.

Acquire the clothing that lets you go out in any weather. Start with shoes, then pants or tights and/or shorts, shirts and sweatshirts you can layer, jackets, hats for cold or sun or both, gloves, etc. I got a lot of mine at thrift stores or the very cheapest sweats at discount stores, since it doesn't matter what I look like. A good windbreaker is vital, and too big keeps you warmer.

Keep track of what you wear at what temperatures and conditions. I started with a reminder to myself that at 43 degrees, with sun and no wind, I was good in a T-shirt, hoodie, and pants, but if it was 43, windy, and cloudy, I was better with a T-shirt, sweatshirt, windbreaker, and pants. That expanded into a one-page list that goes from 25 degrees up to the mid-60s. Warmer, it's always as little clothing as possible, without scaring the horses.

If he's willing, rope Mr. Komnena (whose name I remember, but I wasn't sure I should use without asking) into going with you once or twice a week without fail. Mr. Maryn and I go together on weekends, and the other person's expectations makes us far more likely to do it.

See you on the trail?

Maryn, thinking she's well enough to go today

Flour. Baking powder, too, I betcha.

Maryn, smarty pants

Up-and-at-'em, Houseketeers!

Maryn, who should be out the door but is instead in her snowman jammies

Oh, Perle, I'm so glad things turned out as good as we hoped they would. Can I uncross my fingers now?

I forget, did we set a month? Or maybe it depended on when KTC returns? I was thinking January or February.

Maryn, trying to eat a salad and type, and making a mess of it

Anybody know Kevin's travel schedule? I feel the need to rope him securely into this.

Maryn, not usually into bondage

How old is he? I've never mastered one, or tried to, and the few people I've know who did were all at least in the upper part of junior high or older. However, I didn't know anybody who tried any younger.

But if he's graceful and can handle a four-directional skateboard, it seems possible. (And seriously cool, in an isn't-that-weird-and-amazing way.)

Knee, elbow, and wrist pads plus a helmet and maybe some kind of hip-ass protection, and he'll feel no fear. Hell, I might even try it, with all that.

Or not.

Maryn, who knows she is not graceful--physically, anyway