the sidewalks are done!

The sidewalks at the five-points intersection were horrific. I use them frequently. I hated them.

That corner once housed a Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips (yum!), then an excellent mini-market, then a horrific mini-market. The buildings been empty for nearly a decade. It was an eyesore—graffiti, crumbling sidewalks and parking lot, junk cars and probably drug deals.

Earlier this summer a sign appeared that they were building a TD bank. I was excited. The corner would get fixed up. They tore down what was left of the mini-market, dug up the lot and sidewalks and started with a clean slate. Yesterday I noticed the sidewalks were open—smooth, even, corner cuts—I was happy.

I do question the wisdom of a bank in that area. It might get robbed on a regular basis! I also wonder if they'll get business. I would think people who work in the neighborhood already have banks (or a credit union like me) or they have no need for banks because they have no money. I guess we'll see.

On another note—my back.

If you remember from an earlier post, I could barely get out of bed on Monday because of my back.  I didn't walk Monday but I went to work. As the day progressed I felt better. Then I went to bed. And I could barely get up again. But this time the recovery was quicker. I walked a mile and a quarter at lunch time and was exhausted. But recovered quickly.

Wednesday I did a slower version of my brisk walk. I finished it and didn't feel horrible. When I woke up Thursday I could get out of bed in about 5 minutes. Thursday we did the brisk pace at lunch, plus a trip across campus. Friday, getting out of bed was better. Then I made the mistake of lifting heavy boxes to deliver to a client. It set me back a little, but in the afternoon I did four miles at a brisk pace with Betsy.

Saturday, I tried the intervals. I am also able to sit on the couch again, with only minor trouble getting up. Earlier in the day is worse than later in the day.

This morning I was feeling good when  woke up at 4:30. I could actually roll over in my bed. And then I sneezed the mother of all sneezes. I thought it was another earthquake. The force of it made me yell, the pain was horrific. I had more trouble getting out of bed, but I still recovered quickly.

I think my body was telling me not to push it. I got the message.

Today, Bonnie and I are going to check out the new art trail. I'll let you know how it is.