no, i didn't stop writing this blog

 

Cascade of Flowers art installation at Nativity Church. When I walk, I often walk past this church.

No, I did not stop writing this blog. I literally stopped walking for exercise. Actually I stopped walking except to get from point A to point B. I had three posts in September and three in October. That's it. And August was no walk in the park either.

Why?

Here's my list of excuses. It's a fine list, but I know that they are excuses. I own that.

• I have 5 classes and long commutes. And more grading than ever. I also have one class that is entirely new and that takes three times the work. August and September are a blur. For example, I arranged to host a Volkssport group walk in South Bethlehem today and I forgot to write it in my book. If it isn't in the book it doesn't get done. When I found out last Sunday I had just rescheduled something into that spot.
• Angel and I have started a publishing company—Parisian Phoenix Publishing. Angel is doing the lion's share of the work. I'm designing books. I have several in production for PPP, one for a local Kink Noir writer, and one for a Holocaust survivor. For a few minutes I even fancied myself a writer and submitted something for an upcoming anthology. I need to make it disappear. It's rot.
       I'm not exaggerating when I say I spend all my time working. Unless I make an appointment outside of the house AND spend money, I don't leave this desk. At the end of the day I turn into a couch potato.
  
• I lost my FitBit. I was even signed up to do two challenges in October, and still did not go get another one. I really need to look for something I like. The waist ones are no longer an option and I hate shit on my arms if I'm not in air conditioning. I have never worn a watch. Not even once. My options are limited. No FitBit = No Accountability.
• I hate to walk alone. It's so easy to push it off. Pam has been on the disabled list. Bonnie doesn't walk with me anymore. (And she's on the DL too!) Neither does Lydia.  I tried connecting with another walking friend and she doesn't like to walk in the cold. I just need to have someone drag my fat ass out there and do it.
• Being the point person for the twins takes up a lot of time. Time I could spend walking.

As they say in the Nike commercials, I have to "just do it".  On my 66th birthday one class ends. One big commute ends. I am going to replace that day workday with a walk day. Maybe I can even get a weekend date in. Sad when walking twice a week is a goal.

New goal. I want to go to the Volkssport Olympiad in Texas in February of 2023. I need to be able to walk at least two 10Ks a day for several days. In the process, I can pick up several states on the drive down there. And see Gutenberg bible in Austin. I need to start big time saving. That's going to be mucho bucks.

There is another walking festival in Canada. However it's in British Columbia. That is way too long a drive to walk and come home. Though I could get all the northern US states and the Trans Canadian trail ...