To piggyback my last post, I marvel at the way some people are resuming their regular rhythms in the best way possible.
In the Park, for instance, two trainers have created a 40 minute dance workout, one can join at random for a nominal fee.
I see them early, putting out pastel markers observing social distancing. They have music and wrist weights they spray and clean, for the 20 or so people who show up daily relishing the outdoors.
Then there’s the lanky blonde on her bright blue yoga mat stretching by the Great Lawn, while a muscle man does pull-ups on the playground’s monkey bars, his array of tattoos bathed in sweat, as if they’re crying.
There’s a group of 5 who meet twice a week for a yoga class from 5:15 a.m. till 6. They resemble a ballet, saluting to the sun, a sun that’s not quite up yet.
I see the same people during my run…walking, biking, running alongside. We nod to one other in noble agreement that life, even with its present curve, deserves to be cherished as we breathe in its fresh air.
If you need encouragement, all one has to do is watch Nature go about her business without missing a beat.
One day I wouldn’t be surprised if a squirrel, led that dance class.
And a one, and a two…
SB 🙂
That’s amazing that people go outside to exercise. Running, yes, but stretching? Yoga? I stretch three feet from my bed. It’s great they enjoy being outside, especially the dancers. I’m smiling that y’all greet each other.
Walkers that I passed in Stony Brook always spoke a greeting at 6 in the morning. I never did figure out the exact time folks ignored other walkers. If you followed the same route midmorning, no one would look at you, and it would break the code to speak.
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Now when people are masked, smiles are no more. You get eyes that stare suspiciously. Happens all the time. The early Park goers are very different. We’re all out there for that hour or so of peace that I’m betting Anne, no one ever takes for granted again. At least, let’s hope. 🙂
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We won’t forget being thankful to be outside, but children might not remember.
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Maybe that’s just as well. It’s not the greatest memory is it, what we’ve been through ???
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I’ve had it much easier than most, but it is getting old.
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I try to look at the good, though that gets old too, but we persist since, the only way out is through and counting our blessings is the best currency. You make the list. 🙂
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Thank you. You’re on my list, too.
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We women love lists, don’t we? 🙂
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Yes. Women LISTen. It’s in our DNA. (I think that stands for Do Not Ask.)
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ASK NOT what your wife can do for her husband, but what her husband can do for his wife.
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I like your take on it.
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That was a stretch.
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We have to stretch our minds constantly.
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Better than our pants. 🙂
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Stretch pants are out these days.
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Not if you go retro, they’re not. I had a pair that made me look like a fly swatter. I remember wearing them with a black turtleneck and little ankle boots. Wednesday Addams, watch out.
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A fly swatter!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
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I was much younger of course, thinking I was quite the glamour girl. OY…is all I can say. I swatted more than flies.
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I’m sure you were very glamorous.
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If I lived at the circus, maybe. 🙂
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No! You could never be clownish! My uncle was a real clown. He was in one of the big ones and even knew Emmett Kelly. A tent flap knocked him off an elephant. While recuperating, he studied and passed the CPA exam. He ended up as the tax expert for Texas Gas.
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What a great story, and he knew Emmett Kelly? I’m charmed, really. 🙂
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Uncle Bill had some kind of growing problem, because his arms and legs were not long enough for his normal torso. I was taller than he was when we stood up, but he was taller when we sat down. His personality was fabulous, attracting people of all ages. He made friends wherever he went. He also had a lovely tenor voice and sang in his church choir.
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I LOVE UNCLE BILL!!!!! He made the most of what God gave him and did okay. what a hero…:)
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My brother and I loved him dearly.
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He sounds wonderful. Funny and true blue. Didn’t let life get the better of him.
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Life goes on. I love the early morning. I keep my bedroom window open a little bit so I can wake up to the birds singing. I get up at 4:30 (no alarm clock) and lately those lazy birds aren’t singing yet.
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They’re thrown off too I guess. sigh
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I love the idea that folks accommodate the challenge and get out there and do what makes them feel better. Thanks for the report from the field.
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I like it too because it’s inspiring to me. There are still those I know who don’t even shower necessarily in the morning since, they won’t be leaving the premises. So to see people making an effort, safely mind you…no one is not adhering to the so far, just suggested rules, it speaks to me that hope is in the air.
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I so agree, Susannah.
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Right foot…left foot…
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First you put your two knees close up tight
Then, you sway it to the left and you sway it to the right
Step around the floor kind of nice and light
Then you twist around, you twist around with all of your might
Stretch your lovin’ arms straight out in space
Then you do the Eagle Walk-a with-a style and grace
Swing your foot way ’round and bring it back
Now that’s what I call Ballin’ the Jack.
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Did you write that? Ballin the Jack? I’m truly charmed regardless. 🙂
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Is an old song from 1913 and was popular in the 40’s
The song and dance were performed in For Me and My Gal, the 1942 movie starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly and a few others after. Ballin’ the jack was a railroad term that meant high speed rolling. The Jack was a signal device for an all clear track. I know TMI. 😁
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Well I’ll be.
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By crackie.
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Who used to say that. Someone on TV. Was it Granny Clampett?
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I actually spelled it wrong. should be By Cracky. Not sure if granny said it or not. Sounds like she should be the one though.
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Was just thinking of you. Is this storm near Austin?
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Not so far. It is staying toward the Eastern part of Texas. It is doubtful that we will even get any rain out of it.
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That’s great news. !!!
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Yes it is. Having survived Hurricane Harvy I don’t think I can do that again.
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I’m so glad Laura isn’t making even a cameo. She sounds awful, that Laura.
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She is a bad one for sure.
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I’m glad it’s nowhere near you.
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Thanks, Susannah. I feel for those folks in her path.
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Me too.
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Yesterday, a friend introduced me to a new shop. The owners specialize in fun, with everything from folk art to antiques. They held on to the place only because it’s not their main source of income, but rather, a passion of theirs. It was inspiring.
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inspiring is the word of the day. New York looks like a film set from the burning of Atlanta with blocks half torn down. Stores closed because they just can’t make it rent wise. it’s chilling to me. Nice they could hold on to theirs and share it with the likes of you.
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AND we’re going to be putting some antiques in there on consignment to boot. It was surely a win meeting a win.
As for New York, the rumors of its demise are exaggerated. The town has a chin made of steel.
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Let’s hope.
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What a wonderful report. When one wants to, one can really get things happening…
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Where there’s a will, there’s a yoga mat.
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Haha! With some dumbells on the side…
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I learned early on, you can exercise so easily anywhere you are. I’ve run all over the world, meaning, it was something I could always do anyplace I happened to be as long as I had a pair of sneaks.
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This is true. I tried running this year. My foot decided that it is not for me. Sigh.
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Walking is just as good, if not better. Was reading about it actually. And, you could bring along your camera. 🙂
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Well yes and no. My doc says I need to bring the cardio up – which is why I started the run two mins, walk two mins.
And yes indeed, I do being the camera! 😉
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There’s always an upside. 🙂
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Always.
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That was a stretch.
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🤣
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OOPS…meant for Anne. sorry
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No worries ..
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I’m a little off my game this morning. We shall strive for improvement.
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Ahhh C’mon now…
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well, ya know…days differ, and this hasn’t been my best. It will pass. Just perhaps not soon enough which would be this minute. I’m mewling. Hate when I mewl.
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If it makes you feel better, I not only mewl, I occasionally whine. And of that, I’m not proud.
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Being newly sober, if two years in considered new, as long as I whine rather than wine, it’s a good day. 🙂
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And kudos to you! Whine is better than wine, in your case..😊
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Yes…but I think I had better stories…drunk.
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Bah… Maybe they were better only if you were drunk…
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LOL…That’s funny. 🙂
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I have my moments. 😉
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Yes you do. 🙂
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😊
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Just ran something fluffy, inspired by my feelings of woe. I guess turning one’s heartbreak into art, to quote Carrie Fisher.
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I think that’s a great way to deal with woe.
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That’s great that they can meet outside like that. Central Park is such a blessing. I don’t suppose anyone is holding exercise classes in the cemetery here, the closest park we have. Better outside in the fresh air while they can than cooped up inside.
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See, I would love that being the graveyard lover I am…aerobics between the tombs. 🙂
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We see (pretty much) the same people on our 3-4 walks in different areas. The dog walkers are out in whatever weather so we pawlitely (see what I did there) greet one another with a cheery arooo depending on the prevailing weather. My pawrents don’t arooo of course. The runners and cyclists are now back with a vengeance and we spend quite some time dodging out of their way, on far too many occasions. I don’t know if they realise that a beagles walk interrupted leads to serious garden shenanigans upon return home. It’s not good – for the pawrents (again see what I did there).
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I see two beagles in the morning who play ball together, one much more athletic than the other. They’re very cute, like bookends, with tails.
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I’m very encouraged by the creativity that this has brought to the world. People are thinking way outside of the box for a change!!
The squirrels around here have not missed a beat. They continue to dig in my deck plants while mocking me through the glass.
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I just saw one give you the finger. 🙂
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Oh, no doubt … lol
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The squirrels here come right up to you as if yo say, hey…we need to eat too. It’s wild, no pun intended.
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Seems everything has or is changing…everywhere. But…it’s wonderful people will get out for fresh air and scenery changes. It’s getting older by the day and I wonder…I truly wonder what has happened to the regulars such as ‘the girl in the box’. She must have had her routing for all those months and years. I keep wondering what has become of her? Do you have any idea? I think about her much of the time…wondering, wondering.
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I see her every morning, either in her box or on the side of it. She seems okay in the sense of, her rhythms have not been interrupted by what’s been going on.
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