What have I been up to in the kitchen? A chicken pie, with a top crust of cheddar mashed potatoes, pizza, meatloaf, baked potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Who have a talked with this week? Amy, Anna, Susan, Giuseppe, Rafael, George, My Sweet Bear, Naja, Marcel, Jose, Mary.
Where have I been this week? A long walk in north Old Town Alexandria, Trader Joe's, the gym, the pool, another really long walk, out to lunch three times. The library, and the swamp for a nice walk.
Who did I reach out to? Doc Spo, Tim, a couple of emails. There is a YouTuber I watch, who did a post encouraging us to reach out to people and let them know you are thinking of them. Just one call or email could make all the difference in someone's life.
What have I been thinking? When I walk, I do so in silence, and I hear things, before I see them. I heard the telltale tapping sound, looked up and there was a woodpecker on the tree. I saw it with my ears, before my eyes. If I had been listening to music, or podcasts, I would have missed it.
What am I seeing? It is that glorious colorful season, the leaves are turning. An incredible to to take a long walk. The wonderful sound of the falling leaves.
Wisdom of age? Make eye contact. When you are walking or driving, make eye contact with drivers. If you don't see their eyes, they may not see you. You may have the right of way, but if you are not seen, you are at risk. My father called that "dead to rights, but dead just the same." His instructions on driving have stuck with me all these decades later.
When I was living in Boston, I was taught a rule of the road by many locals. Never make eye contact when driving in a rotary (roundabout, traffic circle). That leaves the other drivers responsible to avoid hitting you.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't see their eyes, they may not see you.
DeleteCar window tinting now can make it hard to make eye contact with a driver, especially annoying when you want to glare at them for their misdemeanour.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it generally the case in the US to not make eye contact with people on the street? I often try to make eye contact with people I walk past locally.
The dark window tinting causes accidents.
DeleteListening to the sounds of nature is a delight. We do it so rarely.
ReplyDeleteI had a nice long silent walk at Dyke Marsh yesterday. The sound of the falling leaves was wonderful
DeleteSounds like your dad was a good about driving instructions as mine was. I still remember the words of wisdom he passed along.
ReplyDeleteIn 70 years of driving, he only had. couple of accidents. There was much to learn from him.
DeleteI think it is risky to walk with ear pods in as you can't hear what is going on around you. I love the sounds of nature when I am on a walk. Your Dad was a wise man.
ReplyDeleteAt one time in Florida it was illegal to ride a bike with headphones in. A safety issue.
DeleteEver since moving to a small town I have learned to look up, look into people's eyes and say Hello. Seems corny but it's a nice feeling.
ReplyDeleteThere is that small town friendliness. As someone described it, in a small town everyone knows everyone's business, in a city, no one knows anyone.
DeleteEye contact is the rule of thumb when crossing on zebra crossings in the UK. Drivers are supposed to stop, but unless they look right at you they may not, and you need to be prepared!
ReplyDeleteI narrowly missed a runner the other day.
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