The Joy of Setting My Own Pace

Slower, But Surer

As I’ve mentioned before, I move at my own speed—roughly one-tenth the pace of the average walker. In the past, whenever I tried to "keep up," I’d end up with aching feet and sidelined for days. I finally reached a simple, brilliant conclusion: if I want the consistency of walking every day, my own pace is far better than everyone else's.

My Trusty Sidekicks

Indoors, I’m fine on my own, but outdoors is a different story. I need my elbow crutches to feel safe. Some people see them as a sign of "dependence," and I actually agree. Without them, I couldn't even make it to the neighbor’s house; with them, I can cover nearly a mile in an hour. To anyone struggling to stay mobile: don’t fear the crutches. They take away the constant worry of falling and, because they weigh a pound and a half each, my arms get a fantastic workout with every step.

Nature’s Spectacular Show

Walking slowly has its perks—I actually see things. I’ve been struck by the simple beauty of a yellow dandelion; it may be a weed, but it’s a flower in every sense of the word. The blooming trees have been spectacular lately, and unless you’re living in a cave, you couldn't miss the maple trees showering the world in "helicopter" seeds.

 

Weather Whims & Road Works

Our weather has been a rollercoaster. After being spoiled by 80° days in March, we were zapped back into winter coats. Now that it’s May, I’m optimistic the freeze warnings are finally behind us! Meanwhile, North Star is undergoing a transformation. Road crews have already ripped up the east side of town. By September, we’ll finally have sidewalks and curbs on both sides of the street—a much-needed upgrade since the original work back in 1969.