Cheers, Exercise, and Wildlife

Some time ago there was a popular television show called "Cheers" that centered around a bar setting.  The theme song was something along the lines of "this was the place to go because everyone knew your name."  Plus everyone's life challenges were mostly solved there, and best of all, everyone belonged.  It sort of felt that way here in our condo complex yesterday morning.

We had stayed in all day on Thursday, never even opening the front door.  Amazon came and went without a sound leaving their package by our door where it stayed until Friday morning.  Deciding to go for a walk (more on that in a moment), I spied the package as I opened the door.  Retrieving it happened to be exactly at the same moment our neighbor, Ray, was departing his condo next door.  He said to me:  "Good to see you, Chris.  We noticed that package outside your door all day yesterday.  Martha and I were about ready to call for a 'wellness check' for you and Jim."  I thanked him and told him we'd stayed in all day on Thursday and hadn't noticed the delivery.  To me, his words brought the theme song of Cheers to my mind, because in just a month here neighbors know our names, and we matter enough for them to worry about our welfare.  That's a super realization, and very welcomed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Thereafter, I went on my first walk to the mailbox and back.  We are at the back of the complex and a smooth, level sidewalk runs from our building out to the mailboxes.  I haven't done much outdoor walking lately.  This was a way to see how far and how well I could cover the distance.  It's not quite a quarter of a mile one way if I walk the length of our building before descending the stairs.  (There are two stairwells in every building, with an elevator situated in the middle.)  So, feeling ambitious, I walked the distance twice.  I covered .96 mile in about 25 minutes, and felt good about it.  It was a good start to the 5,000 steps/day I want to achieve at a minimum.  

      

This morning, I tried the walk again, only further.  Continuing on past the mailboxes along the paved entrance road to our buildings, I aimed for the clubhouse and pool area.  Along the way, I saw two large cranes on the grass behind one of our buildings.  They noticed me, even from the relatively long distance between us, and watched me attentively.  I took a photo of one of them, and then continued on toward the mailboxes.  Rounding the curve at our entrance, I crossed to another sidewalk and followed it past two tennis courts, a bocce court, and a shuffle board court to reach the clubhouse.  We have yet to go into the clubhouse, but will do so on Monday when a BBQ is scheduled here for Memorial Day.  The pool beyond looked inviting, and it is my goal to go and enjoy it some afternoon soon.

Heading back home, I noticed a rabbit at the entry.  We stared at each other for a moment, long enough for me to get a photo.  Jim had seen a rabbit on the property, and now I had photographic proof of it.  It was exactly like the rabbits we'd had in our prior home.  Nature and wildlife are one of my favorite things to photograph.  I am happy that there are many contenders here to fill that urge.

Today's walk was .85 miles in total, and the time spent was longer due to the distractions of photography, but just as satisfying.  We have elected to stay home mostly during the holiday to avoid the traffic and crowds.  Somehow the days slip by faster here than it seems they should.  More and more each day it feels like we're doing the things we enjoy to fill them, as the organization of our "stuff" recedes.  I suspect a trip to Culver's for ice cream is in our near future, and perhaps a good book on the lanai thereafter.  My boys are in agreement, although I suspect they'll be napping while I read.