Saturday, October 25, 2008

Walking to the Beat

While using the Swiffer mop on floors and dusting furniture, I popped an old CD in the Bose.


JJ - Design of a Decade

Walk or dance to the beat. Yes, I like Janet. During the many years I walked two to four fifteen-minute miles every day on hilly terrain, sometimes with an umbrella, I needed the beat blaring in my ears for inspiration to move. Nearly every single on this CD delivers a good walking tempo. Mid-80’s to mid-90’s are my favorites…Rhythm Nation, Escapade, Black Cat Fever. Some hits were a bit slower than others, so I lengthened my stride just enough to avoid shin splints. Paula Abdul’s music was another walking favorite. Anyone remember C-c-cold Hearted Snake? Am I a pop culture freak? Whatever… I know the dances and can still shake it but my moves look differently than they did twenty years ago. Meaning: the video isn’t as appealing to the eye

I’m terribly out of shape. It’s time to forget about the ankle surgery I had three years ago and get aerobic exercise. Slowly, to start.

Feeling uninspired with my blogging business and disliking the computer lately, I took a slow stroll around the neighborhood after work one evening

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and wondered, can I do this? There's no flat land. My mailbox is on the far right. Can I conquer the steep inclines? Maybe I can because there’s always a steep decline as a reward…

In Maryland, I skipped up hills like these with hand weights. Delaware was a piece of cake during power walks since the entire bottom half of the state is evenly flat.

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I walked to the first hole and rested there for a while. So beautiful, it was, with lots of birdsong I’ve been missing.

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At the driving range I missed photos of a hawk flying low and a Great Blue Heron on its way to a golf course pond.


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Ahhhh… Downhill.


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Huff and Puff. My own ridiculously steep driveway was the last challenge but I made it.

After some time of slow strolling with camera, I’ll want to quicken my pace and load Design of a Decade on my Ipod, leaving the camera behind.

Speaking of dance! On the TV show Dancing with the Stars, I caught a great dance to “Funkytown” with Warren Sapp, retired Tampa Bay Superbowl Champ. Oh, I loved this.


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Can this big guy dance, or what? I squeal with delight for men who loves dancin’!

27 comments:

PJ said...

Love when people share their neighborhood! you have a very pristine one!

Mary said...

PJ, it's beautiful. Those homes you see are not like mine! I live in the smallest square footage home allowed - perfect for the two of us :o)

Dog_geek said...

Hills always look disappointingly smaller in photos than they do in person, don't they? These look pretty steep in the pictures, so they must have been formidable in real life. It's the same way here - there's only so far you can go in any direction before you start heading up a mountain.

A New England Life said...

Warren sure can dance alright! Hard to believe such a big man can be so light on his feet! I also adore Julianne and Cody. He's hysterical with his commentations and immitations.

How I would love walking in your neighborhood! All those hills are good for the thighs. lol! And the view is gorgeous : )

Sharon

Unknown said...

That looks like a great neighborhood, very scenic.

KGMom said...

Goodness, you almost make exercise walking sound. . .fun.
I too am not in the best shape. I just can't stay at it. I ride my stationary bike for several days, then let it sit for a week, then get back on it. I really do try. Maybe I should go the music route too!

The Quacks of Life said...

very picturesque Mary.

I watch the British version Strictly Come Dancing. Great fun

Mary C said...

Beautiful area to take a walk, and a beautiful time of year. I loved those red (maple?) trees in your 4th and 5th pictures. I bet you felt healthier, too, when you got home. Have a great weekend, Mary.

Unknown said...

After about 10 years of running i quit. that was about 10 years ago. then this summer with Don's layoff we started walking. Slow at first but now I look forward to my walks and power walks at that. it helped get me through the blogging blahs I was feeling also. so keep walking Mary it really helps. I'm right there with you in spirit.

Jayne said...

You can do it Mary! I am walking again and feeling so much better. I am really trying to at least do three times a week.

I love Warren too! Something about a big strapping man who is so light on his tootsies!

RuthieJ said...

Wow Mary, you have a gorgeous neighborhood to walk in! I like the fact that you have sidewalks too--out here in the country, we have to walk on the road.

Mary said...

Ruthie,

I prefer the roads. Sidewalks have cracks that I can trip on and go flying... LOL!

NatureWoman said...

I love hills, wish I had them right here, instead I have to drive for them. I love pop music, too, and I loves me a guy who can dance, too, Mary!!

Ruth said...

I prefer walking rolling hills to flat ground. What a lovely area you live in. Walking always makes me feel better although motivating myself to start isn't always easy.

BJ said...

You do have such a lovely area you live in. And I admire you for that walking that you are doing. All those songs are my favorite too Mary.

I love watching DWTS! Try not to ever miss it. And yes...Warren is light on his feet! I thought he did wonderfully last week. My favorites though are Julianne & Cory & Derrick & Brooke. Brother & sisters competing against each other......both are fantastic!

Cheryl said...

Wonderful photos Mary....lovely area that you live in, all those trees......full of birds.....what more can a girl want......

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for showing us your neighborhood. When we leave our house, all roads lead down. Not so bad until you have to come back up them.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

I'm with you Mary. I love that music too. It does offer a great beat to walk to.

Your neighborhood is beautiful. The hills do look daunting, but don't get discouraged with your walks. So much to see and hear.

Wasn't Warren's dance great. I love to watch him. For such a big man, he has great moves and expressions. I really hope he goes all the way.

Well take care and take it slow. And remember, your in "Control". Lisa

Sherry at the Zoo said...

Wow! What beautiful scenery! That scenery would be an encouragement to me to walk, but I would take the licker sisters with you...that would add some entertainment.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

We walk Luna nearly every day but the roads where I live are too heavily traveled so we go to one of the parks here in town. One has an unforgiving hill that we puff up and happily glide down. Good for you to walk. Keep it up. You will feel better for it. I know I do. You have a lovely neighborhood.

Wendy said...

Walking to music is really fun. I do like Janet and loved Paula Abdul "Straight up now tell me"

Lovely neighbourhood. I don't think I could do all those hills.
Glad you can.

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez said...

I love your neighborhood, it's so beautiful. What a pleasure it is to see Mary's View:)

Balisha said...

Oh you healthy people... loving to walk in hilly areas! I live in much the same kind of neighborhood...but with no sidewalks. With my "old body" I try to avoid hills. I am huffing and puffing when I am finished with a walk. Maybe I need to huff and puff to music. Do you think it would help??? My music would have to be "Moon River with Andy Williams" LOL
Thanks for sharing your neighborhood, Mary.

said...

You've got such a beautiful neighborhood, Mary. And I also enjoy "vintage" Paula Abdul and Janet. I mean Miss Jackson, 'cause I'm nasty. LOL

Kathleen said...

I loved the walk around your neighborhood. I just took photos to post about my drive to work - I like your walk much more! Doesn't it feel good to get moving? I've got to do that too!

Q said...

Dear Mary,
So good to be out walking with you.
When you carry the camera you do not need weights! I loved seeing your hills and trees and bright sun. Take the camera until you are comfortable walking. I find resting and snapping pictures to be very fun.
Happy walking.
Happy dancing.
Sherry

Rose said...

You have such a beautiful neighborhood, Mary; I might be a little more motivated to walk if I had surroundings like this. I used to walk regularly, but somehow got out of the habit. Getting started again is the hardest part--thanks for inspiring me!