So I, along with other women-of-a-certain age, (uh — that would be most of my readers, if I’m not mistaken 
) were horrified to learn that a new study has indicated that women need at least an hour of exercise a day to keep from gaining weight. More than twice as much as we thought we needed. Kathan has already posted her displeasure with this finding and I’m sure we are not alone.
We generally take Polly to the state park and what we call Dog Beach every day, so she can run and frolic with her friends and we can stand or sit around and watch. But it’s not the same as real exercise for me and I know it.
I also know that the excruciating backaches I’ve been suffering would ease up if I just started my day with a good brisk walk — like I did before I started writing so much.
But – but – but — Morning is my writing time! Morning is when my words and brain work together best!
So today I changed my pattern and put my sneakers on as soon as I finished breakfast. I told myself that I would get something out of the walk that I’d be able to use somehow, somewhere in my writing, even though I’d be walking through a sleepy neighborhood of matching houses where nothing much happens, at least not from a sidewalk vantage point.
I spent my hour looking, looking, looking for something, anything, to pique my literary interest.
I waited for Polly to sniff the good smells she found at the base of a telephone pole, then I glanced up and noticed the flyer stapled to the pole. There was a picture of a brightly colored parrot under the ‘Lost Bird’ heading. I read the description and the phone contact information, and then I noticed this final line:
Bird lost – Super Bowl Sunday
Now, it that isn’t a writing prompt, I don’t know what is….
Awesome! Can’t wait to read that story!
Can’t wait to write it!
Me, too! You know, I started walking for 15 min or so every day with my iPod and it’s been inspiring me in my writing. It’s hard to get motivated, however, on cloudy days like today…
But just keep doing it. Don’t you go to a gym sometimes too?
If I walked in my neighborhood I’d get mugged, or worse. Of course that would give me a lot to write about, but I think I’d rather find inspiration some way else.
My hubs purchased a treadmill. Yeah hubbie! I could use this time to read, or maybe start listening to books on audio. I have to be very careful though if I’m going to keep avoiding that inevitable surgery. I probably should not read any action stories and get all excited while walking.
YES! You should be careful. The treadmill is how I damaged my knee. No running!
I walked the coastal trail last Saturday, it was so nice!! The fresh air and the sounds of the crashing waves was very relaxing. I didn’t get much thinking/writing done. I walked with a friend and my husband and we chatted the entire time.
Okay, lets see, Bird lost — Super Bowl Sunday…
Oh, Natasha, what is your CC username? I can’t find you.
I would think the treadmill would be a great place for audio books. I’ve seen people read books while on a treadmill, but I’d worry about falling off. And you should definitely be careful.
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