JULIE ANN STEVENS

Today I started running —

For my life. 

It’s a good thing and it’s good for me. 

See how much fun I am having!

The day is amazing though still brown and I don’t detect a single bud. 

I walk briskly swinging my arms like a mental patient because — well, the upper arms just can’t get enough of this motion — and yes, I’m too old to care what people think of me.  Well — my walking, that is.

When I hit the lake, I begin to run.  For encouragement and because it makes me feel like a 10th grader who’s never been kissed, I chose to blast “Build me up Buttercup” through my green nano.  Very sassy —

I run for about 2 miles — I think — before I must walk for a little bit.  Next time, I will go further — past the dog park at least, I tell myself. 

I pick up the pace again, less than half way through “The Chain,” and it’s not long before I come upon a cluster of three women crowded together on the path—-

All on their knees — huddled over something of interest, I assume.   Perhaps a wounded bird?

I veer right, leaving the path —

And just as I’m about to clear the mass, a little wiener dog darts out in front of me —

Like a tiny cake jumper!

My reflexes — which passed with flying colors in the doctor’s office this morning —- send my sneakers through the air, avoiding collision with beast and/or chain entanglement.

I live to run another day.