Tonight's Power Walk with Yoshi

     

     I have only recently (the last 2 nights) returned to being taken on Power Walks by Yoshi. For a couple weeks, it was too hot even in the evenings and he wasn't interested. My little Chihuahua, who is known in the neighbourhood for sunbathing at noon in blazing hot almost 100 degree heat, did not want to walk in oppressive evening heat and humidity. Then, for another couple weeks, I was recovering from a fractured ankle. However, this week, two things happened which have made our return to Power Walks possible; First, it has been really nice outside (we're between heatwaves here in Kansas City) and, second, I was cleared on Thursday to be able to return to work and, walk in general, if I wear what is called a CAM boot. CAM is an acronym for Controlled Ankle Movement. It isn't as awkward to walk in as I thought. In fact, even though it makes for somewhat slower walking, I can walk "normally" while my ankle is stabilized and continues to heal. 

     

     In the past, I have I confess felt annoyed when Yoshi takes slow walks and smells everything. Mondays have been a particular form of torture as Yoshi thoroughly smells AND pees on every recycling bin that is out on the boulevard waiting for the recycling truck. That was until 2 weeks ago when it was emphasized to me in a big way what a gift it is to "just" be able to walk. Tonight, as we made our way around the block,  I heard a group of crows making a lot of racket at the corner of Jefferson and 38th. Based on the time of day, I would have to guess there was a hawk somewhere above but the leaves on the trees are too thick to see anything like that. I also saw an empty PBR can lying at a diagonal on the grass along 38th Street. It was between the sidewalk and the curb.  Somebody could have tossed it there or it could just as easily be a remnant of Recycling Day when pieces of recycling get blown out of recycling bins. We also walked by some mini Rose bushes at the corner of 38th and Pennsylvania. They were magenta-colored and somewhat tattered in appearance. 

      Even though Yoshi is 11 now, he walks at a fairly quick pace. Tonight, with my CAM boot on,  I slowed him down. He had neighbors to greet and deli turkey waiting for him at home. I, however, had just literally spent two weeks lying in bed watching a lot of shows on Netflix while feeling sorry for myself because I could not easily walk anywhere. I did watch a lot of interesting shows about various types of history but I digress. Tonight's Power Walk wasn't about speed it was about,  quite simply, the humbling power of being able to take a walk.