A walk is never, ever, simply a walk

Once bitten, twice shy.

So, I didn't go for a walk for two days!

Ok,I exaggerate ;)

When I approach the area where that mysterious bug got me, I move to the middle of the path in order to be as far as away from the vegetation as possible.  A few paces later, I return to the normal mode.

There is a curiosity in me to know what that bug was.  "This is no bee or wasp sting" was all the doctor said.  "But something venomous to have triggered such a reaction in your system.  You might want to watch out for another week or two for any systemic response" she added.  Perhaps she thought she was comforting me!

Once past that wild, wild zone, I was lost in my thoughts, as always.  The warm sun and the caressing breeze made me feel half my age.  The water looked lovely. The egret and the heron were patiently perched on dead wood.

I was distracted by a guy walking in the other direction waving out to me.  Out of sheer reflex, I waved back.  He was soon gone. He, too, had a hat on, and was bearded as well.  About my height and age.  Not from the old country--a white guy. For a few minutes I kept wondering who he was and whether I was supposed to know him and ought to have recognized him.

Soon, my mind drifted away into thinking about the upcoming conference.  I wondered whether I ought to prepare myself with a few groaners, like the one that Wendy at the checkout counter asked me the other day:

Is it ok to kiss a nun?
As long as you don't make a habit of it!

I smiled recalling that groaner.  It does not take much to amuse me.

Two women, much older than me, were walking on the other side, and one was cradling a small dog in her arms.  As I neared them, I could not resist the urge to wisecrack.

"That's not how you are supposed to walk the dog" I said.  And, of course, laughed.  Remember, it does not take much to amuse me!

They laughed.

When women laugh at the silly jokes that we men love, I always have a nagging feeling that when away from us they roll their eyes way up, more than how much a pre-teenage girl can, and make remarks like what Lynn Redgrave delivers in Gods and Monsters:

Oh, men!
Always pulling legs. Everything is comedy.
Oh, how very amusing.
How marvelously droll.

People passed by, and I passed a few. A guy with washboard abs jogged pushing a stroller that had two bottles in two cup-holders.  Cup-holders in strollers; only in America!

I felt my paunch jiggle as I quickened my pace.  I was reminded of Zits:

I chuckled.  Yes, it doesn't take much to amuse me!

And then that same bearded guy with a hat on.  I suppose he, too, was walking the entire loop.  He waved and I waved back.

"I like your editorials" he said.

"Oh, thanks."  I removed my hat.  So, that is how he knew me!

"You are the one who writes, right?"

"Yes."

"They are always very well written."

"Thanks so much."

We were back on respective paths.

I crossed the bridge to get to the home-stretch.

If ever I needed an incentive to keep going past Number 170, I could not have asked for anything better.

Am ready to tackle the bugs--the venomous people included!