Tag: dailyprompt

Back in the day, running was by far my most favored way to maintain a level of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual fitness. Would just start, head out in some direction and turn back around when I thought it right. Early evening was so peaceful.

God I miss that.

When I got back on the bike, I tended to follow the same map. Just go. From a a joy standpoint, cycling was a close second, provided dogs remained on their leashes and cars acknowledged my presence.

But running was by far my favorite way to escape.

As the residue of my football days began to materialize and eventually solidify, pushing a lawn mower, raking the yard and shoveling snow became outlets similar to running. Maybe not entirely from a physical sense. But provided an abundance of mental, emotional and spiritual release and gratification if only on a seasonal basis.

To fill in the voids, there are sojourns to PF for some bike time, then “pushing” one day and “pulling” the next, to test and rest appropriate muscle groups. All told, wrapped up in about 90 minutes.

Not quite a run.

And as time passes, pushing the mower may have to exit stage left. Perhaps a Uranium Pu-39 Knee Modulator is in my future. Not sure that running will be allowed ever again by Dr. Orthopod. But if the walks can begin to regrow, perhaps I can find a way back to that place where my head, heart and soul traveled to during those runs I took long ago.

Never in any particular direction.

But just because.

Being a late bloomer, and to be honest, in many respects I remain in that process, hearing, talking to and witnessing others that have embraced a long, arduous and resilient journey to personal fulfillment is something to truly take in, absorb and admire.

You can be coached and mentored with out any such appellation by friends, coworkers, family or complete strangers, if you are open to being fully present in those instances. It may require you to lower the walls, reduce the ego and welcome a life lesson. But even the smallest of moments can have a wonderful and sustaining impact on your own being.

I can honestly call upon their experience, wisdom and fortitude when I find myself in similar situations. It all adds up. Not one of those moments are wasted or inconsequential. Then perhaps next time I encounter them, not only can I ask how their path has been of late, but I can thank them for helping me along mine. Sharing at its essence.

Though the seasons may say otherwise. I want to become a perennial. Like all of them. And eventually, God help me, bloom all of the time.

“Thank you for your help!”

I grew up watching some of the best cartoons ever created.

There was Bugs Bunny and that whole crew, still cracks me up. The “Uranium Pu-36 Space Modulator”, “Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius”.

Then there are that slew of Tex Avery characters. Droopy dispatching every cannine nemesis in all ways imaginable. The Bear yelling ‘QUIET, CAN’T HAVE NOISE” followed by sprints to the hills to scream, howl, giggle and even burp. Then there is the wolf dog catcher, with the cat puppet.

I love those to this day.

But start spinning the old Tom and Jerry cartoons, and I am set for life.

Where else does a cowboy have a mouse roll a cig, suck it down in one draw and greet a young lady in words composed of smoke? Or have his glove play the guitar, while his arm wraps around her?

All out wars in basements. Golf course fiascos. Uncle Pecos looking for a whisker to restring his guitar. Traveling back in time to be the Mouseketeers. Tom’s cat friends seeing him lay in a cradle and saying “Ah, goo.” Tom’s foray into being a pianist and Jerry acting as conductor.

Has to be the originals, with the skull crushing smacks to the head, the screams and howls, the face meeting an anvil and flattening, hands swelling and searching for Jerry in the walls with a stethoscope.

Used to go to midnite shows featuring the Stooges when I was growing up. Would definitely skip bedtime to sit in a Marcus and watch Tom and Jerry until the wee hours of the morning.

“Crambone”.