Snow and a Fresh Start

We've had a long, lingering autumn. I've appreciated the extra time with colorful leaves clinging stubbornly to trees. The unseasonably warm temperatures.

My husband and I are avid walkers. I do some running, too. We took advantage of the fall weather to keep on our walking schedule.

The snow finally arrived Tuesday night. Flakes began falling. And falling. And continued for the next three days. Our city nearly shut down. Schools closed. Highways closed.

Most of my time leading up to the storm had been spent being a polling place judge. Before that, we had other interruptions. I was looking forward to getting back into routine. The snow ended that idea. For my physical fitness, anyway. I do have a treadmill. No excuses!

This morning, the sun came out strong. We waited until the expected peak heat of the day, then went to the park.

A stretch of the sidewalk was a deathtrap. Kids had hard-packed the snow with their sleds. I waddled like a geriatric penguin across ice, slush, and snow as hard as concrete. 

That was about it, though. The city had plowed the walking paths, and the sun took care of the rest. Except for this bridge. The walk across it was a little dicey, but we made it.

Today was a reminder that winter weather will disrupt our fitness routine. Time to make sure I have entertainment for use on the treadmill, like my favorite true crime podcasts I can listen to while putting miles on the treadmill. Other days, the sun will come out, melt the snow, and dry the walking paths, even in the depths of winter.

I was discouraged when the big storm delayed my return to routine. But only for a few days. The melting snow reminded me that fresh starts are always just around the next corner.  

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