Simple Pleasures

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
Kahlil Gibran

Today was such a morning.

It started with a wonderful leg workout – I’m in the midst of a Bodybuilding.com rotation from their Transformation series. It’s a “Women Over 40” workout, a four day per week weight routine with two days of upper body and two days of lower body. I’m finding that I really enjoy this particular rotation and, even better, am seeing some results! I also had a half hour training session with my personal trainer, Harry. Harry led me through some total body exercises and finished me off with some grueling ab work.

But, ah, I had promised Samantha a run, so, when I arrived home she and I set out to conquer the 2.5 mile nature trail nearby.

Sam’s pace is a good quicker than mine so I let her run on ahead. Gorgeous day. Autumn is just beginning to touch the air and the leaves and most of the mud from yesterday’s rain had dried up.

I started out at an even slower pace than usual and realized pretty quickly that this would not be a full 2.5 mile run for me – I was simply too wiped out from my earlier workout. So, when a couple appeared on the path with an adorable yellow lab mix, I had to stop to greet him. He had the gangly long legged look of a colt and the face of a puppy with oddly “old soul” eyes. The couple and I chatted a bit, about art and local museums, and when I set out on my way again I was refreshed and able to pick up the pace.

I finished up my run – alas not 2.5 miles but at least a respectable mile and a half – and stopped at the pond to watch a fellow feeding the ducks and geese. And there, right before my eyes, stood a glorious blue heron. I’ve never seen one so close up and he was a sight to see. The gentleman shared his bread with me and I fed the birds as well before heading on home – feeling wonderfully refreshed and grateful for the blessings of life.