Not to make this a running theme, but I was bullied into an evening walk by my Fitbit. “Only 2,334 steps to go!” it reminded me. I knew I could make a convincing argument that I had gone on a 45 minute walk earlier today, that I had burned well over 2,000 calories today, and that even 8,766 steps in a day was a damn good accomplishment, but already the Guilt Monster was chomping away at what it knew would be its next meal.
An evening walk was necessary.
Once again, Fitbit proves her worth.
Despite the fracking well (which is an unwelcome addition to the farm where I grew up), my walk gave me time to think about how lucky I was to grow up here in Western Pennsylvania.
The evening air was cool, but there was a warm breeze. The fracking well was blessedly silent: I sort of missed the grinding of my grandfather’s tractor in the twilight (he passed over a decade ago).
Back and forth, up and down the gravel lane I walked. There aren’t a lot of places to walk here anymore. When I was a kid, my family and our dogs would walk the perimeter of the fields, even on the hottest evenings. Now all the drainage my Papap had installed has collapsed, leaving swampy marshes.
But those are sad thoughts. How can I be sad? I mean, just look at this moon:
I love where I grew up. I know it isn’t perfect, that the house needs a lot of work, and neither of my parents got exactly what they wanted here. But now it’s forty years later, and my siblings and I have grown up. I wouldn’t move back here to my hometown, because I don’t see a future for myself here.
But it’s comforting to know that many things stay the same.
Thanks Fitbit.
And thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the Slice of Life Link Up Challenge.
July 22, 2015 at 8:20 am
What a nostalgic piece! Love the bunny that agreed to be in the blog! 🙂 Such a beautiful way to look back on what was!
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July 22, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Those Fitbits really push us to get out. I took mine off to charge it and it hasn’t made it back to my wrist. Your post is a reminder I need to get it out.
I enjoyed the “walk” on your family farm. Living in Ohio, your views seem very similar. I’m guessing you are home visiting? So many memories on the family farm. I think there are several seeds of story in your piece waiting to be sown.
Cathy
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July 22, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Thank you! Since it’s a slice of life, I didn’t want to get into too much detail, but my own suburban life seems very far removed from this place. It’s like stepping into my past.
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