The Best Thing

The country - and the world - is in a state of emergency.

Here in Hatfield, the Senior Center has been closed to the public, as have all town buildings. Exercise classes are no longer being held.

This morning, I went for a walk. Since I live on a dead-end road, there is only one way to walk. My daily newspaper is delivered about 1/2 mile from my house where the gravel road turns to one lane - though there are a few places to pull over so a car going in the other direction can pass.

It's a pleasant walk, gradually downhill - which means it's gradually uphill on the way home. I sometimes see deer - though not today - and other wildlife. There is a stream that runs under the road which always produces a lovely sound.

Even though the temperature is hovering around the freezing line and it's sort of raining/snowing, walking was the best thing for me to do to begin my day.

It's a difficult time for everyone. The office has been closed and I'll be working from home. I had lots of things planned, both business and pleasure, for the next few weeks. Those have all been canceled. My three days/week schedule of exercise class and work was perfect for me and prevented cabin fever. That no longer exists.

I'm a person who functions best with a certain amount of regularity, but nothing is regular right now. I also tend to be a worrier; I didn't sleep very well last night.

The only normal thing for me right now is to take those morning walks. Morning walks are the best thing.