A New Routine for a New World

A sleep-disturbed night begged for a walk.

Still rain-damp, the neighborhood was in its normal morning bustle. We had a bit of a standoff at the busiest intersection. I must find our reflective belts and flashing runner's lights. Folks on their way to work/school may need a little reminder that some of us are taking our days a little slower.

Dead snake on the road. We turned it over as identification sometimes requires seeing both sides. No, I didn't touch it. That's what dog bags are for.

I believe it is a Texas Brown Snake. I find these little buggers in my garden often. Wonder if he got flooded out and was crossing the road looking for a dryer spot.

Then we found this guy on the garbage can. It is a horn-worm caterpillar of some kind. He was lovely, but we left him alone. The "horn" is just show to scare off predators. Worked on us.

Trees are getting naked in the park.

We suspect a couple of these are new. DH says the "Adopt-a-park" has been an issue (dueling service clubs). I noted they have likely just figured people want to be in the park early and late and threw up the hours. It used to be much more restrictive. Most of us ignored them anyway (YES, I have been walking in the park about 5:00 a.m., but never as late as 11. Um, except maybe driving through looking for deer.).

Whenever I see a hubcap I wonder if it is from a '94 Camry. We left one such hubcap on Hwy 36 back in '02.

DH joined Zelda and me for the walk. And he brought coffee.

We are learning the walking patterns of this new pup. She doesn't want DH walking behind her. She does well on a leash. She sees every dog and person. She is very aware of traffic. She has a good nose, but sneezes (we are starting to wonder if she - like others in the family - is allergic to the cat).

We wonder how long she was on her own in the wild.

Still, she seems to like having a home and has adjusted to sleeping on the pallets we made (before I raided a local discount store and found beds for the various places she lounges). In fact, she has some "separation anxiety" and follows both of us when we leave the room. We have no idea how we will manage when we both have to "be somewhere" without her.

For now, we walk. We nap. We reinforce good behavior - in all of us.

A chill wind blew in just after our walk...no surprise.