Virginia DeBolt has a wonderful blog called First 50 Words. It is one of my favorite places in the Blogosphere. She posts a word or phrase and writes 50 words incorporating it. Readers are invited to do the same in the comments section. It is designed to be writing practice for those of us who think we need it and it's often the cradle of ideas for longer pieces -- at least that's how it works for me.
Her words a few days ago were "slow moving" and it struck a chord in this old broad's alleged mind -- in addition to giving her writing practice and spawning this post -- and summoned a memory of how an old acquaintance changed my morning routine for the better.
I've known the now retired editor and publisher of our local newspaper for many years. We belonged to the same parish for many years as well as being members of the same swim club with our families. My then husband and I shared a table and enjoyed the company of Mike and his lovely wife, Marilyn more than once at various club and parish functions and our children swam on the club swim team together.
He was/is a wonderful interesting writer and always left one with food for thought. Even when I disagreed with his stance on an issue, I could cede him his logic. Some times he waxed wise and witty and those were my favorites of his editorials.
My personal favorite was about waking up in the morning after his forties hit and finding it was harder to bounce out of bed. I could identify with that all too well so he had my undivided attention. He went on to talk about how he had noticed puppies awakening -- how they always give themselves a good slow stretch before they even begin their frolic through the day. He decided to try it and began stretching before he got out of bed and pronounced it a good way to start the day.
I decided it was worth a try and agreed wholeheartedly after trying it. Somewhere in the frenetic years when my marriage fell apart and ended and my life took a big bunch of weird turns on the rocky road where I landed, I lost that little morning exercise that got my achy muscles moving. I need it more now than ever.
Virginia's writing prompt of "slow moving" reminded me of Mike's suggested exercise and I decided to start doing it again. I waken each morning and allow myself five minutes to stretch my old joints before I even get out of bed and guess what? It works! I feel better and I'm not hobbling to the kitchen for my coffee -- I'm walking there and my mood is infinitely better.
I'd better watch this stuff though -- I'm might lose my Cranky Old Broad status!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Stretching like a puppy? What a great image! I am going to try that too--thanks, Kay.
ReplyDeleteI've got to try the 5 minutes before falling out of bed. If it helps you can send me a bill.
ReplyDeleteOn second thought, I'm not sure it will work for me. What usually wakes me is an extreme urge to pee, so the results of a 5 minute delay while I stretch could have disastrous results. We'll see...
ReplyDeleteThe day always goes better with exercise. I'm off to yoga. That is rather slow moving, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to yoga. It is slow moving, too, but my days always go better with exercise...
ReplyDeleteGee, I better try this excersize...Five Minutes? Exactly what is it one does for five mintes...Not challenging this, I really want to know exactly what to do...I am getting creakier and creakier...! (lol)
ReplyDeleteBetsy: It really works for me!
ReplyDeleteWinston: I really don't know what to say. lol
Motherpie: I wish I could do yoga!
Naomi: Picture how a puppy wakes up with a full body stretch -- and do a few to un-knot your muscles before you get out of bed. It really does help!
Glad your morning stretch (and your visit to first 50 words) are getting you days off to a good start.
ReplyDelete