Afternoon Walk with Grandpa

Every morning Grandpa and Smudge go out for a walk but Smudge rides in the stroller and Grandpa gets the exercise while Smudge gets the fresh air.
Afternoon walks are different though. Smudge actually gets to walk, and Grandma or Grandpa get to trail behind to hedge her in, lift her over curbs, steer her out of puddles, away from dogs, off the road, around thistles, and out of the path of whatever other trouble she might get into. And believe you me, she finds plenty! I love it though. She studies the gravel, feels the grass, touches the sidewalk, thumps the metal mailboxes, pats the tree trunks, admires flowers and weeds alike, stops to listen to birds, lawnmowers, cars, trucks, school buses, garbage trucks and anything else that makes the slightest noise, looks directly at any and every person who passes by, woofs at every dog she sees or maybe only hears, and delights in every breeze that ruffles her hair. What a treat to walk with her.

Smudge Lesson for the Week - you miss a lot when you walk around on automatic pilot. Take a walk today and stay in the now for the whole journey. What you see, hear, smell, taste, touch and feel will amaze you.