Flying by

I'm lucky enough to have a good view of sky and tree tops from my bedroom window. Yes, I can also see a bit of neighbouring rooftop, but not much. So after waking I've enjoyed watching birds flying by, seagulls and geese, sometimes crows, all stretching their wings wide and gliding with the wind. Or, to be more accurate, with the thermals.

What I'm trying to observe is the different manner in which the different kinds of birds flap their wings. My husband seems to know this without thinking about it and can easily identify a duck, for instance. Me, I have to work at it, but it's an enjoyable observation exercise. I can do a humming bird.

When I started to think of the various birds that we see around here, I also thought about insects that fly. In the garden I've seen a very few bumble bees, and quite a few wasps. Which leads me to the flying annoyances that have been far too prolific this summer -- the mosquitoes. I'm so glad they've given us a break this past week. Now all they have to do is keep away when the weather warms up again as it surely will.

The results of a wet July

For the first time in my entire life I'm wondering if it's worth having a garden -- flower and veggie. At the moment our garden is full of flowers and full of beans, and I hesitate to go out there, let alone pick anything. The trouble is, the mosquitoes seem to think all these plants belong to them and send their special attack forces out the moment they see me creeping across the grass, hoping to take them unawares.

They don't give my husband quite such a hard time and he says 'sorry to say it, but I'm glad they prefer you'. My daughter-in-law has a theory. She believes us O negative blood types are more tasty for the mozzies. She could well be right!

Anyhow, I'm still hoping this spell of very hot weather will kill some of them off and make the rest retreat, at least.

Walking

I was dismayed to hear recently on the radio about two studies done to determine the benefit (or not) or swinging the arms when you walk. One study concluded there was no benefit whatsoever, and that this was a throwback to when we were apes. The other said there was a slight benefit, because it actually took more energy to stop yourself swinging your arms than to swing them!

I don't buy into any of this. Why? Because my own experience tells me something different.

Earlier this year I was thrilled to find myself at the top of a canyon in California, a walk of about two hours altogether. It was a warmish Sunday, and many others took the opportunity for a ramble, among them some quite small boys who gave me courage. Now, parts of this climb were steep, and some involved steep hairpin bends. On the way down we encountered a party of three women, obviously seasoned hikers and canyon goers. The leader approached the hairpin bend, leaned right forward, and swung her arms higher and more vigorously than a crazed pendulum. And you know what? I could see the help and impetus she got, and tried this myself on a later occasion.

It's only in the last couple of decades of my life that I've got into walking as recreational exercise. Before that, for me, it was strictly a means of getting from one place to another, maybe because of my city mouse upbringing. But these days I truvel and refresh myself when I step out of the house to wander under God's heaven. And I feel the healthy benefit to my heart of swinging my arms in a natural rhythm that both helps my breathing and calms me down, bringing me after a certain length of time into a completely different space. Positively therapeutic!