Yesterday I Climbed A Mountain

The first quarter mile was the toughest like it always is. The body isn’t fully warmed up and all the joints are creaky. But I just tried to concentrate on something else, anything else and a butterfly flitted by me.
I think, “Wow, I hope you know where you’re going.” And then I think I could be saying those very same words to myself.
I decided to count the steps as a distraction. I decided when I hit numeral 100 I would stop and rest. I lost count around 53.
My mind wandered at the prospect of growing old.
It is something I never wanted to do until now. Now I think if I make it to 53 I would be so happy.
I stopped for a short rest. I brought with me one apple, a chunk of Prima Donna cheese, two sourdough rolls and a liter of water.
I ate the apple under an oak tree. The oak must have been under 100 years old because it was growing out of a stone footing of an old homestead. The stone footing was all that was left. I wondered if it was a happy home. It seemed like a beautiful place to live.
Something caught my eye and 7 turkeys were cruising about 20 yards from me. They slipped under the brush and out of view. I drank some water.
I figured that there wasn’t any magic transporter that would take me to the top of the mountain, so I would have to get there by myself.
So march, I said.
It wasn’t that hard. It’s just that it’s so much easier to watch TV.
I reached the summit, and the view was expansive. It was exhilarating.
I wished I could name all the mountains, all the valleys. I wished I could fly.
A breeze hit my face, and I had a strange feeling. Suddenly I felt like I was not alone.
Do you know that feeling?
I didn’t know if I was being watched or stalked or if I should be scared.
Suddenly I really really wished I could fly.
So I did the next best thing. I decided to sing.
“She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes.”
Pretty good choice, I thought.
One time I had to make a presentation in front of a lot of people, and, of course, public speaking gives me the jitters, so the whole way there in my car I sang “Don’t Bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!”
That was a good choice too. I have a good internal panic DJ.
Meanwhile all the little hairs on the back of my neck were saying RUN! But I knew better. If the presence were a mountain lion, then I would look like dinner. Chances were unlikely, but why take chances. So I continued.
“She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes.”
And moved slowly to the largest clearing while flapping my arms.
I’m sure the ghost at the old homestead had a good laugh