During a jaunt without Willa, amazing things happen. My four-mile gait is a consistent 15-minute mile which equates to a pretty fast walk (or a record-breakingly slow run).
Not “Blade Runner,” Willa is “Blade Sniffer.” She stops to smell—and pee on—every single solitary blade of grass. She moves at the speed of a herd of turtles in a jar of peanut butter. We might as well pack lunch, dinner, and headlamps ‘cause we’re not getting home until dark.
Willa’s favorite mode of transportation is catching G-force from the car window.
What’s your speed?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I seem to be slowing down these days. Funnily enough, I’m petsitting for some friends who have three dogs (bitches) and when I put two of them on a lid yesterday (we normally go across the fields) they pulled me at top speed. I was wondering if I should get some rollerskates….
Olga — The word picture you painted (Olga zooming along on roller-skates behind two running dogs) made me laugh 😂
You crack me up too, Laurie. Herd of turtles in a jar of peanut butter. Will find a way to use that one today. Enjoy your walk. Mine is the speed of a safe baby stroller ride.
Shirley — Yes, indeed. And I’m thoroughly enjoying your Granny Nanny Diaries (grannynannydiaries) on Instagram 🙂
My husband and I laugh about how I tend to walk so much faster than him though he’s the one with the long legs (you know, if you’ve seen pictures of us). 🙂
Merril — I have seen photos of you two and it’s AMAZING that you out walk that tall drink of water!
🙂
😂So funny , I love Willa and I am definitely with her on speed unless something is pushing me . Just think of all the sights and smells you can miss when you rush . I quite like sticking my head out of the car window too if I haven’t just had my hair don’t that is .
I love that video on Facebook with Willa eating her ice cream 😁, I could munch her .
Cherryx
Cherry — And while I don’t stick my head out the car window when we’re driving (my hair’s so short I’d look like a cross between Rod Stewart and a porcupine when done), I love it that YOU do! 🙂
When I’m out for a walk, I my normal pace will cover a mile in twenty minutes. If I’m concentrating on exercise, I’ll do spurts at a much faster pace. My old dog Maggie – long gone now – would spend such a long time with her nose to the ground over each thing she encountered, I imagined a thought bubble, that would prove she was actually a connoisseur of fine smells: “Hmmm…a dog passed this way…a beagle…approximately seven years old…diet consists mainly of kibble, with an occasional beef bone…was on the scent of a rabbit…”
Cindy — I love your idea of a though bubble popping up over Maggie’s head! Like you, I think our canine companions read grass and bushes like we read newspapers — and for the same reason — to get information 🙂
When I could let the dogs loose, they run about and I followed along taking photographs. Later when it was only Muffin she would lie down and I would walk taking photos being involved in the process until I said, let’s go. Now with no dogs any longer or not a the moment, my speed is a gentle walk to Be in the moment, to sense, to smell, to experience where I am.
Jeff — To be able to BE in the moment is (to my way of thinking) one of life’s great accomplishments.
I didn’t realize that you’d lost Muffin, too. My heart breaks every time we lose an animal companion.
Laurie, I do my best Being out there among the trees.
I has been over a year and half since Muffin crossed the Rainbow bridge. It still saddens me that she is not here anymore…
I thought the blog was going to be about turtles I have two aquatic ones if you remember . Guess how many miles I walk in a week just doing my stuff? “30” or more. Yes I have a pedometer. 💚💜🌈
Mona — I absolutely remember you have turtles 🐢 and it’s wonderful that you use a pedometer. Thirty+ miles a week is awesome!
I’m with Willa. I prefer strolling since I’ve retired. Rushing seems a terrible waste of life.
Carol — If I were you, I’d enjoy a leisurely pace through your gorgeous surroundings, too! 🙂
My sister Sue’s bookclub is reading,”The Winter of Our Discontent” by John Steinbeck. She shared a passage that I would like to share with you. In the passage he is talking about a dog:
…moved with slow dignity, pausing occasionally to sniff the passenger list on the elm trunk.
When my dog, Rylee, stops for a moment I think of that passage and it puts a smile on my face.
Rose — Ohhhhh, I love it! THANK YOU so much for sharing that passage with me 🙂
When walking, I go for a distance not speed.
Love the photo of Willa enjoying the G force. : )
Leanne — I’ve never asked. Just how far is it if you were to walk around Mayne Island? Is it even doable?
With Willa (and a camera in hand) we go s-l-o-w because of her penchant for sniffing e-v-e-r-ything.
On the rare opportunities to walk WITHOUT Willa, I go as fast as I can because it feels like a luxury 🏃♀️
I doubt I could circumnavigate Mayne Island, but one can. The island is 21 square kilometres (approximately 13 miles). My favourite walks are about two hours long. By that time, I’ve shaken out all the cobwebs and rekindled my joie de vivre. : )
Leanne — Your shaken (not stirred) cobwebs and joie de vivre made me smile. Thank you! 🙂
Cadbury’s Caramel – nice and easy ! LOL
Sassy — Now I’m going to be thinking about that sweet treat ALL. DAY. L-O-N-G! 😂
4 mph is my normal walking-to-get-somewhere-speed too! Never thought of it as a record-breakingly slow run though. 🙂 Maybe we should call it the slow motion video replay of us running.
Chris
Chris — Slow-Mo video replay of us running. Yes. I love it! 😂
Irma which moved at hurricane speed (literally) is slowing me down. I have to go to one of the few restaurants open to get internet service: we have no idea when the power will be back on. I’d break if I didn’t know how to bend well. 😉
Some time ago I heard you use the expression “herd of turtles in a jar of peanut butter” and have tried to remember to slip it into conversations now and then. Now I have to remind myself that’s my tempo right now.
Marian — I love what you said, “I’d break if I didn’t know how to bend so well.” I salute your flexibility!
Walking Sandy is much like walking Willa – everything must be sniffed, and most things tasted.
Left to my own devices I just walk as fast as I can without breathing too hard. Haven’t done a calibrated mile test, but suspect that on flat land would be fairly quick. By myself it takes me an hour 40 to play 18 holes of golf, that’s only just over 4 miles, but has a lot of compulsory stops, and focused attention.
Ted — And you’ve got really L-O-N-G legs. In my mind’s eye I see something akin to a wake (like water, but air) after you go breeeeezing past! 🙂
After my morning appointment, I am reflecting how environment influences speed of movement. I was checking on a retreat center for a group session in 2018. This morning was sunny, mid-70’s. As I drove down the tree-lined road, I left the tension of road construction behind me. The complex of buildings stood gleaming with a slightly hazy Lake Michigan in the background. Despite being a bit late due to construction re-routing, I found myself sauntering toward the building doors. No need to rush. Breathing in a breath before stepping forward! Thanks, Laurie.
Audrey — Wow! I love the word picture you painted. I love that you sauntered to your meeting!
My speed is a “Deliberate Yellow Organized Complete Tasks” Speed. Then I can move on to being Bluely Creative to write my new book! 🙂
Sheila — A new book? yes, Yes, YES! 🙂
LOL, this was SO funny! A good chuckle before bed tonight. xoxo
Richard — I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Great picture! Willa looks so happy! Beano is equally slow, digging his nose and paws into the ground for minutes at a time having a good old sniff before he decides it is a good spot to cock his leg and no amount of pulling can drag him away. I wonder how he can store so much wee for such a small dog.
I used to be a sprinter and still walk pretty fast on my own, but slower when in company or walking four-legged friend. 🐕🐕🐕🐕
Fatima — “Beano” is a great name! It sounds like he and Willa would get along famously 🙂
They could have a competition to see who is the slowest.
😂
For a year or so before I left Ohio, I was doing a regular three-mile walk into town to write at the local soda fountain. It took me 45 minutes each way. I know that pace well. These days, when I walk Sasha on the leash (now only an every-so-often needed event) I too know the herd of turtles in the peanut butter pace. Thanks for a good-morning smile, Laurie.
Janet — I love the most recent photo you shared of beautiful (very regal looking) Sasha 🙂
Zip is definitely part of the sniff and pee brigade at now 7 years…I am working at improving my speed and not dropping my foot. Yesterday I had cataract surgery and I think when the eye is recovered that my balance will be much improved since the fall on my back at that surgery. Going into a bit of withdrawal not being able to read for several days ahead, but mostly so happy to be able to see. I’ll tell you in a month about my speed – if that is okay?
Patricia — Absolutely, please keep me in the loop. Also, since you can’t currently read, can you LISTEN to audio books?
I currently do not have any audio books, just a stack for my kindle and on my shelf…..I am not affording the audio change over, but the company I review for has sent me several poetry books on audio – that has been marvelous. I sometimes go to sleep listening to the books and then miss much.
I will be back to reading soon, I have been watching/listening to TV the last 2 days…very similar to audio books….some one telling the story. Don’t need the whole visuals! Being fairly blind most of my life – this new reality is fairly amazing and full of wonder. I am enjoying the “resting” the eye for healing – or I call it napping !!!
Patricia — You’ve got such a great attitude. Kudos! 👏
Laurie, what I tend to love about our Hank the Dog is that he is a fish and doesn’t need to be walked at all. He doesn’t bark at night and never makes messes on the floor. I have long legs and a stride to match that Dennis sometimes takes me to task for. He is often a meanderer, stopping to enjoy this or that while I charge ahead. I can go from bustling to very still in the blink of an eye though and read for hours without moving.
Sandi — I love your description of “Hank the dog who’s a fish.”
Like you, shifting from overdrive to neutral to read for hours on end is one of my favorite things 🙂
As a long time visitor to Skipah’s Realm I just want to apologize for falling so far behind on my favorite Idaho blogger :(. I have failed you.
Skipah — Not in the least. I fully understand that life has a way of happening 🙂
I FEEL like I’m walking fast, but people routinely breeze by me as if I’m standing still. Sigh . . .
Arlene — If YOU feel like you’re walking fast, than YOU are 🙂