Walking Under Trees; Summer time

The community center opened up again with limited admittance but I do not plan to return - not yet. Every morning, I get out before 9 am to take a 40 minute walk.

If you live on the East Coast, Eastern PA especially, then you know that 9 am is not early enough. I am so drenched by the time I get home that a shower feels redundant.

I have rediscovered the joy, the luxury, the calm and cool, of walking under trees. This morning I crossed streets three times to take advantage of the deeper shade on the other side. Maples give superior shade. Sycamores are shady, too, but their branches are so high up that sun slants through their leaves. (Never mind, sycamores. I love you for so many other reasons.)

When the temperature drops under a tree, I always think of the scene in "To Kill a Mockingbird" where Scout has to recount what she thinks happened when she and Jem were walking home from the school pageant. Scout had her ham costume on and could only see what was underneath her. But she knew she was under a tree because the ground was cooler there.

Would I know I was in the shade of a tree with my eyes closed? I think I might on these hot summer mornings. I won't try it because the trees with the best shade have the bumpiest sidewalks.

My route takes me into neighborhoods with the most trees and the oldest trees.  I keep moving. Still some shade is so deep that I want to sit with my back against the trunk and dream; or look up into the jungle above me, made of crossing branches and thick green leaves, and wonder.  Or, just breathe in shade-cooled air.

Today, I walked down the island in the center of the street. One side of the street had disappearing sidewalks and intermittent shade. The other side was largely shade-less. Sturdy trees marched down the center of the street and so did I. I know an invitation when I see one.

The trees do invite you to take advantage of their shade. If you are lucky enough to have a tree on your property, sit under it for a spell.

Walk under trees whenever you can. Walk there now for the shade. Walk there in the Fall for the color. In the Winter, look up at the lacy fingers against the sky. In the Spring, celebrate the many greens of fledgling leaves.

Walk. Linger. Breathe.

Horoscope

Today's horoscope told me that I could just get the job done OR I could put in the extra effort to make a resounding and lasting success.

Forgive me.  Some days, I just want to get the job done.

I have noticed that if I get up and move - do some stretches, take a walk - my mood and productivity lifts.  I didn't do that this morning.  And since my oatmeal is waiting as I type, I will put it off until after my second cup of coffee.

Today, I take Stories in the Schools for the Parkland Community Library to the new Fred J. Jaindl Elementary School, named after the late patriarch of the Jaindl Turkey empire.  We are doing stories about Animals around the World, including Bill Martin's Brown, Bear, Brown Bear  (watch and listen to a YouTube of the author reading this book) and Laurie Kreb's We're Sailing to Galapagos.  I have become a big Laurie Krebs fan.  Her picture books are fun to read and always teach something as well - great books for this year's Summer Reading Club theme, One World, Many Stories.

I have a cadre of volunteers to read to, play games with and make crafts with the children at Jaindl School.  The fun begins at 1:30 pm.  So come out of the heat and sail off to the Galapagos with us.  I plan to make this program a resounding success.