TRANSITory Reading 10

 
For the past year I've been power walking on a fairly regular basis, in order to knock off a few pounds and try and stay healthy as this old bod continues to age. On part of my route, I travel through a beautiful and rather wealthy neighbourhood, because well, it's fascinating to see how the other half lives, and it's also a great opportunity to get inspiration and ideas for gardening (of course, my budget doesn't allow for landscapers and garden designers, but one can always dream).

On many ocassions in the past year, I have walked past a short stout gentleman who also walks quite briskly, and who on his travels, is always holding a book that yes, he is actually reading. While walking. Quite quickly. In the warm weather, he often wears a charming straw hat. How does he do it? No, not how does he wear the hat – how does he walk so fast while reading a book, and not like, collide right into a tree? Can he actually concentrate on what he's reading during his constitutional? Does he read during other activities? Driving a car? Scrambling eggs? In the heat of passion? And speaking of passion, had I my own straw hat, I would tip it in his direction, for truly here is a man who loves books so much, he is determined to use up every precious moment of his time on this earth devouring them. I just hope that his time on this earth is not suddenly cut short by the world outside of his imagination.

Comments

[Melinda Stanley]

That is incredible! Even if he manages to avoid walking into trees or moving cars, I wonder if he ever gets lost? I mean, aside from getting lost in his imagination, does he ever find himself in unknown territory?

I'm certain that I would walk off a cliff somewhere. :S Great post! Love the cartoon! :)

[Lilian Nattel]

I used to do that when I was a kid. I read while walking everywhere. Once I walked into the principal of the school. That was momentarily terrifying, but he was good-natured about it.

[Kathleen]

I am very jealous of anyone who can walk and read a book at the same time!

[Guy]

All these things are true. 
 
However, something of the true satisfaction of walking in the fresh air of a nice day is lost through distraction if reading while walking, or using a cell phone while walking, etc. 
 
The appreciation of one's surroundings while simply meandering without objective or time constraints, contemplating clouds, people in the street, or one's own existence among life's many other wonders - these things we experience on a walk, and should be savoured, while reminding us that our journey through life is just as important as where we are expecting to go.
 
Me?  I read my books on buses, in the washroom, or preferably in silence first thing in the morning with a coffee.  When I read, I prefer to minimize distractions in order to fully appreciate what I’m reading.  I take a walk to enjoy the walk, not walk into trees, heheh...

[Beth]

I’m thinking he’s had years of practice.
While it’s tempting to do (although think of all the wonderful sights you’d miss when out for a walk) I don’t dare start now. Kerplunk.

[Isabella]

It mystifies me how people do that! I used to read while walking to school as a kid but then I walked very, very, very slowly.

Sometimes I read while cooking — like stirring a pot or waiting for the microwave, or if it's a really good book, while sauteeing.

[CJ West]

I saw a photo on facebook recently of a woman who read her book in the shower and then brought it (fattened up from the collected moisture) to a bookgroup meeting for the author to sign.

Personally, I read in bed or a comfy chair.

My fictional lives are edgy enough.

CJ

[Cipriano]

Hah!
You have inadvertently stumbled upon an older version of ME!