I stepped outside expecting the humidity to hit me like a ton of bricks, but it wasn’t bad at all.  As I hurried along to my destination, the breeze that was stirring the leaves on the trees, similarly was airing out my brain as well.  An additional bonus, was the gray skies and lack of sun that kept me from getting heated up even before I reached Council Point Park.

But, just before I stepped outside, I was tying up my walking shoes on the cellarway steps, and heard birds cheeping and twittering close by.  I mean REALLY close by.  I finished tying my shoes and threw open the door, while wondering what mayhem and mischief was happening on the other side of the door.  At eye level, through the screen door, I saw nothing … until I looked down, and was greeted by at least a dozen sparrows lined up neatly in a row along the sidewalk.  Simultaneously they turned their heads to look at me.  What in the world?  I opened the screen door and said “shoo!” like one would shout at a stray cat that languished too long by their door while clamoring to get inside.  “Shoo!” apparently worked, because in record time, they all flew up into the air and were gone from sight.  Now, I’ve seen a slew of sparrows line up along the chain link fence, but this was new to me.

I walked down the sidewalk, still ruminating about those sparrows, and was half tempted to double-back and peek around the corner to see if they returned, but I just kept on going.

The usual crowd was at the Park and “good morning” peppered the exchanges along the perimeter path.  I was dismayed to see the first reddish-colored leaves of 2017 on one of the small memorial maple trees.  I think this particular premature sign of Autumn’s arrival, plus the  recent lack of rain, seem to be taking its toll on some of the larger trees around the Park, which already have crispy brown leaves scattered beneath them.  (Please let’s not rush Fall, which a few mouse clicks and a visit to https://days told me the Autumnal Equinox is September 22^nd – still 56 days away!)

And, on this subject of trees, I have to share photos of this majestic Weeping Willow tree that occupies a large portion in the backyard of a corner house on Emmons Boulevard.  When I stroll along the side street, the tree is so large, that the branches touch the ground and it gives you the impression that you are walking beneath a huge green canopy.  Just the smallest breeze causes those wispy stems and narrow leaves to appear to shimmy back and forth.  That willow tree’s swaying motion reminds me of the adage that people should handle adversity like the willow tree … simply bend with the wind.

Today I added another four miles toward my goal, and the promise of a wonderful weather weekend shall make the steps plentiful then as well.