COVID'S Calling us...Back to Nature?!
       Throughout the past four months a frequently suggested remedy for restlessness, boredom, and feelings of malaise, has been to go outdoors and enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and the cool breeze. All the ingredients of a 'natural cocktail' to cure a myriad of pandemic ills. If the empty shelves from Amazon to Walmart previously containing kayaks, blow up pools, bicycles and the like are any indication, we are doing our best to answer the call, whether we venture out to our own backyards, the local park, or 'over yonder'.
       A lover of outdoors myself, I have subscribed to "Outside" magazine for several years. Opening any issue is a joint exercise of intimidation and invigoration. Intimidation as I am tempted to try everything presented but realize I don't have enough time to do so. Invigoration for a similar reason, knowing that I will never be bored with so may options. 
       So nature has the capacity to engage all our senses and enliven our daily experience, especially during such a stressful time. The last few times I have utilized the fitness trail at our local park I have indeed experienced this but in dimensions unexpected. While running the trail and approaching my favorite station (a cardio stepper overlooking the lake offering a panorama of wildlife, boats, and sunrise), I detected a strong fishy odor which brought to mind whether fish can get COVID (well, at least my olfactory sense and imagination were intact). Next, I had to step gingerly due to what looked like mini pine cones but were in reality goose droppings.  Arriving at my destination and beginning what I anticipated would be a nice, long stepper workout, along come the geese that left the gifts, not respecting social distancing between themselves or ME! Finally, after I persevered through a workout during which I was careful in the absence of a mask not to breathe in the direction of my fowl friends, I once again detected a distinct smell of fish as I was getting close to the end of the trail and a distance from water, as I approached a pile of carcasses of what else--FISH FLIES!! 
       Yes, I was treated to all the sounds, sights, and smells that nature has to offer, YUK! So, at the end of the day and into the next, no matter how long the pandemic and in search of restoration, I will...Go Outside! Join me?

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