The Smells of a Walker

Each Wisconsin season brings its own smells when you are outside.  While out for a recent stroll, I could smell my neighbor doing laundry thanks to their choice of dryer sheets or laundry conditioner.  Another neighbor was grilling burgers or something equally delicious smelling for dinner.  Earlier this Spring, I enjoyed the fragrance of the numerous crab apple and fruit trees in our neighborhood. Don't you love the sweet smell of freshly cut grass? This time of year, I get to enjoy that smell almost every day.  How about the scent of a rainstorm?

Strolls in the Fall are among my favorite thanks to the pungent smells of dry and decaying leaves as they crunch under my feet. A warm Fall afternoon and a crispy path to parts unknown.

Sometimes those fragrances while out walking aren't as pleasant.  The rotting carcass of a dead animal, the smell of a neighbor banished to smoke outdoors.  Or the occasional smell of bad breath while exchanging pleasantries with a neighbor.  A wet dog.  I can even smell a smoker as they drive by in their car.  The smell of cigars, pipe and cigarettes carry in their wake as they drive down the road.

I know I have a keen sense of smell--my ex-husband used to accuse me of smelling beer on his breath over the phone!  But the other day, I could have sworn I smelled grape bubble gum.  Not a soul in sight--not sure my sniffer was smelling correctly, but I'll take grape bubble gum over rotting animal any day!

Illuminate Yourself!

It's the dead of winter.  That time of year when it is dark outside when I drive to work in the morning and soon after I get home from work at night.  So for those of us who like to exercise, it is dark out for our walk/run. You need to dress appropriately folks!

The other morning, I was driving in the subdivision and drove past a young women dressed from head to toe in dark clothing.  I had to swerve my car to miss her!  What is she thinking?

I remember reading an article once that said to assume the driver does not see you. How true that is and I am speaking from experience.  One morning I was at the corner of an intersection and a car came up to the stop sign to stop. I stepped out into the crosswalk (assuming he saw me) and just about lost my life!  Maybe he was looking across the intersection but he just about ran over my right foot.  Thank goodness I was able to jump backwards onto the snowbank!  From that point forward, I've learned that patience is key to staying alive--let the man in the big vehicle go first!

Reflective vests, hats, gloves are quite common and easy to find.  Quite inexpensive too.  There are also reflective bands you can velcro to your arms, or wear around your ankles/legs.  I also have an arm band that pulses neon light the entire time I am walking.  We have a reflective leash for our dog.  Flashy lights you can attach to your clothes can be found at most bike or sports shops--lots of solutions to help you walk safely and to help a driver see you well ahead of contact.  No contact is key--illuminate yourself folks!