Walking By Myself

I never walk alone in Anaheim...even when I am by myself.

I try to get out of the apartment a couple of times a week and walk the mile-and-a-half round trip from my historic village neighborhood to the public library. The scenic walk is usually simple enough with my slipped disk pain. That is, unless I hit the jackpot at the library's used bookstore or checkout a dozen books! I seriously need to invest in a rolling backpack or a lightweight stroller — which is actually cheaper! I doubt anyone 'round here would even bat an eye if they saw me pushing a stroller stacked with books instead of a baby.

That's 'cause the people 'round here are cool. And they make me feel like part of the community. I have noticed how the people I come across all the time on my walk — cops, store clerks, students at the tech college, City Hall employees, security guards, and the familiar faces of folks who take the same route — have also taken notice of me. I can tell by how their smiles and "hellos" have gone from first being polite to neighborly. You know what I mean. Now the smiles are as if we share a fun secret and the "hellos" are an enthusiastic "Hi!"

And because of them, I never feel like I am walking alone.

Comments

[Christine]

What a great neighborhood. A rare find in L.A. or O.C.
When did the slipped disc occur? Ouch!
That photo is wonderful!

[BellaKarma]

Thank you! The area of Anaheim I live in is very photogenic! :)