In Which I Am Reminded I Live in the South

I am not sure what it is about our demeanor, but my sister and I have an incredible knack for attracting those in need of someone to talk to. As a result, I've received valuable insights such as the proper consistency for chocolate chip cookies, more than I would ever want to know about Pokemon, the merits of Spam, and, now, the important differences between high tops and regular Vans and the quality of workmanship of State Fair BMX bikes.

This new addition to the random factual flotsam I have floating between my eyes was thanks to a freckle-faced sixteen-year-old boy we'll call Michael. A very amiable young man, Michael, he biked up to me on my walk to complement my, "messenger bag," as he called it. He asked me where I got it from. I explained I got it used from Goodwill. As he seemed so enamored with it, I didn't have the heart to tell him it was a purse from their purse section. He excitedly did a bit of impromptu show-and-tell and told me all about the worn sneakers he was wearing and how he got them from Goodwill too. Michael then took a few minutes to open a little window into his life- out came his school ID showing when he sported nearly shoulder-length blond hair, the town website with a picture of him on his bike was pulled up- on and on he drew for me a vignette of his short but storied life. It was humbling to hear him talk so animatedly about hoping to find a way to get bike pegs, as he didn't have the money. I'm only three years older than his older brother, who's been to prison multiple times for drugs and has five kids he doesn't take care of. Michael is determined his life will be different than his brother's. He eventually left with a polite goodbye and rode off to chat with other strangers. I sat down to learn about bike pegs.

I'm up to twelve repetitions of the various parts of my ab workout, and I was shocked to see that I'm currently sitting at 237 today. I'm sure I'll hit a block sometime soon where the weight doesn't shed so easily, but it's exciting to see a lower number, and I'll enjoy the rapid progress while I can. I really enjoy my stretch days. It is so relaxing to work out all the sore parts of your body and limber yourself up. I'd recommend incorporating a bit of stretching into your day to anyone. Watermelon and carrots are on the way tonight, as I'm down to just tomatoes for produce, and I'd much rather spend extra on produce than give in and buy delivery.

Here's hoping Michael and I are successful in our endeavors!