“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols
I set a glass of water on the shelf next to the treadmill and slip my feet into a pair of waiting shoes. They’re fun shoes, with red and white stripes, a contrast to the heavy Nikes I can no longer wear to walk any distance due to a foot issue. I prefer the convenience of the slip-ons anyway; I certainly prefer the joie de vivre they greet me with every morning.
I used to watch Gaither music DVDs while I walked but these days I prefer silence, the time serving as a perfect opportunity to spend time in prayer. I step; I pray. Please. Help. Why? Thank you.
I get inspiration for things I’m working on and ideas for new projects too. Sometimes, I just let my mind wander where it wants to go.
From my vantage point on the NordicTrack I look through the sliding glass door and see my potager garden. I’ve been watching the chives grow taller like a measuring stick for the season’s progress. They’re full of buds now and so pretty. I resolve to head outside later and capture a few images of them with my camera later.
I check the elapsed time in the treadmill’s dashboard and open up the Fitbit app on my phone to confirm I see the green circle indicating I reached my goal. Good. Done. I shut down the treadmill, drink deeply from the water-glass, then slide my feet out of my striped shoes and head upstairs to do the day.

If walking up and down stairs at my Aunt Ruthie’s house counts, my thoughts should be brilliant now – ha! And, yes, I prefer silence these days. My world is very noisy at the moment. Walking in the woods brings me solace.
You certainly must be getting your daily step count in these days, Marian.
These are chives…with the buds on the top? I have a different vision of chives….like on potatoes. 🙂 About Nietzsche – yes, I have some of my best ideas while walking…I solve problems, imagine another way to look at a situation, have great ideas for epic novels…
Yes, these are chives, the same ones you put on your baked potatoes!