The other day B and I went for a walk on the levee. Since then the weather has taken a turn for the rainy, so I’m glad we spent the last week getting outside every day.
I’ve been sticking to pretty flat routes for walks – but I decided the other day that we were going to tackle the stairs at the end of the levee that head up the hill. I meant to count the stairs but I forgot, because I was too busy stopping three times to catch my breath. It’s from being out of shape practice…I don’t think I can blame the 10 pound baby strapped to the front of me.
Every time I stopped, I would turn around and look at the view, so just in case anyone was watching (and judging), perhaps they would think I just wanted to admire the ocean and the pier and the beach. On my last pause, I noticed a person starting up the stairs behind me, and I decided I was going to get to the top before them.
I got to the top and paused again (you know, for the view), and eventually the guy caught up to me. He was older and friendly, and asked me about the baby. I showed him off a little bit, and we talked about the guy’s son (who is 21 now) and how when he was a newborn, he would take his son for walks at Pleasanton Ridge all the time, and he thinks it helped turn his son into an athlete. Finally, he told me how cute B is, and good job for taking him out, and have a great day before the rain starts. A very pleasant interaction. I love when people are nice.
Although, I’ve gotten kind of paranoid, so I definitely stayed out in the open, away from the point, and where I could see other people.
We made our way back down the hill and were heading back home, when another older guy, walking the opposite direction, said
“You look happy…do you have a baby in there??”
“Yeah,” I said.
“He’s so little!”
“Yeah, he’s still just a little guy.”
Then he came out with, “I hope you’re married.”
Um… “I am.”
“Good…I mean, I hope you’re happy.”
“I am.” Okay, thanks, bye.
…
I liked the first guy better.
The Cameraphone Diaries 