Observations

Morning exercise.

As I drove to work, I looked at the people in my subdivision getting their exercise along the road.

Just a few blocks from my house I see the same man almost every morning. I always wonder why he is has chosen to jog for exercise. He has his head down, trudging along, appearing to hate every step. I wonder: does he hate to jog, or (even worse) is that the way he approaches all of life?

Seemingly designed for contrast, a few streets over there is a man jogging along who has his head thrown back as though to soak up the blessings of the early morning. He has a pleasant look on his face, and although he is sweating, he seems delighted, expecting to see someone or something he likes.

Further along is the young mother, ponytail swinging, pushing one of those three-wheeled jogger strollers with baby all bundled up inside. Mom looks like the picture of good health and positive potential, trying hard to do the right things for herself and her child.

She swerves around and passes a very thin, very tan older woman in tennis clothes who is fast-walking with tremendous determination. Heel-toe-heel-toe, elbows pumping energetically. I imagine that she is mentally going over the list of the day's commitments . . . maybe a bridge game at ten . . . maybe a volunteer committee luncheon.

I enjoy observing people and imagining their lives. I'm fascinated by the endless variety of humans around me.

And I wonder how many of my snap assessments are close and how many are dead wrong.
Then I wonder what people surmise when they see me.