Time For a Walk!

Going for a walk means different things, to different people, and creatures. For me, a walk is a method for holding onto what I have already, and building my strength and make sure I don’t lose it.

For our dog, Lenny – a Greyhound – going for a walk is a chance to mark territory, investigate what is happening, and who has been where. It’s also a chance for him to connect with humans, and catch some kind words, and pats!

For my support worker, a walk is a pleasant way to spend some time with me, her client, and to get in some exercise as well, as we all go. Today’s walk was a chance to attempt to get my digital distraction – Pokemon Go, finally up and going again for the day. I managed to do that, then we headed back to my place, and my support worker headed off for her next thing to do, pleased to have helped me get out and about in my broader community!

And chatting with her about the new lambs at her place was lovely, as I could learn a little bit more about her ‘livestock’ part of her life, as I was able to show I knew a little bit of what she was talking about.

Sheep aren’t just sheep, they can come in a variety of different breeds, each with their own special aspects that make them that, and not the other. She has Dorper sheep, which I knew already was not the kind of sheep one has to have then shorn to use the wool. Dorpers are a breed of sheep bred instead for their meat.

But my support worker’s family are in fact using these sheep as organic lawnmowers, let loose in their place to help to keep down the grass and weeds growing. I was glad to hear these sheep to an excellent job of it! It’s always good to hear stories of things working well, isn’t it? I certainly think so!

And the other good thing about walking, and talking to someone else, are the little snippets of information a writer can pick up, just by chatting about a wide variety of things! When you’re a poet and writer, writing prompts are so valuable! I could write a children’s poem about a child living in the country, with a lamb as their best friend, using the information I gained today!