Will I Ever Learn?

I can't believe I've done it again.

Once again I have overdone it. All I wanted was to begin an easy exercise routine to walk off a little midriff bulk - just enough to fit into my little black skirt for New Year's Eve.

I would walk to my friend's, have a friendly chat over a cup of coffee and then walk home again.

I began walking, enjoying scenery I missed when I drove my car; under an overcast gray sky in the far off distance appeared a beautiful view of mountains set against a pink and orange sky. It was all downhill - a slight decline. I wondered what the walk back would be like.

The houses in this neighbourhood range from small renovated raised bungalows, cookie cutter type larger two storey homes to one that looked like an exquisite foreign embassy.

What first drew my attention was a turret topped off with a shiny new copper bell roof and weather vane with a figure of a horse. As I drew closer to the house, the second smaller turret with the identical copper bell roof came into view.

A first thought with my mouth gaping open was this was a wanna-be castle. But it was beautifully done. Copper trim with eves troughs and downspouts then got my attention.

I couldn't help myself - I had to stop and check it out.

Located on a corner property with a proper 6' wrought iron fence, the double gates were guarded with larger than life sized lions - showing their teeth - one on each side of the very ornate gates.

Leading up to the grand double doors at one of the entrances was a decorative stone walkway and very wide stairs lined with brass railing poles ( perhaps it was not complete yet with the railings). Around the corner was a secondary entrance with the brass railings completed.

The garden surrounding the house was beautifully designed complete with a huge water fountain - not quite finished, unless the black rocks were actually charcoal briquettes to create a fiery effect atop the fountain.

Statues of black iron were scattered throughout the garden; two Victorian boys holding lanterns; an Asian peasant with a peaked hat burdened with a long arched pole weighted down at each end with baskets of food; a larger than life statue of a heron. I was delighted to see real live palm trees - can't remember how many.

I moved on more quickly than I really wanted to, but did not want to appear rude and too gawking. As I resumed my walk I was calmed by the quiet stillness of the neighbourhood. Only a few others were out walking, or jogging.

By the time I reached my friend's I was happy to sit down and relax and rest up for my return trip. It was then that I realized I had walked 26 blocks - and on my way home I counted one block that had 250 paces. I picked up that style of measuring distance by recent readings of Jack Whyte's historical novels about Britain in the early centuries leading up to King Arthur's reign.

So, the moral of my story is that I overdid my exercising - big time. Now my left leg behind the knee is severely restricted and painful to walk with.

But it didn't begin to feel that sore until I stopped using it - ie I finally sat down and had some lunch.

Of all things to do to myself when I'm attending a New Year's Eve dance. I can't believe I've done it again.

Will I ever learn to begin new exercise regimens slowly, easily, and gradually build up my muscles?