by Kathy Carlton Willis–

There are so many benefits to walking, I don’t need to list them. But I’m here today to provide a public service announcement regarding the dangers of walking. Walking in the country, to be exact. And if you’re me. Definitely only if you’re me. Because you probably wouldn’t have these problems. Me, on the other hand. Well—you know how I seem to have a target on my back!

This all started the day I posted photos of my new country walking route on facebook. I received ribbing for calling it hilly. Well, it’s not the Ozark Mountains, but it’s definitely not flatland either. A hill is defined by the fitness of the one walking it! I’m pretty sure if I was on a treadmill simulating my route, it would indicate a steep incline!

Another friend suggested I carry an ugly stick. You know what an ugly stick is, don’t you? It’s for when something or someone else gets ugly with you! You can use it to scare them, defend yourself, or as a hiking pole to high-tail it in the opposite direction! Several suggested I be on the lookout for danger on these country walks.

Yesterday I started the walk and my head instantly began to clear. The fresh air and pastoral views refreshed me. I watched two deer lope through a field and then crossed the road right before me. Breathtaking!

I took a business call…part of my way to add exercise into a busy day. I knew the call would take an hour so that kept me walking past the point of fatigue. I always get energized on calls, fueling my walks.

All of a sudden a dead snake caught my eye. I love snakes. I know. I’m weird. It’s a given. (We’re past that point now, aren’t we?) This snake was particularly colorful (and in several pieces). I told my caller, “I need to stop for a second and take a photo of this snake.” I’m sure she was ready to report me to the loony bin.

I looked up the snake when I returned home. Guess what it is? It’s one of the Texas coral snakes. Venomous. Hmm…reminded me of Joyce’s warning to carry an ugly stick. But I’m curious. How would shaking a stick at a snake protect me? I’m not quite sure. But I do know that most snakes are shy and would rather slither away than confront their fears. I read up on this snake, and it seems there is no antivenin available because the last reported death was 2006 and before that, the 1960s. It’s not profitable for Big Medicine to make the antidote. A coral snake bite can make a person seriously ill, but probably won’t kill them. Probably.

I also learned a fun identification tool to differentiate a coral snake from a non-venomous look-alike. “Red on black, venom lack. Red on yellow, deadly fellow.” This one? Red on yellow.

Back to my walk. After snapping the photo, I continued to ramble as I ambled. Then all of a sudden I felt a serious pinch. Cocklebur! (I have to wear backless sneakers due to Achilles issues and no socks or my feet slide out.) A sticker found it’s way to my skin. Ouch! Being the brilliant one that I am, I pulled my foot out of the sneaker to retrieve the prickle. Only, I can’t stand on one foot (would flunk a drunk test, due to a previous ankle injury). So I had to put my foot down. Right into a patch of grass burs! I went from having one sticker to looking like I’d been attacked by a porcupine! I told my caller I had to go, explaining my predicament. I was back in town at this point, and grabbed hold of the school’s chain-link fence. (I’m certain if anyone saw me they had a good laugh.) I had to deftly remove every single cocklebur. Each one decided to stay stuck in my fingers so then I had to use another finger to remove them from the opposite hand. Like trying to get gum to come unstuck, but worse. Definitely worse!

So you be the judge. The coral snake is venomous, but the one I saw was dead, not deadly. The cockleburs are “harmless,” but—I’m pretty sure they were my biggest walking danger of the day. And I don’t think Joyce’s ugly stick would have helped one bit. Oh wait! I could have used it to lean upon as I de-burred myself!

The rest of the way home, I looked for grass burs and walked as if tiptoeing through landmines.

When I pulled off my tennies I discovered a bunch of my prickly walking fellows hitched a ride home with me.

My wisdom for the day: Walking is good for you, except when it isn’t. So make sure you’re walking with Andy, and then it will never be a wasted adventure. You know Andy, don’t you? “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” Joy despite the stickers? That’s some kind of joy!

Romans 15:13 (NLT)
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

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Kathy Carlton Willis: Kathy writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Not many funny girls also have Bible degrees! As a pastor’s wife, she has plenty of material for her new Grin with Kathy column at MPN. She has four books coming out in the next couple of years: Speaker to SpeakerGrin with GraceGrin with Joy, and Grin with Peace. She’s affiliated with several Christian writer and speaker organizations and serves as a consultant for others in the publishing industry. Kathy anticipates great things for her 50s (despite the menopause monster), and is pursuing God’s goals with gusto as she dives in to this glorious decade. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence: Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Learn more about Kathy at: www.kathycarltonwillis.com/

4 Comments

  1. 11-19-2014

    pahahaha! Oh, those sticker burrs are the worst! I do not miss them one bit. Yeah, the coral snake –it’s venom is deadly, but it would have to sit there and chew on you a while in order to get enough into your system to cause harm. Hope today’s walk is slightly less eventful!

    • 12-6-2014

      Ramona, I figure it’s best to stay on the friendly side of the coral snake and not give him the chance to nibble, even though he does have such a small mouth he can’t really chomp down. It’s funny how “they” say walking is good for you, though! ha!~

  2. 11-19-2014

    Goodness!! And I thought MY walks are dangerous!!

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