Kim Hansard: Hi

Hi, I feel like I've failed the program.  I truly try to really DO things I commit to. Yes, the extremely hot weather made is more difficult and less "convenient" to participate in the Walk and Read Club, but somehow we always make time for the things we really want to do.  While I did not excel at this program, it was very much a learning experience and I did get back to reading...an activity that I had all but abandoned since the birth of my son 5 years ago. (unless you count the David Shannon books and other favorites for kids)

While I did not log hundreds of miles during the program, I did download audio versions of some books I had been "meaning to get to" meaning, they were in my bedside table drawer collecting dust.  My son and I also visited some parks in our community that we had not previously visited. 

Living in Halls, I am, of course familiar with the halls Greenway and we use it quite often.  We're also frequent visitors to the Sterchi hill Greenway and it's actually one of our favorite parks/greenways as there are soccer fields and plenty of activity.  Another park we've become familiar with is the New harvest park/trail...it's great to end the walk with a time of fun and cooling down in the splash pad.

A totally new park/trail experience to me was the Howard Pinkston Greenway...I have relatives in South Knoxville and have been talking care of some things there, so took the opportunity to check it out. I had a hard time finding it...mostly because I was on the wrong end of Martin Mill Pike.  Once we got there, we enjoyed it. My son thought I had taken him off to a far away land!

Finally, my son and I ventured off, just this week, to the Powell Greenway...Parking was a bit difficult as we went fairly early in the afternoon and school was still in session.  However, the park experience itself was fabulous...plus, we discovered another splash pad I knew nothing about, so E got to play in the water in his "real" clothes!

Programs like the Walk and Read Club are great to get us into or BACK into a habit.  Now that it's cooling down, we'll be getting out more and more...in fact, we just returned from another outing on the Halls Greenway and we can't wait for the Halls Park to be completed! Fall is my favorite time of year.  I know we'll be enjoying these facilities a lot in the months to come.

Books I "read" during this program:  
The Art of Racing in the Rain...Garth Stein
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo...Stieg Larsson
One Day...David Nicholls

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this program.

Kim

Comments

[Marypom]

Kim, it sounds like a great success all and all. You started reading again and found new greenways to explore. I think we tend to be perfectionists in our pursuits, but the truth of the matter is that the richness of life comes in shades of color. It doesn't have to be full throttle to be a win. I think perfectionism keeps us from feeling good about what we do learn along the way! So congrats to you for stepping up and stepping out!