November is here! And after the rainy interruptions we dealt with throughout October, I was pretty darn happy to see a beautiful blue Arizona sky greeting me this morning.
We’re kicking off November with sunshine, cooler temperatures, neighborhood wildlife, and a soundtrack that apparently decided we needed to ROCK.
🎶 Monday Morning Requires a Soundtrack
Spotify was absolutely paying dividends this morning!
I started out with some Godsmack, including Voodoo and Cryin’ Like a Bitch, and the music kept getting better.
The queue was bringing us:
– Godsmack – Cryin’ Like a Bitch
– Beastie Boys – Fight for Your Right
– Def Leppard – Rock of Ages
– Evanescence – Going Under
– Avatar – The Dirt I’m Buried In
– Ozzy Osbourne – I Don’t Wanna Stop
– Linkin Park – Crawling
– AC/DC – Thunderstruck
– Five Finger Death Punch – Lift Me Up
– Puddle of Mudd – Psycho
– Three Days Grace – I Hate Everything About You
– In This Moment – Whore
– Hollywood Undead – Everywhere I Go
– Spiderbait – Black Betty
– Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Now THAT is a morning walking playlist!
And when Fight for Your Right by the Beastie Boys came on, I immediately thought about two of my former students, Bobby Santoro and Kyle Dykowski.
Those boys performed that song in front of an entire middle school assembly. Students and staff were cheering, singing along, and having an absolute blast. How many middle schoolers get to say they performed in front of an audience like that?
I still keep in touch with both of them. Birthday greetings, occasional howdy-doins, and checking in on each other. Once you’re one of my kids, you’re always one of my kids.
Apparently, Spotify knows how to bring back some pretty great memories!
🌵 A Neighborhood Full of Characters
The neighborhood was putting on a show this morning.
First, there was the Whomping Willow. Well, not the actual Whomping Willow from Harry Potter, but a big, mostly dead-looking tree that had a surprising resurgence in October. It sprouted leaves and produced yellow berries around its middle, although the upper branches are still looking pretty rough.
Then we had the Betelgeuse trees.
These trees look like something straight out of a Tim Burton movie. They’re enormous, mostly bare, and full of twisted branches. They may look dead as dodos, but the birds absolutely love them.
I spotted a little bird perched up in the branches and managed to get some pictures. He looked like a starling, with some pretty interesting mottled feathers and a bit of iridescence.
And then there was the daytime moon!
The moon was hanging out in the brilliant blue sky, framed by those wonderfully creepy branches. I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.
Apparently, even the dead-looking trees have plenty of stories to tell.
🐦 The Saguaro Bird Convention
And speaking of birds, I found another neighborhood gathering happening around a giant saguaro.
There were birds flying around the cactus, disappearing into its arms, and swooping in and out of view.
I’m not sure whether they were nesting or simply using the cactus as a neighborhood hangout, but they were certainly busy.
That saguaro is apparently prime real estate.
Spectacular desert views, plenty of hiding places, and no HOA fees!
🚔 A Little Monday Morning Excitement
There was also a bit of unexpected activity at 31st Avenue and Peoria.
It looked like someone had managed to run into a bus stop. Police were on the scene, and there was yellow caution tape around the area.
I hope everyone involved was okay.
I didn’t need to investigate any further. A quick look, a little concern for whoever was involved, and I was perfectly happy to continue on my way.
We don’t need to be the neighborhood looky-loos!
🍁 November Walking Fashion
Of course, November means it’s time to bring out the autumn accessories.
Today’s outfit included my Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo leggings, brown socks, orange autumn leaf earrings, and my black “BE KIND. always.” shirt.
The weather was cool enough for longer leggings, although around here you never know when a hot flash might decide it’s suddenly summertime again.
Arizona fashion tip: layers are your friend!
🚶♀️ Today’s Walk Stats
I decided to skip Jazzercise this morning. I wanted to enjoy my walk instead of rushing around trying to squeeze everything into the morning.
And I’m glad I did.
Outbound Walk Receipts
– Distance: 1.26 miles
– Time: 32 minutes
– Steps: 2,886
– Average pace: 25:24 per mile
– Average heart rate: 102 bpm
– Calories burned: 196
– Cardio load: 10
– Elevation gain: 8 feet
– Zone minutes: 17
Return Walk Receipts
– Distance: 1.32 miles
– Time: 39 minutes, 22 seconds
– Steps: 3,058
– Average pace: 29:45 per mile
– Average heart rate: 112 bpm
– Calories burned: 259
– Cardio load: 23
– Elevation gain: 2 feet
– Zone minutes: 38
Monday Morning Totals
– Total distance: 2.58 miles
– Total walking time: 1 hour, 11 minutes
– Total steps: 5,944
– Total calories burned: 455
– Total elevation gain: 10 feet ? Sure Fitbit
– Total zone minutes: 55
And yes, Fitbit, that is TEN FEET of elevation gain. We are not climbing mountains over here! 😂 uphill both ways.
☀️ November, Let’s Do This!
October was a little challenging when it came to getting outside consistently. The rain interrupted plenty of plans, and I missed having those morning walks.
Today was a reminder of why I enjoy them so much.
The sunshine, the birds, the trees, the cactus, the music, and all the little things you notice when you’re not rushing from one activity to the next.
Movement doesn’t always have to be about pushing harder or checking another box. Sometimes it’s about getting outside, enjoying the day, and letting the neighborhood entertain you.
November is off to a pretty great start.
Walk 1 of 5: COMPLETE!
Wellness without perfection. Movement in real life still counts. Always!💜🐦⬛🚶♀️
Let’s see what November has in store! ❤️
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