Walking Elmer Meditations

The routine has been established: Elmer and I are walking the neighborhood down to the park at 6:00 am.

It is interesting walking the city this time of the morning. Everything is pretty much still. We did see a coyote the other morning and the trickster didn’t bolt on us. Rather he kept ahead about 50 yards until a jogger appeared and spooked him. Did I try to make any meaning of the coyote, as I have done other times in my life when they showed up? No. It was just a thrill.

Most times Elmer and I don’t encounter anyone. Maybe a jogger or dog walker here and there. Once, a homeless person sitting on a park bench with a tarp over his/her head.

What do I think about on these walks in the darkness? Everything. I do specifically remember thinking about a Flannery O’Connor novel I am reading, Wise Blood, and trying to make sense of its total weirdness, black humor, depravity and lack of anyone who has any decency or kindness or intelligence. I can’t tell if I despise this book or think it’s genius. I do know that so far there is a powerful theme of homelessness and according to the introduction of this omnibus of O’Connor’s work, the editors said that homelessness and hopelessness were the two main themes of her fiction.

What do Elmer and discuss on our walks? Mostly the state of the nation.

Rain doesn’t bother Elmer at all.

We sometimes parallel Highway 99 and I watch the commuters driving downtown to their jobs. That feels so depressing to me.

I’ve got to get the pea coat’s buttons sowed on tighter. It’s great to wear that ancient coat of mine with a dog again.

I may try running with Elmer. I’ve taken a few short jogs and he does very well.

Many Christmas lights are still shining. I see many Christmas trees still twinkling inside people’s houses.

I’ve lost five pounds since adopting Elmer. I’m sleeping better. My mind seems more acute. And here I am writing about dogs again!