Pocket Dispatch From A Light Stroll
It’s a late spring day. The sun is shining and hot, and I am trying to incorporate more exercise into my life, so I will go for a walk outside.
The less I take, the better. I don’t want to be weighed down by heavy things, and it will be easier to clear my mind if my hands and pockets are empty, too. So I will only take my wallet.
And my phone. My responsibilities require me to be reachable most of the time in case something happens with the kids at school, plus I might forget something that’s on the calendar or need to answer a text message. But at least I’ll only have my phone and wallet.
A notebook would be good. What better way to enjoy being out in the neighborhood than by sitting down at a cafe and writing down some thoughts? I love to write in notebooks, especially with a simple ball point pen. Sometimes pencil is best, but if I take both, I’ll be set. Maybe a few colors of felt tip marker in case I need to emphasize something.
Actually, if I write something good, it would be great to be able to draft a text file in my writing app for revisions and maybe even posting later. The iPad is usually my favorite for that, but the keyboard case is in the office where my wife is taking a meeting, and I don’t like typing on the screen, so I’ll just take my laptop.
This is more than I originally meant to take, but it will all fit in my shoulder bag. Wallet, phone, laptop, notebook, pen, pencil, flair pens. This is fine.
I turn to the door and notice the book I’m supposed to drop off at a friend’s house a few streets over. This walk is the perfect occasion to take care of that.
Next to the book is my camera, which I’m trying to get better about carrying on me at all times now that the weather is good for street photography and people are out in interesting dress. I grab it.
My shoulder bag is overstuffed now and I’m a little worried about the camera falling out, so I clip its strap to the bag with a D hook.
I grab my pocket knife—you never know—as I turn back to the door, the bag’s strap digging into my shoulder. I slip into a pair of sneakers and start down the stairs, slightly unsteady under the weight.