Walking and Thinking in a Winter Wonderland

It's April 2nd and it's snowing. With the year I've had, this does not even register as a surprising event. Simply a present fact.

I've been having a bit of trouble sleeping these past few weeks. It's not that I can't get to sleep, but I'll wake up and my mind is up and ready to go while my body is not so much. I'd frequently found myself waking up around 4 or 5 AM and I'd lie there and try to get back to sleep. Trying and failing to sleep may be the most unproductive activity known to mankind.

So, the other day, I set for myself a rule. If I woke up after 4 AM, I'd get up and either take a walk or write, or, if there is time, both.

At 5 AM this morning, I woke up to follow this protocol. I showered, dressed, and stepped out to take a walk.

Walking in a Winter Spring Wonderland

It was snowing, and that's okay. The funny thing about walking in the snow (if the ground is not slippery) is that it doesn't bother you so much if you don't let it. If you're rushing around trying to get to work, it's a miserable experience. But if you're just trying to get your head right for the day, it can be quite pleasant.

Much of what I thought about on this walk was things that I might write about.

One topic that has gotten my attention as I've begun studying the proposed municipal budget for Groton is healthcare costs. They rise between 6% and 8% every year. That means they double approximately every decade. This increase represent a 1% increase to the town budget every year. Does anyone else see the looming economic calamity that this math implies?

I've also been giving some thought as to what parts of the Silver Phoenix Society story I should share, and in what order. It's a very complex story, and other than the few people who were directly involved, almost no one knows even half of it.

Then there's other topics. Should I discuss the perennial activity in our culture around this time of year of making fun of Christianity's most sacred holiday? Or the fact that most Christians themselves don't give proper respect to their own most sacred day?

Should I talk about guns and the fact that the debate is conducted almost entirely in hyperbole without the intercession of facts on either side?

So much to think about. So few snowy days to walk around in.

Probably won't be more than three or four days like this in April.

What do you think I should write about? Let me know at feedback@michaelwhitehouse.org.