I was up way too late last night, and then woke up four hours later and didn’t get right back to sleep so I’ll give myself a pass for not writing until 2:00 PM. Yesterday I had a wilderness adventure. It started with me going to get tested for COVID-19. John Platt’s On Your Radar is tonight and as I’ve been going out often, I wanted to make sure I don’t infect anyone. My usual testing site is a mobile unit parked in front of North Bronx Central Hospital. They are not affiliated with the hospital but it’s the best place I’ve found. They have all my info, so I don’t have to do paperwork. They do both rapid and PCR. You get the rapid back in less than an hour and the PCR the next day. When I arrived, the mobile van wasn’t there! I saw that NBC was still doing testing, so I went inside. That’s where I had my tests when they first came out. The staff is always great especially my nurse Leandre. I usually forget them, but I make a point of trying to learn them. The problem was that they don’t do rapid, and it takes two days to get the results for the PCR. That doesn’t help with tonight. I told Leandre my situation and she told me they could give me an at-home test. I have the ones the government sent but I don’t want to run out, so I took them. I’ll save you from suspense and tell you that I tested myself today and I’m negative. With the rates going up and my living my normal life going out often I want to test myself weekly. There are a lot of steps to doing it at home and they each come with a warning that you have to do it right. I was careful and I’m good about these things, but I prefer it being done by professionals. I have five tests at home now so I will use them when I need a fast test.
The tradition is that after getting tested I go to Dunkin’ a few blocks from the hospital if it’s a Monday. On Monday DD gives you 100 bonus points. You get a free drink for 200 points. I now have a free drink coming to me. I got a chocolate croissant. Then came the walk. I had to get my three miles in. I tried a new route walking down Gun Hill Road. I turned south after I crossed the Bronx River Parkway. The roads turned west, and I found my way back at the parkway. I could have followed the side road south, but I saw a stairway that didn’t seem to go anywhere. I couldn’t resist exploring and went down to find myself in the secret Bronx River Grotto.
There was a path along the river that I didn’t know existed. It was a bit muddy in the grotto, but I figured once I got out from under the parkway things would be better. They were … at first. This path is not maintained. A short way down a small tree had fallen across the path. It was easy enough to step over it. Then I came upon this tree that I had to walk around. I didn’t let that daunt me.
The next obstacle was a puddle. It was a bit muddy around it, but it was easily possible to jump across it, so I did. That was a mistake. The far side was far muddier, and my foot slipped out from under me. I was able to maintain my balance, but my pants leg was covered in the mud that splashed up. I realized that there was a danger I’d come across an obstacle that would force me to turn back but I’m an intrepid explorer so continued. Lewis & Clark had nothing on me. Then I came upon this puddle or should I call it a pond. No way I could jump across that. Bob Beamon couldn’t jump across that. I had to go off the path and blaze a trail through the trees to another higher path that soon joined up with the main one.
A little after I was back on the main path, I encountered someone walking the other way. I warned him to take the small higher path when he gets to the fork, and he appreciated the advice. I generally don’t like talking to people when I’m alone with nature, but I couldn’t let him get stuck. His reaction made the loss of solitude worthwhile.
I finally came to a paved path I have frequently walk on. I had never taken the side path because it always looked muddy. Turns out that was wise of me. I was in a river valley. The Bronx River follows the path previously carved by glaciers. It’s fairly steep and when it rains the water collects in the valley. It rained the day before. I should go exploring after a week with no rain.
On the way home I passed Popeye’s. I checked the app to see if there were any special deals. There was, two piece signature chicken and two sides for $6. I couldn’t resist that. I prefer to cook but I had taken the chicken I planned on eating out of the freezer too late. My rewards for being good, getting tested, walking, and exploring were a chocolate croissant, two pieces of chicken, Cajun fries, and mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy.
That was a good day especially for one where I didn’t talk to any friends. I proved to be good company for myself. That’s not unusual but when I’m depressed a day like that would bother me. When I’m not I need days alone. That led to a paradoxical line of thought. Two thoughts that frequently come to me are “Why do people like me?” and “Why don’t people like me?” I’m not talking about different people. In both questions I mean the majority of humanity. I would wager I’m not the only person that has those logically inconsistent feelings. Do you? Let me know in the comments.
Tonight I’m off to see John Platt’s On Your Radar. Before that I have to work in last week’s Gord’s Gold, submitting it to the Folk DJ list so the songs show up on the charts. I’m also getting the songs together for next week’s show. I also have to upload this week’s show to Mixcloud. Working on three shows at once is typical. Parallel processing is efficient.
Wise Madness 