The Things I've Seen

Now that I run without an iPod most of the time, I find myself noticing a lot more about my surrounding--sights, sounds, smells. I thought I'd share a few from last night's run:

1. A lone can of Libby's pumpkin puree lying on the sidewalk in a residential neighborhood. I wondered how it ended up there (b/c there weren't any driveways terribly near by) and who was making pumpkin pie in April.

2. A puffy dead squirrel--biggest squirrel I've ever seen; I thought it was a cat at first. Both disgusting and sad (but not as sad as if it'd been a cat).

3. The inviting smell of flowers (I have no idea what kind...purple) mixed with the nose-wrinkling smell of new mulch.

4. A fellow runner carrying the cutting edge discman...Who even needs an MP3 player??

5. A runner who, apparently used to the seas parting for him, ran directly down the middle of the sidewalk toward me, leaving me to practically leap into a bush to avoid being mowed over.

6. Honking...followed by a long leer out the window. Gross. Come any closer and you'll get an eyefull of pepper spray.

7. The green-yellow film of pollen covering cars and sidewalks everywhere I ran. But, my histamine-proofed nose was good to go--I love you Sudafed!

8. An ice cream truck playing a children's tune over the loud speaker...I couldn't remember the name of the song or the lyrics...All that came to mind was Chingy's version "Do Your Chain Hang Low."

9. A little girl running across the lawn and down the sidewalk after said ice cream truck, whose cries of "ICE CREAM!!!" turned into sobs as she collapsed onto the sidewalk in a forlorn heap when the truck didn't stop. Can't blame ya little sista, I've been known to do the same when I miss out on ice cream.

10. A rough kitten tongue licking my ankles as I stretched out...yum, salty!