I lost a day somewhere along the way. I am not sure how because I can’t find it in my posts, but whatever. It’s Day 51.

Today was glorious. I am sorry for all of you that are north and getting beat down again by Old Man Winter, but we’ll be home soon enough suffering right along with you. And if you don’t want to hear about sunshine, pools and long, sleeveless walks, you should stop reading here.

Since we came down with pale Wisconsin skin, the Florida sun left us all glowing like light bulbs today, but everyone is just fine with that. Nothing a little Hagen Daaz ice cream couldn’t handle.

I really don’t have much to report except that of all days, today was the toughest not cocktailing. It was 85 degrees, sunny and the pool was perfect. I could have really used a cold beer, or 5. And, tonight we went to a real Italian deli for some of the most delicious pizza I’ve ever had. They had ALL Italian wine…my favorite.

But, I didn’t. I had a fancy, sparkling water with extra lime.

All in all, a pretty great start to the vacation…except for this one thing that’s been bothering me all day.

I went for a walk this morning. We are in The Villages, Florida; a very large, golfing/golf cart retirement city so there are a lot of ahem, mature, and very active, people. About halfway in to my jaunt, I spotted a gentleman with walking poles ahead of me. It’s always a little awkward passing people while walking, running maybe not so much, but you never walk fast enough to not make it awkward.

Luckily, he stopped to fix his pole just a little in front of me so I was able to close the gap. He didn’t really notice me until I said “Good Morning” to a biker going the opposite way. I think I surprised him a little but as I was passing him, because it takes a long time to pass, we exchanged a few words.

Him: “I thought I saw you creeping up on me.”
Me: Chuckle, chuckle. “What a day, huh?”
Him: “I’m slow. I thought you’d catch up to me.”
Me: “Well, I’m slow too so no biggie.”

I wished him a nice day and unhooked the plow (that’s a Dale-ism) to pass the now awkward silence. This is where the ridiculous (or maybe insightful, you be the judge) parts of my brain turned on.

By saying I was slow too and then by passing him, I basically told him he was the slowest. Of course I didn’t think about this at the time and he probably never gave it another thought.

But the more I walked, the more I thought (my specialty) I should have said, “It’s not a race.” I spent the next 45 minutes thinking about this very sentiment and I couldn’t shake it.

I am constantly looking for the next best thing and wherever it is, I can’t get there fast enough. Which means I am losing out on right now. I could have walked with that guy rather than trying to race by him. Or, I could have slowed down a little and enjoyed the sunshine, warm breeze and palm trees rather than trying to burn enough active calories to beat my sister.

I coulda, woulda, shoulda. I know, I know, that doesn’t solve anything either. But, I learned a valuable lesson today. I’m not sure if it’s a clearer head or the influx of vitamin D, it doesn’t really matter, but I want to remember that life is not a race to the next best thing. The best thing is right here, right now.

I mean, until we get to the beach tomorrow.