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Walking. With Stanley

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They say imitation is the highest form of flattery… However (Stanley’s favourite word), I do so hope you don’t mind, David Kanigan, of Live & Learn, that I have usurped your style for this post. As I was considering writing what shall follow, I kept hearing in my head “Walking… With Stanley” and, well, I decided not to fight it. I’m inspired by you but will still add my own thing by bombarding inserting photos here and there.

I have been convinced into actually using my subscription to Audible by my fellow blogger and friend Janet. You see, she told me about Stanley Tucci’s new book, entitled “Taste: My Life Through Food“. and said she had listened to it, as read by the author himself, and found it wonderful. I said I didn’t listen to books and she said maybe I was like her sister who doesn’t like to be read to. I said I think it was more about my not liking to have continual sound in my ears. I can be up for most of the day, in total silence, before I turn on the TV (when at home). We exchanged back and forth and next thing I knew, I was on Audible, thrilled to find I had one credit and was able to get it for free.

Usually, when I walk, my movie is the view around me and the accompanying sounds of nature serve as soundtrack. I have to admit that when running, I am too busy trying to regulate my breathing and trying to convince myself that I am totally loving it (I’m actually starting to), to notice. I am, however (there it is again), getting a tad bored during my forced every-other-morning walks. (Gah! I cannot wait for this year-long challenge to end!) Anyway, why not try listening to a book? It might make the time go by faster or feel a tad less monotonous. There are only so many times I can be thrilled at the sight of “my” willow.

Okay, so how does it go, D.K.?

3ºC (37.4ºF), 6:44 a.m., Tuesday, November 2nd.

Boucherville, La Seigneurie neighbourhood. Day, I have no idea but day 364 will be on January 2.

Wind is negligible. I have a thick white (to be seen) sweatshirt over two layers of tops, my tuque (not tuk, David) and gloves. I don’t feel the cold at all.

I start my new book. And I walk. Not my usual path. I go right instead of left outside of my house, past Industrial Blvd.. I snap a pic as I’ve decided to take a daily record. It’s still very dark and I see the morning crescent moon. I’m half-tempted to go back and get my real camera but that defeats my walk with purpose. I’m already bad enough taking pics with my phone!

I decide I’m going to go to the second block and turn up de Nogent which will bring me, I am frankly not too sure where, but am not too worried. I’ve got lots of time and it’s not that complicated. I am enjoying listening to Stanley wax on about his youth and his love of food through memories of family meals and can now understand why David ends up buying both the Kindle and the Audible versions as I think, shit! I would’ve highlighted that part. Or, dammit! I want that recipe (coz he gives quite a few of them). Now what? No way in hell I am going to stop and mark the time and the chapter so I can go back to it. Hmm. Not sure now about this whole listening to a book thing. Still on the fence.

However, (yes, Stanley, your editor should have pointed out just how many times you say it), I continue listening and don’t fret as I cannot do much about it for now and before I know it, I find myself in the park that I usually go through first on my runs. I’ve not gotten lost after all. It’s still pretty dark. Already the ubiquitous hockey rink has been set up in preparation for the upcoming season of thwwack of a puck slapping the boards, the Ksssh-ksssh-ksssh of skates cutting into the ice and shouts of laughter.

A chapter ends and I notice the sky is starting to “orange up”.

I look at my watch and see it’s 7:11 and think wow, only half an hour has passed? How fast have I been walking? Or was that loop a helluva lot shorter than I realised? I decide on a whim to make my way over to the overpass and hope the sunrise will be capturable. This is the only place I can even hope to do so. Where David has the best spot EVER to get it and does so spectacularly every morning, I have none. I have lots of options for the sunset, however ( 😉 ) so not all is lost. I make my way up to the top of the overpass and not only is the traffic so loud that I cannot hear Stanley, getting aggravated at the bombarding to my eardrums while I’m at it, the sunrise was totally not worth it and, as if that wasn’t enough, I screwed up and it’s blurry. C’est la vie.

As a result, have decided to only listen to the book when I am walking – far from traffic. Or when I am raking up 12 effing bags of leaves. The noise level was tolerable but not ideal. I have come to realise I prefer quiet streets or parks to do my listening.

And no. I do not want to get noise eliminating ear buds. I want to know if a car is coming and could run me over. And, imagine that, on today’s noon walk? I realised I had forgotten my buds but still could listen to the book through my phone in my pocket. As my guy would say, Win, meet Win! (And a reminder to leave a set at work!)

177 thoughts on “Walking. With Stanley”

  2. Audio books are good for walking and driving, but you pointed out some of the problems. When I listen to lectures in the car, I often have to look up sections in the course guide because an important point slips away too quickly. You had a nice colorful walk and then got left with a bunch of leaves. The soft photo is really nice. It captures that fuzzing feeling felt at dawn. All your photos are lovely.

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  4. Thank you for the hot out, Dale! Much appreciated.

    Honestly, I am tempted to buy TASTE for the recipes after listening to ST read them. So, yes, not into marking the spot on the audio.

    Very well done!

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Pingback: Walking. With Stanley — A Dalectable Life – ° BLOG ° Gabriele Romano

  6. Oh, what a beautiful walk, Dale. Though I like listening to audio books, I really can’t do it while walking or being outside. Love all your images (fuzzy one is gorgeous!)
    Happy Tuesday! 💖🧡💖🧡💖

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Thank you for taking us on your walk with Stanley! I enjoyed the walk. (Are you really going to give it up when the year is up?). Beautiful photos!
    I don’t have Audible, but I listen to podcasts–fact and fiction–when I’m doing inside running or chores.

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  10. I recently discovered Audible as well and I must admit I am loving it! I have Stanley Tucci’s book and I am looking forward to listening but I also saw the documentary he did on his book and I now have a visual as well. It was offered on a public broadcasting channel a few months back. I find I listen to the narrator, that’s how I choose my books And right now I’m listening to Richard Armitage… Wow!

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    • It’s a lovely listen. I know that not all authors read their books well (well, I don’t KNOW but I’ve read 😉 ) but in this case, it is really good. He has a nice voice to listen to, not too gravelly, not too low that you would have to put the sound up all the time. Just right. I want to watch his show on Italy so bad. I didn’t have the chanel. I know, one day, it will play.
      I agree with you that the narrator makes the book. Richard Armitage has a beautiful voice so I am sure he does…. what are you listening to?… proud!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Rochelle,

      I love that you love joining me on my walks and that my narrative adds… That is music to my ears or is it art to my eyes? 🙂 Thank you for saying so.

      Shalom and lotsa enjoyable companionable love,

      Dale

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        • My mother has glaucoma and has only 15% of her eyesight left. She reads on big print because she has no peripheral vision left. She is an avid reader.

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          • Am astounded by those whom carry on without eyesight. I applaud your mother.

            My sister has been legal blind all her life, but you would not know it. May brother began losing his sight in his early 60’s and was pretty much blind when he died this spring. Neither my sister, nor my brother viewed it as a impairment. Life isn’t easy, we all ‘see’ this.

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          • As do I.

            And wow… both siblings? And you? All is good? So very sorry for your loss this spring, Calvin. Sending hugs. Life is full of challenges.

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  13. This is such a great post. I’m grateful that Gabriele led me to it. I love to hear authors read their work–novelists and poets, especially–but only when I am in their physical presence, Disembodied voices just don’t do it for me because I love so much and thus need to see the words on the page (or Kindle). I also can’t have music “in the background” while I’m doing other things—if I am listening to music with any kind of complexity, the music takes over, and listening is all that I can or want to do. Any attempt to accomplish a task will end in frustration! Isn’t it marvelous how different we all are?

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    • Thank you, Angela. And very glad Gabriele led you here!
      I have to say, the only way I can listen is while I am getting my steps in. If I am walking for enjoyment and to take pictures, I don’t even want music 🙂
      I suppose for those who have trouble seeing, Audible is a gift!
      Thanks so much for visiting and leaving such a great comment. 🙂

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  14. There’s no such beast as a walk in silence in my experience. I walk alone and I tend to walk quickly with increasing amounts of stops (to admire the scenery!) as I get older. I listen to my steps. They speak to me in myriad ways. I listen to the birds, the trees, the grass, the animals, the wind, and I often talk to them. If I am high up and can see for miles, and am shouted at by the wind, I will shout back. Mostly, there is no other human nearby to hear but, if there is, they are free to think me mad!

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    • I am willing to tap the screen to turn the page though I much prefer to hold a book (the Kindle is great in bed with all the lights off). The Audible, I am not yet in love with. Don’t think I ever will. But hey, it did help pass the time on the walks that have become rather boring – the walks for steps, that is! Thanks for coming along!

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  18. I enjoyed “your” walk and photos today. I personally don’t listen to any audible/radio sounds when walking outdoors or riding my Harley. I enjoy the sounds of nature and the aroused senses of being outdoors. I will be in the woods this weekend setting in my stand and can sit there for hours just listening to the wind, the rustling leaves, the sound & visuals of all the animals. I am at peace there. Good story.

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  19. This is an excellent article, Dale. Well done! The pictures are great too, but your writing stands well on its own even though the pics add much. Keep that shit up.
    My first audio book was written and read by Bill Bryson. A few years ago I tried “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy, but post-apocalyptic (or dystopian) are not in my lane. It’s a good book, for those who like that genre.
    I mostly read eBooks, but for things I want to reference later, I prefer paper. My last audible book was by a young author from Boston. She did very well reading it, but while I loved her Bostonian accent, the way she pronounced often (off-ten) was a distraction. I did the book walking which worked great.
    How long have you been running? Have I ever told you my running story?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Bill. Glad you enjoyed both words and images. You can bet I’ll keep this shit up.
      I almost read the book “The Road” but my friend took it back before I could start it because her boyfriend wanted to reread it before watching the movie. Not one I would go out of my way to get. Mostly because I just loathe the word dystopian.
      I read an ebook, followed by a paper one (except for this audible) that is going on at the same time as “Crossroads” by Jonathan Franzen that I am reading on my Kindle.
      I think who reads the book is very important. I am pleased by Stanley Tucci’s tone and intonation. I think if it was too gravelly or low, I would not still be listening.
      I’ve never been a runner – except for 100m in high school, or running around the dojo in karate. I never could understand why anyone would enjoy it! Then last summer I decided to try it. Was doing rather well until I hurt my foot doing some workout barefoot (dumbass). I started up again this spring and have been getting better and better. I am not a real runner. I do 1:45 run/1:00 walk, up to 2:45 run/1:00 walk, increasing by 15 seconds and going back down.
      I know you said you did like 12 marathons after the age of 60 – I am in awe!

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      • If one runs, one is a runner, but let us not quibble.
        Look up the stats on the percentage of peeps who do any form of exercise, especially after age 50. I think it’s great that you do and that you are enjoying it.
        At one marathon they put out humorous signs. I recall one at the 21 mile point: “And just think, you paid to do this to yourself” 🙂 Right at the point where I normally hit “the wall.” (followed by the high).
        When first reading this I wondered if you’d been inspired by yesterday’s dVerse prompt because you used the word “bombarded.” Anyway, I am off to the pool to continue my recovery from my weekend away. More later.

        Liked by 1 person

    • I’m with you, Eilene. Though I’ve never thought of listening to a book while I drive. I like music.
      It’s only during my walk for steps and not for enjoyment (oy!) that I listen. I just want to get those steps done and out of the way and it’s dark anyway. Not like there is much to look at! 🙂
      And thanks re the commitment… I can’t wait for it to be over!

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  23. I don’t drive, and walk very little. So, when I got the chance to listen to the audiobook of Michelle Obama’s Becoming, I did it while doing chores: sweeping the floors, washing the dishes, etc. However, when I tried listening to it, while laying in bed and not doing anything in particular, I often found myself going back 10-15 seconds to catch something I missed.

    It’s amazing how you can only focus on audiobooks when you are multitasking, and never when you have your entirety of focus to give.

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    • Interesting. By not keeping the limbs busy, the brain takes over. Might be related to ADD. Some need to keep their hands busy so they can concentrate and listen better.

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  24. Q

    I never really got into the e-books even though it’s a good idea for so many different purposes and activities, running being one of them. The last e-book I “read” was many years ago, it was Sun Tzu: The Art of War. It was a great one to use whilst running. But in the end, music or just running won out.

    Fall is here! Sort of. Sometimes. This week it’s spring/summer. The weekend will be winter. So, really, you have to look quickaly.

    B

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  27. However, this is a very enjoyable post.
    Always adore your pics, and the blurry one looks like Impressionism. So there!
    However, I have a hard time listening to books. I loose focus, and would probably get run over in some alley somewhere.
    I understand about needing all wits!
    However, xoxoxoxoxo

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    • Haha! Love it! Proof you read it 😉
      However, I do understand the hard time listening to book. I assure you, the only time I have managed is during my morning walks (in quiet streets) when I’m on a step mission and not a photog one 😉 or during my lunchtime walk. Outside of that? Nyet.
      However, xoxoxoxoxo right back at ya!

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  28. I was with you. I was power walking, I wasn’t running. Running jars the joints and not recommended for the elderly. Love your photos. And I know what you mean about working out when’s best to use Audible. Problem I found with it is it eats my battery.

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  29. Now I understand about Stanley (Tucci). I enjoyed walking along with you (as I do on IG). I’m going to miss your walks when your year-long challenge ends. 🙂 I have thought about audio books but I have some kind of attention deficit disorder when it comes to listening to books or podcasts. Ten or twenty minutes will go by and I’ll realize I haven’t listened to a word of it so I have to go back. Then, ten or twenty minutes will go by and I’ll realize… well, you get the idea. I have to seriously focus and take it increments.

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    • Yes, he did accompany me for, let’s see, we ended this morning. In total, I think it took 5-6 walks to complete the book. I miss him already.
      However, 😉 you will have nothing to miss my friend. My challenge was for 10K steps/day. I shall not stop walking, I shall stop counting!
      I think if I were just sitting and listening, I would lose focus. The walking actually helps to focus, bizarrely. As long as it is in otherwise quiet surroundings. Trucks and traffic make me rather aggressive.
      I have days where I read a book and can’t focus. I read a whole chapter and at the end, go what? LOL.

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  30. Well I loved accompanying you on your walk, but audiobooks aren’t for me. I think I take things in less when I listen to them and like you, I quite often sit in silence for much of the day. Don’t forget you can often get audiobooks free through libraries without having to pay a charge – you can get them on CD, but most libraries also have a platform where you can download them!

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    • I’m glad you joined me for my walk. I think I can continue to do audio books but only on those mornings where I am forcing myself to walk (because I don’t feel like it and must get my darn steps in to finish my challenge) and they distract me from looking at the time 😉

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