Bonus Days

There are days that we just let "unfold," as my wife likes to say. That means we have no agenda.

We get up when we want, have a leisurely breakfast, read the papers, take care of some minor household chores, if any, and, if the weather is nice, take a walk around our local park.

Once around the lake is a mile-and-a-quarter. We either stroll or try for a more aerobic pace. In either case I frequently feel a slight tug on my left arm so we can walk together.

If the sun is out, we pick out a bench and sit awhile. People-watching is fun but dog-watching is more fun. We see dogs of all sizes and shapes. Some are even carried in chest slings and we've seen small dogs being pushed in strollers.

I love it when the little dogs pick on a big one and yap at it. Biggie usually looks amazed (confused?) at the audacity but no harm is done.

The quickest way to start a conversation with a stranger is to comment about their dog (positively, of course). Praising someone's child also is a good conversation starter. Naturally, they're all adorable.

Then it's time to go home and relax, as if that's not what we've been doing all along.

It's a "bonus day."