The benefits of exercise

I spent the day in a children's literature conference and while it was great, I was reminded of why Paul so often says "I've been cooped up" after a day of sitting and listening. And, since my body has been screaming at me to please start exercising again, I went for a walk around Greenbelt Lake. As I walked I remembered that the benefits of exercising aren't just for the body, but for the mind and the spirit, especially when you are outdoors and get to see so many interesting and beautiful things. I didn't have my camera, but I found some web images to help you get the idea.

I saw a tall man on tall springy stilts, literally bouncing down the trail,

a tiny little dog with great big ears,

and, most interesting of all, a muskrat!

He put on quite a show for me, eating something at the edge of the water, swimming a bit, and then diving down under to get to his home under the river's bank (at least I guess that's where he went because I didn't see him again). I was thrilled.