I learned some years ago that I don’t mind the rain so long as I don’t have to be out in it. Now I’m in a period of my life where I don’t have to go out in the rain if I don’t want to. In fact, I seldom leave the house at all, at least during the week, no matter the weather.

The rain poses a slight obstacle for me, however, since I don’t have a car. I have to make sure I have everything I need on hand, so I won’t have to venture out in the rain on foot or by bike. Yesterday, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few last-minute items I needed to ensure I could get through the storm without wanting for anything.

Then, last night, I thought I should get out and get some exercise since I won’t be walking or riding my bike for the next few days. So, at 6 p.m., I set out on my usual 4.5-mile loop. I had plenty of time to get back home before the rain started at 9 p.m. But, as my luck would have it, the weather app lied to me. The rain started just as I got to the halfway point of my walk.

A few years back, Bonnie had knee surgery, and she had to endure weeks of physical therapy. She was telling her therapist that she tried to walk around the block around our house, but it was too far. The therapist asked how far it was. She said it was a 1/4 mile all the way around. The therapist told her to just do half of it. Half of it? Bonnie pointed out that walking halfway around the block and then turning back and walking home is the same as walking all the way around the block.

Such is the case with my 4.5-mile loop. All along my route, there are shortcuts at the beginning and end I can use to bail if I want to cut my walk short, but once I reach the halfway point, that’s it. There’s no shortcut. It’s the same distance to the next shortcut as it is to the last. So, basically, I had to walk home in the rain from the furthest point that I could possibly have had to walk from along my route.

At least I could go home and dry off. 🤷‍♂️