1000 Pillows

We all know Frances is a bit shy. People that know me, understand I don’t care. Being out in public with me is always an experience as Frances can attest. She has often chided me, much to her own regret, for having to try to become every dog’s new best friend. Because I wake up earlier than Frances on the weekends, I head out for walks on Runyon Canyon while I leave her to sleep like a princess.

I have told Frances a story previously of a troupe of Russian gentlemen that can usually be found on an early morning walk. I have found some rather interesting parallels to camaraderie and walks. Watch any of the Ocean movies and you will find George Clooney and Brad Pitt discussing, reminiscing, conniving, or problem solving at a casual pace. I have argued that these old Russian guys are throw-backs to a simple time. These Russian guys are not interested in their overall aerobic health or checking their Blackberry! They go for these walks because their women are probably also sleeping like princesses while they get out to solve the world’s problems!

Today, Sunday, Frances was in a mood to go out for an early morning walk with me. Sure enough and almost on cue, down the mountain comes this troupe of four old guys. Since this was her first early Russian troupe sighting, I started the narration at 75 yards…”Here they come…Discussing all the things that they think are important…without their wives…” I noticed that one of the gentlemen was taking a keen interest in Frances so I naturally said hello, to which he responded, in English, with his own, “Good Morning.”

Well, not 50 yards after these gentlemen, there was, what Frances thought was one of the troupe’s stragglers, who couldn’t keep up with his friends. I said, “No, this guy is a widower who’s best friend is his dog.” We approached this tall, skinny, white haired, gentleman with his equally old dog. Unfazed, by her first experience with this “Early Morning, Old Man Ritual” not 50 yards ago, she didn’t give much thought to just one more old man. I said, “Good Morning” in passing. Just like the dogs that entertain me, I don’t much care about the response. I’m just always this way!!! Then, the gentleman responded…and that’s all Frances needed to hear. Since she never has her glasses on (…much to my daily chagrin) that voice was unmistakable to Frances. That skinny old guy was none other then Bob Barker! Frances was beside herself! She is a huge fan of the Price Is Right and loved that Bob, at 85 is still hiking.

Dogs, old Russian guys…unrecognizable famous people…

For the past few months, I have been taking periodic walks with friend and business associate Peter. Most of the time it’s because there is just too much going on and nervous energy, but along the way, there is always something profound that is decided upon. A few months into our walks Frances & I stumbled upon one of the Ocean movies and it made me realize the power of walks. Not for the people you will meet or the old guys that become predictable, but for each other…and the friendly dogs you meet along the way.