Wonderland Workout

Physical fitness has worn many hats. During school days, some loved to hate it! But hate or love, everyone had to participate in some physical activity. As a lacto-ovo- vegetarian originally but one who eats fish occasionally now, I know the value of being fit and in good health. When I returned from college years ago, I was svelte - the size of my twin sisters who wore size 10/12 outfits. My mother panicked as she never remembered me ever being their size. Once back in the Bahamas, I found that my diet was too expensive to maintain. Even today, the salt laden and  enticing sugary foods are displayed prominently and sold cheaply. Healthy foods costs so much that they squeeze the ink dry out of the currency that is exchanged for such goods! But, I prefer healthful living still.

My brother provided a subtle message this morning when he brought a plant for me to see.

"What does this look like?" he asked.

"Parsley", I replied. We grew parsley in the backyard, so that was the obvious answer.

He smiled incredulously."This looks like parsley?" he asked." Look again."

When I looked again, I recognized my error. "Oh, that is celery," I said.

Since we moved from New Providence to Crooked Island in the southeastern Bahamas, life has been so different. We have to depend on the mailboat service for most goods and supplies. Whether the items are purchased in New Providence, locally or abroad [in the United States] there is a cost attached to them.With celery in my thoughts, I realized that we are truly blessed. There is an abundant supply of native fruits here.The papaya that was picked this morning will be ready for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. The fruit basket holds a honeydew melon and a huge tomato.The backyard is rocky and not ideal for plants; but through hard work, the harvest has been abundant and varied.

When I jumped on the scale, it told my fortune. I was destined for a workout!  My sedentary life threatened my lifespan; and when my brother asked if I was going to begin a physical fitness routine, I had to say yes. By the time I joined him, it was afternoon; but the area where he was working was cool and shady. Among the tree were a few poison wood; and I kept my distance. Thanks to Witch hazel and Melagel, he was able to recover from  the ill effects of his encounter with the poisonous trees. However, I needed a workout.

At first, I was reluctant to lift logs or even pull the trees with branches - that had been cut down.Then a tune about a mule called Sal came to mind. I felt that if I  helped to pull the light loads, I would not be affected adversely. Thus, I became Sal, dragging the trees that had been cut down to the heap to be burned. As we fuelled the fire, i thought about an expression.

"if the green burn ,the dry will sweep!" I said.

"The green will burn as long as there is sufficient heat," my brother retorted.

Soon it was lunch time and I announced joyfully that i was sweating! But sweat is nothing new to my brother. During a working day, he changes five or more drenched shirts! He has to drink gallons of water too! After lunch and a few more loads uphill, my brother noticed the sky. It was black; and the air had changed unexpectedly.

"We have about five minutes to clear out of here. Otherwise, we will be drenched," my brother warned.

While they finished the felling of trees and packing up, i sat on the bench that had been fashioned from logs and placed between two trees. Just when I was feeling relaxed, a big drop landed plumb on me; and that  signal sent me scurrying for shelter.Secure and warm, I reflected on the day. Now, i am looking forward to my next woodland workout!