SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK

During the last few months of 2010; September, October, November, until the snow began to fly and I decided to hibernate a little, I had been working out at least three times a week, usually every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Ballys Total Fitness. I had made a decision to push the limits this time around by doing some serious Body Building, rather than simply an exercise routine, which ranged from two to three hours of pumping iron in a total body workout. Over the course of those three months, I increased the weight I was using in every category by 100%, even amazing myself. As for results, I have a favorite anecdote. I was walking out front of the house to get my mail, and it was an unusualy warm day common hear in Hampton Roads, Virginia, so I didn't bother to put a shirt on. I heard the voice of a black sister driving by and pulling up to the stop sign loudly exclaiming, "White Boy, you need to put your shirt on before you make me have an accident, or just get whiplash from looking!" I had arrived at my goal before I even realized, although I pretended not to hear for the moment. It was an important landmark in my life, but not as serious as a heart attack.

When the snow started falling shortly after, I had no problem taking a break from the gym, rather than going out in a car with a blown heater. During the first storm, I decided to get out and shovel the walks like we always used to do in my hometown, Newport, Rhode Island. I think it was actually required by law there. I was amazed at my capacity to first clean off the cars and shovel out the driveway and then even shovel back from the gate to the back steps, which was my normal access. I had started the chore by going out of the garage door so I could take some pristine pictures without leaving footprints. I just kept going like the energizer bunny, and even shoveled out a neighbor who had recently been a stroke victim, so his caregiver would be able to reach him. Then I went inside, ate lunch, and took a nap. When I woke up an hour later, I was thinking there was more than enough snow to build a snowman for the first time in years. I got ready and started out the door, only to discover it was not only snowing again, but had already recovered all the work I had done, and was within an inch of making it look as if I had done nothing at all. "Virginia Is For Lovers", but not lovers of snow. I remember one year when it was 70 degrees for the last two weeks in March, and just when we thought we were having an early thaw, it snowed six inches on April Fools' Day. God has a sense of humor. Job also says, "He turns about the weather, so we will consider His works, and not just our own." If I didn't say, this time around was already twelve inches, when I shoveled out the first time, and a total of nineteen inches by the time it was over. But I was excited about being in such good shape, even though I was wise enough to just settle in and wait for the second downfall to melt on it's own.