Two Weeks and Two Knees

Last updated on: August 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm by Fred Wooden

Two Weeks and Two Knees 2024-08-27T19:30:34-04:00 Fred Wooden

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The old joke says a fellow sees a doctor about a cold, and the doctor replies, “You can wait it out for two weeks, or I can treat it and you’ll be better in a fortnight.”

“It’s a Joke Boy”

Those who read my last post will get the reference. I post here about once every two weeks, which is a fortnight. Sure, more posts with more pics and more links would get more clicks and more money and perhaps improve my status as an influencer.

But my pace is a slow one, especially with age. And if anything, I recommend a slower life for your well-being in every sense. One cannot be a fast pilgrim.

Those in a Hurry Through Life are Like to Succeed

One can be a fast walker – and on my many pilgrim journeys many a strapping young person (sometimes a strapping old person) would sweep past me – but one cannot be a fast pilgrim. This took me a while to take in fully. When I began there was a pleasure in swift striding, until I took my first falls or discovered I missed a view in my eagerness.

Not that I dawdle now, but I do saunter some. Surely I must have quoted John Muir or Henry David Thoreau on that concept. It is standard pilgrim wisdom. That and Constantine Cavafy. Click on those, for sure. I cannot resist quoting Cavafy though,

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island…

Sore knees are Great Teachers

Thanks to overextending myself twice recently, both knees are protesting right now. As How to get relief from knee pain in the age 70-80 years - Quora I am back on the trail in about five weeks, this worried me. Worrying makes me hurry, and that would make it worse.

Who knows, maybe my knees are reminding me to stay slow as my excitement ramps up. The body is not a dumb implement to be used, but a living partner with something to say if I pay attention.

Thus, instead of adding kilometers and a backpack in a week or two, I shall slow down, do less and let me knees instruct me. They are telling me to live the Pilgrim Life even when I am not on the trail. And that is, in the end, the whole point of being on the trail in the first place.

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About W. Frederick Wooden

Fred has led many lives - composer, pastor, pilgrim, political candidate, newspaper columnist, radio host, father and spouse. They have taken him from boyhood in Maryland to study in Missouri and Illinois, work in Massachusets, Austin Texas, Brooklyn NY and Grand Rapids Michigan. He has explored Mexico, New Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Turkey, India, China, Japan and Europe. Those who have read his travel accounts often say, "I feel like I am actually with you as you go." Fred takes you along whatever the journey he is on. You can read more about the author here.

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