I took advantage of a lull between weather systems yesterday and headed out for a 45-minute walk. The cool, brisk air and sunlight playing chase with the clouds was just the antidote I needed for hours spent at the computer. I’ve been trying to get out on these jaunts several times a week this past month, all too aware that with winter closing in, my exercise in the garden has dwindled and the tendency to add on “hibernation pounds” looms large. I try to mix up my walking routes to keep from getting bored with the same routine, but I’ve found that even on my well-traveled tracks there’s usually something new to see, especially as the seasons change. Yesterday I had an especially unique encounter that left me amused for the rest of the day. In the mood for a more open-space stroll, I turned north out of our subdivision and was immediately surrounded by open fields, pastures and orchards. After a mile or so, I approached a several-acre field with dozens of cattle grazing there — and one emu. I did a double-, then a triple-take. No, I wasn’t dreaming, and as I got closer, the large bird seemed as interested in me as I in him (her?), gradually approaching the fence separating the field from the road. I began to speculate: Was he being raised for meat, like the brethren he shared the pasture with, or were his feathers the hot commodity? Perhaps he’s just an exotic pet? I continued this line of thought past the spot and beyond, then turned back for home and again walked along the fenceline. The bird came even closer, apparently looking for a handout (what could I offer him on a return visit? Grain? Some enticing bug or worm? Maybe not!). I noticed a power company truck driving up, the crew seemingly just as curious as I about this out-of-place phenomenon, but the vehicle spooked the emu. He trotted off in an alarmed fashion, that silky mound of feathers shaking like an old maid’s skirts. It reminded me why I like to walk as much as possible when I’m visiting a new place. While cars and trains might get me swiftly where I want to go, the street-level perspective and the slow pace on foot allow the chance to really get the feel of a city. A peek into a peaceful courtyard, a vista of the sea over tiled rooftops, a charming display of flowers and fruit in front of a cozy restaurant are all mental pictures I treasure from such strolls. They also permit encounters with ordinary, local folk, the kind that leave you with lasting memories and warm feelings for the similarities we share the world over. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor