I like walking outside

It's like night and day in some regards here in California (remember I moved from NY around the first of April). I was taken aback when we first saw the house because the washer and dryer were in the garage. Outside. Several feet away from the front door. Why would someone do that, I wondered. Insanity!

But I've loved it from day one. Despite the juggling heavy baskets and doors to house and garage, I have enjoyed my laundry "area" being outside. I don't necessarily like the smell of the garage, the haphazard way my clothesline hangs over our car hoods, or the fact that the front of my minivan sits hot, grimy and bug riddled mere inches from the open dryer; I still love it.

I have more reasons to step outside than ever here, and laundry is just one of them. I make several trips to the garage every day and try to bring the folded laundry in small armloads, increasing my trips on purpose. I take bags of recyclables and garbage outside most every day and individually. I take things to the garage regularly that just aren't finding a place in the house. I've lost 4 pounds already just increasing my activity.

Didn't I ever go out in New York? Yes, often enough. People seem to look for reasons to go outside in California, while people looked for reasons to stay inside in New York. It's easy to stay in and be contained inside one building in New York. Whether the weather is terrible or you can't stand the neighborhood, you don't always make an effort to step outside.

Comments

[Gina]

I'm up North in Napa County ;-)

[Tina M]

Hi, Welcome back to cyberland. I've missed your musings. Welcome to California; we do love the outside here; that is true. I don't know what part of Cali you are in, but here in the South Bay (south of LA)we are experiencing what we call the "May grays", which usually turn into the "June glooms". We hate it, but we are used to it. I hope you continue to fall in love with our beautiful state; and if you are indeed within a workable distance, My friends and I would love to show you around. Welcome, welcome, welcome!!