How to have fun walking in the heat...

Ok, I live in Santa Monica. It’s always nice here. But never mind that.

Getting Started Essentials 1-2-3:

1. This works best wearing bicycle shorts, a loose t-shirt and comfy shoes. I wear my fav red leather Italian sandals which I don't recommend but I love them… they’re so cute! Anyway, you'll know what does it for you.

2. An itouch/ipod/whatever, with your favorite song lists -- see the music at the top of my FB profile for examples (not the yodel deal from Steve Freeman, I haven't figured out how to remove that yet). I have one list that's strictly sing along, fun music (not on FB), sorted in alphabetical order. It begins w/Addicted to Love, which has a nice warm-up walking beat followed by Bad Reputation, so I get the 'tude to go with the walk and like that.

3. A bottle of water to stay hydrated (which doubles as a tambourine or some such percussive instrument if you so desire to accompany yourself along the way).

And that's it!

First, because I tend to have a rather loud sort of husky voice... I only plug in one ear piece so I don't scare the neighbors by belting out tunes while strolling past them tending to their roses and lilies and sage and rosemary and other lovely garden requisites here in the hood. That’s a big one if you like to sing.

Next, strike the pose. Come on now... we all remember our lessons from charm school. Shhh... yes I went (more than once). I can play the role if necessary. Anyway, back straight, head high and then -- toe heel, toe heel, toe heel runway walk to the beat!

Today was magnificent! I began with my usuals, then went wild and scrolled down to Straight On by Heart (great walking tune! remember the earpiece... no scaring the neighbors), through Them Changes by Buddy Miles and was home by the time You Dropped a Bomb on Me by the Gap Band was finished.

You won't believe all the folks who pass by you with big smiles on their faces!