“These Shoes Were Made for Walking” – PRIORHOUSE INTERVIEW Linda Schaub (3-15-2023)

Hello Readers.

Today’s Interview features Linda Schaub. We will check out her walking shoes, wildlife photos, blogging tidbits, and some of what is going on in her life. 

Prior: Linda, let’s start with the 10-year blogging anniversary (her post for it, Labor of Love, is here). That post has wonderful flashback about the days of typewriters (word processors for me) and a decade of blogging (2013 – 2023).  So let’s just start with a brief history of Linda’s WALKING?

LINDA: I began my walking regimen Labor Day weekend 2011. I had been laid off for over a year, a casualty of the Great Recession; however, I was laid off with the expectation of being hired back when business picked up.  My mom had passed away in early 2010, so I was enjoying the respite from the drudgery of work and the commute and what had been a difficult year for me.  But, when my boss called to say I could return to work in June 2011, it was part-time only and I told him I was not going to the office for a half-day of work, so I would work from home (by remoting in to my desktop) or I would find another job. He liked that idea, but it came with a few stipulations – like accepting a lower wage and not receiving any personal/vacation time.  I agreed to that, but would later rue my decision.

    Although our office was fairly small, I soon realized my house and the amount of steps I took in a single day, was much less than before.  Yardwork and housework were simply not enough exercise and sitting long hours for work, then catching up on social media in the evenings, was not healthy, so I decided to begin a walking regimen.  I walked one neighborhood block the first day, increasing my steps by blocks to a mile, then two miles and so on.  As I neared the Winter months, I was happy to get a three-mile walk in every morning before work.  In 2012, the first full year of walking, I set a year-end goal.  I have met every year-end goal since the first year.  I keep a diary of my miles walked.  My most-recent goal, for 2022, was 1,256 miles (2022 kilometers).  I made it and then some (1,284 miles/2,066 kilometers).

Prior: What has been your favorite walk?

LINDA: Although my earliest blog posts did not reflect my love for nature, when I started walking at Council Point Park in the Spring of 2013, I began taking photos of the resident  geese, ducks, one scrawny-looking heron and especially the squirrels.  I’ve written many posts about the squirrels. 

     I began going to larger parks for more critter experiences and in 2018 bought a DSLR and got a Metropark pass, so it was then I became really immersed in the whole nature/photography/blogging experience.  Every time I went to the Metroparks, I was on the lookout for deer and often saw them at a distance, but while driving in or out of the park when I couldn’t stop.  One day, as I drove out of Lake Erie Metropark, I saw a doe and her fawn grazing not far from the road.  I hastily pulled off in a designated fishing area and flew out of the car, my compact digital camera at the ready.  I was able to approach the two and they didn’t fear me in the least … in fact, Mama loped off into the bushes and soon I heard her splashing around in the marsh. 

     It seemed I was “in charge” of babysitting her fawn!  I was ecstatic, snapping at least 50 photos of the fawn while it grazed or intensely watched me.  Mama then came to the shoreline and signaled her offspring to follow her.  The fawn seemed reluctant to do so, turning around and watching me before trotting off obediently after Mama, all the while “wagging its tail” and I know I floated home that day. 

     I wrote about the experience in a post on August 9th, but I couldn’t wait to share the photos, so I used my favorite shots in a Wordless Wednesday post and truly that was my favorite walk ever.  

Here is the link to a post about a special walk:   https://lindaschaubblog.net/2021/08/04/bashful-bambi-wordless-wednesday-nice-meetin-ya-kid/

Prior: On your walks, do you meet a lot of people? I imagine you having many conversations. 

LINDA: I do have lots of conversations Yvette while at various parks and interestingly, at the larger Metroparks, where I find the biggest variety of furry and feathered friends, people will usually just stand silently next to me, perhaps in awe, taking photos, watching through binoculars, or just observing.  I will say that people are more intent on the “wildlife” experience there than in the trek.

However, with that said, my walks at Council Point Park are a whole different experience these days.  While I am all about feeding the squirrels and birds, an experience which brings me joy and accelerates the walking-for-good-health experience, there are no other daily walkers who enjoy nature like I do. 

Arnie, an elderly gentleman who passed away last year, was the one and only walker who would share stories about growing up next to the woods and a lake, or we’d both have excursions to the Metroparks and discuss what we saw.  We’d identify birds by sight or their calls.  Arnie had never used a computer and I always wished I could have shared my blog posts with him as so many of my posts involve Council Point Park.

I prefer to walk alone … I always have, but other walkers seem intent on joining me on the perimeter path.  I try my best to evade them, especially if I go there to take photos while on my walk.  I don’t want to discuss the day’s political events, world crises or rants and raves.  I just want to reset my mind by having a peaceful walk.  This past year I’ve encountered two rude women walkers, one who says I’m going to bring rodents by putting out peanuts and seeds; the other woman makes racist comments toward me, while wielding a golf club for any squirrels that approach her.  I told her that would be a cruelty-to-animals offence.  There are other instances I won’t go into, but this is craziness I don’t need.

Prior: Yes, I do not have time in my life for that either. One of my favorite images is of the hands with the fun “tattoo hand” – can you share about that?

LINDA: Meeting Jennifer and her friend, Terra, at my favorite nature nook on the Friday before Labor Day was a day I’ll never forget. 

Though the girls told me they routinely walked here, I’d never seen them before.  I wanted to kick myself as I left my camera at home that morning, in a flurry to get out the door before the heat and humidity became too oppressive.  When I saw Jennifer standing on the walking path with something black and furry crawling up her arm, I assumed it was a kitten.  When I discovered it was a baby squirrel, me, the Roving Reporter, immediately asked the “who/what/where/when/why/how”  rapid-fire questions.  As you read in the blog post, Jennifer peeled the baby squirrel from her arm and I suggested she put it under the “Safe Haven Tree” which I have designated as a safe place away from sky predators such as hawks, as the Weeping Mulberry’s branches reach the ground like a fortress.  We crushed peanuts and I left a liberal sprinkling of seeds, NOT knowing this baby had not been weaned.  After the girls left, I sped home, on foot, to get my camera to take photos of it.  Another walker, who knows my affinity for squirrels, suggested I take the baby squirrel home with me, but I was reluctant to do.   

     The next morning the baby squirrel was gone, having returned to the tree from where it had fallen.  It was weak.  I saw the girls had returned to similarly check on our charge.

     Jennifer cradled the baby in her hands, Terra petted it and before they took it home to give it some milk and contact a rehabber, I snapped the tattooed hands picture, which was much more powerful than pictures of that baby squirrel. Here is the link to that post:  https://lindaschaubblog.net/2022/10/03/lending-a-helping-hand/

Prior: I also like how you share some down views of your shoes.  In fact, the topic of hiking shoes came up in Dan Antion’s recent interview( here). Last year, I was sharing online about my quest for hiking shoes (that fit my needs) and Dan shared about his favorite brand, which is Salomon. Then, when when Rhianna was sporting some colorful Salomon shoes during her Super Bowl show, it reminded me of the post chats.  Ah… the fun of blogging. 

Rhianna’s Salomon hikers (left and center) and Dan’s (right)

LINDA: I like to occasionally snap a picture looking down at my feet, whether encased in my walking shoes in Fall leaves, or my hiking boots while trudging through the snow.  I’ve even gotten a few pictures of my favorite squirrel Parker, pressing a front paw on my toe tops, signaling me to stop taking photos because “it is peanut time!”  

    While there are many types of walking shoes, some pricier than others, I began my walking regimen with Easy Spirit “Punter” and have remained loyal to this brand.  The sole is very thick, the inside is cushioned and each pair of shoes lasts me at least 1,000 miles/1,600 kilometers, maybe more, before I relegate them to yardwork status.  I always have an extra pair or two of new shoes waiting in the wings – they run about $50.00 to $60.00.  This style was recommended by the owner of a mom and pop family shoe business, which closed down a few years ago when Margaret retired. She was an avid walker and “Punters” were her favorite style.  Because she steered me in the right direction for shoes that felt like slippers, I sought her advice for hiking boots which were sturdy, gave me good support and excellent traction.  She suggested New Balance women’s Hiking Boots, Style 1400v1.  It took me a while to get used to these over-the-ankle hiking boots and I resorted to wearing bubble wrap around the “collar” of the boot until they were broken in.  They are eight years old and I really like them. I once wrote a post about them: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2017/12/15/giving-snow-the-boot/

Prior: You left a comment on Restless Jo’s interview post (here) about sometimes eating cake after a walk (because Jo is noted for some photos of cake in her walk posts).  Do you eat cake after a walk? 

LINDA:  I like the idea of the piece of cake at the end of my walk. A lot of times on my blog. I used to mention coming home and having a tall glass of chocolate milk as my reward for a long walk, especially in the Summertime. A fellow blogger, Laurie (Meditations in Motion) did the same as me, downing a glass of chocolate milk, after a long run. She is an avid runner – we both stopped doing that indulgence and switched to water – how boring we are as we get older. Laurie and I are around the same age.

Prior: What is a typical item that you have for a meal?

LINDA: Well, first of all, I am not much of a cook and most of my meals are made in a crockpot to save time and eat healthy.  A fellow blogger, Diane, often gave crockpot recipes in her blog “In Diane’s Kitchen” (https://indianeskitchen.com/) and that prompted me to buy a crockpot after she shared some delicious recipes. 

Prior: I also follow “In Diane’s Kitchen” blog. I told her that her blog name reminded me of “Indian ES Kitchen” when I first saw it – ha!  Diane has a Friday series called, “What’s for Dinner?“ Anyhow Linda, here at the Priorhouse I think we eat opposite of you – (smile) – we avoid grains and we eat lots of red meat – we follow an animal-based diet. I know this is much different from your approach to meals. 

LINDA: I eat very boring, but I eat what I think is healthy for me: no red meat, no fried foods, no fast food, lots of fruits and veggies, and very few sweets, save for dark chocolate, which I eat for heart health. I only eat whole grain bread or crackers and I eat oatmeal 365 days a year.  How boring and blah is that?  

Prior: It is interesting that you mentioned OATMEAL because that topic has come up in various circles (some argue that oatmeal has anti-nutrients and then usually, to be consumed, it is loaded up with sugar and so the ol’ oatmeal being a healthy food might be a perception we have from the marketing. Mark’s Daily Apple has an interesting Oatmeal post for anyone that wants to ponder the good, the bad, and the boring of oats: “Is Oatmeal Good for You? It Depends!”  

Prior: Favorite movie? 

LINDA: It’s been years since I’ve been to the movies, or even rented a movie.  I cancelled my cable back in 2010.  Since I am an Amazon Prime member, I have seen a few movies on Amazon and occasionally I have been watching movies that I never saw when they were popular the first time around, like “The Graduate” or “The Big Chill” and I do aim to see “Titanic” as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, since unbelievably I have never seen it.  I really enjoyed watching the seven seasons of “Mad Men” on Amazon as I worked in the Creative Department of an ad agency for eighteen months right out of college and hated to see the show conclude.

Prior: Favorite song?

LINDA: It is difficult to pick, but I used to really like Linda Ronstadt and knew every song by heart. During my workday, if I wanted to listen to favorite albums on Amazon Prime, her “Simple Dreams” was my go-to album or maybe an album by Simon and Garfunkel.  But then Amazon changed things up and you can no longer listen to favorite albums as they put like songs on shuffle. At first I was miffed about this, but now I enjoy “shuffle” as it brings a variety of music that I remember and can sing along to, remembering the words like it was yesterday.

Prior: Well Linda, let’s enjoy a little Ronstadt right now. 

Prior: Your interview takes place during the third annual #Dickenschallenge, which runs until June 9th. During the first year you connected me with Joni, who has written about Dickens’ a few times (one post is here)  – thanks again for that. Are you able to join us this year?

LINDA:  I already committed to read 25 books this year in the Goodreads Challenge, which is probably more than I should have as I have only read two books so far this year (“Dreamland” by Nicholas Sparks and “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson).

I will try to do the Dickens Challenge another time.  I have only read Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and “Oliver Twist” and saw both movie adaptations by the same name.  Even though my B.A. degree was Print Journalism, with a minor in Literature, I never read any more of his books, nor have I read a lot of the other books most people consider classics. 

Prior:  I know you are close to retirement – any idea of when you will retire?

LINDA: No, unfortunately I do not have any idea right now about the date I will retire.  When my boss and I left the law firm where we had gone through a merger (that went sour), we went out on our own on February 1, 2003. 

I stated at that time that we would probably work together until retirement. I should not have made such a statement as I now regret my undying loyalty to being in this working relationship for much longer.  Five years ago, my boss said he only wished to have 50 years in the legal business, like his father, who was still practicing law at 83; his father became ill with kidney disease and passed away, but even at 83, had no intention to retire.  Well, my boss will turn 76 on March 10th. He passed that 50-year milestone marker in September 2022 and has no intention of retiring. He loves to work and even though business has slowed down immensely, he is adamant he will not retire any time soon.  I will be 67 in April and I do not wish to be working for too many more years.  So I have decided at the end of this year, I will suggest I work just four days, then three days a week, etc. That won’t go over well, believe me.  

Prior: I think that sounds like a great idea, brilliant actually, to wean yourself away.  Especially because you have other areas to explore. 

LINDA: Yes, I do. I look forward to more leisure hours to enjoy myself. Years ago, I traveled and enjoyed it immensely.  

My peers did not want to travel, but I joined friends of the family who loved to travel on two trips and I traveled solo on an annual excursion with a tour group. I curtailed international traveling after my father abruptly left in 1984.  I had always hoped to visit three places on my travel bucket list:  France, Italy and Alaska, but I don’t know if I feel comfortable doing that now. There is too much unrest in the world and Covid or norovirus fears will likely keep me from realizing those dreams.

     I have new dreams though for life on the horizon.  I would like to buy a longer lens for my camera and learn more about manual shooting as opposed to automatic shooting. Also, I will be taking classes in drawing and painting and plan to eventually join the plein air painting group I met in 2022.  I’ve already bought some art materials and books, but really don’t have time to try anything out at the present time.  

Prior: I love your wildlife photos. I have shared some in this post (and wanted to let readers know that all the images in this post are Linda’s and belong to her).

LINDA:  Thank you – the wildlife photography has really evolved for me since I bought my first Metropark pass in the Summer of 2018.  I spend most of my Metropark meanderings at Lake Erie Metropark which is touted for its bird sightings. I had a lot of luck last year with new birds, especially seeing the Sandhill Cranes, which are not normally found in my area. 

  So this was a fun experience for me and I also had an encounter with a doe last year – she was skittish and zipped past me just a few feet away from a rocky cliff with no guard rail, hoping to disappear into a woodsy area and evade me, but she found the gate locked.  She panicked.  I panicked as well.  There was no room for both of us on that narrow walkway.  I was able to put  myself flat against a fence in a corner and give her room to take off … and she did.  Whew!!!

Here is the blog post so you can see the slideshow of the rocky cliff and deer encounter: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2022/12/05/friends-who-are-deer-er/

Prior: Can you tell us about the GoPro camera that you might start using? 

LINDA: A fellow WordPress blogger is a wildlife photographer who lives in Tofino, British Columbia.  His site is:  https://tofinophotography.wordpress.com/  We are both the same age and grew up not far from each other in Ontario.  Wayne has lived there for over 30 years and takes wonderful photos of bears, herons and swans, but mostly eagles, which he has named and they know him and fly to him when he is in his boat.  He has encouraged me in my photo endeavors and when he got a new GoPro camera, he sent me his old GoPro last November, so I could capture some videos at my favorite haunts.  I have tried it in the house and will use it when we get better weather.  Wayne and I both share something in common – we have gotten animals to trust us and that is a very special feeling. 

Prior: That was mighty nice of him to share his GoPro with you. I just checked out some of his posts and his images are stunning. He offers uplifting words the way you do and Tofino’s recent post, Therapy, is here.

Prior: This interview has highlighted your photos and your walks. I want to now mention how much I enjoy your phrases, popular commercial lines, and use of colloquialisms. You really have a niche in this area and I think it shows how observant you are because you seem to have a nice pulse on the culture – with the quotes and quips you so easily connect to your post content. In fact, I have made an award for you. 

LINDA: Thank you for that Yvette. As noted above, when I was right out of college, I worked in the Creative Department of an advertising agency for 18 months, and this likely impacts my content.

Prior: Our interview is done and I am so excited we were able to make this happen. The first time I interviewed you it was more informal as it was just to promote the idea of walking for health. This second time around sure had a lot more flavor. 

LINDA: Thank you for doing this interview with me.  I am truly flattered, just as I was for the earlier (more informal) walk interview we did.

Prior: I am going to close with a recent photo from a Wordless Wednesday post on your blog. I wanted to share this image because I like the lines, shadows, and overall mood. Also, you said the photo reminded you of an image I would maybe capture (and that was so fun to chat about). Linda, you do a great job with your #WordlessWednesday posts. They really do tell stories and then they complement the writing posts. 

Closing:

• Any comments or questions for Linda?

• Have you decided to start walking more? If so, notice how Linda started with one block? 

• Do you have a brand of shoes that you like? Please let us know because sometimes this is the best way to share about the good brands.

• Reminder that the #Dickenschallenge runs until June 9th… We invite you to read ONE (or more) novella(s) and then discuss it with us in June (info here) (hosts are Trent, Marsha, and Yvette)

• Thanks for joining us as we chatted with Linda Schaub today!

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