It is my companion wherever I go
I bought it at a flea market at the Buckley old engine show many years ago,
It has and still continues to perform many tasks most days.
It started out as a walking stick, a helper along the trails and uneven ground. after a couple years the rubber tip wore out and had to be replaced. a year or two later I was out on trail with my daughter, and as I crossed a small stream, I used the stick for balance placing the tip in the water and stepping across....
When i pulled the stick out the rubber tip was gone forever.
Soon I will need to replace it again as the tip has worn out again.
The reflective red and white strips were added a couple years ago.
Walking at night had a few too many close calls with cars and buses as I walked in the neighborhood. Now when their headlights shine on me, I am a lot more visible.
The tennis ball on top was the latest edition. it has its own purpose beside being another bright eye catcher. When I am out on the trails or whenever, I dig the bottom in the ground and lean on it when taking pictures. I am often not stable so it makes me a tripod of sorts.
After all of my eye surgeries I lost some of me peripheral vision, and tripping over things on a trail or sidewalk were happening too often until i learned to use my walking stick to help.
My walking stick has been to old engine shows and county fairs and festivals all over. It has seen so many miles of trails all over. I have leaned on it when my body was hurting, and when my balance was too messed up and I wasnt able to navigate. I have watched sunrises and sunsets as I leaned on it and watched in amazement.
A few times, i confess, when my heart was hurting it held me up when I was weak.
If you see me out on the trail, me and my stick, I hope you will say Hi. I am usually alone, thats how life is these days, and your smile and conversation will brighten my day, who knows maybe I can do that for you also.
May you be blessed with peace, health, and joy as you go
Tom
