Yesterday on my way to dinner I glanced at the stairs to nowhere. There are between 35 to 40 steps with a pipe railing going up a steep hill. There is nothing on either side and nothing at the top when it is reached.
It was rumored an ultra swanky restaurant was going to be built up there but it never happened. My personal thought was “who in their right mind would climb all that way just for a meal.” I mean, come on now, let’s get real here. Only an exercise fanatic would tackle all those steps.
Here I am this morning in my p.j.’s, lounging on my sofa. I am working on my reports, which are due tomorrow. I pause as I let my mind drift and fantasize. It’s a bad habit I’ve had all my life and my imagination has taken some really strange twists and turns.
I daydream I am at the foot of the staircase. The weather is going to be fair all day and I am going to conquer those steps. It’s early so I can take my time. I have on my most beat up sneakers, a long sleeved blouse along with my kaki shorts with lots of pockets. That way I don’t have to carry any junk in my hands.
I am all perky and hyped up to climb. I think how healthy I’m being and patting myself on my back because I am so good to me. Alas, I do not have sense enough to go slow. I start up with a skip and a jump, breathing deeply of the wonderfully fresh morning air. How exhilarating the day is.
It isn’t long before I realize this was not a good idea. My thighs burn, I’m gasping for breath and my legs are trembling, and I have only climbed a fourth of the way to the top. Sitting down and drinking some water seems like a wise thing to do. After a good long rest I decided I’ve had enough of this adventure and am instantly back in my apartment, in my p.j.’s, drinking my coffee. My reports are still waiting to be finished and I need to get busy on them.
Later in the day my mind again goes back to those stairs. This time my husband Jim and I are going to the most stylish and expensive restaurant in the state. I had to question building such a place on top of a hill with the only access being up those beastly steps.
Dressed to the nines, Jim and I started the climb. I have on a fabulous dress that is this woman’s dream. Yards and yards of shear organza over velvet in my favorite color of emerald green. Jim is in his best suit and tie and I’m thinking we make a fine looking pair.
Suddenly a hurricane type wind and rain are lashing at us. If Jim hadn’t grabbed me I would have been blown hither, thither and yon. I hung on for dear life while we tried to struggle upward. The wind is tearing at me and I am losing my hold on the railing. I am blown almost vertical, my skirts up over my head so I can’t see and can hardly breathe and for once I am speechless.
Jim is clutching my arm for all he’s worth as he also struggles against the wind and rain. I hear him yelling, “Hold on Clare, just hold on. I’ve got you.”
Whew! I’ve had enough of that. Thankfully, I pull my mind back to my reports, but what a fantastic experience.
I am glad there is not a restaurant at the top of those stairs and that we do not get hurricanes in our part of the world.