The view of Atlanta from Jackson Street Bridge

A Hazy Morning Walk in Atlanta

If you read my blog much, you know I’m a pretty early riser most of the time. I love catching the sunrise with my camera. My body wakes me by 6 without an alarm pretty much every day.

It’s kind of a pain sometimes because I can easily stay up until 11-11:30 reading and writing. I try to be lights out between 10:30-11. Thankfully, I only need a solid seven hours of sleep and I’m good to go.

My morning routine usually includes a quick journal entry, about 15 minutes of meditation and prayer, 30-45 minutes of yoga, and a 2-3-mile walk with my dog, Jack Bauer.

That’s all done by about 8:30 am. Then I take a quick shower.

Work Routine

The hours between 9:00 and 1:00 are my most productive. I write 1-2 articles for writing clients and then work on photo editing, marketing, and my social media and website.

Whew.

I’m usually ready for a break by then and take about a half-hour or so to grab something to eat while I read. Then I run errands or do chores for an hour or two and then get back to work.

The rest of the day goes to whatever needs the most attention, which is usually marketing. Marketing is my Achille’s hell…I mean heel…

If I'm not meeting up with friends or a date in the evening, which I haven't done as much since the pandemic, then I'll grab a bite to eat and then get back to work for a while. 

I always snuggle down in bed with a book or my kindle about an hour before I want to be asleep. I also take a few minutes to work on the Duolingo app. I took a lot of French in school, and I'd love to be fluent someday. 

What Was I Saying?

Oh ya...

Yesterday morning, when I was out walking with Bauer, it was sort of hazy but the sun and blue sky were shining through in parts, and the clouds were low, obscuring the tops of some of the city skyscrapers.

It looked interesting and a little surreal every time I caught a glimpse of the buildings.

After a couple of miles, I headed back to the house but the bridge was calling my name.

I ran in and grabbed my camera.

I was in a rush, hoping the clouds wouldn’t change, so I didn’t bother taking Bauer’s leash off -  just grabbed the camera and ran back out with him.

Bauer was confused. Once we’re home, we’re usually back for the morning.

“Just a few more minutes of walking,” I told him.

I walked back toward J.W. Dobbs and turned right at the corner and headed to Jackson Street Bridge.

I know.

I’ve got a lot of photos of Jackson Street Bridge.

It’s the quintessential view of the Atlanta skyline, though, and I find myself drawn to it. I was hoping I’d get there in time to snap a few of the skyscrapers with their heads in the clouds.

I was walking along at a good clip with Bauer by my side, except for the occasional sudden stop to sniff something.

I wasn’t paying much attention to anything. J.W. Dobbs leads right down to Jackson Street where the bridge is.

My head was in the clouds thinking about photos.

There’s a school on the left side of the street - the school MLK attended. It was recently renovated and put back in use after years of being shuttered.

There are houses to the right, many of them with front yards at shoulder height with retaining walls. Bauer and I were on the sidewalk on the right side of the street walking west.

I didn’t see much in my peripheral vision other than retaining walls, fences, and plants on my right.

All of a sudden Bauer was at a dead stop, rigid, and barking like a crazy dog (which happens at least 10 times a day, so it’s not that alarming), and the fur on the back of his neck stood up.

As I turned to my right and looked up, I have to admit, it gave me a start.

There was a Zombie.

Zombie Extravaganza

It was a zombie extravaganza!

So many zombies!

One of the neighbors goes all out for Halloween.

The person who lives there must work on the set of The Walking Dead or something.

I laughed and told Bauer the zombies weren’t real. I don’t think he believed me.

Seriously, his hackles were UP, with a low, menacing growl coming from his throat. I had to tug his leash to get him to move along.

I got a photo of the offending Zombies:

Lawn zombies

Bauer doesn't like these guys

Jackson Street Bridge

We made it to the bridge and I managed to get a couple of shots.

I captured the low-flying clouds, but not as much as I wanted. By the time we got there, the clouds were dissipating and not as low around the buildings as they had been.

At least we had a great morning walk, and I got to take a few photos.

I wish I had a video of Bauer barking at the Zombies, but it’s a lot to juggle when I have him on the leash.

My dog, Jack Bauer

I don’t usually take him when I’m getting photos, but at least at the bridge, I can tie his leash to the railing while I snap a few shots. Otherwise, he’d pull on the leash and mess up my shots.

So...that was our morning walk yesterday. 

Morning Routine

I’ve read a lot that a great morning routine propels you through the day. If you’re a morning person, I agree.

If you’re a night owl, then maybe it’s a great mid-morning or noon routine that propels you through the day.

I don’t think we should get stuck on “what works,” because what works for me might be awful for you.

The important thing is finding a routine that works for you. One that minimizes procrastination and distraction and maximizes productivity.

One of the other things that works great for me, that I realize is terrible for a lot of people, is listening to music when I’m writing. I’m on my son’s family plan for Pandora Premium, and it works great for me.

I can listen all day without commercials.

I put the music on low, and it provides a bit of distraction without actually being a distraction - if that makes sense.

It gets me in a flow state more easily than silence. That could be because silence in the city isn’t really silence. There’s sirens, cars, voices, leaf blowers…

The music distracts from all of that and masks it a little.

I realize if you work a 9-5 corporate job, you can’t always do what your body prefers. I chose the gig work, and it’s got its cons as well as pros.

I don’t have health insurance right now - I’m hoping that will change soon, but it’s ridiculously expensive - almost as much as my mortgage, even for someone as healthy as me. I was on a health-sharing program but they recently doubled the price.

I never know what’s going to happen, but somehow it seems to work out.

If you’re a person who isn’t okay with uncertainty, freelancing may not be the best option.

One of the things I’ve learned in my life is that everything is so uncertain anyway, what’s a little more uncertainty?

Thanks for sticking with my photography and life ramblings!

See you between the raindrops!

Xoxo,
Susan

I’m running a fall sale on my website this week - 25% off with code Fallsale20 on checkout. It’ll run through Friday at midnight.