If you’re tired of reading about my walking score, you’re welcome to skip reading this blog altogether. I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon. I just finished getting today’s steps, and I’m waiting to see if the Seahawks are actually going to show up for their game. It’s well into the second quarter, and so far there’s no sign of them.
This screen shot was taken on October 1. I meant to take it when I hit 20,000 miles, but I overshot by six-tenths of a mile. When I set out to write Until Proven Guilty in March of 1983, I set out to write one book. I never expected to be working on book number 68. When I set out to walk 10,000 steps a day on April 6, 2015, I did so in hopes of reaching that mark for that day. I never in this world expected that someday I would have walked more than 42,000,000 steps, much less 20,000 miles, and have a 1,414-day walking streak Those are big numbers.
When I started walking, I did so in hopes of encouraging Bill to walk in order to maintain his ability to continue doing so, and that worked. He’s still walking, not very much but some. He’s not confined to a cart and at this point, I count that as a victory.
By the way, the second quarter just ended, and the Seahawks did indeed show up. Now you know part of my secret. I write while the TV does whatever the TV is currently doing.
I used to walk outside, enjoying the yard and the changing of the seasons. Now I walk inside. For one thing, if I happen to stumble, there are a lot more things to grab onto inside than out. Not only that, I have it on good authority that falling on a hardwood floor can be less damaging than falling on pavement or a concrete pool deck. In addition, walking inside makes it easier for Bill to summon me if he needs my assistance. And that’s the real reason I continue to walk—I need to maintain my own health in order to take care of his.
When I walked outside, I used to count steps as I marched along. Now I count laps. One lap means walking from one end of the house to the other and back, including two trips around the kitchen island and four around the elephant table in the entryway. That’s a 222-step lap. Getting Bill tucked into bed at night is worth 500. Preparing meals, serving them, and cleaning up afterwards is usually good for a thousand or so.
My watch and phone don’t specify which steps are purposeful walking steps and which ones are incidental living steps, but the truth is, at almost 81, I regard each one as a step in the right direction. My favorite Bible verse is Deuteronomy 3:16. I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life.
At this point I feel I’ve chosen life more than 42,000,000 times!
P.S. And, just in case you’re interested in keeping score on something besides steps, here’s the score on THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE. A heartfelt thank you to all the loyal readers who made that possible. I guess the old girl’s still got it!
I have been an avid reader since I was stationed in Seattle, Washington with the Navy. Love hearing about both your books, life and steps. Took up walking seriously about four years ago for gentle exercise to help mobility and weight maintenance, as I’ve fought with my weight. Steps are increasing, weight is down, and I reward myself with new books. Your books are eagerly awaited and enjoyed.
Same for me. I lost 75 pounds and it has stayed off.
A big congrats on your step milestone! I had to laugh at your “secret” – having the TV on when writing. I laughed because when I read your books I have the TV on as I’m reading. During the baseball season it’s on and also football too.
I like your bible verse quote too. I also choose life.
Amen Judith……. Congrats on your many thousands of steps……. I quit keeping track long ago but I know I do close to 300o a day…… glad your still harassing Bill somebody has to do it right…. My new wife Dolly we got married Valentines Day after being together for 15 years…..boy time flys…. Is always on my case….. it’s nice when someone cares…… keep writing and I’ll keep a reading…..your one and only “Northern Arizona Stalker”….. as always Dann from Arizona!!!!!
Just a bit of trivia for you for Valentine’s Day…Ted and I would have been married 55 years on February 14, 2025…sadly, he died February 3, 2025. May you be blessed with many more Valentine anniversaries!
My favorite verse too… choose life
J.A.:
At almost your exact age (will be 81 on Nov 13) I can’t walk as many steps as I’d like, due to the screaming coming from my knees. But I try to do 3000-5000 a day, and some days I actually make it. I’m proud that an age-mate of mine still makes 10K steps every day!
Congrats on being up and around daily at our age!’
Fred
Good for you! Congratulations!
Enjoyed visiting with Beau last week. May have to start the series over at some point. Blessings!
Congrats! As Dory would say keep on swimming or in this case walking.
I’m a weekend walking warrior having given up retirement completely I now average 10’000 steps each Saturday and Sunday as an instacart personal shopper. Not only steps but flights of stairs and weight training too (lifting flats of bottled waters from Costco onto the cart, off the cart into my suv, out of my suv and off of my delivery cart) Better than a gym membership, I get paid and big tips. Getting my steps in on the week days is a bit more difficult with an office job. I try and get away from my desk for at least 2- 10 minute trips around the business complex and pick up a shopping order either on my way to the office or on the way home. My phone doesn’t count all my steps during my day as it sits on my desk, too bad I can’t convert my listening to audiobook hours in my earbuds as steps around the office , cleaning at home or in jewelry class.
As I used to tell my kids I love you to the moon and back, I think I’ve walked that much.
Thank you for mentioning Thomas Perry books, now I have another series to listen to as a wait for your next release and my next shopping order.
Always, an adoring fan.
you go girl
I wish all my loved ones your age and older would have taken on your walking goals. I’m disappointed, as I’m sure you are too, that it’s best for you to walk inside now. I remember how much you loved watching the beautiful leaves. God Bless you and Bill.
May God continue to bless you, Judy, for your spirit and your devotion to Bill to keep him active.
My Grandmom passed just before her 93rd birthday. She always said if you sit down you stay down, meaning keep active. She did her wash, cooked 3 meals a day, vacuumed, every day, One day coming from getting her bath she just fell to floor and passed. A good way to go no illness, etc.
After being paralyzed from the waist down and spending 2 years in rehab, I don’t walk much, just thankful I now can. It is 12 years later; I walk, but just from the front door to the back door and I am exhausted. I’m also 6 years older than you. So that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
Been awake until 3 AM the last two nights reading Girl From Devil’s Lake, still not done. One more JA Jance book and then I start re-reading them all.
Blessing to you and Bill.
Still inspiring us. Thank you for that!
Just finished reading your blog. Are confused? It is 8:20 AM SATURDAY, October 10,2025, Not Sunday. Little early for football.
Good for you! You are an inspiration for so many. Keep it up!
I am loving the new Ali book!
Jackie O.
What an inspiration!
I choose life.
You are treasured!!!!!
Most day’s motto… my own creation:
‘Do the day, and don’t let the day do you.’
Luckily, now, a rare day’s motto these days…
“When you don’t know what you can do, go sit in the sun and count to one, then rest.” Unknown
Thank you, once again.
Please do not ever stop writing about your walking adventures. They’re so encouraging. Some days I walk other days I do not. Knowing you’re out there doing your thing is wonderful. Thank you.
Life is all about choices!
I’m so glad to know you through your books and blogs.
Thank you!
What an inspiration!
I choose life.
You are treasured!!!!!
Today will be the first read of a red pen autographed copy of The Girl From Devil’s Lake, to begin after my morning walk. Woohoo!!!!
Most day’s motto… my own creation:
‘Do the day, and don’t let the day do you.’
Luckily, now, a rare day’s motto these days…
“When you don’t know what you can do, go sit in the sun and count to one, then rest.” Unknown
Thank you, once again.
Great job!!!
Bravo, JA! I tell the younger people in my life all the time to keep moving, no matter what. Hopefully it will help them as they age.
Thanks for your thoughts, JA. They inspire many.
<3
That’s how I walk. I do laps in my house, starting in my office, walking through the door into the kitchen, then into the living room, the hallway, and back through the other door into my office. I sometimes change it up by walking sideways in the hall, up and back for balance training.
I do so for the same reasons you do, a fall is less likely in here, since most of the terrain outside is not level (even the sidewalks are old) and I’m less likely to trip. If I do, it’s easier to catch myself and if I do fall, carpet or linoleum is better to land on. I have dizziness and balance issue.
I still remember you saying at a talk/signing that the first time you walked you made it two blocks and back. Look at you now!!
You go, girl!!
(you are an inspiration 🙂 )
Love your blog! Love the walking stories! Love all of it!
You are an inspiration. I’ve followed you for years; wait, decades. I’ve been to four of your talks and the fifth one on the 18th. We walk together, share lives of our husbands, kids, dogs and much more. I want to thank you for your blogs, books and talks. Quietly, intentionally I move forward with you and women like you that enrich my life. We are all shadows of the lives we’ve touched. So, thank you for touching mine.
I LOVE determination, persistence, and all the traits that have pushed you to this amazing accomplishment. I’m sure your steps reports have encouraged others to do what they need to do, be it steps, cleaning out a gross-pig-mess garage, or some other overwhelming task. Thank you for your steps reports…I share it w/my daughter-in-law who has long term injuries, physical therapy needs…and, she maxes out her step numbers every single day.
Fabulous !!!
This is what I just what I needed to hear today! Thank you! I too work to maintain myself as part of a strong marriage and for both to remain as independent as possible.
We are blessed to live in this time.
You are amazing and an inspiration. At almost 84, I force myself to take a walk before I can have breakfast. Not any way near as many steps as yourself, but we have a nice man-made lake in our senior community in Bothell and if I can get around it without too much pain I call it a victory. After we lost our Suzie Corgi, I realized she had been saving me by getting me out of the house about 4 times a day. She had been slowing down and not walking as far as before and my legs were getting more difficult to push on and my balance was not good. Walking every day is correcting these problems. I am going to get another Corgi after the Halloween weekend when we settle in for the winter so she/he will “rescue” me once again from becoming a house mouse. Thank you for your encouragement.
Way to go! A big Bravo Zulu to you, Navy speak for great job.
Can photos be posted in comments? I have a great on relating to steps.
You can’t post a photo here, but feel free to email it to me at jajance@me.com
Met you a few years ago when you were in Sisters, Oregon. I was born 93 years ago in Seattle and lived my first 63 years there so I really have enjoyed all the Beaumont books. I’m pretty sure I have read all your wonderful books and will get the new ones when I am in Bend. I too say GO GIRL!!
Yes, we will both keep walking ?
We will both keep walking as long as possible… ?
You are an amazing inspiration as both a blogger and an author! You help me stand up and start stepping! Keep up your tremendous work and guidance! Watching the Huskies now. Go Dawgs!
I just finished The Girl From Devil’s Lake – no spoiler on it – just so happy to have a glimpse of Ernie!!
By the way, the photo didn’t show, but The Girl From Devil’s Lake made # 14 on the NYTimes Bestseller List this week. Thank you.
BRAVO to you!! You are an inspiration and bring a lot of pleasure to so many. Thank you!
Congrats!
Having individual goals is so important. I learned to line dance about 14 years ago.
Now I have been teaching for the past 12 years and it keeps me smiling as I spread the joy of dance to so many seniors. My assistant and I have been together for eight years and it has helped us to keep moving forward as life’s challenges continue to come at us. She just turned 79 in August and I turned 73 in August and we are inspired by our many students that are 80 plus. Our true inspiration is my lovely friend Phyllis who’s 88 and tries to never miss a class.
YAY!!!
Congratulations but as you know any J.A. Jance novel is always #1 on your readers’ list!
Congratulations on your steps and your devotion to Bill. We are almost the same age, but I am not taking the steps I should be. I promise that today I will begin heading in the right direction. Tomorrow I will venture back outside and aim for two good walks a day.
Thank you for the inspiration and the push.