Even the morning ramble with the meathead is losing its connection to my easing every day into the outdoor world.

For the last week, I have been focused on writing about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

And it's been hard to think of much else, even fishing.

But then yesterday, Carey Pinkowski, the executive race director, insisted on whipping out his phone and showing photos of his family's getaway time in northern Wisconsin near St. Germain.

Like any other fishermen, he wanted to flip through pictures. The smallmouth were nice, but what really clicked was a big bluegill his son was holding. It was a good 9 inches plus.

It gave me perspective. If somebody like Pinkowski, focused on international sporting issues, has time to show his fish pictures, life is liveable.

But it is hard for me to multi-task like that. I hurried through the ramble this morning.

So I not sure if it was me or the wildlife, but no rabbits, no squirrels, no doves, no Canada geese.

A lone great blue heron flapped off from the back corner of the town pond.