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Jabber-Walkies

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 06/01/2026

Jabber-Walkies is a Pasadena Village small group that would rather jabber than walk! I actually started this group for myself but I knew I was not alone.

When I was young I was a bicyclist, a hiker, and a walker. Somewhere in my 60s after knee surgery, I began exercising at the Aquatic Center. Then there was the shoulder replacement, vision loss and, now at 81, continuing vision loss and too many falls.

My mom was tall, thin, and fit. Her final words to me were, “Kären, keep walking.” I didn’t take her advice but now I am.

I’m a lot older than my mom was, and I walk with a white cane swinging in front of me. I walk a bit slower and more carefully as my vision loss continues. The truth is, I’d rather sit at my drawing table in the garden with an audio book or at my computer. However, I know better.

I admire the Village Urban Walkers, but I don’t have their stamina. It’s also hard to walk in a group with a white cane swinging back and forth in front of me. I needed to find a solution for me. I love socializing but walking alone seems to work better for me. One day the solution came to me and I decided to give it a try.

Jabber-Walkies! We are less-than-jocks but we want to stay healthy. We set our own goals and do our walking, individually, or in groups. Once a month we meet at a coffee shop to jabber, but we park far enough away that we get our walk in getting there and leaving.

We’ve had four Jabber-Walks since the beginning of this year. Each one has been fun. We spend an hour and a half jabbering and then say our good-byes. Our first Jabber-Walk was to Unincorporated Coffee Roasting in Altadena. There were four of us. The next one was to Tartine on Green Street with five, including one of the Village jocks: Patrick Matthews. I asked Patrick, “What are you doing with the Jabber-Walkies?  You’re a jock!” He replied, “I like the name and I live so close by, I thought I would join you for coffee.” I explained to him why I had started the group. I confessed it was really for my own good. He smiled and said, “That’s why I started the Music Study Group.”  What better reason than to enjoy it yourself!

Our third gathering was at Tartine again. This time there were six of us and we were joined by a new member, June Kino-Cullen, who just joined the Village the day before.

June shared that she had lost her beloved dog recently and could not bring herself to walk the same route she took with her dog so she decided to join us. It was a great way for her to meet five Villagers in less than two hours. On May 1, we had a small group of three at Corner Bakery on South Lake. We were a small but mighty group and had a great time.

When I feel the urge to skip a walk, I remind myself that I have NEVER taken a walk I regretted. I’m also living in a picturesque neighborhood where walking is most pleasant. This is a real plus for me since blind people do not drive. My walking goals are being met and I add a little to them each month. I’ve met the goals my doctor and my wellness coach have suggested. My PT for balance, which is an issue when you have vision loss, and leg strength has been very successful.

Walkers of Pasadena Village at any level are welcome. We set our own walking goals and meet on the first Friday of the month at 9:30 AM. Coffee shops change so watch the Village Calendar or contact me at mermaidart@att.net. As the weather warms up, I plan to take my walk early in the morning well before 9:30 but will still meet for coffee.