I’m a counter. Not your kitchen counter and not the counter where you order lunch. I’m not even talking about the alternative culture. Not really sure I want to be The Count from Sesame Street but I do count. Pure and simple, I count things. 

I’m not sure when I came to this realization. I’m usually late to the game when it comes to being self-aware. It was probably 10 years ago when I recognized that every morning, I do a step-ball change (a dance step where a person does a quick change of weight from the ball of one foot to the other) after shaving a leg. I know, I’m strange.

That just goes to show you that I am not super knowledgeable about what I do or what goes on around me.

So counting….

Did it start as a child? We learn our counting nursery rhymes. That combines counting and rhythm. I do love music but I don’t count with any musicality; I just count. 

As kids, we choose who goes first by counting “1 Potato, 2 Potato”. We even include counting in our jump-rope songs. Counting seems to pervade all aspects of our childhood.

That has to play a role in my fixation. Do genetics play a part? I recently found out that my mom loves to count things too. And I have a niece who counts. I really should ask my kids if they do this….

And why do I count? That’s another great question. There are multiple reasons. 

For instance, when I’m bored, I count to pass the time.

(How many black tiles are on the floor?)

And I count stairs so I don’t trip when I’m carrying laundry or when it’s dark. 

(There are 8, a landing and then 7 in my house, in case you’re wondering.)

I count to take the measure of how many people are out early in the morning with me. 

(I can usually count 20+ cars entering and exiting my neighborhood. On days with more, I wonder if there is a school activity or is it vacation time? If I feel really adventurous, I may count in Italian.)

For you, the reader, it is just another quirk to add to my many. I think it increases my appeal. maybe you’ll decide to stop reading. Or you may continue to see what else comes out of my mouth! Either way it’s a win-win for me; I can count my readership numbers.