This morning, while the girls were amused by Sunday morning cartoons, I went down to Lake Harriet for a little Rollerblading excursion.
I drove down there (yes, I drove; the hills are too steep for me to skate), and began preparing to go skating: doing some leg stretches, getting my water bottle out, putting on my skates and finally my iPod. But it seemed sacriligious to turn that iPod on, it was so beautiful out and the sounds so content. What a shame to drown them out with music that I can listen to at anytime.
If you are one to read my dad's blog(s) (see links to the left), you'll know that he enjoys his morning walks around his property and writes picturesque descriptions of his walk. I have different sights and sounds in the area that I live, but I thought I would share some of my impressions from this morning's skate.
I took in the sounds and sights of:
- A family enjoying breakfast on their patio at their home across from the lake. Laughter, calls for more coffee, and the opening and closing of a screen door as more coffee is fetched.
- An elderly gentleman dressed in his Sunday morning church clothes with a camera bag over his shoulder. As I passed him, he was crouching down and taking a photo of some wildlife by the lake.
- An elderly Asian woman wearing a safari-like hat, briskly clipping along on her morning constitution. She was slightly hunched over but clearly in good health as she passed two young ladies on the walking path. She walked with such purpose she stood out from those around her.
- A young couple walking with their newborn in a stroller, both with coffee in hand, gazing at their sleeping baby as they walked in silence. I can still feel the exhaustion yet happiness that they were probably experiencing.
- A dad with a double stroller, toddler in front and baby in a carrier on his chest. I imagine the mom sitting at home, enjoying a quiet morning with the paper and coffee while takes the kids out for a stroll.
- The jingle of leashes as dogs of all shapes and sizes are being walked. At one area there is a "dog beach," and three dogs were frolicking in the water, happy barks resounding over the water.
On my second loop around the lake, I finally began getting tired and turned on my iPod for inspiration. But what a grand inspiration the first loop was!
I had to chuckle when I read your post this morning. You take pictures of people, I take pictures of objects or nature. You talk about people you've seen on your exercise path, I relate to events of nature.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am walking on my own property and of course other than immediate family members I do not see anyone. I would notice people too, Jen, after all it is people that make the world interesting.
Excellent post, I truly enjoyed your insight and that kind of activity is what makes the world such an interesting place.
Love,
Dad
Part of it is because of where we live -- when you go out walking, you see nature. When I go out walking, I see people. I live in a metro area of 2.4MM people, it's bound to happen.
ReplyDeleteIt became clear to me how different the world is for my kids growing up in a metropolitan area. They were both out of their element in Michigan -- sometimes scared to go outside, scared to go on a boat: Lindsey was terrified of walking in the woods, she thought she would see a bear at every turn.
But ask them to go to a children's museum, a store, a swimming pool, and they are all over it.