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If you walk up the field behind our house, away from the water, you pass a couple small cabins, vacation cabins. You follow a path, beaten down by so many feet, and tires, to one of our big towers of gray metal, rising high, marking our cove.
`Last Friday I journeyed that direction, my dog my only companion. The day was beautiful, and I wanted to be in it.
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The wind blew around me, soft and friendly. I heard a mower off on one hill; a tractor on another. I lay down beneath the tower, looking at its belly before closing my eyes. A fly buzzed, bzzzzzz; something small and jumpy landed on my arm. And my head topsy-turvied, because I laid with my upside pointing down the incline.It was the most peace I've felt in months, and I kept myself there a long while listening, thinking, open.
`Neat to think it awaits me, just up the hill, anytime I seek it.
`What will you find when you leave your house on foot?
25 comments:
Well, yesterday on our walk, we saw chickens, changing leaves and a squashed chipmunk.
I always think that someday I should take my camera because it is so pretty back there. I just don't want to carry it.
You know, I think maybe this is part of what's wrong with me. Although we live in the country and have about an acre of land, we live in a neighborhood. It would take a 2-3 mile walk to find solitude. I miss having a place to walk that leads to something besides other houses. Life is too busy. Too stuffed full of "go." Sometimes, I would like a little "stop."
I enjoyed your walk vicariously :-)
I love taking walks by myself. Nothing soothes my soul like it. There's a dirt road that runs parallel to our subdivision and winds back into the woods. I love walking out there and letting my mind open up. And, the "season" is right around the corner here in Georgia. The summer months are too hot and humid to enjoy the outdoors, unless you're submerged in a deep pool (the water in shallow pools gets warm and you still sweat, despite sitting in it!). Fall, which is my favorite season, offers us cooler days. The breeze that abandoned us in June returns. I can't wait!
Until then, it's temps in the mid-90s all this week :(
Enjoy your next walk!!
This was so fun and magical!!! When I leave my apartment there are retail shops, loud freeway traffic and very rude tenants. I can't say it's the happiest place I lived but it's been an experience.
I know the new place I'll be moving to will peaceful as this was described, not as much, but a huge improvement from my freeway loving apartment now.
Lots of palm trees in bloom with huge stalks of yellow flowers next to stalks of golf ball size green and orange fruit.
The love bugs are back...yuk. They stick to everything!
Lots of sunshine for the anoles (lizards), dragonflies, butterflies and birds to float around in.
I forget who originally said this but someone said when you need to do your best thinking go to a graveyard. We have a graveyard about a half mile down the road. It really is true, being there throws everything into perspective.
Missed you.
~ Wendy
I love leaving the house on foot, walking is such a big part of my life. For me, it's not so much what I see, but the whole process of walking and observing and contemplating. Any sight, from this suburban neighborhood, to nyc, to the beach, inspires a peace during my walks.
Lovely time. I had an Eden experience like that at the beach this summer. Beautiful! :O)
We live on a steep hill. About 600 feet above the rest of the city. At the top is a large water tower. But not a normal looking water tower. Ours looks like the bleached white head of a space alien. Round and bulbous with a long graceful neck.
I'd love to live further out in the country. Your surroundings sound very pleasant. :)
A string of homes, neatly sitting on both sides of the street. If I venture far enough a long stretch of corn crops rustling in the breeze.
I can practically feel your peace--you describe it beautifully! When I walk outdoors, I'm in a sub-division, but I'm surrounded by nature and woods. It's my happy place.
I live in a concrete jungle, There are three roads that diverge from my apartment block. Whichever one I take, I see the same sights...people, vehicles...all in a rush to go somewhere. Except for the rotund dogs and their owners or dog walkers, who amble along at a leisurely pace.
Wow. You are lucky to have something so peaceful nearby. I live in Montana, so I am blessed with beauty nearby, too. :-)
I don't walk from my house, it is too hot! LOL So I sit on my patio and watch the wildlife and dream,
How blessed you are! A mini retreat is always refreshing.
When I leave my house on foot, I can explore our five acres of slightly rolling KY countryside. We border a farm out back, so there are often cows in the field. I love it, and it is usually peaceful, unless the neighbor's dogs are barking. :)
A whole lot of weird neighbors is what I'd find! I envy your lake retreat. Maybe someday...
Right outside my back door lie three acres of yard. Over there is a bright red barn where boys with big imaginations hammered together a fort once upon a summer's day.
To the right is a chicken coop with bright, bushy impatiens splashing their color. Just there is a garden where much character has been developed in the little fort builders (i.e., old-fashioned hard work). Two tire swings, a trampoline, a swing set, fire pit, and a picnic table lend a campground-like air.
I have my quiet time out there. I jump on the trampoline with six other bouncy legs. And when I set out to run for some more quiet time, I find myself running past cornfields.
That's what's outside where I live.
Oh, Terri? There's wildlife where I live, too. It's just that mine wear jeans.
Grinning and waving...
I would love to take that kind of walk. We live on a quiet, residential block lined by trees. It's nice to walk and take in the breeze before all the wild happy kids storm the street.
Great Post Janna. When I set off on foot from my house I either wind up at the library, Barnes and Noble or Dean and Deluca. If I walk far enough, I get to a walking trail that's lovely and serene. But I have to cross a busy road to get there.
Sounds wonderful Janna.
Though it is odd for some, we have an old cemetary through a field behind our house. Walking through, it is an excellent place to think about my life as well as what life was like for those who have passed on--whether it is the man who died at age 71 in 1912 or the 3 year old who passed in 1936.
Hi Janna -
I rarely go anywhere on foot, especially alone. My idea of alone time is curling up in bed with my Bible and journal or enjoying a novel.
Blessings,
Susan :)
That's cool! I need to set out on foot more often!
How fun! One of the reasons I love this blog!!
Recently Laura the dog and I have been running down a swath of lawn cut through towering corn stalks. It's like our own little maze, and no more about 1,000 yards away. There's also a natural berm, a golf course, tennis courts; all KINDS OF stufff!!!
Sigh. I'm going into writers cave until 11/15 or two books are zapped electronically to the publisher.
Hope you can stop by my place and encourage me. The rubber is meeting the road. And it's scary!
P
Sounds like a perfect afternoon. Much like my walks to the river with Toby. So glad you gave yourself that gift.
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