I did, in fact engage in said activity this very day. I suppose I have more of my fathers blood in me than I thought, although I can't recall 'walking' as being a genetic trait, but what do I know? The reason I say this, is because I did not venture out into the world in hopes to have a good bout of exercise, or to commune with nature (although there might have been a slight hope to see some cute lad or another run by for the sake of eye candy... I'm only human). No, I simply wanted to walk. The nice thing about my area, despite my many objections for it (which are rather shallow in comparison in the global aspect) are the numerous biking trails and tiny scraps of land they built around but still call a 'preserve'. And I must say, it is rather lovely. Wetlands this time of soggy year are filled with fat ground squirrels scampering about and a deluge of mushrooms. Dozens of ancient oaks have split in twain and collapsed into the creek and across the narrow, barely visible paths but, ironically no place else.
Hearing the birds in between songs but to otherwise drown out the world in music and watch the grass sway and the water flow with the melodies is lovely. There's a time and place for solitude, and there are multiple kinds. I don't always require music or noise other than that around me, but there are times when getting lost in music is just as intrinsic. Besides, I don't turn it high enough to miss the sounds of whatever dangerous critter I might be nearing. I'd rather not have the experience of stepping on a rattlesnakes tail who had warned me ten paces away that I was getting too close. That would be embarrassing.
The path disappeared in many places and there were several spots along the trail where I couldn't help noticing that every horror movie had the exact same scenery and, should I hear the howl or scream of some humanly thing, I might as well turn around; lest I look like the one chick (it never fails) who goes and takes a shower by herself in the house while everyone else huddles in the creepy, but safe shed. Sure, they might die later, but at least the weren't know as THAT person... you know what I mean?
I enjoyed refinding my path and the idea that I was an effective tracker and felt comfortably alone as I wound my way through the woods... surrounded by suburbs... with a main road a mile ahead of me... and city maintenance men cleaning up the two pieces of trash on the soccer fields slightly visible through the trees to my right... yeah yeah, so 'alone' was more a state of mind at this point.
My reason for regaling this experience is simple. I wanted to do something, so I did. It was a small thing, barely more than an hour, but it was done by me for no other reason than 'because'. This seemingly small indulgence that despite my reasoning, was a healthy activity, made my day a happier one.
Sometimes it's the simple things that count the most.
Sincerely,
Dust in the Wind
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