Did you walk in the mall on Saturday? Or did you brave the cold graveyard? Or were you like me, having great intentions but ending up snuggled under a warm blanky and walking in your dreams?
I did get out on Sat., later on, for a walk up to one of my clutch of favourite coffee spots. It’s about 4k each way so I got some distance in, but not with any great speed. 🙂
I was thinking about my intention to walk and all the other things I needed to squeeze on the weekend. Meeting up with TPW would have been good for me but would have made the day very hectic. I did regret not going. I didn’t beat myself up though! In a world where we often fail to maintain balance, deciding to drop one of our intentions is a sign of increasing wisdom (at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself). It was a much less hectic day for me.
One of the things I regret though is not joining in in the conversations. Now I use the phrase “joining in� knowing that I lean towards the listening side of most conversations 🙂 I listened to Under the Influence this morning and one of the lines was, “Men shop at Sears, Women shop at Bloomingdales�. It was a discussion of differences between how men shop and women shop. While I shop like a regular male, I do tend to find my feminine side takes precedence in conversations. I may not remember much, but I really enjoy the topics that come up at TPW. And I especially like to hear the questions that I should be asking but my male brain doesn’t think to explore. So even if I’m not saying much I’m thoroughly engaged. And that’s what I missed by not walking, along with the general sense of camaraderie.
I’m smiling though, because there’s always next week!
Second week in our northern home
What a lovely day! Yes it was brisk, but that’s what layers are for, right? If I’m not mistaken, we saw the first little spots of ice on the ground. OK, it was cold. Maybe that’s why we were champing at the bit to get ourselves going. Of course, one of the topics of conversation was the gloomy, gloomy, gloomy week that was. (Did I mention it was a gloomy week?) But not Saturday morning. The blue sky was a wonderful introduction to the colours we were about to enjoy. Bright red leaves blanketing the still green grass. Brilliant yellow of leaves still adorning the trees. Many of the trees have lost their leaves, emphasizing the latter half of fall, leaving the more muted green of evergreens. We’re so very lucky to have the change of venue as we move from our summer digs in High Park to our winter home in the cemetery. Even though we’ve walked the distance many times in both spots, the change of location always makes it feel fresh and new. And the colours of this Saturday certainly welcomed us back in style for our second week in our northern home!
Early New Years Resolution
It was cloudy first thing, but as the day wore on, the sun began to creep out. There is something special about the way the sun shines in the fall on a partly cloudy day. The cool shade of the clouds gives way to an intense brightness that warms the soul. The blazing yellow and crimson leaves flame bolder in that angled light. As much as I already miss the the heat of the summer, the crisp freshness makes me look forward to the fall.
Fall, Autumn, October, a new season with all its own merits. It’s called me to make a resolution (who needs to wait for the New Year?) to train right through the winter. As TPW, we are committing to walk each Saturday, or each one we can manage, to keep ourselves fresh, and crisp, and young-at-heart.
Whether I’m out with the group or out on my own, TPW is there with me. The sunshine that warms my soul.
Journeys
We all met at Diane’s last week for our annual planning get together. Delicious, warm, social – just a lovely time.
It’s the start of the walking year for many of us, the start of a new journey. We talked of the many races happening around Toronto and further afield, more new journeys germinating in my head. But even though we are just looking forward to these new journeys I realized how many journeys we’re in the midst of. Winter (the season) is just over half way done. The school year is more than half done – and that September to May/June cycle is mirrored at work by the parents adjusting their lives to that reality. And with the Olympics front and centre these days, we are seeing the culmination of many four-year journeys, some of which will begin anew as soon as this journey ends. A few nights ago I looked up at the stars and realized that all our little journeys pale in the grand journey of the universe.
Our lives are filled with journeys, big and small. They provide hopes and dreams, challenges and hurdles, memories and lessons learned. And every Saturday morning we gather to share these journeys, supporting each other and taking joy in the journeys of each other. And we continue our journeys the best way we can, one foot in front of the other.
Keeping Things in Perspective
Pooh! I slept in and missed this week’s walk. OK, I was up quite late Friday night doing a choir event.
Happy Mother’s Day
If you were expecting a Mother’s Day theme to this week’s blog, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I started to think about this after the rain last weekend 🙂
Spring is here at last!
A March Ramble
Ouch! I think I’ve been bitten by the Mad Hatter! It must be time for tea.
It’s March of course, and the March Hare is rushing about, late as usual. Just as Easter is late this year, do you suppose the March Hare is late for his gig as the Easter Bunny?
Beware the I’d’s of March … I’d rather be in bed! I’d like to have walked this weekend but it was TOO COLD!! I’d prefer the south of Spain right now.
And then there are those March sisters, the Little Women. Just like TPW, Little Fast Women. Or is it Little Fast and Loose Women (you have to be loose to be fast), or perhaps that’s a step too far.
I can’t wait for the March Past … no, not being reviewed by our commander, I mean April … or March is past, finally.
Do you think the March Hare is another term for Pace Bunny?!?
Left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right,
Left- , left- , I had a good job and I left.
Left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right.
(Okay, say this really fast) Left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right (we’re power walking!)
Left, as in left behind, as in those hours that were left behind when the clocks moved forward. Can you say the clocks spring forward when it’s still winter?
And where do those hours that we lose, where do you suppose they go? Maybe to live with Peter Pan and the lost boys. Is that why Peter Pan will never grow up? He’s living on lost time.
Oh, I seem to have lost the thread of this post …
… I’m following the March Hare down the rabbit ho-o-o-o-o-ole!!
… or maybe it’s just cabin fever. Nothing like a long ramble on the weekend, eh?
Michael’s Musings
So amidst the tinsel laden glitz of the malls and the throngs of shoppers, I think the spirit of the season lies in the moments that bring tears to us. Tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of community. And TPW is a community that helps me keep my sanity in the hustle and bustle of this season. Thank you community!