This was awesome to read! Things of the spirit like this do not happen unless one’s spirit is open to possibility. But you went further by sharing your own light out into the world. And the birds noticed.
Nice to see where you wander, Kert. It surely will come as no surprise to discover we have walking in common too! I walk every day, twice a day, and have done for many years. I also go off to do big walks too. When we were housesitting in Scotland earlier this year we did some beautiful walks.
Inspiring me to take photos along my walk today with some appropriate descriptions and comments. Whether or not to share them here TBD. I have posted some for a few family and friends elsewhere, nothing extraordinary but there is this notion of taking the ordinary and connecting it to the extraordinary. Now, as for the walking itself, that is different in a large city from a rural environment, much to be seen and appreciated in both.
Walking is a great tonic and it stimulates both the body and mind. It cannot be praised highly enough. However, just as most of us cannot assume the Lotus pose or run a marathon, some of us are unable to walk. I have a terror of nursing homes and underpaid aides that keep the aged in misery sometimes for decades.
I'd like to remind my fellow cripples that we can experience many of the benefits of exercise through active imagination. While memories of walking along the shore of Lake Michigan and exploring various cities are now fading, they still exist in my mind.
I feel you deeply Charles. Differently-abled bodies are just that…different. Regardless of just how different, as you allude to, it is always the mind that is the most powerful force of imagination. Technology, with all its advances, can also be a wonderful way to augment one’s current reality.
As a lifelong walker (and hiker), I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on walking, Kert. It’s comforting to learn you appreciate walking as much or more than I do! Walking is truly one of the great joys of my daily life, and now I know we share that love (and of the outdoors). Thanks for your essay.
Like all things, I don’t have favorites. I love each for different reasons. I love walking in my neighborhood and seeing constant change. Walking extensively is my favorite way to see new cities. So many rich memories, I feel like crying. And of course hundreds of times hiking a local trail “Windy Hill.” I’ve yet to see the ocean because it’s always covered in clouds. ☁️
Loved reading all about walking! Definitely a passion of mine and where I think most of my life decisions have been made (well decades ago it happened when running)! My phone is full of snapshots from these walks which now include lots of Eli “strolling” with me ❤️
Totally enjoyed this! I'm honored to be mentioned but especially that our conversation had a part in inspiring your walk, your photos, and this post! I'm inspired by the idea of being a "good walker" and particularly to "be where your feet are." I'll be taking that thought with me on my next walk. It's true that full presence is more desirable most of the time, but oh to be able to have those photos to look back at some day! I especially love the photo of the blackberry juice on your hand. And I've added yet more of your book recommendations to my hold queue at the library! Thank you, Kert!
You really did inspire that post. I’ve been in agony this last week because I’ve not been able to go out walking due to a very sore ankle and foot. Healing now so I’m close to getting back out there. Hope there are still some blackberries!!!
Right??? What an amazing week last week—so powerful. The speeches were beyond great. I get these random emails from Barack—okay, he wants money (well, more of my money). So maybe I’ll respond and say “Cherie and I are more than happy to donate but y’all, you and “Shelly,” need to carve out some Kert and Cherie time at your abode. We’ll make ourselves available at any times only when one of us isn’t seeing a certain grandson. Cuz, you know, grandsons take precedence.”
It really was an incredible week - a rare good week to be glued to a TV or computer screen! And yes, grandsons do take precedence, but maybe Barack could use our donations to reserve the Goose Prairie cabin. That’s close enough to Yakima that I could bring my grandson along. We could have some good talks about Supreme Court Justices and get in some good walking too!
Okay, I’ll let him know. I’m thinking he and Shelly can afford that. I’ll bring blackberries. He put Sotomayor and Kagen on the Court. One of things I would LOVE to ask him is what was going through his mind as he sat in that front row on the day the next guy took office and made his “carnage” speech. Now, I still haven’t had the stomach to watch that entire speech. But Barack had to sit there for it all.
It must have been difficult for Barack not to throw up! And I'll delicately ask Michelle about the passing of her mother, which has obviously also been extremely difficult. We'll need the blackberries and my grandson to help lighten the mood.
This was awesome to read! Things of the spirit like this do not happen unless one’s spirit is open to possibility. But you went further by sharing your own light out into the world. And the birds noticed.
Nice to see where you wander, Kert. It surely will come as no surprise to discover we have walking in common too! I walk every day, twice a day, and have done for many years. I also go off to do big walks too. When we were housesitting in Scotland earlier this year we did some beautiful walks.
Inspiring me to take photos along my walk today with some appropriate descriptions and comments. Whether or not to share them here TBD. I have posted some for a few family and friends elsewhere, nothing extraordinary but there is this notion of taking the ordinary and connecting it to the extraordinary. Now, as for the walking itself, that is different in a large city from a rural environment, much to be seen and appreciated in both.
Walking is a great tonic and it stimulates both the body and mind. It cannot be praised highly enough. However, just as most of us cannot assume the Lotus pose or run a marathon, some of us are unable to walk. I have a terror of nursing homes and underpaid aides that keep the aged in misery sometimes for decades.
I'd like to remind my fellow cripples that we can experience many of the benefits of exercise through active imagination. While memories of walking along the shore of Lake Michigan and exploring various cities are now fading, they still exist in my mind.
I feel you deeply Charles. Differently-abled bodies are just that…different. Regardless of just how different, as you allude to, it is always the mind that is the most powerful force of imagination. Technology, with all its advances, can also be a wonderful way to augment one’s current reality.
I can imagine you and Kristin walking, and saying to each other “Good walker” to encourage each other. Thank you for this, Kert.
Oh, well, now I have to start doing exactly that!!!
You're a good saunterer, Kert. I wish I lived within walking distance of more trails, too!
I usually take the same route when I walk Beau, amazing how many different photos have been taken since lockdown when we got him.
The pics have inspired many poems.
I don’t get my phone out all the time, just want to be in the moment.
Always delighted to be gifted a feather along the way. 🙏☺️🪶
More than wonderful that you pick up trash along the way… I don’t understand litter bugs
As a lifelong walker (and hiker), I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on walking, Kert. It’s comforting to learn you appreciate walking as much or more than I do! Walking is truly one of the great joys of my daily life, and now I know we share that love (and of the outdoors). Thanks for your essay.
A huge compliment, Ryan. Thank you. Do you have a favorite walk? (Not an easy question, I know.)
Like all things, I don’t have favorites. I love each for different reasons. I love walking in my neighborhood and seeing constant change. Walking extensively is my favorite way to see new cities. So many rich memories, I feel like crying. And of course hundreds of times hiking a local trail “Windy Hill.” I’ve yet to see the ocean because it’s always covered in clouds. ☁️
Loved reading all about walking! Definitely a passion of mine and where I think most of my life decisions have been made (well decades ago it happened when running)! My phone is full of snapshots from these walks which now include lots of Eli “strolling” with me ❤️
Right??? You’re an excellent walker—deemed so as per the reward having completed the Camino de Santiago!!!
I have had some amazing walking adventures for sure! This past one in Cinque Terra was visually so stunning (and quite a challenge)😜
I can make myself fit in a carry on bag for next time. Just sayin’.
Totally enjoyed this! I'm honored to be mentioned but especially that our conversation had a part in inspiring your walk, your photos, and this post! I'm inspired by the idea of being a "good walker" and particularly to "be where your feet are." I'll be taking that thought with me on my next walk. It's true that full presence is more desirable most of the time, but oh to be able to have those photos to look back at some day! I especially love the photo of the blackberry juice on your hand. And I've added yet more of your book recommendations to my hold queue at the library! Thank you, Kert!
You really did inspire that post. I’ve been in agony this last week because I’ve not been able to go out walking due to a very sore ankle and foot. Healing now so I’m close to getting back out there. Hope there are still some blackberries!!!
Eat some for me too! And how about our Michelle and Barack at the DNC? Dang, should have taken our chairs to Chicago to have that chat with them!
Right??? What an amazing week last week—so powerful. The speeches were beyond great. I get these random emails from Barack—okay, he wants money (well, more of my money). So maybe I’ll respond and say “Cherie and I are more than happy to donate but y’all, you and “Shelly,” need to carve out some Kert and Cherie time at your abode. We’ll make ourselves available at any times only when one of us isn’t seeing a certain grandson. Cuz, you know, grandsons take precedence.”
It really was an incredible week - a rare good week to be glued to a TV or computer screen! And yes, grandsons do take precedence, but maybe Barack could use our donations to reserve the Goose Prairie cabin. That’s close enough to Yakima that I could bring my grandson along. We could have some good talks about Supreme Court Justices and get in some good walking too!
Okay, I’ll let him know. I’m thinking he and Shelly can afford that. I’ll bring blackberries. He put Sotomayor and Kagen on the Court. One of things I would LOVE to ask him is what was going through his mind as he sat in that front row on the day the next guy took office and made his “carnage” speech. Now, I still haven’t had the stomach to watch that entire speech. But Barack had to sit there for it all.
It must have been difficult for Barack not to throw up! And I'll delicately ask Michelle about the passing of her mother, which has obviously also been extremely difficult. We'll need the blackberries and my grandson to help lighten the mood.