I gave myself the gift of a good walk today, allowing myself to see things I tend to ignore. And it was a good reminder that you don’t need to be scaling Kilimanjaro, nor riding donkeys down the Grand Canyon to be treated to the sublime beauty of the world we live in. I host a weekly meetup, and during last nights session I was reminded of the powerful difference curiosity makes when engaging the world. Look closely, make no assumption, and universes unfold where before there was nothing but a tree.
My ambulation took me to Roosevelt Island, which contains what I consider to be one of the three best examples of monumental architecture in the DC area. The space is a meditation on Theodore Roosevelt, and conceived as a living memorial, an aspiration I feel is fully realized.
But I digress, I just wanted to share a couple of observations:
- As I approached the island, the air was filled with fluffy white material similar to dandelion seeds, and as I returned I noticed these tufts had gathered into drifts lining the path. As I crossed the GW Parkway these white, gossamer drifts turned yellow as the fluff was replaced by yellow honeysuckle.
- An older brother (about 18) ran down his younger sister as she tried to put some distance between herself and the family, she squealed in delight and outrage.
- A determined woman did some serious contortions to lever the water fountain while gathering the water in her cupped hands so that her panting dog could get some hydration.
- A toddler focused intently on the grass pushing through the sidewalk, ignoring the greater wonder surrounding her. Then again, the grass may well have possessed all the wonder she could handle.
- The Potomac is best seen without focusing too intently, it’s a muddy mess, but if you squint just right it’s magnificent.
- The Virginia foliage at the riverbank is at it’s most turgid and fecund, showing none of the wilting of summer, a riot of life.
So, I guess what I’m saying is, keep your eyes open and let the things you see tell you whatever story they want to tell, you’ll enjoy it a lot more than already knowing the answers.
