Saw this canal boat today on my walk. It reminded me of the saying that I've loved for a long time: 'There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children: one is roots; the other, wings.' I've been thinking quite a lot about that as I celebrate my 70th birthday and my daughter, shortly, will be 40. I hope I've given her both.
I had a thoughtful walk today, the first for several days as it's been so (record-breakingly) hot. I really needed it too, as my back and hips have been rather painful, which is partly the result of tripping and jarring my muscles a few days ago and partly the penalty of inactivity over several days. I kept noticing people's very loud voices. Was that just me being sensitive or were people shouting or was it a freak of the overcast, warm, humid day? There was a man behind me having a very loud, ongoing conversation with his dog! And when I was on the river bank I could hear folk chatting on the canal bank some way above. The other abiding sense was the scent of petrichor - damp earth, after a slight rain shower, the first for many days (weeks). Not enough rain to make any difference though. Everywhere is really dry and looks dusty and parched. Even the sluggish river had seeds or something all over it, little white spots that, from a distance, gave the impression of a mist rising. The rain had brought out some tiny frogs. It was hard not to step on them on the river path. The herons, on the other hand, looked really miserable - one perched in a tree and the other on the dry part of the weir in the park. I wonder if the low water level means slim pickings of fish for them?
All these ramblings I set down because I've been thinking for a while that my main blog, 'Salt and Light', has become more of a travelogue, a record of my expeditions, and to some extent written for other people's consumption. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but I would like to find a more personal journalling space if I can, something perhaps a little more creative. Such thoughts have been swirling around my brain for a few days and today I came across a book: 'Little Stories of Your Life' by Laura Pashby - Find your voice, share your world and tell your story. So I've downloaded it on my iPad Kindle app and will read it and attempt to broaden out my creativity a little, as well as seeking to capture some of the sweet, smaller moments in the larger swell of my life and expeditions.
Instructions for living:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
(Mary Oliver - Sometimes)
