I try to get out several times a week for a long walk. Walking is the best medicine, isn’t it? A couple years ago I heard of a study that showed that women could significantly improve their longevity through walking. Now I could ‘a told you that. I see the proof everyday. Women as old as the hills and rickety as rockers out there walking everywhere. One day, I aim to be one of them.
It’s the air and sunlight that does it for them, I’m pretty sure. Me? I like to feel the fresh air. There’s nothing like it. It’s just so… fresh. Besides, walking is a physical-type exercise. Or it can be, if you push hard enough. In general, I go hard on my walks. I don’t usually do the leisurely stroll. I’m on a mission: heavy breathing. When you’re breathing heavily, your heart gets involved. I like that. I like to feel my heart and know, without question, that I have one.
Looking up at the stuff around me is another aspect of walking that I can’t get enough of. I like looking up at things. Like telephone wires for instance. Or clouds. Or chain link fences. Or trees. I just need the change of scene sometimes. If I have a soul, then getting out of doors is probably good for it, wouldn’t you say?
Sometimes my walk will present me with a gift of sorts. The other day for example, I came across a murder of crows. There must have been sixty or seventy of the large black birdies nestled in a grove of naked trees all sitting and squawking together. They made a beautiful silhouette against the sky. But at the same time, their calls gave me some serious willies. Were they squawking about me? I don’t know. And I didn’t stay to find out neither.
I do this thing during my walks that involves walking as tall and as straight as is humanly possible. I literally feel six feet tall when I do it. I’m only 5 feet 4 inches tall so that’s an 8 inch improvement, right? True, the feeling subsides when I come home again but whatever. It’s great to be that tall even for a little while.
Sometimes I’ll spend my whole walk crying like a blubbering fool. Sometimes the tears are happy and sometimes they’re not. Every now and again, a girl just needs to let go, you know? And my walk is the perfect place for me to let it all hang out.
During a walk I will often stare up into the blue. I’ll fix my gaze on one spot for a while which feels strangely wondrous. I like to beam my most random and personal thoughts up into the heavens. Where they go, nobody knows. But that’s the beauty of it; it’s absolutely safe and comforting. Kind of like a prayer.
♥M
The above photos were taken during a walk through my neighbourhood on Tuesday, the 13th of December, 2011.
Lovely post. I think that's what I need right now to push all these 'bringing me down' germs out of my body. Sam xx
I like this post … Rings a bell to me … Stick to your walking !!! Until you get very very old !!!!
What a beautiful post Michele. I wish I could walk more [my arthritis dictates how far I can go]. Thanks for sharing the fab photos you take on yours. I feel like I'm out there with you 🙂
A x
Wonderful pictures. I love walks too. Right now, I rarely get out unless I am pushing a stroller but I look forward to solitary walks…not that I want to rush this stage with little kids either…oh, you get it.
Love those pictures Michele and you know what? I’m working on my next art quilt and our theme is Look Up! Your pictures are a true inspiration.
I love to walk, but I always need to find me a park or beach before I can really enjoy. Inhaling all the smog in the streets of a big city isn’t that healthy!
GORGEOUS photos!! I wish I could walk again. If you CAN, PLEASE DO!! 🙂
my favorite: the bird's nest – a tidy mess (I just pinned it on Pinterest)
Great photos, lovely post, can really feel the pleasure you get from your walks.
Carol xx
beautiful … I like your pics!
I have often wept as I walked and felt dumb but now I know I am not the only one! And by the time I am halfway to wherever the episode is over and I am feeling better!
Walks are such a great thing – a time where the mind is free.
Nice walk. Love your textures. What kind of fruit is on the first tree? Here it would be persimmon hanging long after the leaves are gone, but those are not persimmon.
Merry Christmas Hugs!
Walks are good for the mind, body and soul, for sure…
What a wonderful post, Michele. Beautiful photos and thoughts.
I was almost ready to cry just reading about your walk. Thank you for sharing it with me. I am inspired to start my day with a walk tomorrow, maybe take my camera for fresh air, too.
I love your pics and your words….
love,xxx
You definitely have an eye! Lovely photos. Lovely post.
Michael
Hi Michele. So nice to find you through Pinterest. Your blog is fun, refreshing and happy – I like that!
I, too, love to walk – some of my best time for thinking, planning, and scheming.
Your photos are lovely….glad to follow along with you.
Happy holidays! Karen
relax… pure relax
I love this. I feel like I can breathe a bit more deeply just now. Thank you chere Michele.
This is a beautiful post. I completely agree with you! Sometimes, when a person is stuck creatively, all it can take is a simple walk to clear the head and allow the ideas to flow freely.