A walk at last

It's been so long since I've been able to walk outside, so tonight was quite a treat. A storm blew through about six this evening dropping the temperature from "oh my god!" to something a little more bearable. So I laced up my Nike's and headed out to the greenway. I had an acupuncture session earlier in the afternoon and I was anxious to move the blood and Qi through and continue what the work had started. About three weeks ago, my IPod was stolen, so I had no music. That ended up being a really good thing. I noticed all the sounds and sights around me so much more without the distraction of the music. It felt good to walk along the path feeling so connected to nature as I listened to the birds, crickets and tree frogs make their music. The cadence of my feet connecting with the earth sounded strong and sure, not heavy or clumsy. Everything was that deep green of mid-summer with the occasional splash of purple or yellow supplied by a wildflower hardy enough to survive the heat. Without the music, I heard the creek tumbling over the rocks and the rhythm of my breath. About half way through, the stillness revealed a tawny doe standing 10 feet off the path in a field. She raised her head with a leaf sticking out of her mouth as I rounded the corner and stood like a statue, watching me, watching her. Finally she must have decided I was not a threat, twitched her little white tail and went on with her snack. I only had time to do three and a half miles. As I was finishing the loop, I could see the sunset painting pink streaks between the tree branches and the fireflies began their twinkling dance  like terrestrial stars. Perfect timing! It felt so good to be outside soaking up all that nature was lavishing on me. And it felt really good to be moving and working my muscles.