My peripheral vision catches
a cat climbing a fence hurriedly
sees me and stops
her claws grasp the top and hangs
there like a gymnast
her eyes fix on me
is she curious or afraid
I will never know
I resume my walk
along yellow and purple flowers
and under the shade of redwood trees.
I have been writing lately mainly about my walks
I’m not that old to know that nasturtiums are edible
The leaves are rich in vitamins and calcium
neglible bitterness which chard also possessed.
I like bitter melons and they are bitter
I don’t have to make it philosophical
like pain and rejections that acceptance makes us stronger
Sweat and scenery ride together each cajoling each other
like two friends ribbing and sometimes hurting each oher
When we were children ghosts made us cry and curious
We told our stories and we laughed.
We follow the bent of our mind with the best effort
without allowing any passing moment without uttering gratitude.
Without a car I am compelled to walk
Which begins as reluctance to accept
converts to a blessing and daily gratitude.
What are these flowers?
Part of the Riverfront walk. Cool and sunny. Nice cloud formations.
Inside Oxbow Public Market
Look for the white heron
The lillies are beautiful though I wish they have the fragrance of a gardenia or frangipani.
Mrs. Abstract and I are trying to accomodate only one car. She has more activities every day than I do. She has the car this morning.
There is a Memorial Day celebration today at the Veterans Park in Downtown Napa on the Riverfront. The day is warm in the mid-80’s with a light cool breeze.
I walk to the Veteran Park, watch tpart of he ceremonies then continue my walk to Oxbow Public Market like one other day.
nasturtiums
On my way to the Veterans Park I talk to a barechested man pruning his nasturtium. We talk for a bit. I learn that nasturtium is edible and has high nutritional value. He says one of the restaurants in town uses the blossoms in the salads.Are the leaves protective of the flowers from the sun?
The Veterans Park is all sunshine and has plenty of people, dignitaries and
speeches.
Memorial Day celebration honoring the veterans
On my return home I selected one of the streets lined by tall redwood trees for the shade. Many front yards are planted with roses, white, pale pink, and red. I find one garden with yellow lillies. One frontyard has a white magnolia tree with blossoms on the top.
With all these colors I’m empty of poetic lines.
After posting I will take a nap.
For six days in a row I have been walking for at least one hour each day. It was prompted by my heart doctor that I should be more commited to my health and fitness. I started reading a book, Let Your Mind Run, A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by an American long distance runner and Olympic medalist, Deena Kastor, co-written with Michele Hamilton.
It’s an honest, frank ,and inspiring story of how Deena Kastor started running, baring the essentials of her training and personal insights in what winning and losing mean. Her training helps her tremendously not just to be the best athlete but also how to be a better person.
I find that I can apply her training as a runner to me for my fitness and health. She wrote about how she inspires herself to enjoy the rigors of training. She says: “As an athlete I’ve found aside from hard work, the greatest tools for success are optimism and gratitude.These practices have led to happiness and the routine pause to realize I’m living the life I love and dreamed of.”
Her:blog
Today was warmer than yesterday.I walked for 75 minutes in the neighborhood.
Today I parked near the library and returned a book I just finished reading, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacey McNulty. Interesting story of a 12 year old girl who was hit by a lightning and survived.
I borrowed 2 books in return: Conversation on Writing by Ursula Le Guin and The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli.
From the library I walked to the county Election Division Office and delivered my completed election ballot.
Primary election is 2 weeks away. We vote by mailed ballots.
Since I’m already in the downtown I meandered around took some photos of the colors of the day. Then I walked over to the Oxbow Market and bought dark chocolates and Italian Lemon cookies for Mrs. Abstract.
I didn’t record the time but my mobile phone recorded my steps: 6700 steps. Not much. It was more of a promenade.Lost in time.
There is a mode: Effects in my camera which I played around. I have not used it before.
one of the art pieces in the Art Walk
That’s white magnolia tree in bloom
First Street looking south
First Street looking north
I’m walking at the Oxbow Commons towards Oxbow Market (with red color). photo taken by mobile phone.
The Riverfront seen from First Street bridge in my return from Oxbow Market.
To the river, along the river and over the river. That’s what I did in my walk to fitness today.
Today I drove to library to return a book, After Alice by Gregory Maguire, a book I joyously finished reading. A return to Wonderland of Alice. A return to childhood lightened my heart.
And I got a new book, Ordinary Light, A memoir, by Tracy K. Smith, the Poet Laureate of the United States. I also just finished Life on Mars, one of her book of poems.
From the libaray, I walked on the Riverfront , over a bridge then to the Vine Trail which connect to Kennedy Park.
The weather today was similar to yesterday, sunny with a cool breeze. I had to walk with a warmup top on.
today: 76 minutes.9,000 steps.
Yesterday: 11,000 steps.
I have to alternate in a certain way long and short distances.
note: Instead of walking to the river from the condo I did something slightly different today.
Mrs. Abstract and I drove to Synergy, the Wellness Center next to the hospital, While she was doing her aquatic exercises I walked to the Woodlands Trail, 1.2 miles paved trail, which runs along Napa River. It took me 15 minutes to get to the trailhead. I am a slow walker.The temperature was in the high 60’s with a cool breeze. The trail is lined by trees and really a forest between the trail and Napa River. Lot of shadows on the trail with some patches in open air and all sunny.
I Walked the trail then walked back to Synergy. I worked out for 45 minutes then returned home.
I have to gain back my cardiac fitness. Last time I saw my physician, he told me I was getting lazy. I was not doing enough of my fitness program. Remember I had my cardiac surgery January 2017.
A friend picked up Mrs. Abstract after her aquatics and they went to lunch.
Everyone seeks experiences
looking for insights from a common well
A bouquet of flowers
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