washwords

[Read to the end for a tearjerking video on this one: our better angels, from the sea of purplegate.]

It was a glorious day, a hopeful day, a chilly day, and alas, for many, a teary day and “not for the reasons” they’d hoped. So explains my pal, Alison, one of the infamous “Purplegaters” – trapped after a walk of 10 miles, realizing: she was about to miss it.

For those who haven’t heard – estimates are climbing to about 5,000 of folks in the much coveted inaugural purple, orange, and blue ticket sections (to watch the swearing in)  were unable to get in, some despite arriving before dawn, many after walks of hours and treks for days to see this moment. The Washington Post, (and here, if you want your heart broken) covered it, cnn covered it, Foreign Policy had it facebook has a group or twelve (the 3rd street tunnel seemed to be particularly “doomfilled” for many.)

But here’s a snippet from my friend, who was there, after watching on tv in union station, without sound:

My own journey began this morning before sunrise when we set out from Arlington, VA, wearing many layers and braving temperatures in the teens down past the Iwo Jima Read more »

Photo: “Dc Art Walk 10″ by “bullneck” on flickr

7:20 a.m.

Clickity clickity. fwip. fwip.

“Hola Amigo, que tal? A que hora? Que?”

“And then like I was telling him and he said… wait, what? no that’s what I’m saying.”

Click click click. Meep meep. Whaa wah whaaa wah waaaah wah.

“Hello? Margaret? Yah, there’s a problem with the bus, so I’m just going now. Yeah. I’m walking. I’ll be there soon. But listen can you Read more »

I tried meditation. A bunch of times.  It helped, if for nothing else that for sitting sans computer in the quiet and kindness. But I couldn’t relax, couldn’t focus on meditating, focused on the noise I was making, the meditation I wasn’t doing, racing, racing thoughts.

I went for a one-on-one with the leader of the class, who suggested I try walking meditation. I liked the idea. But I didn’t try it.

A few months later, work launches a stairclimbing challenge. Simultaneously and separately,  my sweetie and I decide to start walking on the paths behind his house or the city streets toward the Mall near mine. I am walking, more and more, beyond my walks to and from work.

And it is working. Beyond strong calves I feel calm coming in. Clear. Zen.

It is the most beautiful color of all.

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Note: Happy 4th to all!!! I have also added a few posts to X365.