trail walks, neighborhood walks, walks alone, walks with friends. plein air painting, people watching, animal watching, picnics, learning to identify different types of plant life as it slowly returns
especially if it’s one of those cloudless, sunny winter days. even if it’s colder out don’t let it stop you, layer up and find some nice park or pretty street to walk down. emphasis on layer up though, once you get walking and warm up you can shed a layer but if having cold hands will turn you back make sure you’re as cozy as possible going into it. I find it helps your mind to be idle and grounds you in the world for a bit. you don’t really even need a destination in mind, maybe you’ll just find a part of your city you didn’t know or take in a nice view, maybe you’ll even bump into a friend. put on some good music or just take in the sounds around you. I did this pretty regularly around brooklyn during the pandemic and along with being some good excercise it really does plug you in to your surroundings more
it’s finally warming up, and my dog is aching to be outside sniffing every tree and lawn. we took a very leisurely morning walk, over and hour out there, soaking up the sunshine. what made it more fun and perhaps a little more centering was leaving my phone in my pocket (aside from snapping a couple of photos) and tuning into a playlist i just finished on my iPod.
even after living in this neighborhood for almost three years, I’m still surprised by new-to-me murals and the ways everyone beautifies their homes. thanks to my pup for getting me out there.
The occupation persists, the oppression persists, the torture persists.
The occupiers are psychotic and their work is never finished.
People who’ve paid attention won’t be surprised by this photo from Gaza.