I love finishing a good book, though it also makes me sad when a story is over because I won't find out more about the characters' lives. I love the feeling of leaning in to eavesdrop on the comings and goings of some other time and place. I love being transported out of this world into a fantasy land full of adventure. I am not even bothered by the times I read and want to scream at the people as they make horrible and damaging choices. Or when I want to reach through the pages to sound a warning or offer a hug or slap some sense. When I close a good book I need time to just sit and be still for awhile with it fresh in my thoughts before I can go about my day. That is a satisfying feeling.
There is also the angry feeling when you get to the end of a bad book and no one has learned their lesson, justice has not been served, or they did not live happily ever after. The bad books I can at least feel violated for giving my time away to a worthless cause. Here I poured myself into their world only to have it end like that! How DARE they!! I still have to take time to stew over that frustration before joining reality. Not the same satisfaction, but a disturbed contentment.
But when I finish a book that was neither good nor bad, I only feel confused and disappointed. A book dropped and walked away from (not thrown against a wall or hugged to your chest) as soon as the last page is read is not worthy of the paper on which it was printed.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Dew and Universe Juice
I had my best run this morning. Not the fastest of times, not the easiest of effort. But the all-round best.
It started with the usual dread last night. "Do I really want to get up early? Is it worth losing an hour and a half of sleep? Will my shins cramp up like last time?"
But despite trying to avoid it, I went to bed on time, setting out my clothes and tennis shoes. And having made a Facebook status about it, I knew I'd have friends to hold me accountable. So I was ready. I actually woke up easily and anticipated the great feeling that only comes after accomplishing a challenging workout.
With my coffee freshly made and mp3 player cranked I drove out to the park. (yes, coffee.) After a bit of a warm-up, I took off. In my new trail running shoes, I got to take some paths instead of just the pavement around the loop. So nice to wind through the trees and the grasses. The loop is 1 1/2 miles. I always do 2 laps, but I take a coffee break between. :)
I should keep a towel in the car though. The sweat was already dripping on my forehead that early in the morning. The second lap started easily enough. I took the same trails laced behind the pavement. My time was looking good to finish this lap in a quicker time than the first. My energy was high, though fatiguing as I came to the end. I made it back to the car hot, breathless, and sweaty gross. With no towel, I had already used the last of the McDonald's napkins.
I walked in circles a bit to cool down but to no relief. Pulling out the mp3 player with its pumped up music, I tried to slow myself. I flopped onto a bench to try and catch my breath. But as I let my gaze wander I noticed the ground. The grass looked so plushy. Still in the shade, that grass was covered in thick, sparkling dew. I stood up, still overheated, leaving my sweat angel on the bench.
It was time to get home..... Kids would need milk poured..... Brian would need sent out the door with his coffee for work..... Everything in the house would need my attention......
But I couldn't help myself. I dropped down into the plushy grass. The dew was so unbelievably refreshing Stretching out on my back I could feel my skin instantly cooling. I turned over to my belly side letting my face rest in the earth. My heart rate came down, slow breathing returned. The sweat rinsed away. On my back again, I drank in this experience. I felt renewed, peaceful, strong. Now I was ready to face the rest of the day.
It was only after standing up and looking at myself that this very spiritual moment came to an end. I was now covered head to toe in grass bits. I really do need to keep a towel in the car.
It started with the usual dread last night. "Do I really want to get up early? Is it worth losing an hour and a half of sleep? Will my shins cramp up like last time?"
But despite trying to avoid it, I went to bed on time, setting out my clothes and tennis shoes. And having made a Facebook status about it, I knew I'd have friends to hold me accountable. So I was ready. I actually woke up easily and anticipated the great feeling that only comes after accomplishing a challenging workout.
With my coffee freshly made and mp3 player cranked I drove out to the park. (yes, coffee.) After a bit of a warm-up, I took off. In my new trail running shoes, I got to take some paths instead of just the pavement around the loop. So nice to wind through the trees and the grasses. The loop is 1 1/2 miles. I always do 2 laps, but I take a coffee break between. :)
I should keep a towel in the car though. The sweat was already dripping on my forehead that early in the morning. The second lap started easily enough. I took the same trails laced behind the pavement. My time was looking good to finish this lap in a quicker time than the first. My energy was high, though fatiguing as I came to the end. I made it back to the car hot, breathless, and sweaty gross. With no towel, I had already used the last of the McDonald's napkins.
I walked in circles a bit to cool down but to no relief. Pulling out the mp3 player with its pumped up music, I tried to slow myself. I flopped onto a bench to try and catch my breath. But as I let my gaze wander I noticed the ground. The grass looked so plushy. Still in the shade, that grass was covered in thick, sparkling dew. I stood up, still overheated, leaving my sweat angel on the bench.
It was time to get home..... Kids would need milk poured..... Brian would need sent out the door with his coffee for work..... Everything in the house would need my attention......
But I couldn't help myself. I dropped down into the plushy grass. The dew was so unbelievably refreshing Stretching out on my back I could feel my skin instantly cooling. I turned over to my belly side letting my face rest in the earth. My heart rate came down, slow breathing returned. The sweat rinsed away. On my back again, I drank in this experience. I felt renewed, peaceful, strong. Now I was ready to face the rest of the day.
It was only after standing up and looking at myself that this very spiritual moment came to an end. I was now covered head to toe in grass bits. I really do need to keep a towel in the car.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)