Oh, that’s an interesting article! Thanks! I didn’t realise what I did was an activity with a name 😊. I hope we get to go noticing together on my next trip your way!
Lovely. Reminds me of what Heather wrote about Thoreau and his essay "Walking," though of course he was talking more about being in nature and less about urban exploration: "Nor does walking have anything to do with exercise or taking a break. Walking requires attention. 'It is of no use to direct our steps to the woods, if they do not carry us thither. I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit.... The thought of some work will run in my head, and I am not where my body is; I am out of my senses.' Rather, he says, 'you must walk like a camel, which is said to be the only beast which ruminates when walking.' (That's a joke, I think.)"
I love the tale of the fox. It shows that surprise and wonder can happen anytime if we keep our eyes open. The times I've seen foxes and coyotes darting around Washington and Marin County and each time has been thrilling.
I had my own celebrity sighting in Madrid and I almost wet my pants. Fabio told me I was drooling. I'm not sure this link to Maximiliano Iglesias, a Spanish movie star, will work but it's worth pasting it into your browser. You can see why I walk so much in Madrid.
I've joined you for a moment of Mindful Wandering from my desk here at our water tech lab in Illinois! Lovely! I've been to London many times, and am ALWAYS enchanted by the harmonious mix of old and new architecture. But I've never seen a fox! In the Celtic belief system the fox is seen as a spirit animal who helps navigate the spirit world. Gives me chills, thinking you came across this creature in downtown London! What is it that you do with rivers in England? Thanks again for my Friday break!
Thanks for sharing that information about the fox 🦊 Katie! I had no idea...fascinating.
I’m glad you took a mindful moment away from your work. I need to find out more about what you do! I’m not in the stream biz myself anymore, but Pete is a geomorphologist and works on river restoration projects both for clients and on research through universities, both in the U.K. and the USA. Enjoy your weekend!
We have a water technology R+D lab-commercializing a cyclodextrin media that removes micro pollutants from drinking water. We did an enormous study of watershed PFAS with Water Keeper Alliance last summer. LOTS of rivers! Wish I could take the time to walk and write like you though! You write beautifully!
A fascinating description of your recent day in London Sabrina! Your account is completely inspiring. I look forward to planning my own « discovery day.» It’s a wonderfully creative and imagination-building concept, thank you! And as your previous commenters highlighted, discovery can take place in urban settings, rural settings, or anywhere in between. The sky’s the limit!
Thanks Martha! I had a hard time writing about that day-so many thoughts spinning through my head after all my senses were overloaded. But that magical fox really pulled at all together. ❤️
Wish I could do some discovery walking with you! I was just reading about the art of noticing this morning. You're a pro! https://austinkleon.com/2023/01/29/the-30-minute-noticing-workout/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Oh, that’s an interesting article! Thanks! I didn’t realise what I did was an activity with a name 😊. I hope we get to go noticing together on my next trip your way!
Lovely. Reminds me of what Heather wrote about Thoreau and his essay "Walking," though of course he was talking more about being in nature and less about urban exploration: "Nor does walking have anything to do with exercise or taking a break. Walking requires attention. 'It is of no use to direct our steps to the woods, if they do not carry us thither. I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit.... The thought of some work will run in my head, and I am not where my body is; I am out of my senses.' Rather, he says, 'you must walk like a camel, which is said to be the only beast which ruminates when walking.' (That's a joke, I think.)"
Ha! That’s great-thanks for sharing that. Camel walking. 🐪
I love the tale of the fox. It shows that surprise and wonder can happen anytime if we keep our eyes open. The times I've seen foxes and coyotes darting around Washington and Marin County and each time has been thrilling.
I had my own celebrity sighting in Madrid and I almost wet my pants. Fabio told me I was drooling. I'm not sure this link to Maximiliano Iglesias, a Spanish movie star, will work but it's worth pasting it into your browser. You can see why I walk so much in Madrid.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Maximiliano+Iglesias&client=firefox-b-d&sxsrf=AJOqlzVT8iRMG65hb_5ZyZTDn3ekP-SBZQ:1675982103045&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRn5vvv4n9AhWjmYQIHbbwDkUQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1104&bih=629&dpr=2.61#imgrc=ZN1l8-FEEOHxiM&imgdii=hmEP_atYHfM-NM
This is great-I can see why you like to walk in Madrid! Such lovely sights to see :)
I've joined you for a moment of Mindful Wandering from my desk here at our water tech lab in Illinois! Lovely! I've been to London many times, and am ALWAYS enchanted by the harmonious mix of old and new architecture. But I've never seen a fox! In the Celtic belief system the fox is seen as a spirit animal who helps navigate the spirit world. Gives me chills, thinking you came across this creature in downtown London! What is it that you do with rivers in England? Thanks again for my Friday break!
Thanks for sharing that information about the fox 🦊 Katie! I had no idea...fascinating.
I’m glad you took a mindful moment away from your work. I need to find out more about what you do! I’m not in the stream biz myself anymore, but Pete is a geomorphologist and works on river restoration projects both for clients and on research through universities, both in the U.K. and the USA. Enjoy your weekend!
We have a water technology R+D lab-commercializing a cyclodextrin media that removes micro pollutants from drinking water. We did an enormous study of watershed PFAS with Water Keeper Alliance last summer. LOTS of rivers! Wish I could take the time to walk and write like you though! You write beautifully!
A fascinating description of your recent day in London Sabrina! Your account is completely inspiring. I look forward to planning my own « discovery day.» It’s a wonderfully creative and imagination-building concept, thank you! And as your previous commenters highlighted, discovery can take place in urban settings, rural settings, or anywhere in between. The sky’s the limit!
Thanks Martha! I had a hard time writing about that day-so many thoughts spinning through my head after all my senses were overloaded. But that magical fox really pulled at all together. ❤️
Wow, what a great trip, Sabrina! Such a lovely read.
Thanks Rebecca. Looking forward to your post later this morning! My always anticipated Saturday treat!
That's such a kind thing to say, Sabrina - thank you! Have a great weekend! 😊