It seems to me that the posts on this blog, as of late, are very much a surface evaluation of my day. There used to be a time when I would use this space to reflect my more meaningful thoughts and ideas. At least some of the time. It isn’t that I don’t continue to have these kinds of reflections on life. It is that I am having a hard time finding the words to describe my thoughts.

Living in downtown Sacramento I am faced with many sad images every day. I have written about the homeless, who are coming out in droves now that the weather is nice. On my walks home I wonder where they hid during the colder rainy months. I wonder how they ended up in their particular situation. But ultimately, I avoid eye contact and charge past them so as to dodge getting sucked into their story.

I see a handful of stray dogs, all on their own, never finding one another or a home. And my first instinct is “don’t poop by my apartment”, but my second instinct is find them a home. Or some food. Because what do these dogs eat? These instincts are met with unfulfilled actions. I am hit with the fact that it is only a matter of time before they end up at the shelter.

But what the city brings in sadness, it also brings with appreciation. There is something special about the sunshine and warm days here. It is almost surreal to me when I am walking through the shadow of a tall building, only to reach the corner and see the sun bouncing through the street. The green of the parks feels more special than my back yard in Santa Rosa because I share this space with a city and not just a handful of other residents in my building. I don’t think about basking in the sun much when I am in my suburban apartment, but here in the city, every walk on a sunny day is a treat.

I have only been here for 4 months, but having passed through the winter into the spring, I am seeing a new beauty in the parks. The trees have flowered and my walks are now bursting with color, squirrels and birds. More people are out walking their dogs. More people are throwing their blankets out onto the grass and napping. I don’t know how long I am going to stay here in the city, but I hope that I get to enjoy these activities before I go.

What is spring like where you are?

Posted in Country Livin' & City Life :
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