Sensory: 'of or relating to sensation or the physical senses'
In celebration of the New Year, I want to
write about the sensory experience of walking (I was thinking of using the word
'sensual' - a lovely word but it has other associations).
The sights we mention often. At this time
of year, our colourful jackets flash like flowers against the monotone of
browns and greys that make up the landscape of the snowless cemetery. The dark
brown bones of bare trees jut into the slate sky and our black asphalt path
winds through rusty carpets of dead leaves.
Our sound track is the warm burble of our
shared conversation and laughter rising above the steady rhythm of our
footsteps. The smells are subtle - I imagine I can sense snow on the chilly
breeze. At breakfast there is the wonderful aroma of bacon mixed
with the smell of clean sweat (probably my own). Breakfast, earned through exertion, tastes better than most any other meal.
Finally there is 'touch' which I am going
to interpret as both physical and emotional. I enjoy the silky feeling of my
technical shirt, the companionable bump of arms with my walking buddies, the
solid strike of my foot on the ground, and, most importantly, the quiet joy of
belonging, of friendship, indeed, of love for a group of diverse, wonderful
people.
Happy New Year TPWs - wishing us all a
great 2015 with a special 'go walkers' to the Bermuda gang.
And remember the social on Jan. 24th at
Diane's. Bring any technical gear you may want to pass along or exchange.
