Great Blue at Canoe U.

Today, after catching up a little more on some sleep, I returned to my normal home base routine. Minimalization picked up at Day 9, and four shirts, one pair of tech underwear, two pair of shorts, one travel pillow, and a race jacket all made their way into a Planet Aid clothes donation bit out behind the Veteran's Center in West Annapolis.

Day 9 Victims of Minimalism

I really liked that NASA shirt, but when put to the test it just didn't make top billing in things that are truly important to me.  The other stuff basically fell into the category of "just in case," but as discussed, I've concluded that this "just in case" isn't all that useful for being able to live in the present. I always hated the red 5K fun run shirt. It was thick cotton and trapped heat, showed sweat, and the silk screen wasn't very comfortable. I didn't really want it when I got it, but I'd done the run so it represents the "identity" argument for keeping things I don't like. Anyway, it's all gone, and it was a good way to start of the walk this afternoon.

The spring weather was ideal if a little breezy. The cobalt blue sky was spectacular and the mid-70's temperatures kept the pep in my step heading down the trail.

College Creek Under a Cobalt Sky

Spring has sprung in the area and the forests are greening up nicely. The Dark Ages have been vanquished for another season, and there is real promise in the air.

Toward the end of my ramble, I stalked a Great Blue Heron from one end of the boathouse dock to the other trying to capture the perfect shot. The heron was sporting the dark plumage, and the bird carried a magnificence that proved difficult to ignore. After a few laps of pestering, I caught a passable shot as the heron broke free of our little round of shenanigans and moved on to better (or at least quieter) hunting grounds.

Great Blue at Canoe U.

Riding along the wavetops with graceful ease, there is a freedom to be envied as the heron goes about living day by day. He doesn't fret a mortgage or wonder about taxes, credit, retirement, or college funds. He stalks his prey and eats as he must, but let's be honest, I've never seen a heron carrying a bit too much weight around the middle.  He catches the sunrise and the sunset, and he even experiences the occasional rainstorm.

I'm going to try to adopt the way of the heron and be open to be surprised by what tomorrow may, or may not, have in store.