Hectic Day

Today was a hectic day.  In addition to my walking at the goal pace (11 miles/day this month), there was a soccer match, a soccer party, a college football game, and preparations for a business trip.  There were also meetings in the morning with both relatives and friends to work on connection maintenance.

Although the miles were covered, my mind was running at a faster than normal clip keeping tabs on the days activities, and due to these distractions coming to the forefront of thought there are no pictures to share.  I suspect there were pictures worth taking all along the path, but a what was probably a lapse of mindfulness closed my eyes to them.  Observant presentness are not the words to describe my mental state.

One positive outcome as I wrap up the day was a longer period of sitting quietly than has been the custom of the past.  Like the rest of the day, achieving a settled mind was not happening readily.  Breathing became the focus, and there were some initial attempts at cataloging thoughts and emotions as the entered my consciousness and the attempt was made to let them flow through.

Even with the hectic mind, today was a great day though I'm finding I do not have to pursue diversions with nearly the vigor that was my practice in the past.  In fact, the relentless pursuit of entertainment is becoming more and more unsettling as I travel this journey.

First Week of Sitting Quietly Once a Day is Complete

Commencing the practice of sitting quietly at least once a day seems to be paying off.  A sense of serenity and better focus appears to have been the result of taking a little less than ten minutes a day to sit quietly and be in the moment.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't some burning bush style of metaphysical breakthrough.  I just feel a little better. The walks seem a little more rewarding and a little less "desperate."  Patience seems to flow a little more easily, although, I have a sneaking suspicion that you would be able to find more than one person that indicated this still is a potential growth area for me.

Nothing really particularly noteworthy on the picture front today, but there are some decent shots to share. As discussed in the past, these are good for me because they are always 100% new.  The capture of a moment from a different perspective, even one similar to a past perspective, is a valuable exercise for me in maintaining an appreciation for the unfolding of life around me.  Here they are in chronological order.

Spa Creek on a Gray November Morning

The waterfront in Annapolis is well on the path to preparing to weather the dark ages.  The anchorages are mostly clear as the boats are hauled out of the water by their owners.  The shrink wrap is becoming more and more of a feature.  Only a few short weeks from now, this will be the scene of the annual parade of lights in advance of Christmas.  

Naval Academy Observatory on Hospital Point

In spite of fall being in the air, the autumn this year has been really quite pleasant from a weather perspective. There are still wide swaths of green grass scattered about, and the Canada geese have not put in the appearance in large numbers as of today.  A few more weeks until the Dark Ages settle in for the winter.

A-4 and F-4 Static Display Aircraft on Hospital Point

There is a story to be told that unfolded decades ago on the starboard wing of that A-4 Skyhawk in the foreground.  Nothing too terribly risque, but it was both the beginning and end of an era.

Sunset over College Creek from the Hospital Point end of Fitch Bridge

Observing the sun setting over College Creek is one of those events that will probably never grow old for me.

View of the Sunset from the Sea Wall Corner of Sims Road

Many an hour of pedestrian activity has passed that involved this corner of Sims Road.  There are piers along the sea wall pictured in this photo that also represent the geographic point where one era ended and another began.  This too is a story for another day.

Annapolis Skyline at Sunset as Seen from Turner Joy Road

Luck favors the centered, and the photos conclude on my favorite one from the six that were captured today.  Capturing six panoramas in one day is a new record for me, and the most interesting aspect was the fact that this was not a conscious effort.  Now it could have been just blind luck, but I think that explanation leaves a little to be desired.  This record is an indication that sitting quietly is having a positive impact in other areas of my life outside of the sitting.  It's a feeling that may amount to superstition, but it just doesn't feel that way to me.  It feels like a growing connection with the world at large that allows these series of events to coalesce.

Another Consolidation Day

Today seemed to be another consolidation day.  Sitting quietly, working, and walking took up the better portion of the day.  Spent some time speaking with Rory.  It was good.

I'm going to bend one of the soft rules that I've had since beginning more regular postings.  I'm going to post some not contemporary photos.  These shots are of the reflected bit of the sunset from Sunday.  They weren't delivered by Google until Monday morning, and yesterday, I just forgot about them.  Here they are...the photos from a few days ago.

Severn River at Sunset

The sky and the reflected colors on the water are a pretty true representation of what I observed.

Severn River at Sunset with Triton Light in the Foreground to the Left

To catch Triton Light in mid-flash took a couple of tries and some quick deletions before Google came through with the panorama.  I really like this shot because it captures the light, the sea wall, the ELF antennas, and what used to be the David Taylor Research Center all in one shot.  There is a lot of history in the frame.

Capitol Building from the West Side

These two photos are contemporary from this evening.  Nothing really earth shattering here. Some more panoramic shots of the Capitol Building.

Capitol Building from the North East Side

I'm looking forward to the day that the scaffolding is finally removed after the restoration work is complete. The tarps have come down, so progress seems to be moving along according to the general timeline reported in this helpful primer by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).