Stunning take on paying attetion versus chasing metrics. The bit about how everyone on the tram ignores Prague's view but they don't actually have infinite time either kinda hit different. I notice this with my morning commute too, everybody staring down at screens when the sunset is literally right there.
I have lived in Bern, Switzelrand for more than 50 years now. Same bus ride down a hill with the most scenic view of Bern just about every day. I NEVER get tired of it, because it is like a living painting, different every time, constantly changed by the great God of the universe. Glad there's at least two of us, Mari, who are appreciators of great views from public transport. :)
Yes! The view always changes, with the light, the clouds, even our mood affects how we perceive it. Of course, it helps that we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I always make a point of looking out the window as the tram crosses the river too.
Yes to scenic overlooks! So appropriately named because they are sadly often overlooked. My favorites are the view of downtown Minneapolis from any of the bridges that connect to it along the Mississippi, Gitche Gumee from our friend Kathryn's home on the cliff, or any city I love as the plane I am in hovers over it before landing. As for cats and dogs, our cat Freyja insists on leashed walks several times a week (although not in the winter). Her brothers are not leash trained, and glower at her from the living room window as she prances out into the world, not bothered by the tether.
Ha! I love “not bothered by the tether”: not only is it poetic, but it is a piece of wisdom. Often our constraints are what make us free. Freyja gets to explore the outdoors because she accepts the leash.
And I agree about the view downtown from the bridges. Gorgeous!
This journal hit on all cylinders for me. I too am addicted to scenic views. Perhaps since we were raised in a land with so few, we appreciate them more? When I lived in Berkeley our back porch overlooked Wildcat Canyon, a spectacular view of rolling grassy hillsides, often dotted with cows. I never got tired of that.
You've probably seen many photos of me and my cat Harvey walking around the block. We didn't go far, but I'm certain that I know every nook and cranny of our one square block! And over the years I met all the neighbors. All of them. So once when I went for a walk with a vistor, he remarked on how friendly was to me in my neighborhood. It was all Harvey. I still occasionally go for a memorial walk, just to remind myself of all of his favorite spots.
My first car was an old Subaru, and I spent countless hours repairing it. (I had the book How to Keep your Subaru Running Forever!) Often I'd come inside, cursing at how much of my weekend I'd wasted fiddling with the car. My roommate said someday you'll miss this. He was right. Now my car "just works" and if it needs so much as an oil change, I pay someone else to do it for me.
Happy hour with Lewis. Doing the NYT Sunday crossword. Walking around Lake Harriet. Giving Miss Cleo her daily treats. Bridge night with our two best friends.
And OK Go! has the very best videos, all of them are gems!
Thank you so much for this lovely response! I just heard a podcast yesterday that attempted to answer the question of which cats were happier, indoor or outdoor cats? The answer was that outdoor cats were probably happier, but if you let them run free, they die prematurely, and so taking them for walks, like you did with Harvey and my roommate did with Trotsky, is the best all-around solution. And as you note, our pets connect us to our neighbors!
As for your five things, I’d love to walk around Lake Harriet with you again when I’m in town this summer!
OMG. The cat in the dishwasher. Hilarious. What are my 5 things? Arthur and the kids, reading, writing, working out, being with friends, not necessarily in that order. Also, baking, especially bread, and drinking tea. Plus, fruit!!!!
Stunning take on paying attetion versus chasing metrics. The bit about how everyone on the tram ignores Prague's view but they don't actually have infinite time either kinda hit different. I notice this with my morning commute too, everybody staring down at screens when the sunset is literally right there.
Hooray for looking at the sunset every chance we get!
I have lived in Bern, Switzelrand for more than 50 years now. Same bus ride down a hill with the most scenic view of Bern just about every day. I NEVER get tired of it, because it is like a living painting, different every time, constantly changed by the great God of the universe. Glad there's at least two of us, Mari, who are appreciators of great views from public transport. :)
Yes! The view always changes, with the light, the clouds, even our mood affects how we perceive it. Of course, it helps that we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I always make a point of looking out the window as the tram crosses the river too.
Yes to scenic overlooks! So appropriately named because they are sadly often overlooked. My favorites are the view of downtown Minneapolis from any of the bridges that connect to it along the Mississippi, Gitche Gumee from our friend Kathryn's home on the cliff, or any city I love as the plane I am in hovers over it before landing. As for cats and dogs, our cat Freyja insists on leashed walks several times a week (although not in the winter). Her brothers are not leash trained, and glower at her from the living room window as she prances out into the world, not bothered by the tether.
Ha! I love “not bothered by the tether”: not only is it poetic, but it is a piece of wisdom. Often our constraints are what make us free. Freyja gets to explore the outdoors because she accepts the leash.
And I agree about the view downtown from the bridges. Gorgeous!
This journal hit on all cylinders for me. I too am addicted to scenic views. Perhaps since we were raised in a land with so few, we appreciate them more? When I lived in Berkeley our back porch overlooked Wildcat Canyon, a spectacular view of rolling grassy hillsides, often dotted with cows. I never got tired of that.
You've probably seen many photos of me and my cat Harvey walking around the block. We didn't go far, but I'm certain that I know every nook and cranny of our one square block! And over the years I met all the neighbors. All of them. So once when I went for a walk with a vistor, he remarked on how friendly was to me in my neighborhood. It was all Harvey. I still occasionally go for a memorial walk, just to remind myself of all of his favorite spots.
My first car was an old Subaru, and I spent countless hours repairing it. (I had the book How to Keep your Subaru Running Forever!) Often I'd come inside, cursing at how much of my weekend I'd wasted fiddling with the car. My roommate said someday you'll miss this. He was right. Now my car "just works" and if it needs so much as an oil change, I pay someone else to do it for me.
Happy hour with Lewis. Doing the NYT Sunday crossword. Walking around Lake Harriet. Giving Miss Cleo her daily treats. Bridge night with our two best friends.
And OK Go! has the very best videos, all of them are gems!
Thank you so much for this lovely response! I just heard a podcast yesterday that attempted to answer the question of which cats were happier, indoor or outdoor cats? The answer was that outdoor cats were probably happier, but if you let them run free, they die prematurely, and so taking them for walks, like you did with Harvey and my roommate did with Trotsky, is the best all-around solution. And as you note, our pets connect us to our neighbors!
As for your five things, I’d love to walk around Lake Harriet with you again when I’m in town this summer!
OMG. The cat in the dishwasher. Hilarious. What are my 5 things? Arthur and the kids, reading, writing, working out, being with friends, not necessarily in that order. Also, baking, especially bread, and drinking tea. Plus, fruit!!!!
A lovely list!
I forgot one item for my own list: reading your wonderful book and having a conversation with you in the comments!
And yes, Kalina’s antics make our whole family laugh.