Sanpo

For the first time since the ruthless, cold hurricane of winter came to my small bit of nowhere, I went out for a sanpo. I say 'stroll', but of course I was on my bike. If one can stroll on a bike, then that's surely what I did. The air was cool but mercifully still. The sun was already half way to twilight, the sky feeling more blue than usual. It felt like I crime to stay inside.

I made up my mind to go over to the shrine I'd found ages ago. It's not really a destination, just an idea; one that is pleasant enough to get me out and moving. After so many weeks of huddling inside my jacket, bearing against the wind with only thought for destinations, I was happy to at last be free to wander.

I saw many people walking their dogs. I thought I saw a man with two dogs. As I came closer, I realized that while the two animals were of nearly the same size, the larger of the two was not on a leash, and in fact was not a dog at all, but a large cat. I was shocked and so was the dog, who got scared away by the large feline. I looked up and met eyes with the dog's owner, and we shared a look of amusement. A perfect moment of nonverbal connection.

Only a few blocks from home, I continue my meandering bike-stroll with a smile tucked in the corner of my mouth. Some days are meant to be.

Cheers,

blissful Baer