Walking. With Night Moves…

Posted on by Live & Learn

Working’ on our night moves…
In the summertime, Mmmmmmm
In the sweet summertime, summertime

Bob Seger croons Night Moves into my earbuds, and wistfully I drift off to summertime.

17° F, feels like 3° F. Winds gusting from the north up to 25 mph. Tariff some of that!

I walk.

I have four layers on, that is on top and bottom. That’s 4 on bottom: underwear, wool underwear, sweatpants and snow pants. And that’s 4 on top: Sweatshirt, hoodie, jacket with hood and North Face jacket with another hood.

And it’s still short of what’s needed.

I didn’t expect much this morning. High Tide. Few clouds. And bitter cold.

But The Cove failed to disappoint. Again. It’s been 1751 consecutive (almost) days. Like in a Row.

I reach the cliff, and look out to the horizon. The Last Quarter Moon with its moonlight glistens over Long Island Sound.

“Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: ‘Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream?‘” (Ansel Adams)

I’m stirred, the cold falls away, I take the shot. And pause to express my gratitude, for whatever is responsible for the will to get me out of bed this morning, and for whatever granted me the physical ability to make it to this exact spot (and thanking this same Power source in advance to grant me another 1751 days), and for whatever Power put this moon and this moonlight in front of me free of cloud cover at exactly this moment.

I get blessed with this day’s astonishment, I turn back, and head home.

I’m going to remember this.

“God, give us a long winter and quiet music, and patient mouths, and a little pride — before our age ends. Give us astonishment and a flame, high and bright.” (Adam Zagajewski, A Flame)

Notes:

  • More pictures from this morning’s walk here.
  • Post inspired by Charlotte Wood, Stone Yard Devotional: “I once felt a kind of inhabiting presence in myself…something took up space inside me and spread along my shoulders and down my arms, into my fingertips. It was a sensation of heat…This is either a ghost, or it is God…If I had not resisted it, if I had welcomed the heat – even the burning – what might have happened?“

40 thoughts on “Walking. With Night Moves…”

  1. The Cove doesn’t let you down, and in turn you don’t let us down. Though I have to admit, your description of the various layers of clothes you had on prompts an image of the Michelin Man – and I’ll be grateful for that

    1. It’s SO funny you mentioned Michelin Man. As I was driving down post road to turn on Weed Ave to get to the park I was thinking that I looked and felt like Michelin Man – AND I burned right through the red light lost in that thought!

    2. “The Cove doesn’t let you down, and in turn you don’t let us down. ”
      Beautiful words, and I agree too. Thank you for dear Mimijk and for David, Like a Heaven this photograph. Have a nice day and weekend for you all, Love, nia

  3. Methinks you need to come shopping in Québec. Your snowpants and jacket are definitely insufficient if you need three layers underneath! I go barelegged in my snowpants and wear just a long-sleeved t-shirt (when it’s -15℃ and less – or I’m too hot!)

    Now, that said, these quotes and this text is just so lovely. Yes, “give us a long winter and quiet music, and patient mouths, and a little pride — before our age ends. Give us astonishment and a flame, high and bright.”

  6. Beautiful shot of that spot. Glad you found something more astonishing than the cold today and captured it for us.

  7. Dave, your braving the cold, has gifted many! The photo today is a stunner 🙂 You’ve shared highlights of the words of Adam Zagajewski, several times over the years & he does astonish…///
    Now on to Bob Seger, so great! We listened to a few of his tunes on youtube within this past week.
    There are some youtuber’s who are younger than us old folks and there youtube channel is dedicated to listening to songs for the first time, songs often from the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s…so many different folks that show their amazement at just how Great Music from that time period, was and Still IS!!!
    Now for Bob Seger – my sweet husband passed up time and time again going to see Bob Seger in small to medium venues in the Midwest, before he was known. My husband says he wished he would have ventured out with his friends on those nights with Bob Seger showed up…
    I was always amazed that my husband and his friend would go up to Winnipeg..to see huge Bands…in the early and mid 1970’s. (I didn’t know him yet and I was a mere child)

  12. Beautiful photo Dave!

    And good for you for getting out in this weather! It’s been brutally cold this year. We have had windchills below 10°F, and often below 0°… For the past week or more! The wind refuses to quit! In the previous few years, we have had a roller coaster of snowfalls followed by melting right back to grass, then repeat. Not this year! 12 inches of snow last weekend, and at least 18 inches on the ground right now. I can’t remember the last time I saw the grass. Not as much snow as when I was a youngster, but I think the temperatures have shifted back in time a few decades!

    Supposed to warm up this weekend thank goodness!

    Best wishes to you and your family… Of course that includes Wally the super dog!

      1. Totally bizarre. I have done absolutely nothing since I emailed you… But now a flurry of my comments have suddenly posted!

        I assume you did something on your end.

        Anyway, all seems OK now.

        Thanks Dave.
        Cheers – Paul

  15. You KNOW I am grateful for any time you step out and capture the lovely Luna in all her glory. Beautiful pal, truly, and as Mimi said, so grateful you keep sharing the bounty of your precious-dawn perambulations.

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