Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Map and the Compass Point the Way

I went for another hike today. I was alone. I brought my audio book along with me but only listened to it for about ten seconds before deciding that I'd rather hear the sounds of nature or the children happily playing and screaming from the nearby playground at the trail head. Hermes will have to wait. (Hermes is the Philosopher's dog in Sophie's World.)

I enjoyed the hiking adventure with my friend yesterday, but it is nice to go alone, too. I felt less of a rush to take photographs. I stop at nearly every curious thing to study it. The trails here are just walking distance from my house. They are not nearly as much fun or as beautiful and interesting as trails that are a drive from here, but it's comforting to have a place to hike right at home. The photographs aren't that interesting but they are moments captured in time of sights that were only from my perspective, sights that will never be seen from that perspective again. If and when I have time I will be starting another blog just for photographs of things I see on a day-to-day basis. Nothing artistic like Ansel Adams, just images from a little point-and-shoot camera.

The white tennis shoes I bought just before going on vacation are no longer white. They are dusted here and there with brown dirt from the hiking trails in Montana and at home. I should have worn my hiking boots but it's been so long since I've worn them I feared they might give my feet blisters. I'll have to break them in again.

I really believe that good times are coming again. I've already seen changes in my daily lifestyle. If you've been following this blog you know something about the depression. I don't have any reason to discuss it now but it is there in the archives. I'm becoming active again; I'm socializing more with friends and family. I'm sleeping less. I care about myself again and I am very eager about returning to my prime.

22 comments:

Jim said...

Indeed! You are PRIME. No. Uno in my book! I look forward to the pics, and your personal take.

Sophia said...

You're too kind. :)

I do hope I get around to posting the photographs, but it's highly likely I'll get distracted and forget about it.

I thought it was synchronous that I had thought about coming home from my hike to start a photo blog, only to see that both you and Vincent had posted a tour of your lives. :)

It's nice to see things through someone else's eyes.

Anonymous said...

I hiked down to the Guadalupe River today.

Art and Poetry said...

Hello
I am looking for different types of blogs to link with, would you like a link?

Bye!

Alexander M Zoltai said...

Sophia,

Many experts on depression say walking is a good "medicine"; some say it's the best.

My experience says walking then being creative is the best...

~ Alex

Mark said...

Sounds like you are on a great path. Activity such as your private hikes are very helpful for so many reasons as you are discovering.

Unknown said...

I would love to go hiking with you some time, if you don't mind a fellow photography nut who takes far too long looking at everything (and of course, who would have a little one in tow).

Miss you!
~ Christi

Sophia said...

Don,

Hiking season is in the air.

I went hiking for a third day in a row today.

I remember when you used to take your hikes down to the river.

Sophia said...

Art and Poetry,

Sure. Let's trade links. I don't normally trade links with just anyone, but I visited your blog this morning and I think we are on the same wavelength. :)

Sophia said...

Alex,

Had I any motivation whatsoever when I was depressed, I would have gone walking or taken hikes. But it worked in reverse for me. The depression has been gone and NOW I feel motivated to hike.

All I know is that it's been a wonderful experience to reconnect with nature. We had a bond a few years ago but lost it when the darkness came. I think we're going to get to know each other again.

Sophia said...

Hi Mark,

I haven't seen you in a while!

I used to be a hike-a-holic. I think I may be getting addicted again! :)

Thanks for stopping by to say hello.

Sophia said...

Christi,

I'm ready when you are! Just name the time and place and I'm there. :)

I've never been hiking with a newborn before, so that would be a new experience for me to have!

Let's go and take our cameras and you take your youngin' and let's just have a great time!

Lots of love to you. I've thought a lot about you lately. I've been wondering how you have been doing but I know you've been busy with the new baby.

Anonymous said...

Good to see you hiking again. My wife has a bad knee and can't go along, but I need to get my hiking in, so she finds things to do around the house.

Anonymous said...

jim, I thought PRIMO in your book was SerenityTide?

I am beginning to understand...

pathetic old men exploiting women at their weakest...

is it news to anyone that AA meetings are the easiest way for ultimate losers to get laid?

bloddy spiritual questing you guys are on...

Hebrew is great, at least they allow for one way harem:z!

Sophia said...

Wow, that's the first negative comment I've received on this blog, and I've been at it since February of 2007.

Jim has never tried to take advantage of me, and I don't think I'm weak. I'm actually very strong.

Jim has a heart full of love for everyone.

Jim said...

Sophia, he is obviously super confused. Don't bother with it.

Sophia said...

I don't like anyone to say bad things about you.

Jim said...

Sophia, lots of people, among other things, say bad things about me, usually projections, occassionally real, this one is not worth the time, delete him and go on if you choose to.

michael bardan said...

if you were strong, you wouldn't drink yourself into oblivion just now.

Sophia said...

Even strong people have weak moments.

I said I was strong; I didn't say I was perfect.

Sophia said...

So, Mikey.... You're a student at San Diego State University?

Sophia said...

P.S., Mikey,

You may want to see this:

http://www.kino.com/himalaya/gb_accueil.htm