Last Year This Time . . .

 Last year this time, as we have for many years, we take our dog Zeus (and before him, Fudge, and before him, Sherlock) for their morning walk in this public field.  Bordered by the Palouse River, open for everyone to use, surrounded by the beautiful farm fields and to the east, the Moscow Mountains, this type of public space is as pleasant for us as is for our dogs.

Regular mowing by our city workers, and early 5am watering keeps this field in tip top shape.  We have watched the change of the seasons as the field stays open year-round.

Summer soccer and t-ball for the kids and families with the year-round schedule of games, practices, and work outs.    In the winter, cross-country skiers loop the field creating an informal track to keep us in shape.   Spring thaw and flooding by the river makes it tricky to use the fields and often it will be tagged off-limits until the ground settles.  We abide by these notices, though impatiently, waiting until the fields are in shape as we all respect the desire to keep these fields in the best condition. Late summer and fall allows easy strolls and witnessing of the harvest of the nearby wheat fields.  The life cycle of the seasons allows us to appreciate nature and our precious environment.

The grass today feels luscious under foot, and the trees provide shade on one side of the field as we anticipate 97 to 100 degrees of heat.  We know we will be out again this evening and can enjoy the late day respite from the heat.  I am thankful for this field and the walks that I have taken here allowing me the space to be meditative and rested.  A peaceful environment to work out the daily busy-ness of life.  

I thought of this field when I was recently in the midst of my beloved Chinatown, San Francisco, and realized that I had the advantage of knowing that this place existed for me when I needed open fields, quiet and solitude.

Oh, how lucky we are to live here with our lovely field, spaciousness, and fresh air!