Sights and Sounds

I usually have my ear buds in when I am out running, and detach from everything around me, but today I decided to turn the sound down and keep an ear free. As a result, I ended up hearing and observing more than expected; a different kind of music and all kinds of little stories all around, just waiting to be noticed.

I heard the sound of paws padding along the sidewalk, and the sweet smell of tobacco caught my attention as I saw a man round the corner with his dog; the man, a neighbor I recognized, was smoking a cigar, quite at his leisure, out for a walk and in no particular hurry, a very chill mood about him. I smiled and nodded as I went on my way.

Next I came up on a cat standing in an empty driveway. As I passed by I expected her to run, but she just stood there, gauging me, and gave me a little stare as if to say, “I am in a bad mood, my mouse dinner got away; leave me alone, and we’ll be cool. Kapeesh?”

Further down there was a Scottish Terrier pup sitting beside a tree watching some kids laughing as they played with a soccer ball in the street. He was being polite and behaving himself, but I could tell he wanted to play. I couldn’t help grinning at the scene as I passed by.

There were crickets chirping, and I saw a small Japanese Cherry tree with tiny pink blossoms that I had never noticed before. As I rounded the corner there was a boy on a skateboard and I could hear the sound of the board scraping across the pavement; even the sound of my own breathing and shoes against the sidewalk sounded rhythmic as I went along.

There was the hum of a lawn mower in the distance, and the scent of newly mown grass and fresh earth wafted in the air, reminding me of being around my dad’s garden. He is a horticulturist and an avid gardener, and always has something growing. Tomatoes, green onions, squash, or any number of fresh plants; I never know exactly what will be growing in his garden; it’s always a surprise, depending on the season, but there is always something delicious to enjoy. My parents live in another city and we don’t see each other often, so the smell of the grass made me smile as nostalgia set in and I decided to give my parents a call and say hello.

The air started to grow cooler and a touch of crispness took over the spring air. I rounded the next curve of the sidewalk and was facing the sun just as it began its descent for the evening, and I took in the scene all around me; the lemon-yellow and fiery-orange glow dipping behind the trees, accompanied by the hushed sound of birds and a breeze rustling the leaves on nearby branches, and I started for home.

So many stories, so much music, all layered and rhythmic, and good for a smile on a cool spring evening. Next time you are out and about, listen for the sounds of life and see the stories all around; you might be surprised at how much is there.