Remains of the Day
Walking from my office to the scooter, regardless of time or weather, it’s always pleasant to lay eyes on the Vespa. There’s much focus on the ride to work, the idea of commuting and the attendant focus on being an informed, trained diligent rider. The rides to work do much to get my head on straight and prepared to tackle whatever comes along.
And all of that’s fine. But the ride home from work, those moments collected in the remains of the day, they’re flush with their own magic as the scooter transports mind and body on toward home.
These long days of summer illuminate the world in a kind way when I leave. The light is bright yet without the harshness of midday. And different than morning when the world feels as if it’s coming alive.
The ride home from work feels easy and relaxed. As if I don’t have a care in the world.
Skies of Childhood
I remember laying in the grass as a kid watching the clouds on a summer day and imagining creatures and stories. On the way home I stopped to look up and wondered why I don’t lay in the grass anymore or make time to let my mind run free. It doesn’t cost anything save for a small investment in time.
At least the ride home from work has me thinking about life without laying in the grass.
Success or failure?
Homage to Penn State
I’ve worked at Penn State for 42 years. My adult life has unfolded here. I was mesmerized by the place when I arrived in June of 1972 and remain so now. The University has under gone continual change in landscape and culture. Where my Vespa is parked in front of these trailers used by the Athletic Department to sell Penn State gear during football games was sweeping farm fields part of the College of Agricultural Sciences portfolio of lands used for teaching and research.
The ride home from work, paths and routes I’ve taken thousands of times, still is full of surprises. On this evening I had planned to cut through some of the remaining agricultural lands on my way home until I was met by temporary chain link fencing blocking my way along with signs warning of “Explosives Area” and suggesting I keep away.
Seldom one to disobey a sign I turned the Vespa around and went in another direction. As I did it occurred to me what the huge fenced area was — the staging ground for the fireworks display that are part of the Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest celebrations. The 4thFest has been rated among the top five 4th of July fireworks show in the United States. If you like fireworks displays, want to see something spectacular and don’t mind crowds you’ll want to try and see this event.
Arriving home on the Vespa scooter is as satisfying as it is leaving in the morning. And a remarkably different experience mentally and physically.
I never really noticed the difference before.
Hi Steve,
Funny how we see different things on the same old route which we have traveled many times before, I sometimes take a walk around my local bone-yard and regularly spot graves that I’ve never spotted before even though I’ve walked by and kind of looked at them many times……Guess it is what is going on in your head at that one time:)
We must all relearn laying on our backs and looking at the clouds!
Regards
LEN
We should start a cloud watching movement. Ask riders to submit their cloud watching experiences so they can be shared with others. Too much petty stuff filling our heads. Need some release…
Lately I’ve been paying attention to children. At the mall as we shop I see the extraordinary things small children do that adults never do. They break into runs for no discernible reason. They skip along. They scamper. They climb up on low retaining walls then jump off. They do pirouettes. They press their faces into store windows squishing their noses. They make the strangest faces. Even standing still, they twist and contort their bodies in peculiar ways.
I used to do those things. Can you imagine an adult doing those things? Everyone would steer clear. Someone would surely alert security, maybe even call 911.
Lying in the grass and watching clouds is one of those things, it’s not so socially risky, yet we don’t do it much, do we?
These days I am painting the banister in our new house. I find myself climbing ladders, lying on the floor, contorting myself, to get the job done. It’s good therapy.
We would do well to do more childish things.
I agree with everything you say David. And the reasons we don’t behave more childishly? Interesting question. I’ve skipped a couple times on walks with no one around just to see what it’s like. I can tell you it doesn’t have the same light, fluid motion it did as a kid. Same with jumping off things. I have a little wall at the edge of the driveway — two feet high. A jump off that requires a leap of faith. Feels as if I could easily break something. The joints don’t appreciate that small impact.
But cloud watching is another matter. Often when I ride I’ll lay down somewhere for a drink of water, catnap, or just watch the sky or world. I’m already on a Vespa, wearing a bright yellow jacket, so how much stranger would laying down be?
Everything requires a bit of courage — especially in doing more childish things. Like coloring, drawing, throwing stones in the water, wading in a creek, chewing bubble gum. Old people aren’t supposed to do any of that right?
Good morning Steve.
Another connection beside each having our own Vespa and enjoy riding.
In 1972 in June I was just graduating from the Seminary and therefore I have been in pastoral ministry for 44 years.
One of my pastorates was in Iowa and I can tell you that I have never seen as many stars in the sky which was very clear and bright most of the time. To appreciate the star-filled sky even more I would take a blanket to the back yard and just lie down, look up and enjoy the show. I miss those days but appreciate my memory of them.
Have a good day riding to places known and unknown. Making new discoveries is always a treat!
The time flies by doesn’t it….
As I sat here trying to think about seeing big night skies I realize all of my stand out experiences are here in Pennsylvania. And not because I haven’t been to places that would have far better sky viewing. It’s because I didn’t take the opportunity to look. I spent a week in Utah and don’t remember ever being outside at night let alone looking up at the stars.
I could kick myself!
I’ll get back to the Vespa later today. Looking forward to seeing again!!!!
And what would be the feeling if you exited your office and discovered your Vespa was “not” there? Stolen/moved/lifted/borrowed?
You are lucky in one way; your drive home is in what may be considered a rural environment; no other really heavy traffic, no other massive vehicles wanting the spece you’re travelling upon. That alone must count for something.
As for the explosives in the field. The name “fireworks” doesn’t evoke the same danger thought to me as the word “explosives!” They both produce a bang as it were; one more colourful than the other. And as for the field of trailers selling Penn State Memorabilia,
the more things change, the more things seem to remain the same, some one was once heard to say.
You had a fair two weeks away from the grind; this year it gave you a different outlook on your future; and too, we your readers helped you with your changed outlook.
I suppose I would be surprised if the scooter was stolen. Around here at least. I have walked out though and it hasn’t been there and for a moment I was perplexed, until I realized I had driven to work.
My commute always has an element of traffic, not heavy by urban standard, but a few miles of it before I can get to rural routes. Except if I head to the University ag lands. I can get there in less than a mile and largely stay rural and in little villages all the way home. That’s nice.
You’re right about readers helping. I’ve received much through comments and from people who have reached out more directly. It’s difficult to express the value in the relationships that develop on a blog but it’s there.
Thanks to you and everyone else who reaches out. It means a lot.
Well I am going to be brave here and talk about the kid-like things I actually do and don’t really care if anyone sees, they just think I’m eccentric then 😉 I love flying kites and recently bought some bubble blowing goop and was playing. I habe been known to break into a little dance here and there and do skip, but the craziest thing I do is hop on the grocery cart and push with one foot like its a skateboard and go fast, I have gotten the stink eye a few times. I do look up at the clouds, but don’t lay in the grass because I’m allergic to it. So I do find joie de vivre , because otherwise I’m old.
Kites! Holy cow it’s been way too long. I used to love flying kites. And oh, the sorrow when one got eaten by a tree!
I still do the grocery cart thing myself. Get a heavy cart moving and look out.
Old is a state of mind. So is young. But it is a physical state too. Often the two don’t mix so well.