365 True Things: 278/New Year

And so: another year has arrived. I'm still trying to settle on a "theme" for 2016. The two that seem to be sticking are (the eternal) Pay Attention and—a new one—Relax (into the last quarter/third/whatever of my life). And there again, both can dovetail. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

As is our custom on New Year's Day, I went for a walk with the white dog (the husband being in Florida: we'll have to do a make-up walk the three of us next weekend) at one of our favorite spots, an area called Del Monte Forest in Pebble Beach, full of tall thin pines, clayey patches of scrub oak, meandering dirt roads. While walking, I thought about my goal of paying attention/relaxing more this year, and slowed down a little. Pulled out my camera (these days, an iPhone). And started actually seeing.

And once again it struck me: photography is my magic portal into slow-motion observance. I've always said I enjoy the process more than the product. It's the wandering the world and looking, looking—then looking a little deeper—that I especially like. It's like walking meditation for me, a reverie.

So, here are some of the pictures I took during our four-mile walk today. Textures, shapes, colors, geometry, admonitions, happiness—the last in the form of the white dog for sure, but also in the form of a little boy who, when I asked him what his name was, after he asked what Milo's was, scrunched his face up and thought a bit, then finally said, "Issa." His parents looked at each other with "that look" and explained that he'd never told anyone his name before. I felt privileged to be the first one to elicit it . . . I also wish I'd taken his picture, with his parents, she with light blue eyes, one that wandered, decorated like Cleopatra's; he speaking something of another continent to their little black-eyed boy. They are thinking about getting a dog, because Issa wants one (they don't). She grew up with toy poodles. They're thinking . . . poodle. It was a sweet exchange.

Hey: maybe I can make this year the one that I finish my 100 Strangers Project! . . . Ha ha ha. Only 86 to go!

Really, I should make it the one I finish my alphabet diptych project with my friend Susan, which we started January 5, 2014. Oops. That damn project keeps slipping my mind. And we're so close! Have been for months! Okay, Susan: I'm back on it. I've still got your V. I'll be getting mine to you oh. so. soon!

Anyway, here are those photos, of a lovely place and a nice afternoon on this first day of a new year.