Chi-Town

I’m in another hotel room tonight. This time, in Chicago. The Windy City isn’t windy at all. The weather here is just as gorgeous as in DC. I sat in the back of a cab coming into the city and enjoyed the sparkling blue waters of the lake. It always amazes me that it is, indeed, a closed body of water. My childhood never prepared me for lakes so large you couldn’t see the other side. It wasn’t until my first trip to Chicago, many years ago, that I learned otherwise. 

People were everywhere. Jogging, biking, sunning. Simply celebrating the warmth and sunshine. Chicago isn’t a pleasant city in the winter and I could understand why its denizens would pop out of their hibernation with such gusto when given the chance, even on a Monday evening. I wished I had gotten here earlier in the day to enjoy it with them. I can’t think of anything nicer to have done today than to sit by the water, sun on my shoulders, watching the world go by. 

As it was, I checked in and went for a walk. By this time the sun had set, but people were still out and about. I honestly didn’t have any place to go. I just wanted to soak in the energy and the city. It was rewarding on both counts. Chicago in the spring is a beautiful thing.

Sunny Day

It has been another unseasonably gorgeous weekend. It’s funny that this kind of weather can create a sort of anxiety in some people, including myself, to some extent. 

Today was my friend’s birthday. She was feeling under the weather and had her first day off in quite awhile. People were asking her how she was going to spend it. Her birthday, on a day like this, she was sure to have big plans, no? No. All she wanted was a quiet day at home. She wanted to rest. Maybe just go out for a cup of tea and a bite to eat in her neighborhood or maybe an impromptu yoga class, but mostly stay at home. But she felt guilty. She felt pressured. People were insistent she have plans. Go out and play. Do something glorious to celebrate the day. But what she wanted to do, what she felt like doing, was passing the time on her couch.

I felt a bit like this, yesterday. It wasn’t my birthday, but every moment I was indoors, I felt this kind of anxiety to be outside doing…something. Something big, something important. If I only had a bike. If I only had friends who were in my neighborhood and free to meet up. f I only had a partner. If I only could find my kneepads/helmet/other accessory…. Sadly, all I had planned was yoga in the morning and dinner with a friend at night. Not sadly for me because that’s all I really wanted to do, but sadly because I didn’t have a good story to tell people when they asked me how I spent the day. I took my dog for a couple of longer walks, but that was more for her benefit than mine. I was a little tired, to be honest. But how could I be tired on a day like this? Even as I briefly sat on my couch to check email, I could see people bustling outside. “I should be outside.” 

“Should” is a word I don’t believe in.

Here’s what I told my friend. “This is a wonderful day to nap in the sun, like my dog is doing right now. Do what you want. It’s your day. Just enjoy it.”

Today, I took my own advice.  

Taste of Spring

I bundled up and went outside this morning to walk my dog and felt strange. I didn’t need my coat. No, it went past not needing it. I was warm. I looked up into the sky and the sun shone down upon me and all was good with the world. My spine straightened, my gait broadened and my steps were lighter. 

I had the windows open all day and a cool (but not cold) breeze has been circulating. My dog sunbathed by the window and I had some happy music playing as I worked on my couch. Not that I was that productive. Luckily, an appointment cross town had me in my car early in the afternoon and I had the windows down and the sun roof open for the first time in six months. 

The air reminds me that spring is almost upon us. Full of life, full of promise. Long walks, bike rides, meals eaten on patios with friends, drinks on rooftops watching the sun set. Weekend trips to the beach. Farmers markets. Less clothes and more sun. I just can’t wait. 

Even as I sit here typing, I can feel the wind picking up and the air is chillier. It’s supposed to rain tonight and be cool for at least the next few days. But I don’t care. I’ve gotten a taste of what’s to come. Maybe I can wait.