I was out for a walk a few days ago, listening to one of my audiobooks (Bill Bryson’s A Walk In The Woods, which I am -so- enjoying), when some impulse prompted me to look up and I saw about forty white balloons high in the sky, floating away.
I thought briefly about grabbing my iPhone to snap a photo but the balloons were moving too quickly, so I just stood and watched. I wondered where they had come from, and whether they had escaped by accident or by design. In only a few seconds, they were just bits of white against the blue, as if someone had tossed a handful of froth up into the sky.
When I couldn’t see the balloons anymore, I started walking again, thinking how easy it would have been to miss seeing those balloons if I hadn’t looked up. They were just a few moments in an insanely busy day, but they were the kind of moments I will keep with me.
I really need to look up more often when I walk.
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Did you ever see this?
http://improveverywhere.com/2005/03/19/look-up-more/
Unfortunately, balloons are a hazard to wildlife. Animals may become tangled in any strings and may choke on or become obstructed by the materials in the ballon.
I love love walk in the woods. i am a big big fan of bill bryson i have read almost every book he has written, have you read any of his books on language. they are great. not all are on audio, yet they are in paperback.
i have shared a walk in the woods with many people. as well as many of his other books. the other one that is very funny (they are all funny) is the life and times of the thunderbolt kid. so so funny. i kept saying to myself. i know that kid. or what a greatlife.
i am so ticked that you have chosen to read bill bryson.
I had to laugh. I work in a fertility lab, so my first thought was sperm. Very cute picture though!
Vixy: THANK YOU for that link! I love LOVE that article.
BJ: Yes, I know. That’s why I would never recommend people do this.
Janmagic: No, I haven’t read any Bill Bryson books on language but I’m definitely inspired to now!
Anna: :-D :-D They do look like little sperm, don’t they?
Whether they look a little like sperm or no (not my first thought but..I see it, too ^^), I love the balloons. Sometimes you look at something and feel that unique ‘this is right, this is good’-feeling. I experienced that the first five seconds I looked at that picture. The next twenty-something seconds or so I spent marvelling about how nice a post-card that would make and how much I’d like to give it to my mom and boyfriend with a little writing on top saying “Things will be looking up soon”. (Of course she wouldn’t understand it so I would translate it and then she’d still look a ltittle confused but that woujld be ok.) And then I decided to head for the comment box.
Lovely picture.
I also thought they were sperm.
I followed Vixy’s link, btw, and learned there’s a group trying to set up a “Rickroll” in San Francisco tomorrow afternoon. I’m not sure I’ll be up to it (I’ll be underslept), but it’s tempting….
I must confess, Debbie, the first thought that popped into my head was, “Why the heck is she drawing sperm??!!” Heh. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and all the best to you and your family in the New Year! And remember…every sperm is sacred! ;)
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