I don’t often pull out my Walkabout Journal. It’s used for creating art out of whatever I find on my walks. Usually, the amount of trash I see depresses me more than inspires me, so I sorta gave up on that concept.
How-some-ever, last week I visited Civitan Park for the first time. The park is close to home, and offers trails plus some scraggly woods. When I found a funky snack bag, I knew I needed to look a little closer at the trash there.
I found a few more interesting things (though I left the used condom where it lay in the parking lot), and talked to a beautiful tree that was dying and losing all its bark. Then, I came home and worked on this for a couple of days.
I went to the park originally to sit in my car and journal. That has taken the place of camping out in a coffee shop like I used to do pre-Covid. It’s nowhere near as satisfying, but it gets me out of the house and making art in a different, albeit cramped and chilly, environment.
This winter has made me a little claustrophobic with Covid’s lack of options. I do so miss the thick smell of coffee in a shop, the patrons with their laptops, and the baristas’ banter.
My Sissy has a lovely Keurig coffee maker, and I subscribe to Hugh Jackman’s Laughing Man coffee cups, but it’s just not the same (though this add is one of my favorite things in life).
I like the idea of making Car-Journaling into a full event—arting, walking, and scavenging for Walkabout fodder. I’ll be on the lookout for other parks to visit now, instead of just waiting for warmer weather and the lure of my coffee shops’ outdoor seating. Winters are mild here compared to what I’m used to. I don’t want to waste them.
SandySue Altered
A Mind Divided 
Jan 26, 2021 @ 16:32:46
I’m glad the car-journaling is working for you. I’ve been walking to the river more, taking the fawns for outings further away from home base. I had forgotten how refreshing it could be to step into the river environment – different than just the woodlands and orchard area here. It won’t be long and everything will be greening up and the temps unpleasant to walk to the river. Snakes and insects will make it a misery. But for now, isn’t it wonderful to take a bit different path and enjoy what it has to offer?
Jan 27, 2021 @ 10:02:10
Yes and yes. I talked to a man working in his community garden plot. He said he’s be planting asparagus in a couple of weeks!
Jan 26, 2021 @ 17:14:29
teeheeheeeeee Hugh Jackman… 😉
Hi Sandy Sue! Sending smiles! ;D
Jan 27, 2021 @ 10:00:49
Hi, Catherine, Hugh and Ryan Reynolds crack me up. Smilies at you, too.
Jan 27, 2021 @ 07:57:10
Love this, Sandy. We all do what we have to do to deal with this never ending lockdown. Never saw the Hugh Hackman add before. Loved it.
Jan 27, 2021 @ 09:59:50
I love how he and Ryan Reynolds give each other crap.
Jan 27, 2021 @ 10:26:36
I will look for videos of that. Haven’t seen that before, the two giving each other crap.
Feb 21, 2021 @ 12:28:50
Humor is really the only thing keeping me going at all these days.
Jan 27, 2021 @ 12:41:26
HILARIOUS
Jan 28, 2021 @ 08:25:27
That commercial is great, Sandy. Hugh Jackman is such a hot shit (literally and figuratively). So glad that you’ve found a way to nourish those creative juices. Those long, dark winter months can be tough under the best of circumstances, but a COVID winter, well…. Here’s to Spring and all its many blessings!
Feb 21, 2021 @ 12:27:53
Amen, sister.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 11:49:16
Sigh…… I’ve been hiding/cowering/ stagnant under a small apt-rock. Lovely to get out and walk with you…
Feb 25, 2021 @ 13:37:22
Me, too, also, Linda.