My last post in June was written from Chehalem Mountain, where I have lived most of the past 10 years. A month ago I moved into "town" - Portland town - Milwaukie to be exact. The Milwaukie in Oregon, not the Milwaukee in Wisconsin. This is the town where my parents met. I live not far from where I must have been conceived, the low income apartments where my family lived when I was born.
It is a transition, to be in the city. Summer is a good time though, with the windows wide open, the sound of the trains passing below in the night as I sleep, or don't sleep as the case may be. Insomnia has not changed with being in town. Not better, not worse.
Tonight we took a little bike ride across the pedestrian/bike bridge into Sellwood. On the way many runners were diligently making their way west. I asked a staff-type person posted at a corner what the event was. In between his cheering of each runner that passed he answered ,"Hood to Coast."
Ah, yes I know that race. I used to live near the coast end of it. There were vans all painted up and the limping team members wandering Seaside, enjoying being tourists after the long relay haul. Tonight we biked in between the many runners. The neighborhood families in houses along the way cheered the racers on. That gives a feeling of cheer to me as well. This is a fortunate example of being in town.
Crickets chirp in the big lots behind us. The light has lowered to darkness. Do I miss the mountain? I miss my neighbors very much, and the view of how the light changes, and my flower garden to care for. I miss my compost pile. The owner of the house we rent won't let us have a compost pile because of rats. Rats.
There is no place which has everything. There is only the sense of peace and contentment at the end of the day. It certainly helps that I also have yoga classes within walking or biking distance. Now that I have a new bike, all I have to do besides ride it is figure out how to lock it and keep it safe. The city is what it is, elements of people in all forms. My practice, to find my own place, how I fit, what I have to give, and how to keep my compost and my bike safe.... Om Shanti.
