sunrise run

After closing all the windows in the 4th floor bedroom, it took me about an hour to drift off to fairy land. It was fun to listen to the people talking outside, the different rhythms, the laughter.  At one point it sounded as though a drunk guy showed up as I heard a very loud, sort of slurring voice and the crowd got quiet for a moment, only to then shout at this guy. (To take it easy maybe?)  He did calm down a bit, but was unlike the others in the crowd.  He left after 20 minutes or so.

I woke in the dark (How is that for metaphorical?) and after hanging out in bed for an hour, headed downstairs.  It was almost 6am.  I looked up when sunrise would be, it was 6:49.  So at 6:45 I walked out of the house to start my run.  (I still feel uncomfortable saying run, I jog...SLOWLY, but my boys tell me I can say run because it is not walking.)

I ran further today, all the way up the to the end of the path along the green Tiber.  As I ran I said out loud to the river, trees and plants a cheery and enthusiastic "Buongiorno!"  No, no one replied.   :)

I find the slower I breath as I run, the easier it is.  Also the more I think about running, the worse it goes.  It is like when I teach, if I think about it too much, I feel ragged and all over the place.  When I relax into the moment, losing a sense of "I" it is bliss.  The less of me I am aware of, the more of me that is present.  Paradox, gotta love it!

They sky was 75% filled with dark clouds and I felt tiny droplets falling on me the last 5 minutes of the run.  It felt good.

It is very cool.  I wore the only sweater I brought with me over my running shirt.  It is thin and has 3/4 sleeves.  It didn't keep me very warm, but it was something.  Of course, half way through the run, off it came and I tied it around my waist. (while running, I am amazingly coordinated this morning)

I took my prilosec so I can have my morning espresso. Hey, I am not eating pizza, bread, pastries, and all that other excellent gluten-rich food, I am having coffee dammit.  Ha!!

I am surprised I am not more tired.  I am leaving plenty of space for a nap today.  It is rainy out but I want to take a walk and find that sports store I saw a few days ago. I can't remember exactly where it was, looked yesterday down 2 streets, no luck.

I will need to buy a a small piece of luggage.  I bought a bedspread from the local fabric store, my one big purchase.  Of course I never thought about how that was going to fit into my small suitcase.  I packed very light for this trip, not so for heading back to the U.S. obviously.

Funny and true part of a conversation between Karen and I yesterday at lunch while taking about the EU and the economy, etc.

Me - "You know I was surprised that England joined the European Union to begin with."
Karen - "They didn't"
Me - "Oh (pause) well I guess I was right then, they wouldn't want to."

I tried to save it, nah, I didn't, but we had a good laugh anyway.

Today marks the midpoint of my time in Italy, also the new moon.  A good time to set intentions.  I am here for a full moon cycle, having flown out on blue moon on August 31st. That was not intentional, but again, magic abounds.

Interesting metaphor there, the emptying of the moon and then the filling up again.  Hmm...gee whiz I love myth.

Okay off in search of cheap luggage, but first, the cafe'.

Oh and this popped into my head this morning, a title, "A little amore"  (a little, a more but also a little love)

Ciao, ciao