Watching II

I have enjoyed spending this time focusing on the things around me.  There is so much more going on than I realized.  While watching for the bus this week, I noticed that a neighbor walks his dogs at about this time.  I had never noticed this before.

Winter has always been a bittersweet season for me.  I love the snow, but greatly dislike the cold. On the way home the other night, I was driving in a steady snowfall.  I played with the headlights of my car and enjoyed the difference of the high beams and the fog lights.  (There were no cars coming. Ü)  I loved the changes that the lights made in showing the heaviness of the snow.  It was great fun!  I have also noticed all of the prints that in the snow.  I found myself following the path with my eyes and trying to figure out what animal it was and why it was out. 

All of the snow that we have had this season has made this winter more bearable for me.  Usually, this is the time of year that the wanderlust hits me.  I love to go to new places and see all that there is to see.  I am fortunate that my husband and son also like to explore new places.  I really enjoy the process of figuring out where to go and making all of the arrangements.  I like to research where we are going, plan the side trips and find interesting restaurants to visit.

My son and husband agree that this is a great direction for my inquiry to go.  I enjoy learning all that I can about our destination, so that we can make the most of our time there.  We have been considering a summer trip to California.  I will choose this as my topic and begin the Wondering stage of the model.

Watching

I read over the 'watching description', and plan to use the next few days to explore and observe my world.  I love the idea that was shared for observing, the thought of seeing things as an alien would.  What a fun idea!  It is an experience that I would like to share with my son.  I wonder what he will observe and make note of?  Perhaps we will begin journaling our thoughts and observations.

I do a fair amount of exploring already.  My family and I tend to enjoy trying new things and seeing new places.  We frequent local museums, the zoo, and sporting events.  I always enjoy taking in the crowd when we are out.  "People watching", as my mother calls it, was a hobby of her mother's too.

I am always open to reading new genres and I love to listen to all types of music.  My husband and son also share my passion for listening to music, though they also have a knack for remembering lyrics that I do not.  Of course, that does not stop me from trying to sing right along with them! 

I often choose my husband or my friend Patti to discuss my thoughts and share with my concerns.  They are both great listeners and offer different points of view and insights.  It is something that I would like to think that I do for them as well.  Seeking comfort and  encouragement is a natural part of inquiry.  I am fortunate to be able to share with them.

Reflection is a careful contemplation of everything discussed here.  It is an ongoing process.  The progression of inquiry continues to cycle through the these different elements.  This reveals new thoughts and concerns to be considered. 

The 'watching' phase has given me a lot to consider the next few days.  I will focus on this phase. I look forward to what I discover!

A Beginning

This is my first ever blog.  We'll see how it goes.