photography warms the heart

seeking another four i moment, i headed to campus on sunday afternoon with my camera and book. goals of photography, reading, peace, and fulfillment were successfully achieved - as i went up the campanile and drank in the sunlit sights, walked through my favorite parts of campus for some captures, and finally settled to read amidst the leaves. (the photos are now on smugmug of course.)

sunday afternoons are fairly unbusy on campus, giving it a different and rare kind of appeal. it feels as though the children have headed out for recess but will be home again soon... i could only barely pull myself away from the campanile and its seductive charm, but the leaves, the trees, the grass, the people, the squirrels came a close second. am reminded again of the auguries of innocence.

is the same joy to be found without camera in hand? entirely. as i found today on my walk through lafayette.... walking on a trail is a joyous experience. indeed there is natural beauty in abundance, but also - those who walk or cycle past appear to share a unique bond with you - if for a moment. is this the one place where your eyes meet all others and smile? perhaps. is it not a moving realization that a smile knows no boundaries? that across nations, across cultures, across beliefs, a smile is a smile and holds the very same meaning? is a smile alone not proof enough for interbeing? (rhetorical questions, all.)