Out for a Walk

Yesterday when I was trying to work on my new novel, I got stuck, so I went for a walk. I hadn't realized how much my lunchtime walking in Philadelphia helped me write. There's something about combining forward motion with mulling over thoughts that helps jar things loose in my brain.

It was an amazingly beautiful day: deep blue sky, colorful leaves, dazzling sunshine. I picked up an orange leaf and carried it as I walked. I said hi to the two people I met. An old woman told me, "This is my kind of day!"

When I got home, I hoped I'd be inspired to work on my novel. Instead, I wrote in my journal, and then wrote two poems. I tossed the leaf onto my journal, and then I noticed how striking the contrasting colors were, so I took the picture above.

Interesting how the creative process often works sideways.