I have a practice that I do with canvassing.  I noticed that I was doing it without thinking about it – that is effortlessly – and that I was doing it all day, with every house, without exception.  It is what makes the door-knocking flow, keeps me going, nourishes a sense of optimism and eagerness.

As I approach a house, I notice something nice, some small pleasing detail that makes me feel good about that particular house.  Maybe it is the rich green of the moss between the walkway stones, or some crysanthemums arranged on the front steps.  Perhaps it is the way the light strikes the trees, or a flock of small birds that flew out of some holly bushes. Welcome signs make me feel welcome. I find something to like, something that makes me happy as I approach the door.  By the time I ring the bell or knock, I am smiling, inside and out.  I do this with the biggest most elegant houses and the smallest and shabbiest.  Everywhere has something to savor.

Yesterday, we came across this tree with its astonishing harvest of crab apples.  An appreciation bonus!

I saw these chairs on my travels in Gilford yesterday.  They look out over an astonishing view of the mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee.  They reminded me to take a bigger view, to sit back and rest in the moment, to look around and take in the world. 

I had a similar experience yesterday morning when I was dancing my morning warm up.  I found myself engaging the space with my movement, letting my focus, my attention and my body take in the shapes and angles or the room, what lay beyond the room, the small details.  I danced floor, ceiling, corners, the leaf debris on the porch outside, the rocking horse in the corner, the rattle of leaves of the big ficus plant, the alcove with its fireplace.  I could feel them all beckoning me to reflect them, and feel my own body pulled into a playful, even flirtatious game with the space, the day, the colors.

That dance stayed with me all day, and I could feel it moving into the way I saw the landscapes that we were driving through, including the chairs at the top of this hill and yesterday’s chicken.

Try this:  Take a moment today to let your body feel and resonate with whatever you are seeing.  You don’t have to be a dancer. Just feel what pulls you, and let it infuse you for a moment or two (longer if you like . . . ).  Maybe it opens your breathing, or invites you to sway or lift your arms.  Allow yourself to move, to be moved

Just now, outside the screen of the porch, a naked branch is swaying, with one golden brown leaf dancing like a rag at the end.

What are you seeing?  What do you feel?

During one of our canvassing stops today, this chicken tried to hop in the car.  She said that she had canvassed in 2008, and knew the area well.  She went on to say that if we took her, we could blow through that particular turf in about half our usual time.  She could see that we were somewhat lost, and she wanted to help.  Obama, she said, had been very good for chickens and their people, especially the free range types like herself.  We thanked her, but told her that we were actually almost finished for the day.  Maybe tomorrow.

I had my first experience with a birther yesterday.  I have a “Martha is Pro-choice” bumper sticker on my car.  Martha is Martha’s Vineyard – the island is outlined on the sign.  She rushed out of TJ Maxx to her car which was parked next to mine and said, “I don’t know who Martha is, but does that mean she is for abortion?”  I said no, it just means that she wants to make her own decisions about her own body.

Then she saw my Obama/Biden bumper sticker.  She told us that Obama absolutely was not born in this country, that she had lived in Hawaii and there was no such hospital and he had paid one million dollars for this forged birth certificate.  As she railed on, her five small dogs scattered around the store parking lot unnoticed.  We left.  There did not seem to be a compelling reason to engage further with this world of confusion and madness.

Back on the road and more canvassing tomorrow.  We are in the thick of the big get out the vote effort.  Mostly talking to Obama voters now, so more breathing and relaxation there.  Volunteering at an Obama and Clinton event on Sunday!!!