Reflection on Walk #32 – from Marks near Ashlan – Five mindfulness walkers started at 8:30 from the train tracks that cross Marks near Ashlan. This cool crisp morning was already busy with traffic.
Walkers were dwarfed by the giant electrical towers along Emerson Avenue, with a swath of grass underneath, offering an illustion of safety between the powerful electrical conductors and homes, sidewalks, and Louis S. Eaton elementary school. Walkers could hear the snap crackle pop of electricity as we stood in front of the elementary school. Walking along Emerson, we witnessed a woman working in her front yard tending to a long strip of flowers she had planted along the busy sidewalk. We talked about the school children walking along this path every morning.
And next to the school was Lions Park – a beautiful expanse of grass, sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic structures. Teams of kids with parent spectators were already out in force. Three high school boys hung out on the playground equipment with toppled bikes and skateboards waiting for the skate park to dry from the rain.
Across the canal, we met Frog, a man walking through a neighborhood pulling a rolling suitcase. He was walking toward the canal overpass, and told us he was hiding his suitcase with an overcoat in case someone else needed the coat.
Walkers talked about the mix of neighborhoods, well-kept along with struggling pockets, and then apartments along Ashlan. No real wealth in this area, but working families, older cars. Few front yard fences and no loose dogs. Walkers spotted at least 9 abandoned shopping carts.
We crossed the very busy intersection of Fruit and Ashlan with Creamery, the long-time family business. Light industrial, retail, and busines complexes merged with mobile home parks, condominiums, and apartment living. The sounds of traffic and noise increased as we neared Hwy 99. The Polynesian dance club was holding a yard sale in a parking lot on this corner. They are raising money for a trip.
A beautiful surprise for walkers was the Bonsai nursery on Ashlan. We met the owner who is an expert in the art of Bonsai and we strolled through his peaceful walkways of plants, small ponds, fountains, and buddhist statues.
On the way back, we walked along the canal path, seeing graffiti and many backyards overgrown. The canal was dry.
There were at least 7 churches on this walk — churches held in small offices or renovated retail stores. Walkers talked about transient churches that never get really established, Christian churches founded by a charismatic leader with a niche theology. WIll they last? What needs are they meeting for people in these renovated spaces tucked in these working-class neighborhoods?
Walkers talked about how much they were able to stay focused on this walk. Walkers rate themselves out of 100%, and this walk had scores of 50% to 75%.
