Hector
Lately I’ve been working on grounding. I recently learned that it’s often more literal in practice than metaphorical: go touch grass, hold a rock, place your feet firmly on the hardwood floor of your fourth-story apartment if you have to. Well, as I’ve been exploring the idea, it became apparent that the ground is already something I focus on. Take this image as an example. I was walking to the bus today when I passed by this drawing left on the sidewalk. After giving it a good 1-second look I immediately felt sad knowing there was rain on the evening forecast so this little masterpiece wouldn’t last much longer. But the artist had to have known this fate right? It’s too perfect, too poetic. Anyway, I snapped a pic and kept walking. My bus line has actually been consistent lately.
My camera roll is filled with these types of pictures. Sticky notes, baby socks, receipts, newspaper scraps, dried peppers in the sidewalk crack, creatively-placed-beer-cans, and of course art. Some finds feel like winning the lottery: front page of an inquirer article sitting upright in a puddle (I don’t have a paid subscription), a love letter (yes I’ve found two of these), money (my ONE and ONLY find was a trail of 4 $20s over the course of a block in the middle of a summer thunderstorm), and finally a shattered keepsake mirror from an unlucky couple’s wedding.
Keys are my favorite things to find on the ground. Single, tarnished little guys to be specific. Alone, no ring. These I feel absolutely drawn to pick up. I have quite a large collection from over the years. They’re not sitting together in a special bowl or anything, I actually have no idea where most of them are, but they’re here somewhere. Will I do anything with them? Probably not.
I don’t really think I have to explain why I’m so fascinated with things on the ground, but I guess I like seeing them for the same reason you’re reading this entry.
Hector has lived in Philly for 8 years and while she doesn’t know if she’ll live here forever, she doesn’t think she’ll love anywhere else more.
