Running... and fireflies

It's been a long, long time coming, but I believe the inspiration to renew this blog is refreshed.  And I am so excited to share! For months now, as I've been anxiously waiting for warmer temps and lighter days, I suddenly find myself in the mid-summer, Chicago.  What a place that I hate in mid winter, is transformed in the soft breezes in early evenings in July. 
My new found inspiration to share comes from running.  I'm by no means a good  runner, or have the will power to force myself into exercise that isn't enjoyable. However, as I run though my neighborhood on evenings like tonight, I'm enchanted.  Okay, that sounds corny.  Honestly, though, as a fiercely proud California native, I had thought that nothing could be better than a west coast sunset.  Let me tell you about what it's like to jog on the quiet streets here:
The air is soft (humidity, I'm told) and you're on a not-quite level sidewalk, surrounded by ivy-covered brick walls of uniquely beautiful historic homes, all with steps up and possibly a porch.  Each homeowner must be a master gardener or know a good one because these patches between the tree lined street and their homes is immaculate.  There are so many plants and flowers here I'm just learning the names of, simply because I've never seen them before.  Spring with the tulips was incredible. 
On to the best part - the fireflies.  Every few seconds, it's almost of guessing game, another one will light up, as close a foot or maybe up the path a bit.  These gracefully clumsy insects carefully dance and light up the twilight, for reasons unknown to me.  It's magical.  It's like the are encouraging me to keep on, keep running, guiding the next few steps. This dance among the gardens brings to mind that fairies lurking about may not just be fanciful stories, but these fireflies are putting on a show, or perhaps assisting in them in their work.  Part of their magic is the silence these insects have.  You just don't know where the next light will show up.  Of course, while jogging, the stray thought that I should keep my mouth closed in case I run into one directly.  This thought lasts about a few strides, followed by gasping breaths to compensate.  Oh yeah, I'm exercising here, not stepping into a painting or another storyline. Fireflies' unsuspecting appearance and seemingly-lazy cadence seem to have the power to make me forget my task at hand.
In these simple, probably usual-to-everyone-else scenes, I'm bewitched and love every second.  It makes me want to be out there more and more.  I imagine calm, peaceful mornings pierced by bird's songs, and will have to try to get up and see it one of these weekends.  I'll be back, running more and being inspired to write more as well.