Back to the downtown circuit today — mostly because I wanted to pick up the hair scrunchi (or whatever those things are called) that’s been lying in the Cottage Medical Plaza lot since last weekend. But it was worth it. One good item, which the hair thingy is, makes my day, and I found a couple other goodies to boot.
But today provided a couple notable photo ops, or so I think. First was the sign in front of Central Congregational Church — Galesburg’s coolest-looking church — inviting Knox College students to attend worship. At the risk of stereotyping and/or pissing off some folks (not usually a big concern for my mouth or pen/keyboard anyway) I’ll observe that I find it ironic that our local liberal arts colleges — Knox and Monmouth — founded with deep Presbyterian connections, have grown to embrace the “liberal” tag more than their religious roots. I know, to an extent I generalize, but I think a cursory overview of the student body at either school, but particularly Knox, and the institutional philosophy of these colleges — OK, MC does still have a chapel and a chaplain — will uphold my assessment.
Anyway, Central Congregational Church on the Public Square shares a common ancestry with my church, First Presbyterian, Prairie and Ferris streets. And both churches today court the students of Knox. I know we have and have had several Knox students among our congregation over the past few years. And I thought it pretty cool that Central Church, just a couple blocks away from campus, openly woos those in the purple and gold.
The nice thing about photo ops is that I get a brief breather. Now, I make it a point of pride anymore to run pretty much non-stop (photos and scavenges notwithstanding) for the duration of my exercises. But it really is a relief to catch my breath during a short stop to grab a photo.
The downtown leg was otherwise uneventful and uninteresting. But as I headed north on Prairie Street approaching the railroad tracks, I saw a guy standing on the “bridge” over Cedar Fork by Anderson Cleaners, watching some activity there. A city? Crew was cutting down the trees and brush between the drive-thru lane and the top edge of the Cedar Fork concrete channel. I don’t know why. Perhaps the roots of the trees were a threat to the concrete. Maybe it was considered unsightly. Maybe the vegetation was encroaching on the dry-cleaners’ drive. Whatever. I think it a shame most anytime nature is rooted out for no apparent good.
Let the earth thrive and we shall survive (Listen to Alabama's "Pass it On Down," below).
Today's Stats
Temp: 39 degrees F
Distance: 3.37 miles
Weekly Total: 6.37 miles
Treasure: 1 hair scrunchi (blue); 1 spoon (flattened); 1 magic glove (black); 1 Sharpie; 1 sprig plastic holly; 9 cans.
iPod Playlist (shuffle)
Ship of Fools - Robert Plant
Pause - Duke Ellington
Into the Fire (live at Gothenburg 2003) - Bruce Springsteen
Keep Me In Your Heart - Warren Zevon
The Kids Are Alright - The Who
Radar Love - Golden Earring
Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes
Just Got Paid - ZZ Top
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