Soul Sounds

Got the opportunity to spend a little time on the back deck with the "yard sale" scope this past week. While observing is predominantly a visual activity there's also the auditory aspects of the evening that can be special as well.

Last night I was quite surprised to hear the distinctive call of an owl from the woods in back of our home. It was a shock simply because in all the hours and hours I have spent in the evening air of Towson I've never heard one before. It was a sound that immediately brought a connection with observing from Tuckahoe park during a DSG star party where we often hear them calling in the distance. It also was encouraging to think that perhaps the local environment is now more hospitable to them.

The other interesting moment was hearing the clock tower at Towson University (nee Towson State Teachers College) chime the 8pm hour. It immediately brought back a flood of memories - as kids the chimes of that clock tower were as constant as the sunrise. Lying awake on a late summer night and hearing the clock toll the hour, depending on it to be home for dinner on time while playing with your friends - it was an integral part of growing up. But then somewhere along the line, amid the school's frenzied expansion, the charm of the clock tower's bells fell silent, perhaps intentionally or through budgetary neglect. It was like running in to an old friend and reminiscing about growing up.

How amazing the connection between our senses and our soul, our memories!