There is nothing more serene and calming than walking  the dogs  early on a sunny weekend day. Given the rapidly increasing density of the St. Lawrence Market,  days such as these are rare. Strolling through one of the small parks off the Esplanade I am always transfixed when seeing Robins so close to the ground,  hopping around with bright red pumped up chests. I assume they are protecting their nests close by. I can feel their determined purpose and lightness of being. ‘This is a state of grace’  my mind keeps running the same track over and over. Thinking of nature in its purest most graceful state. In this quiet moment I am far removed from the usual space conscious pedestrians holding their dogs closely by the leash. I believe although they’re woodenly polite, they are trying to avoid engaging with other dog owners. Then again, no one is more uptight about their personal space than myself. The dog breeds are always fascinating, more so is the body language their owners exhibit. If you live long enough in a neighbourhood you get to see it evolve as its population increases. Up my street three large condominiums are in various stages of construction. Daunted by the crowded sidewalks, when these buildings finally get occupied I am afraid I may go insane from the madding crowds.