Gratitude Guerilla Action
....because there is so much to be grateful for

Amazing what thoughts and ideas a changing perspective can bring. How many times have I crossed the elegant Wabasha Bridge, but had never walked down the steps, across the walkway, to the beautiful little park that is Rasberry Island. Connecting and re-connecting with the many people that are Krista's web, along the sinuous connecting and re-connecting paths around the island. And finally climbing up again, just at sunset, to see the graceful sliver of new moon. Thank you for a lovely hour, and a spirit of gratitude that will continue far beyond yesterday's ending.

This could really gain momentum naturally if you do it annually.

It struck me last night as I looked at the tranluscent white balloon that it was such a perfect nuetral(peaceful,nonreactive) symbol against the the city scape that represents so much chaotic commerce.

Last night's walk at Raspberry Island was simply perfect - walking the smaller circular path, meeting the young women in poodle skirts who happened by, talking to old friends & new friends, seeing the sunset from a new spectacular city/might Mississippi view and drinking a champagne toast! Thank you, Krista for making me slow down - I have been moving too fast - for a gratitude walk again.

The river does remember, but people soon forget and move on with their lives that is why the Gratitude Guerrilla project is so interesting--it inadvertently documents or addresses current events like the vandalism that occured at Phalen Lake or the RNC. All said and done this project will have personal stories, pictures, memories and gratitude to memorialize the act of being a part of a community and the events that happen in the community.

The walk Krista and I took through Harriet Island could not have been more appropriate, for it was the last day of the RNC. Like she mentioned we walked through a public art garden centered around community, healing, ancestry, progress, and gave us the quote that Krista wrote in an earlier post: "the river remembers". And I want to add to that: Art remembers!

For the first time I felt uneasy in my own city, I was worried I'd be pulled over in one of the police's random surveilances, or teargassed, I was even blocked from crossing the bridge that takes me to my house across the river. I flippantly wondered, Where am I?

The walk put into perspective that I can move around day-to-day freely without many worries, but for four days I felt limited, watched, and worried for the people being detained for practicing their 1st amendment rights.

The whole point of this comment is not to get too political, but rather express that the Gratitude Guerrilla Action walk has many layers. On the outside it is a simple walk with a white balloon that reads thank you, but it is really a journey through the walker's mind; there is a lot of time to think and observe the landscape. The act is not a race or a show, but rather, for me, it is a reminder to slow down and be thankful for the river, for our freedom of speech (that was momentarily obstructed), for public art, for friends and artists who take chances and risks in their art-making, and for being able to take the time to walk 10,000 or so steps promoting gratitude, even if I had to pass militarized policeman in gasmasks.

Thank you Krista for this project.

Crystal

My neighbor & I were walking along the Mississippi early this morning when we passed another walker curiously carrying a white balloon. We couldn't help but ask her about it; and were charmed to learn that a lovely quiet expression of art had serendipitously intersected with our morning ritual. Thank you for a delightful moment.

This touches me deeply.
AND, Thank You G. G's.

The door bell rang at 7:00am. Yes, it Krista! I am grateful that I can participate in another elegant, subtle, humorous,necessary art piece with Krista Walsh.

I am grateful for a soft bed and light wool blankets and cool breezes passing over my sore feet.

I had the pleasure of walking with Krista at Crosby Park in August 21, late in the morning. I love curves and paths that double back and was aware of how different, yet familiar, objects appear when approached from the opposite side...like one particular tree. Krista, I'm thankful for the walk, side by side with you and our balloons!