I had a little bit of church in the car on my way from work to Radnor Lake and from Radnor Lake to home. I had Aretha Franklin and The Southern California Community Choir singing Gospel music like it was meant to be sung.

It’s the Queen of Soul at her absolute best. I’m convinced after hearing this album, entitled Amazing Grace, that she was absolutely the best female singer ever. And she never sounded better than on these recordings from 1972. The title track alone is worth the price of the entire album.

As for Radnor Lake, it was as magical as ever. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening for a hike with the fall-like temperatures. I’m still amazed that more people weren’t out there taking in the perfect weather.

When I’m at Radnor, I feel a kinship with ol’ Thoreau. I definitely could get used to living in nature away from the constant overload of noise and electronics and general business that prevails these days. Some times, I yearn for the peace and quiet of earlier times when there was less concrete and more green.

But I got in 20,000+ steps and saw six deers, so I’m not complaining. I’ll take my peace and solitude whenever I can get it.