My friend K organized a sketch crawl for Sunday that quickly shifted focus once the others in the group learned of our quirky habit of scrawling “octopus” in chalk along sidewalks and other surfaces. We handed out chalk and everyone joined in, chalking the word octopus and octopus images all along the front of SCCC.

After a stop into the new Broadway QFC (it’s a very lovely store but do you really get to call yourself “upscale” when you don’t have such amenities as easily accessible bathrooms?) to replenish chalk supplies, we picked the corner of Broadway and John by the Rite Aid to put in some serious chalking.

Reactions from passerbys varied: some simply smiled and walked on, some shouted out encouragement, some actually accepted the offer of chalk and joined in the drawing and a few shook their heads and kept on moving, muttering something about “those crazy kids”.

One bitter old lady accused us of vandalism, but life’s both far too short and far too wonderful to be upset by the bitter so we moved on down the road happily, chalking as we went.

Passing 8 Limbs Yoga seemed oddly appropriate.

Considering what a good time was held by all, further chalking events will be held, with word posted to anyone interested in taking part.

I’m still looking for a group to do some organized sketching, too.