Saturday, April 26, 2008

Looking forward to February 3



Today's recipe for allergic reaction included buckets of oak pollen blowing around under a sultry hot sun. Getting out into the fray was like asking for it. I did go out in the most limited way I could so as to take care of business.

By the time I got home around 3:00, I was a mess. Another huge box of kleenex bit the dust in spite of all my efforts to stem the tide of congestion. Oak pollen vs. Reya? The result is never pretty - for me anyway. Same as it ever was. So I shut the window, sat in front of the television and blew my nose while the pollen sifted and shook through the trees and into the streets.

Luckily for me, one of my favorite movies of all time, Groundhog Day, was on. Someday I have to read the book versions, by Ouspensky, the other by Nietzsche. Some day! Not today, though.

Halfway through the film I began to wonder how many times I've watched it. I can only guess, but I think I must have seen it all the way through at least a dozen times. There's some kind of algorhythmic pattern involved in repeated viewings of this movie. It's holographic. Or something.

In many ways, my days, weeks, months and years at Healing Arts constitute a repeating pattern. Getting out of there will break the spell of my own private Groundhog Day. That's a good thing.

After trying many different approaches to getting through the day, Bill Murray's character figures out that the only way to tolerate the repetitive patterns of life is to be kind, compassionate, artful, generous and loving.

I know I've aged rather dramatically over the last six years, oh yeah. Have I evolved, though? Beats me. I hope so.

17 comments:

Avid Reader said...

I'd like to read the book too-- Phil Connors learns so much (the hard way) from being stuck in his terrible rut, when he finally breaks through he's a different man.

A pretty amazing film --Bill Murray is exceptional.

Avid Reader said...

Oh I meant to say I love the red theme here--truly lovely pix.

Gary said...

The pollen is a beast. My pretty little green VW looks to have changed colors with all the yellow dust that has COVERED it. Poor baby, she needs a good wash.

As for you...enjoy the journey. I feel very blessed that I have come along and am able to walk with you down the path of life from time to time.

See you soon.

Reya Mellicker said...

My darling Gary, I am blessed to have you as friend and "kin." So excited to see you soon!

Barbara said...

Funny thing, first time through I read the title as May 3. I like Bill Murray's approach to life.

Washington Cube said...

Everything around my house is covered in a layer of green and puffy bits. Tis the season.

R.L. Bourges said...

we've watched the movie so many times. never fail to find something more in it. life does that, doesn't it? keeps swatting the ball back until we get it.
(pollen, please be kind to Reya)

Reya Mellicker said...

Puffy bits? Oh yeah, Cube ... oh yeah!!

It's not the pollen's fault. It's just doing its green world sexy thang. It's my lack of wei chi and my resulting overreaction that makes me so ill. I don't resent the pollen. Really!

As for the movie, every time I see it, I notice something new, too. And I am reminded that every life is just a life, no better or worse than any other life. It just is.

It rained last night, bringing the pollen down. Thanks Weather Gods!

Reya Mellicker said...

And Barbara, I AM looking forward to May 3!

Aileen said...

I've never thought of Groundhog Day in quite that way before! I always enjoy reading about your perspective before. Maybe I need to re-watch the movie, since I'm currently dealing with the issue of recurring patterns of behavior...

It is a little sad to me that so many people suffer from allergies at this time of year (such a gorgeous time!) I've been lucky enough to not have allergies and this is one of my favorite seasons... Take care of yourself and I'll see you May 3!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

something about groundhog day (and bill murray) that always draws me in... I can't count how many times I've see the movie.

what do you think about - bill's 'what about bob?'

had to laugh, first thought for me when reading the title of the post was - reya must mean may 3....after a couple recent emails w/ gary have party on the mind!! tee hee!!

pollen be gone!! blow, blow away (and not toward reya!!)

Steve Reed said...

I finally rented that movie just a couple of months ago. Definitely one of Andie MacDowell's better outings.

dennis said...

Dennis thinks other people should learn, not him.

Reya Mellicker said...

Dennis has the wisdom of the Tao.

Washington Cube said...

Not Tao, Reya. The wisdom of
Meow.

Reya Mellicker said...

Oh yeah! See, I'm not a cat person, that's why I made the mistake.

Hammer said...

It's funny how often we're on similar wavelengths even when we haven't seen each other in months. I'll fill you in the next time the logistics gods smile upon us.