Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Body Never Lies


If you look carefully on the right side of the pic, you'll see the White House in the background.

I feel as gnarly as this old tree in Lafayette Park.

The shock of the sad news about my old dear one has, of course, manifested itself in the physical realm. It was almost instantaneous, too. Impossible to miss the synchronicity.

Fortunately this is only a head cold. According to the cosmology of Reya, what that means is that the effect of the bad news centers around the way I think. It's not in my lungs, so I'm not grieving terribly, or even down my throat, which would keep me from expressing my feelings about it. Also, because it isn't a big terrible virus, it will soon pass.

I can't go to work and drip on my clients, but I'm not too sick to continue work on my monumental canvas that includes Annapurna and the Three Fates, so the day is not totally lost. It could be so much worse, yes? Oh yeah.

31 comments:

Kathi said...

Love this gnarly tree. Hope you feel better soon! What is this "monumental canvas" you're working on? Can't wait to see it!

Mary said...

Feel better....I think everyone is a bit "off" especially when the clocks shift so just be good to yourself

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Mary. I agree that it's really difficult to have jet lag without ever leaving town. I am not a fan of "daylight savings" whatever that means.

Kathi, the canvas is the 2nd painting in a triptych I'm doing around the topic of romantic love. The first was a Tribute to Lost Loves, this second one is about falling in love, the power of love that lasts over time and through good times and bad times. Besides Annapurna and the Three Fates, it will eventually include snips from the stories people told in the comments section of last Sunday's post, which was all about falling in love.

I really like this second painting a lot, so it's nice to take the day off (honestly - I am sick!) but keep plugging away at the painting.

Unknown said...

You're so right about these things tending to strike when one's defenses are down for emotional reasons. Hope you feel better soon. The tree photo is beautiful.

Evening Light Writer said...

Reya, I hope that yours is a speedy recovery.

I don't see that tree as old and knarled, I see it as a great vital thing..vibrant and still alive. Look, that tree is a survivor, it will push out the greenest leaves come April or May.

Tom said...

there is nothing i love better than wicked old trees that would eat you as soon as give you shade...at least this gnarly tree looks mean, but i guess she's just a big ole puppy dog...load up on the Niquil and hot chicken soup...take care.

David said...

I think sometimes my body lies to me. Because sometimes it tells me it feels good even when I'm doing bad things to it. Like swallowing a tequila shot.

Feel better soon!

steven said...

hi reya,

i've been visiting your blog for a little while now and wanted to thankyou for your beautiful, open, clear writing and especially for the photographs which hold my thoughts and make me wonder!
i've put a link to your page on my "golden fish" blog (http://leakstev.blogspot.com/) so my bloggy visitors can share in my fortune.
steven

dennis said...

Dennis says hello to Jake.

Reya Mellicker said...

Tequila is a hallucinogenic that tends to warp the ability to listen to the body.

The next day the body ain't lyin' though, is it, when the hangover hits??

Runmotman - I love these gnarly trees down by the White House. They are viscious. I bet you could draw some incredible portraits. The cherry trees are pretty ugly, too, until they blossom of course.

ShirleyAnn said...

That is a great picture. I love old trees. I check your blog frequently to check out your interesting pictures Hope you get to feeling better.

Tess Kincaid said...

Sorry to hear you're under the weather, Reya. Rest up and feel better soon.

My legs are starting to look like this gnarly tree!

Just me said...

I hope you feel better (physically and emotionally) very soon!

Carolyn said...

What a fabulous old tree and the stories it must have imbedded in it's soul. Thank you for this post and thanks for sharing.
Smiles

Cheryl Cato said...

I love the gnarly old tree. It looks as though it has weathered much hardship. Take a photo of it when it is full with leaves please. I'd like to see what it looks like when in full bloom.

I am sorry for your sad news of the old friend. Hopefully your friend will get help & find a reason(s) to go on living.

Many years ago (over 30 years) my best friend's husband committed suicide ... it was one of the most difficult times of my life. They lived next door & she called out to us over the fence. Essentially being the first on the scene the image & feelings come back from time to time. She went on to remarry & hopefully has a happy life. It is something one never forgets & takes quite some time to be able to deal with the reality.

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Cheryl. It must have been so traumatic!

yes definitely I'll be photographing Lafayette Park a lot this spring and summer, now that I'm working down there on Thursdays. It's fun to have some brand new scenery to take pics of!

Susan English Mason said...

I love "Hi, my name is Steve" the snow-bust located in your sidebar. I was excited to see the White House in your photo behind gnarly tree. You are an amazing photographer and I am fascinated by the cosmology of Reya.

Mary said...

Thanks for putting a smile on my cranky face, Reya. I am walking around this mess saying "Hey, I am VERSATILE"!!

e said...

I hope you can enjoy the day despite your cold. I too feel a bit off, have for the last couple of days but I'm heading outside to cummune with the trees and creatures in my hood for a bit. Someone told me this day:

"Each day counts, do as you can to make it pleasurable or at least okay."

Nancy said...

I know how you feel about your friend. One of my old dear friends completed the task, and I will be forever changed.

Hope you feel better soon.

Unknown said...

that tree is amazing- you can see the faces of its life force. take care of you sweet sister- our daylight saving is almost over and yours is just beginning !!
Im glad the magician made some sense xxx

Merle Sneed said...

Gnarly sort of describes my general appearance. Sorry you're sick. Best wishes, M. Sneed.

Reya Mellicker said...

Gnarly? You, Merle? You are beautiful!

Gary said...

Darling Reya, I have been guilty of 'lurking' lately. Reading your amazing words without commenting, but I am around sweetness. I love the cosmology of Reya - I really do. That is some tome you have swirling around in your stuffy head. Feel better...sending love and good thoughts your way. Can you feel them?

Reya Mellicker said...

Yes I can my darling Gary! Yes I can.

Ronda Laveen said...

Sometimes when my head feels like it is full of cotton, the outsided world is shut out and I can her myself better. But that is about the only thing I can think of good coming from a stuffy head. Love n light.

Mrsupole said...

Hi Reya,

Tag, your it.

Yes, you have now been tagged, please visit my site to get the rules to this meme.

Have fun.

It is amazing that the tree is still standing, it looks like it has gone through so much. That just shows that we can survive anything if we stand tall and never give in to what wants to bring us down. Great picture as usual.

Get well wishes are being sent via this comment. I hope you can feel them.

God Bless.

Janelle said...

and what a beautiful gnarly tree it is. stunning. pole sana to hear about your friend...yes. really hard to get one's mind around this. my reaction is normally one of anger...not sure how good a reaction that is. i always feel it's such a cop out...and i have a feeling anyone who commits suicide will deeply regret it straight afterwards...i don't know...and the gnarly tree looks so wise and strong too! xxx j

Reya Mellicker said...

Janelle? YES. I was so pissed, I immediately caught a cold.

Ronda I am definitely listening.

A Cuban In London said...

Wish you better, dear and also, happy International Women's Day (belatedly)!

Greetings from London.

karen said...

thank you for that Tree. it is absolutely fantastic - I love its gnarliness and sense of character. Would like to hug it, for sure! Sorry you have had the double blows to deal with... but good that you are able to keep going with the paintings..