Friday, April 10, 2009

The Warm Chill



It was a perfect spring day yesterday. Jake, who is as old as Croesus, sometimes just isn't up for any kind of walk. But I was able to persuade him to cross Lincoln Park, a distance of two blocks, so we could hang out in one of Capitol Hill's funny little triangle parks. Some are fancy with trees and benches, some not so much. Yesterday we settled down at the narrow end of the grassy triangle on Kentucky SE between Independence and Lincoln Park. I bet we sat there for an hour. I wasn't wearing a watch so I can't be sure.

Even in ancient old age, life has its pleasures. Jake's nose twitched as he sniffed the air, his eyes lit up as he watched squirrels and cats dashing around in the yards across the street. He lay out in full sunlight, soaking up the warmth into his old bones.

Actually, I did the same thing - well except for getting excited to see squirrels and cats. The blessings of just sitting, just being with a beautiful day like yesterday are many, they really are.

To all who celebrate it, many kind thoughts as you go through the ritual of Good Friday. For my fellow Jews, hunker down, ya'll. It's a long trek through the desert. To everyone else, happy weekend.

50 comments:

Unknown said...

blessed be sweet friend- beauitufl hound you have there-enjoy the break xx

Unknown said...

Happy Good Friday Reya and Jake! xoxox

Mary said...

Let's just say Happy Weekend Have a beautiful one, Reya, however you spend it

Greg said...

"Jake, who is as old as Croesus,"

Actually, Croesus was the rich one. He could be old as Methuselah, or as dirt, or as the hills, but whatever, he looks great! Thanks for the slide show.

Elizabeth said...

Jake is one cool dude!

NanU said...

A warm and thoughtful holiday weekend to you. I'm not religious, but it's definitely a spiritual experience to get out in the open air after a long winter and feel the sun and marvel at all the blossoms on the cherry trees.

Joanne said...

Sounds like the perfect blend of sunshine and warmth to just "be" in the moment.

Kat Mortensen said...

Thank you, Reya, for your sensitivity to all faiths, for sharing your Spring walk and for the lovely photos. Good old Jake, eh - still enjoying the Spring, in the Autumn of his years!

Kat

P.S. I fancy Jake is more of a Rip Van Winkle!

Deborah said...

Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Reya
and to you too
love and happiness
time to sit
and drink in the sunlight

Anonymous said...

thanks for reminding me to take a few min (or an hour) like this...i think we could all use an hour on a park bench right about now...
xoxo

IntangibleArts said...

Not being of the Jewish persuasion, can I hunker too? Can I? Huh?

Merle Sneed said...

And to you, my friend.

Hammer said...

It ain't exactly a short sprint through the desert for us failed Baptists either. Just sayin'.

Glad you and Jake had some chill-out time. Dogs may have the squirrels and cats to perk them up, but we you know what we have? Coffee. Better end of the deal if you ask me.

(Gawd, could you imgine if dogs discovered coffee? They would NEVER shut up!)

Joanna said...

What a lovely old boy Jake is! Enjoy your weekend.

Sandra Leigh said...

Have a lovely weekend, Reya.

Steve Reed said...

Squirrels and cats can be exciting! :)

I bet the sun feels good to Jake. I always feel bad for my cat, having no direct sun to lie in because of my north-facing windows.

Steve Reed said...

LOL @ Hammer's comment!

ArtSparker said...

It is wonderful how old animals savor the sun.

JC said...

I have an older dog and she loves to just sit and watch her world. Thanks for sharing your dog with us.

Gary said...

Thanks. Good Friday is HEAVY. Tonight our church is performing the short drama "The Ragman". I am the Ragman. A Christ-like figure who heals others and then takes on their suffering. It is actually emotional and powerful. Did I find the right church or what?

Happy weekend to you as well. Enjoy the sun and Jake.

ShirleyAnn said...

Love watching Jake's walk in the park. And the tree is beautiful. I cannot wait til the world is in bloom.

Amy said...

Nice post for a Friday. Makes me feel warm and content.

Have a wonderful weekend and, Shalom.

Lynne said...

OH! You changed your banner .... LOVE the new Jake in the green grass. Very nice!

And could you please send some of those flowering trees my way? Hmm?

Everything around here shuts down for Easter. Fast food places, grocery stores, everything. Very weird.

Hilarywho said...

Nice new look to your blog. I love the Photo Bucket slide show - I'll have to check that out.

Jen said...

Happy Friday!

Washington Cube said...

I keep running into groups of Hispanics lugging the cross around, singing their sad songs while teenagers dressed like Romans, flank them in their processions. I'd rather be sitting quietly in grass absorbing Spring. Have a wonderful weekend. Love the shots of Pup being a pup.

Siobhán said...

Love the new banner and pics of Jake.

Enjoy the weekend.

Barbara Martin said...

May your weekend be full of sunshine and good cheer. And give your Jake a pat for me.

A Cuban In London said...

Have a happy weekend and Easter!

Greetings from London.

Tess Kincaid said...

How about Happy Spring? Have a lovely weekend, as well, Reya. Love the newly updated doggy header!

Washington Cube said...

Velvet dumped Hemingway in my blog today, Reya. Not knowing about Hemingway voices. What does THAT tell you? Library tomorrow, that's what it tells me.

Reya Mellicker said...

Cube? It tells me third time's the charm!

Hammer - coffee vs. squirrels? There is NO contest! Thank you and thanks for reminding me that crossing the desert is not reserved for any one faith. Oh yeah.

And Greg ... old as ... ok I mixed up my references - again!

Delwyn said...

May Jake have many happy days of sniffing and lazing in his old age

and may you have a blessed and relaxing break.

jim hamerlinck said...

What a good boy.

Cheryl Cato said...

Sweet Jake. Gertie has similar feelings though she can still run at (almost) top speed. She loves to lie in a sunspot either in our yard or on a sunspot on the carpet.

Good Passover to you... it is a long, long walk in the desert. Rest up...

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Like Jake, I've been outside warming my bones in the Autumn sun and sniffing the air wafting with green grassy smells.I do draw the line though at cocking my leg to relieve myself. I am 56 after all and the neighbours don't like it.I'm enjoying this Easter break. Thought I'd just catch up on some housework, but every time I get up my husband shouts "SIT". xxx

California Girl said...

I like your new flash thingie photo slide show. And a new masthead with your puppy facing us! I have one older dog, Zoe, a pound dog, a mutt. Probably around 12. I have one younger dog, Dewey, escapee from a biker house across the river. We kept him. He's probably about 6 now and keeps Zoe on her toes. Queen of my house is the cat, Maggie.

Cheryl Cato said...

Reya, thank you for your kind words and the article about the Episcopal Bishop. Happy weekend...
Lizzy

Ronda Laveen said...

The energetic lightness and joviality I am picking up off of everyone here seems to be bouyed by the warmer, brighter weather. Even Ol' Jake must be feelin' it.

The Caffienated Puppy. Now there's a name for a blog. Love the slide show.

Val said...

i have been LOVING your last few posts - so much food for thought. but havent commented as there is so much to say on the subjects - does that make sense - and basically i am on the same trail as you. I love how you make it all so accessible. Thank you again and again - you are bright and shiny for sure! xx

Susan said...

I am intrigued by the fact that at this moment there are 40 comments (I am #41). Your last comment about "a long trek through the desert?"--and knowing it was 40 years. Hm.

Anyway, I am glad that Jake enjoyed the sun soak. He is a handsome companion, and I am sad that he is "old as Croesus". I want you to have many more years together!

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks Susan.

Wow. Forty is a powerful number in Judaism. Forty days for the flood, forty years in the desert. We like 18, too.

Everyone has their favorite numbers.

April J. Ellington said...

Awesome pictures. Gorgeous canine. And a pleasant read. Likewise, enjoy your weekend! You have compelled me to start posting more photos with my blogs. : - )

Squirrel said...

Happy Good Friday Reya and Jake!

Susan English Mason said...

I could sit and watch the slideshow of Jake and lose track of time. I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend.

Mrsupole said...

I think I lost track of time, Jake and I were just stuck in some time loop of him on the grass. He kept moving around all over and I just wanted to stay there with him. It was really a most enjoyable slide show. I hope you both are having a great weekend.

May the force be with you on this weekend of renewal. It is a time of rebirth and joy.

Please give Jake a big rub on the back and thank him for such a nice time on the grass with him. And thank you for taking us along, I can see you had fun with him.

God bless.

Pod said...

just because i is quiet doesn't mean i is loving you any less......
xx

moonshin said...

peaceful..
peaceful was the word that came to mind after reading that wonderful post of yours.

Reya, you really know how to appreciate life and the world around you.

that is what i like about you - you always gave meaning to things which i usually think of as not important. but you've shown me the other way around. and for that, i thank you. =)

Barry said...

I really like the new look and loved the slide show of Jake meandering closer and closer to the camera.

We're still a month away from our trees being in blossom, so I envy you.

Have a good Passover!

Nancy said...

That was a beautiful analogy. I always strive to be as "in the moment" as my dog.

Your dog looks very sweet. I can tell he is loved.