Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Back Slowly Away from the Book



As tempting as it is to sit inside and read about the history of Vietnam all day long, the day is calling me out. The birds are chirping loudly, as if to remind me that whenever I connect with the natural world, it's a Very Good Thing. Brother Sun is shining so bright that his gold rays have managed to penetrate the deep green canopy and are filtering in through the window over my bed, beckoning me. Father Sky is wearing his "Wild Blue Yonder" outfit. The trees are waving hello. Even Jake is giving me the eye, the look that says Let's get out there, woman. Now.



When I get interested in something, that something, no matter what it is, inevitably becomes a passion. Currently I am devouring Vietnam, A History, by Stanley Karnow. I mean really I am guzzling that book. You couldn't even call what I'm doing "reading."

I love feeling passionate, and I love learning things I don't already know, which would include pretty much everything about the history of Vietnam. Did you know they had their own Joan of Arc? They did! Very cool. The depictions of her look so Durga-ish. I guess the archetype of the fierce, young, beautiful, female warrior who fights and dies to save her country pervades many cultures.

Ah but here I am writing about Triệu Thị Trinh instead of putting on my sneakers and taking the dog out there into this glorious day. The birds are chirping louder now; in fact one of them just landed on the window sill.

In spite of my insatiable curiosity, it's impossible to resist a day like today. I'm off!

29 comments:

Lynne said...

The bird on your windowsill is certainly inviting you to join in the outside world today! It's supposed to be just lovely all week! With a 34 degree start to the day, it's hard to believe it will reach the anticipated 70 degree mark.

Enjoy Reya!

Merle Sneed said...

So, that's what roses are supposed to look like, eh? Get out and enjoy.

Elizabeth said...

Such stunning pink.
Spring is utterly infectious and irresistible.
Especially today when the sun is shining.

mar azul said...

When you mentioned Trieu Thi Trinh, I couldn't help thinking of Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma who has been a prisoner of conscience all these years for advocating nonviolent resistance to the military junta in her country.

I look at your gorgeous flowers and breathe thoughts of beauty and freedom for her - so, you see, it's a good thing you went for a walk with your dog!

I like your new photo - white suits you.

Siobhán said...

Sounds a fascinating read Reya.

Beautiful pictures as always.

Hope you and Jake enjoyed the walk.

Like the new self portrait!

Janelle said...

indeed darlin'! seize the day as it blooms..you can read later. beautiful pics as always. lots love x janelle

ellen abbott said...

Plenty of time to read when the sun goes down.

The Bug said...

I wrote about this very thing yesterday on my blog - and I'm heading outside now!

JOY said...

That Vietnam history sounds fascinating.

Thanks for my PINK dose today - peptoed up - I'm bouncing outside, definitely pinked inside and out!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

I know what you mean!!!

as soon as ms t is done with lunch we are going to follow the call too and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL day......

gorgeous flower snaps aw, and jake, and his sweet come hither face!!

wv: abdonon sure is close to abandon!!! think there's a cosmic message for us!

Joanne said...

Nature is beckoning with much insistence today ... enjoy!

Nancy said...

Love that pic of Jake - I can hear him saying just what you said!

That last pic was just beautiful!

Ronda Laveen said...

I hope to get out soon I was out earlier for a bit. Let's see. Thanks for the 411 on Mercury Retrograde. It is breathe I will. 2MORE weeks? Yikes! Spending my day with many different repair people. But it is still a wonderful day.

Tom said...

Everything is so green, i can hardly stand not to be out in it...now that i've read the Gold Puppy, i think i'm out for a stroll myself.

ArtSparker said...

I like the green hand reaching up into the sky.

Reya Mellicker said...

Artsparker, as usual I didn't see that until you pointed to it. I just thought it was a really crazy tree.

I'm wondering, does sitting at a sidewalk cafe, reading for two hours, count as enjoying the day? To be honest, I might as well have been in a storm cellar. The book is really great. Too great?

Oh well.

Stella Jones said...

Just get out there and live in the moment!
Blessings, Star

Geneva Flooring said...

But you can have both at once!!! Take that book, walk to a fantastical piece of grass, sit down and read yourself into a coma. YOur puppy will be happy just being outside and sitting with you!

IntangibleArts said...

Jake is looking rather Alec Guinness there, innit?

Reya Mellicker said...

Lol! He's about that old too.

Steve Reed said...

Don't resist! Give in! After all, look at that expression on poor Jake's face. :)

I admire your ability to be drawn in by some really difficult, arcane subjects, Reya!

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks Steve, but it doesn't seem difficult to me. It's really interesting ... well ... to me.

Natalie said...

Oh, Jake's face is priceless!
There is nothing like being consumed by a good book, that would have to be one of life's greatest pleasures in my eyes.xx♥

Melissa said...

I love all your photos, they represent such beauty.

Kerry said...

My "To Read" pile has shrunk to under a foot, time to add some titles. This sounds good. Plus, it's raining this evening in Oregon, and I don't feel guilty staying in and curling up with a book. I did, however, walk the dogs!

Sandra Leigh said...

Oh, that last photo is delicious. I can almost smell it.

Were you sitting outside at the sidewalk cafe? Outside is outside, and if it comes with a mocha, so much the better.

Happy Sunny Day, Reya.

Anonymous said...

Stunning! Such a perfect pink. I read a book a while ago written from the perspective of a Vietnamese woman who was around 14 years old at the time of the war. She wrote of how it affected her in her daily village life at this time, what she saw, what happened to her family. She eventually went to live in the U.S. but found it very hard to visit home again - family were guarded as was officialdom. I wish I could remember what the book was called - she was a brave young woman.

karen said...

Enjoy the beautiful weather, and the roses and flowers! then reading to look forward to later.. Love the pic of Jake! x

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, that IS the let's get out there look! Great shot!