Thursday, May 7, 2009

Everyday Luxuries



Luxury, according to the cosmology of Reya, includes making time whenever possible for long, meandering walks. Taking along the camera, and remembering to wear Really Good Shoes, adds to the feeling of luxuriousness.

Yesterday I made (or better said, I "took") the time to walk to my appointment with the Sufi acupuncturist. It was lovely, luxurious, and just plain fun.

Though not completely clear, the overcast had thinned enough to allow shafts of sunlight to make their way down to ground level from time to time. It was cool, but not too cool. After all the rain of recent days I felt like I'd just been let out of jail. Fabulously luxurious feeling, believe me!

I saw some amazing sights, like



Wow. A sandy colored tank inside a fence with the capitol in the background. Scary.

More interesting was the reflection of the Washington monument in puddles leftover from all the rain and the beautiful facade of the Smithsonian castle. As usual I enjoyed listening to the snips of conversation I could catch while passing other people. The things people decide to say out loud are deeply amusing, especially out of context.

Long walks are luxurious, but they are also therapeutic in so many ways. I feel like my busy mind has a chance to stretch out and relax while I walk. It's good for my body, too. After sitting around for so many days in a row, I needed a big ole constitutional foray into this beautiful city. It was pure luxury, oh yeah!

30 comments:

Unknown said...

A walk in a city you love or a ramble in the countryside are both great luxuries & very rejuvenating. Right on the money!

Bee said...

I took a long walk this morning, too. Very different from your city sights, though! Just green fields, sheep, buttercups and bluebells and the odd annoying Land Rover (but no tanks, thank goodness).

I love knowing that I have a luxurious block of time to do a thing.

JC said...

Reya ~ I've given you the Kreativ Blogging Award. Go to my blog to see what it's about and why I gave it to you. (You probably have received this award already, but go see why I gave it to you)

Mary said...

I love going for a walk with you in the morning.

I have to admit that my brain is still stuck on yesterday's "karma" post.....I had so many thoughts - I still can't put it together.

And thanks for stopping by the church - your so nice about the drudgery

R.L. Bourges said...

Beautiful reflection in that photograph. Long walks are just the thing, aren't they? Mine was in Albi this morning, the light was gorgeous.

Joanne said...

I walk wherever and whenever I can ... city, country, up escalators, down hills, around the block, track laps, you name it ... love it!

Unknown said...

i love to walk- dragging a fat labrador and being dragged by a hyperactive poodle

NanU said...

I love your pictures! Is DC really that clean?

Verily I go. said...

Must walk early here. 71* was the low. Wonderful Pics, thanks.

Ady Grafovna said...

I liked the picture of the tank with the capitol in the background. I lived in DC for a while. Personally, I thought it was a better place to visit than to live... but I am a midwesterner at heart.

Deborah said...

when I got to walk from Valvoline to Lowes and back I thought Reya does this everyday--what a good idea

love you

Amy said...

I'm completely flipped out over the reflection of the capitol building! Awesome.

Tess Kincaid said...

I always enjoy your fabulous shots of DC. Have a great one, Reya!

Nancy said...

I'm heading out in about an hour. It really is just what we need sometimes, isn't it.

Love the reflection picture.

Ronda Laveen said...

I love the beauty and serenity of the reflection pool but the power and symbolism of the "Tank and the Capitol" keeps drawing me back.

Know what you mean about the shoes. The luxury of happy feet is unparalleled (in my book).

Reya Mellicker said...

As usual, Ronda, you and I agree completely.

Thanks, Amy! The capitol was reflected off the roof of a very nice shiny Capitol Police car.

Stella Jones said...

Very interesting for me to see Washington, since I've never been there myself. Thank you for showing it to us.
Blessings, Star

Andrea said...

The sun is out, the sun is out! I need to rush home so I can take a nice meander myself!

Elizabeth said...

Sounds a wonderful walk but maybe sans Jake this time?
Walking does wonders for the soul/body whole thing.
Beginning to wreck the hip joints.
Why in NY must everyone carry a cell phone or I-pod and listen to things that are not there?
Needless to say, I'm tramping all over creation lately.
It is fun and we are meeting all sorts of people...!

Steve Reed said...

Bravo! Let's hear it for long walks! :)

A Cuban In London said...

Long walks, in my humble opinion, are better enjoyed when it's just stopped raining. The air still has that metallic, cool feel and all you need is a good jumper. I find it most refreshing and energetic. I also like jogging when it's just rained. I find it invigorating. many thanks for the lovely commentary and images,

Greetings from London.

Sandra Leigh said...

Okay, that's it. I'm going for a walk now.

Jillian and / or Marley said...

i just love this!! amazing work, rock on.


ps. check out our blog :)

Cheryl Cato said...

I love walking in a city... especially D.C. San Francisco, Paris, Budapest or NYC, but in a pinch Austin will do!

alaine@éclectique said...

I enjoy Melbourne that way, with a great deal of happiness and pride.

California Girl said...

the walk in the "really good shoes" appeals to me. So does the acupuncturist.

Delwyn said...

Hi Reya,
I love a walk any time any where and I think they can be very meditative if you are walking alone. As the feet are placed repetitively one in front of the other the mind unwinds and takes it's own little unscrambled walk letting free the tangles and cobwebs.
Happy walking days

Pauline said...

I come for the photos, stick around for the dialogue, and always leave with something to think about. Thanks, Reya.

Anonymous said...

i saw the tanks roll through chinatown the other night...i was shocked..and turned away...i remember being a kid in europe and the tanks in the streets scared me...my dad said...dont worry that will never happen in our town.... *sigh*

jim hamerlinck said...

Three great images.