Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My Cherry Amour



It is not possible to take a bad picture on a spectacular spring morning at the peak of the Japanese cherry tree bloom which accounts for why there were so many of us out there in the chilly, windy early morning, walking around the Tidal Basin, smiling, capturing image after image on the fanciest as well as the cheapest cameras.

I'm not saying there were lots of people. It was early so only the folks who really really really wanted to be, were there. The cherry minions (as someone referred to the tourists) don't arrive until about 9:30 or 10:00. We locals tend to go just after the sun rises, to take pictures, stroll around the basin, or picnic, or all three. It's kind of hard sharing the nation's capital with the rest of the nation sometimes. Just sayin'.

One of the really great features of this morning's walk was a duck couple who swam along next to me almost all the way around the basin. Perhaps they were looking for a handout; those Tidal Basin ducks love junk food. I explained very specifically that I had nothing for them, not even a crumb, but they followed me nonetheless. I love little miracles like that so much.



On the subway I sat next to a man reading The Idiot's Guide to Paganism. I couldn't stop myself from saying, "Why don't you put the book away, go walk around the Tidal Basin and let the cherries tell you all about it?" He frowned slightly and gave me a strange look, but when I got off the train he said, "Have a nice day!" Maybe I gave him pause for thought. Who knows?

It's always a good thing for me to break my self-imposed rules, to just get up, for instance, brush my teeth, put on my clothes and walk out the door (instead of following my iron-bound routine of shower-meditate-coffee-newspaper-breakfast-blog, after which it's "OK" to begin my day). It was definitely well worth the breach of protocol today. I feel bathed in pure pink and white, washed clean by the sound of the water and sky, cheered by my duck companions. What a day. All I can say is: wow.

23 comments:

Reya Mellicker said...

I'll be posting cherry pics for the next few days but if you want to see a huge number of shots, check Faceook. I always "allow" my photos to be seen by everyone, though if you "friend" me, they will be easier to find.

Anonymous said...

Totally drooling about the cherries
and the ducks
had to laugh at the paganism man.......
who would have thought?

maybe I could write the complete idiots guide to idiocy or some such

Tess Kincaid said...

Spectacular, Reya! More, please.

(I'm assuming that's another avid blogger in the first pic. hee.)

Butternut Squash said...

Beautiful! Especially that cute lady at the bottom. Perfect day for it.

steven said...

oh beautiful you reya!!! steven

Ronda Laveen said...

Stunning, stunning, stunning photos! Goddess, what a beautiful day! Your interaction with the man was a crack up. I wonder if the ducks had a message for you that will come in your dreams. They were sure there for you this morning.

ellen abbott said...

thank you for being. And love the new header.

Pauline said...

funny, WOW is how I felt after seeing your photos! Hope some day you publish a book of your photos - I'd be first in line to buy one.

Unknown said...

I love the picture of the ducks & the blossoms! Wow!

Reya Mellicker said...

Those ducks were so sweet! Why DID they follow me? Ronda I will definitely tune in to my dreams tonight. I love ducks.

Ellen? Thank you. Thank you for being! I mean it.

Elizabeth there is an idiot's guide to the tarot that's actually pretty good. Not that I'm an idiot, but I was kind of impressed. On a beautiful spring day, though, forget the book (if you're interested in paganism) and get thee out of doors!

Pauline if you see a pic you like let me know. I'll send you the jpeg file in a quick second.

Linda Sue said...

What a delight! New header is fabulous! The trees are such a hyberbole - ridiculous a little bit! AND you are adorable- in every way, dear Reya- So glad I get to read your blog every day- it's a day with sunshine and things to ponder- always.

Lynne said...

wow. just wow. !!!!!
How incredible are those blooms? You always take great pics, Reya!

More, more, we want MORE!

Rosaria Williams said...

Bring them On! LOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVE them.

Reya Mellicker said...

Tomorrow I'm going to write about eating blossoms. I always do it. Is it stupid? They taste like bitter cough syrup. They do!

kbrow said...

I love the title of this blog post. Now I'm singing that song giddily around the house. We have cherry trees here, but not in the incredible concentration that DC has around the Tidal Basin. I miss that frothy frenzy of cherriness.

Barbara said...

Makes me think of the little boats at the Tidal Basin. Was anyone out paddling around?

I'll bet the Japanese found some medicinal purpose for cherry blossoms, don't you think?

C.M. Jackson said...

amazing! I will send you some from NJ--not as grand to be certain, but still quite beautiful. look forward to more..

Kerry said...

How glorious! I bet the air smells so sweet. All pictures of cherry blossoms will be most welcome.

Anonymous said...
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Deborah said...

you are so pink and beautifully alive

love you so

Nancy said...

I had the good fortune to visit during cherry blossom time in DC and it was soooo beautiful! Thanks for the lovely reminder of a very special place.

You look pretty darn good for just walking out the door!

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Nancy. I put on lip gloss before I took my self portrait.

lettuce said...

hi lovely reya!

cherry minions made me laugh, and the guy on the bus.
I always look forward to your cherry pictures this time of year