Perception Party
Yesterday, I found myself at the Zen center learning the ropes on a Catholic holiday in the midst of Passover. A whole lot of shaking going on and I realized yet again, that there are rituals and chanting and incense and reverence that all align under the same heading – but it’s the meditation that draws me there as well as the broad view more than the touchstones. I looked down to see what the Zen monk was reading and it was something like Buddhism is not what you think. Perception.
Meanwhile, the day was chilled out and there was a lot of porch hanging going on as it was just gorgeous – sun shining, temperature perfect, and the bayou was strangely sparse of people, dogs, and kids as everyone was elsewhere for Easter brunches/lunches etc. Later in the day after lazying around and reading on the sofa (me) or napping (the rest of the house), we went to take our stroll on the bayou with the dogs, and the bike, and ran into friends who took the walk with us and Tin played with his friend and her bike, and we ran into more friends who had gathered on the Magnolia Bridge on this beautiful afternoon and Tin’s friend said let’s have a perception party!
And so we did, and what we perceived was all is right with the world – a friend said, “Isn’t it so great that these kids get to grow up on the bayou,” as Tin and Ruby hugged each other on the bridge. And no one thought too much about my balding head but I got another good hug from a dear friend who said that she was sorry about the whole thing. And we spoke about unlearning all you have learned and starting over.
Later we came home and watched a bad movie after bathing Tin and getting his hair all nice and washed. Inside Man – it had such good reviews but it was slow and pointless and too clever albeit star studded and Spike Lee directing. I wish instead we would have simply watched another episode of Doc Martin that we are thoroughly enjoying on our Roku box.
Nevertheless, Lent is over and so is abstinence. I had a lovely glass of rose and yummy orzo with lemon and asparagus that Tatjana had made for dinner. Tomorrow is another day, and the day had been pleasant all the way around.