To this day I haven't been able to grasp Riri's ability to obtain and assimilate accurate information. If he actually had some sort of ability to "listen" to and even to "see" vibrations in the airwaves, how could he sort and make sense of so much vibratory information? His observations were accurate and logical. His application of the bits of information that he had picked up were always appropriate. The "whazzup-boogie dude's" agenda seemed to flow with events some of which triggered changes mid-course, but it invariably remained His agenda. If mine happened to be served by his, fine, but for the most part, my simply stated, but quite challenging agenda of trying to comprehend what I was experiencing, was irrelevant. Although Riri's demeanor was amiable, there was an intensity to his "rechurch". He was generally pre-occupied, intent on his mission to the extent that it was difficult to even interject questions, let alone be graced with answers about his observations.
It wasn't that he was curious in what you would call a selfish sort of way. He was clearly on a mission, as an explorer, an observer, not an ambassador. He never let slip whether his efforts were commissioned. If he were on assignment, it seemed odd that he was alone (he never mentioned others), but it would be a stretch to think that his expedition could be of a personal nature. In any case, I could barely keep up. I was constantly surprised, frequently amazed, completely awed, by what I was blessed to experience.
I felt I was learning right along with my curious guest. I was being treated to a re-markable re-education, re-valuation, and profound re-consideration of my self and the world I thought I knew, despite there never being enough time or space for enough questions. I found myself left to wonder endlessly about his world, his life, his family, his technology, his travels, what he ate (before he discovered ice cream) what he felt. Actually, as I think about it, although the answers I sought remained elusive, his feelings were for the most part apparent. I would say he "wore his heart on his sleeve", if he had a sleeve, or for that matter, a circulatory system.
It was remarkable to witness his process. Naive innocent wonder was complemented by persistent attention to comprehension. This opportunity to view my world through the rare perspective of what had to be a different consciousness, had showed up out of nowhere, make that elsewhere. Occasionally, if I paid attention an intersection of our interest would satisfy my need to understand his take on something in particular.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
ten-whazzup?...what’s in the air?...
After several days of intense activities fueled by curiosity and enthusiasm, I discovered Riri sitting peacefully one morning on the grassy slope where I had been dozing what seemed about a lifetime ago. As he squatted silently in apparent in contemplation of his domain, he resembled one of those amiable little stone gargoyles…this time it was my turn to interrupt the reverie…I approached and sat without speaking so as not to startle…I found myself contemplating my own inner domain. There was now a fascinating gnome in the landscape, who after allowing a few moments for me to settle, asked matter-of-factly, “Whazzup?”
Where does he get this stuff…”Where do you get this stuff?…your words, the ones you don’t learn from me…Where do they come from?”
“They in the air…I try…”
Despite limited opportunities, our ability to communicate had continued to improve. His vocabulary was growing in proportion to a tremendous expansion of familiarity and awareness, but his diction and grammar remained, for the most part, a humorous adventure. He really did try…but I still couldn’t understand where or how an alien could pick up some of the jargon of pop culture, or for that matter, ice cream, or politics, or to know to bring my wife some flowers…
“I try,” he repeated, “air full of stuff, I watch, listen, taste…I try…”
I was lost… “Air…? What do you mean?”
“Earth air full of stuff, I see I hear, I try, so much stuff… you no see, no listen …maybe feel…sometimes gobblegook hard for unnerstand…so much…
“Do you mean vibrations?”
“I think…like dance sound…but different…too much…not good for unnerstand, not good for mindthink…hard to get, for listen…vibrations…ye s … everthink vibrations…music…light…vibrations…heat… talk…telebision… rainbow…yes, and more…rainbow…everthink…you…me…’lectric…can’t tell…you no see… everthink vibe…I feel,I see…you…not…not yet…not……………. See me…
“see you…”……What I was “seeing” was not yet clear, but instinctively I got that in addition to light and sound and communication stuff, the material world itself was vibrating, was composed of vibrating atomic particles…if you do a bit of googling, like I did that night…
We often see images of atoms as little, sort of earth- centers with electron-moons orbiting closely. The actuality is that if an atom’s nucleus which is where the mass ot weight is, were the size of a basketball, you would have to travel twenty-two miles to reach the buzzing electrons…This would mean at least an additional twenty-two miles before the next bit of mass…next time, better watch who you’re callin’ “spacey.” We are all more than a little spacey, it would seem
This simple, yet profound observation, is almost unimaginable, and makes every thing imaginable…perhaps any thing possible…Ashes to…ashes...dust to…
energy…from emptiness to full fill meant…
The air…full…of “stuff”…to “try”…
Where does he get this stuff…”Where do you get this stuff?…your words, the ones you don’t learn from me…Where do they come from?”
“They in the air…I try…”
Despite limited opportunities, our ability to communicate had continued to improve. His vocabulary was growing in proportion to a tremendous expansion of familiarity and awareness, but his diction and grammar remained, for the most part, a humorous adventure. He really did try…but I still couldn’t understand where or how an alien could pick up some of the jargon of pop culture, or for that matter, ice cream, or politics, or to know to bring my wife some flowers…
“I try,” he repeated, “air full of stuff, I watch, listen, taste…I try…”
I was lost… “Air…? What do you mean?”
“Earth air full of stuff, I see I hear, I try, so much stuff… you no see, no listen …maybe feel…sometimes gobblegook hard for unnerstand…so much…
“Do you mean vibrations?”
“I think…like dance sound…but different…too much…not good for unnerstand, not good for mindthink…hard to get, for listen…vibrations…ye s … everthink vibrations…music…light…vibrations…heat… talk…telebision… rainbow…yes, and more…rainbow…everthink…you…me…’lectric…can’t tell…you no see… everthink vibe…I feel,I see…you…not…not yet…not……………. See me…
“see you…”……What I was “seeing” was not yet clear, but instinctively I got that in addition to light and sound and communication stuff, the material world itself was vibrating, was composed of vibrating atomic particles…if you do a bit of googling, like I did that night…
We often see images of atoms as little, sort of earth- centers with electron-moons orbiting closely. The actuality is that if an atom’s nucleus which is where the mass ot weight is, were the size of a basketball, you would have to travel twenty-two miles to reach the buzzing electrons…This would mean at least an additional twenty-two miles before the next bit of mass…next time, better watch who you’re callin’ “spacey.” We are all more than a little spacey, it would seem
This simple, yet profound observation, is almost unimaginable, and makes every thing imaginable…perhaps any thing possible…Ashes to…ashes...dust to…
energy…from emptiness to full fill meant…
The air…full…of “stuff”…to “try”…
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
nine - the animals…all critters great and small…are aliens animals…?
The adventure continues…The baby rabbit had made an impression that was right up there with ice cream. This meant disappointment for me, of course, in terms of my desire for a “serious” agenda, but it was more than made up for in the days that followed by the joy of witnessing Riri’s very serious enthusiasm for exploring the woods around our home in search of anything that hopped, crawled, jumped, slithered or flew.
One day I noticed him kneeling at the edge of our pond with his head under the water for what seemed like an impossible amount of time. The next, he was out on a limb, high in a granddaddy oak, following who knows what. Another time he spent hours, mesmerized by the web-making of a garden spider. He would grace me with his presence, only in passing, to ask questions about names and habits of the “furrytails” or the “big floaters” or the “li’l buzzers with nose in fwowies (‘what they lookin’?)
He could get quite excited when the pair of fawns would play, chasing each other at surprising speed, and quickly learned that they would stay around longer if he didn’t try to join them…and when a momma blackbear ambled through, with her very small cubs scrambling to keep up, he trembled with excitement, from behind the instinctive safety of a tree. But, when she stopped to sniff and then fix a laser-like look in the direction of his hiding place, he “POPPED”...
This period of intense attention to wildlife lasted nearly a week, and I was pleased when it actually led to the kind of conversation I had been hoping for…
Had I only known… I could have looked forward to the surprising and inspiring observations he would be sharing…
One day I noticed him kneeling at the edge of our pond with his head under the water for what seemed like an impossible amount of time. The next, he was out on a limb, high in a granddaddy oak, following who knows what. Another time he spent hours, mesmerized by the web-making of a garden spider. He would grace me with his presence, only in passing, to ask questions about names and habits of the “furrytails” or the “big floaters” or the “li’l buzzers with nose in fwowies (‘what they lookin’?)
He could get quite excited when the pair of fawns would play, chasing each other at surprising speed, and quickly learned that they would stay around longer if he didn’t try to join them…and when a momma blackbear ambled through, with her very small cubs scrambling to keep up, he trembled with excitement, from behind the instinctive safety of a tree. But, when she stopped to sniff and then fix a laser-like look in the direction of his hiding place, he “POPPED”...
This period of intense attention to wildlife lasted nearly a week, and I was pleased when it actually led to the kind of conversation I had been hoping for…
Had I only known… I could have looked forward to the surprising and inspiring observations he would be sharing…
Sunday, November 29, 2009
8 - down a garden path…pay attention…
Early next morning, I found Riri out front poking in the garden, exploring and sniffing, admiring gorgeous cream-colored lilies as big as his head. He spun 360 degrees while looking up at the advance scouts for the radiant pink clouds of phlox that would soon follow.
When he noticed me, it seemed he had something on his mind…Before I could compliment his “boogiein’”, he spoke, “You wife… differ… nice bumps… smell good…Where I come we all not differ…what is difference between wife…from planet else?”
“Sometimes…er…there was this book,” I began to answer, while contemplating a diagram of certain planets of our solar system. Not only would pop psychology confuse the issue, if I were to be taken literally, but it simply would not be worthy of a sincere mutual desire for communication and understanding.
I was spared the challenge of explaining that women were not from some other planet else, because Diane’s flowers had also made an impression on our guest. He was distracted by their beauty, and not really inclined to pay attention to my mars/venus speech. He wandered away, then stopped suddenly and crouched. As he disappeared in the distinctive foliage of daylilies, I could see by the direction of his attention that a bunny had emerged to nibble weeds (a rabbit I would tolerate as long as it stuck to munching on the persistent violets that seemed to reproduce like bunnies in the gravel pathways). Foliage soon showed signs of movement towards the critter, ceasing at the edge of the daylily bed less than two feet from the unsuspecting weeder.
As I watched expectantly from a bench, there was what sounded like a sneeze and some commotion in the foliage. The lttle bunny froze for a moment , then skittered away disappearing under dense plantings by the weathered fence
Riri came running (actually,more like hurried waddling…“Did you see?” Did you see?” “What it was?”
What I saw was that there would be yet another digression interfering with my desire to understand an unprecedented (cosmic?) connection…What I said was “rabbit, that’s a rabbit in our garden…we don’t happy rabbits in gardens…
Apparently satisfied, Riri wandered away without another word, poking and sniffing once more, while scanning for bunny rabbits. He faded slowly, very gradually, as he wandered, disappearing completely as he left the garden aiming for a squirrel on the lawn…
When he noticed me, it seemed he had something on his mind…Before I could compliment his “boogiein’”, he spoke, “You wife… differ… nice bumps… smell good…Where I come we all not differ…what is difference between wife…from planet else?”
“Sometimes…er…there was this book,” I began to answer, while contemplating a diagram of certain planets of our solar system. Not only would pop psychology confuse the issue, if I were to be taken literally, but it simply would not be worthy of a sincere mutual desire for communication and understanding.
I was spared the challenge of explaining that women were not from some other planet else, because Diane’s flowers had also made an impression on our guest. He was distracted by their beauty, and not really inclined to pay attention to my mars/venus speech. He wandered away, then stopped suddenly and crouched. As he disappeared in the distinctive foliage of daylilies, I could see by the direction of his attention that a bunny had emerged to nibble weeds (a rabbit I would tolerate as long as it stuck to munching on the persistent violets that seemed to reproduce like bunnies in the gravel pathways). Foliage soon showed signs of movement towards the critter, ceasing at the edge of the daylily bed less than two feet from the unsuspecting weeder.
As I watched expectantly from a bench, there was what sounded like a sneeze and some commotion in the foliage. The lttle bunny froze for a moment , then skittered away disappearing under dense plantings by the weathered fence
Riri came running (actually,more like hurried waddling…“Did you see?” Did you see?” “What it was?”
What I saw was that there would be yet another digression interfering with my desire to understand an unprecedented (cosmic?) connection…What I said was “rabbit, that’s a rabbit in our garden…we don’t happy rabbits in gardens…
Apparently satisfied, Riri wandered away without another word, poking and sniffing once more, while scanning for bunny rabbits. He faded slowly, very gradually, as he wandered, disappearing completely as he left the garden aiming for a squirrel on the lawn…
Sunday, November 22, 2009
7 "nice bumps"...it's ok to have too much fun
How to prepare my wife??? I was excited, but my story was preposterous, and the evidence to support it was, at the very least, suspicious. On top of that, Diane is one of those who thrive on certainty and concreteness, and is inclined to prepare very conscientiously for company. The thought that something as unusual as a small extra-terrestrial creature could show up whenever Now was, might take her around a bend I'd be reluctant to follow.
As it turned out, whether it was because the possibility of preparedness was not an option, or more likely, because she didn't take me seriously, she was very relaxed that evening when he showed up. We were just sitting down to watch one of those TV dance shows, when a thwack of the screen door closing followed by shuffling sounds from the front porch signaled a visitor.
There was no way to have prepared anyone for what followed.
"Hi...welcome"..."hi," he murmured shyly as he entered clutching a haphazard, but beautiful, bunch of utterly familiar flowers that a few minutes before had been thriving in Diane's much cared for perennial beds that welcomed friends to our home. Offering the awkward bouquet of random length stems, he gazed up at my spellbound spouse, and said softly, "Nice bumps!"......He then turned to me, saying, with a bit of confidence earned by what he had considered an appropriate compliment, "You Diana, she very good bumps...nice"... And then back to Diane, reaching to shake hands just as she was realizing which bumps he was admiring..."Me Riri , nice bum"/"yesthanksvase, vase, I'll get a vase!" I couldn't help smiling as she groped for a container,, nearly dropping the arrangement. I met Diane's sideways "what's goin' on?" glance with a weak shrug, as Riri, without invitation made directly in search of the source of the dramatic Latin rhythms emanating from the family room...After exchanging perplexed glances once more, we followed uncertainly......
The awkward prospect of sitting and visiting with what had morphed from a shy curiosity into an "800 lb. gorilla in the room" was however, quickly dispelled. Before we could sit down the hilarious response of our diminutive guest to an Argentine tango had us in stitches. Swaying to the dynamic rhythms soon led to gyrating on the arm of the recliner, and then, to sashaying back and forth on the back of the loveseat. We were informed that this was his first exposure to "life" music and dancing and that he couldn't understand the concept of watching dancing. "Why do that?...crazyearthguys...dancin' is dancin'...I boogie dude"... It was immediately clear that there was no way we were gone sit down like "crazyearthguys...When the program ended an hour later, we were informed he "coulda dancin' all night" (we couldna). Riri's joyful jitterbug had been "off-the-wall" (I mean walls)...His waltz wasn't what you would call graceful, but it kinda sorta flowed, and an emphatic cha cha cha was right up there with the tango. When the last notes faded, so did our visitor, continuing to waltz til he flopped on a cushion, soon vanishing, without a word.
A quick survey revealed that nothing had been damaged or broken, although our sides hurt from laughing. Diane and I, still smiling, wearily slowdanced to lingering vibrations, 'til they too gradually melted away into the stillness of a very dark night..."Nice bumps, babe".....
Who was it, said, "It's ok to have too much fun!"?
It is ok to have too much fun!
As it turned out, whether it was because the possibility of preparedness was not an option, or more likely, because she didn't take me seriously, she was very relaxed that evening when he showed up. We were just sitting down to watch one of those TV dance shows, when a thwack of the screen door closing followed by shuffling sounds from the front porch signaled a visitor.
There was no way to have prepared anyone for what followed.
"Hi...welcome"..."hi," he murmured shyly as he entered clutching a haphazard, but beautiful, bunch of utterly familiar flowers that a few minutes before had been thriving in Diane's much cared for perennial beds that welcomed friends to our home. Offering the awkward bouquet of random length stems, he gazed up at my spellbound spouse, and said softly, "Nice bumps!"......He then turned to me, saying, with a bit of confidence earned by what he had considered an appropriate compliment, "You Diana, she very good bumps...nice"... And then back to Diane, reaching to shake hands just as she was realizing which bumps he was admiring..."Me Riri , nice bum"/"yesthanksvase, vase, I'll get a vase!" I couldn't help smiling as she groped for a container,, nearly dropping the arrangement. I met Diane's sideways "what's goin' on?" glance with a weak shrug, as Riri, without invitation made directly in search of the source of the dramatic Latin rhythms emanating from the family room...After exchanging perplexed glances once more, we followed uncertainly......
The awkward prospect of sitting and visiting with what had morphed from a shy curiosity into an "800 lb. gorilla in the room" was however, quickly dispelled. Before we could sit down the hilarious response of our diminutive guest to an Argentine tango had us in stitches. Swaying to the dynamic rhythms soon led to gyrating on the arm of the recliner, and then, to sashaying back and forth on the back of the loveseat. We were informed that this was his first exposure to "life" music and dancing and that he couldn't understand the concept of watching dancing. "Why do that?...crazyearthguys...dancin' is dancin'...I boogie dude"... It was immediately clear that there was no way we were gone sit down like "crazyearthguys...When the program ended an hour later, we were informed he "coulda dancin' all night" (we couldna). Riri's joyful jitterbug had been "off-the-wall" (I mean walls)...His waltz wasn't what you would call graceful, but it kinda sorta flowed, and an emphatic cha cha cha was right up there with the tango. When the last notes faded, so did our visitor, continuing to waltz til he flopped on a cushion, soon vanishing, without a word.
A quick survey revealed that nothing had been damaged or broken, although our sides hurt from laughing. Diane and I, still smiling, wearily slowdanced to lingering vibrations, 'til they too gradually melted away into the stillness of a very dark night..."Nice bumps, babe".....
Who was it, said, "It's ok to have too much fun!"?
It is ok to have too much fun!
Monday, November 16, 2009
6 –now what?…ice cream melts…what now?
His approach to time remains a stretch for me. Intellectually I get it… time… always Now…but how can one live like that …always in the present…How could you make plans or schedules ?!!
What a character: sensitive, curious, alert, intelligent, persistent, invisible…and… likeable. After a few brief encounters, barely having scratched the surface , I already felt like I knew him in a friendly sort of way
“You like?”
Startled, I turned, and found myself being offered a triple chocolate Dove bar…it had begun to soften, but was still quite manageable …
“Edygrandslowallchurnednaturallightfrenchsilk too much wet!” he declared, “love Dove…I burrow” (again I was afraid to ask where)…He commented, while watching intently as I unwrapped my treat…”Not eat skin? Huh!”
As I explained further, that the “bone” made a good handle, he burped, then, ripping and tearing, dispatched several, reluctant to not eat the “bone” as well. As he tossed the papers I noticed that there appeared to be a wad of a well-chewed “skin” at his three-toed feet. Although I couldn’t help smiling, I felt some anxiety creeping in…I was becoming impatient with the sit-com aspect of his brief appearances. Opportunities for serious exchanges to educate each other about what had suddenly become, at least for me, a different sort of universe, were precious. Time might be Now, but it felt like it was slipping away. How many more opportunities could there, would there, be? I shared my concern as he licked his fingers (three, and an opposable thumb, like in cartoons). His response was a burp once more, and then, “Meet wife? Meet you wife, Now.”
“I…she…,” I hesitated, as he began to dissolve…
“Now…”
“See you,” I whispered…
What a character: sensitive, curious, alert, intelligent, persistent, invisible…and… likeable. After a few brief encounters, barely having scratched the surface , I already felt like I knew him in a friendly sort of way
“You like?”
Startled, I turned, and found myself being offered a triple chocolate Dove bar…it had begun to soften, but was still quite manageable …
“Edygrandslowallchurnednaturallightfrenchsilk too much wet!” he declared, “love Dove…I burrow” (again I was afraid to ask where)…He commented, while watching intently as I unwrapped my treat…”Not eat skin? Huh!”
As I explained further, that the “bone” made a good handle, he burped, then, ripping and tearing, dispatched several, reluctant to not eat the “bone” as well. As he tossed the papers I noticed that there appeared to be a wad of a well-chewed “skin” at his three-toed feet. Although I couldn’t help smiling, I felt some anxiety creeping in…I was becoming impatient with the sit-com aspect of his brief appearances. Opportunities for serious exchanges to educate each other about what had suddenly become, at least for me, a different sort of universe, were precious. Time might be Now, but it felt like it was slipping away. How many more opportunities could there, would there, be? I shared my concern as he licked his fingers (three, and an opposable thumb, like in cartoons). His response was a burp once more, and then, “Meet wife? Meet you wife, Now.”
“I…she…,” I hesitated, as he began to dissolve…
“Now…”
“See you,” I whispered…
Monday, November 9, 2009
5 - seeing is believing - some of what I've seen is believable
Finding an empty cardboard ice cream sandwich container on the kitchen floor lifted my mood briefly. Picture an orangey little character from outer space devouring five or six ice cream sandwiches on your kitchen floor. Finally, after four days, there was tangible evidence, which though it might not be admissible in the courtroom of a spouse, at least reassured me that what I was experiencing was real. However, as hours passed, and the visitor did not reappear , my disappointment and sadness grew.
When he didn't show the next day, as well, I was feeling terrible. it was so unnecessary for him to be frightened. My inability to do anything other than wait and hope was frustrating. It began to dawn on me the following morning that what I was missing wasn't simply the adventure of this exotic and unprecedented kind of experience. There was something about his way, his take on experiencing our land and culture, his insights that seemed to blend wisdom and innocence. I wanted to hear more...
And, just at that moment, I did!
I sorrow I burrow too much ice cream. You like edygrandslowchurnedlight-frenchsilkallnatural? I get some. I burrow else (I didn't ask)...it tooo gooood.
My enthusiastic response frightened the little fella as he extended a soggy half-gone half-gallon offering, in part, to protect himself. It was clear that he had eaten a generous amount and that what remained was melting...It wet , he explained with a shrug, and an awkward smile.
I begged him not to disappear anymore and was there a way for me to get in touch and how much I liked his visits and that I hoped we could keep talking I'll get some bowls and spoons how long will you be around will you meet my wife?!
He cut me off with "carefulhaircutguys liking ice cream?"... Hard to think... hard for seeing...I prefer visit you too. I be back. See you Now?
I was left with my wondering, again, when he would show up, and this time, about "carefulhaircutguys" as well. Where and how could he have experienced such an image? Who was he talking about?? carefulhaircutguys....
When he didn't show the next day, as well, I was feeling terrible. it was so unnecessary for him to be frightened. My inability to do anything other than wait and hope was frustrating. It began to dawn on me the following morning that what I was missing wasn't simply the adventure of this exotic and unprecedented kind of experience. There was something about his way, his take on experiencing our land and culture, his insights that seemed to blend wisdom and innocence. I wanted to hear more...
And, just at that moment, I did!
I sorrow I burrow too much ice cream. You like edygrandslowchurnedlight-frenchsilkallnatural? I get some. I burrow else (I didn't ask)...it tooo gooood.
My enthusiastic response frightened the little fella as he extended a soggy half-gone half-gallon offering, in part, to protect himself. It was clear that he had eaten a generous amount and that what remained was melting...It wet , he explained with a shrug, and an awkward smile.
I begged him not to disappear anymore and was there a way for me to get in touch and how much I liked his visits and that I hoped we could keep talking I'll get some bowls and spoons how long will you be around will you meet my wife?!
He cut me off with "carefulhaircutguys liking ice cream?"... Hard to think... hard for seeing...I prefer visit you too. I be back. See you Now?
I was left with my wondering, again, when he would show up, and this time, about "carefulhaircutguys" as well. Where and how could he have experienced such an image? Who was he talking about?? carefulhaircutguys....
Monday, November 2, 2009
4–Ice cream…we all scream…nice dream…ice cream
God!?…who is going to believe this …? Who would? Have I lost my mind? Who could…? Now… Blabbermacallits…Carefulhaircutguys…God…what next?...
“Ice cream!”
I jumped. The little mind-boggler had materialized, this time, next to me, as I sat at the café table at the edge of our garden, early next morning ,with a strong, sweet, morning coffee. Had this guy been reading my mind... a mind that I was apparently in danger of losing? The delicious warmth of the coffee and admiration of neat dewy rows of late spring lettuces and broccoli and swelling lily buds had been helping to ground me (sort of) but, now, what…?
“Oh!...er….uh…hi…good morning…ice cream? Have a sit… Ice cream…? What about it?”
“Ice creammmm, love ice cream,” he repeated, conjuring recollections of Cookie Monster. “Ice cream too good…merry good…I like…”
“Yeah, me too…how…do you know about ice cream?...where did you get some?”
He looked somewhat uncomfortable as he mumbled, “Door open…I burrow,” and gestured in the direction of our kitchen. “Love ice cream…I burrow…”
“You what?!”
He shrank suddenly and disappeared, this time with an audible pop!
“Wait!” I felt terrible…I wasn’t angry at all, just surprised…and I was so relieved when after a few minutes, he reemerged rather tentatively, and careful to keep a large prickly rosebush between us. I gestured, saying, “it’s ok, I’m not mad” He remained defensive, approaching slowly, seemingly ready to “pop” if threatened.
“Love ice cream…where get?” he asked, relaxing slightly.
“oh, don’t worry, you can have as much as you like…we can get some more…help yourself…”
But, fearful tension returned with a belch, as he cringed, and repeated meekly, “I burrow…all gone…”. This time he faded as if in slow motion, with a soft “I sorrow” in the middle…
“Ice cream!”
I jumped. The little mind-boggler had materialized, this time, next to me, as I sat at the café table at the edge of our garden, early next morning ,with a strong, sweet, morning coffee. Had this guy been reading my mind... a mind that I was apparently in danger of losing? The delicious warmth of the coffee and admiration of neat dewy rows of late spring lettuces and broccoli and swelling lily buds had been helping to ground me (sort of) but, now, what…?
“Oh!...er….uh…hi…good morning…ice cream? Have a sit… Ice cream…? What about it?”
“Ice creammmm, love ice cream,” he repeated, conjuring recollections of Cookie Monster. “Ice cream too good…merry good…I like…”
“Yeah, me too…how…do you know about ice cream?...where did you get some?”
He looked somewhat uncomfortable as he mumbled, “Door open…I burrow,” and gestured in the direction of our kitchen. “Love ice cream…I burrow…”
“You what?!”
He shrank suddenly and disappeared, this time with an audible pop!
“Wait!” I felt terrible…I wasn’t angry at all, just surprised…and I was so relieved when after a few minutes, he reemerged rather tentatively, and careful to keep a large prickly rosebush between us. I gestured, saying, “it’s ok, I’m not mad” He remained defensive, approaching slowly, seemingly ready to “pop” if threatened.
“Love ice cream…where get?” he asked, relaxing slightly.
“oh, don’t worry, you can have as much as you like…we can get some more…help yourself…”
But, fearful tension returned with a belch, as he cringed, and repeated meekly, “I burrow…all gone…”. This time he faded as if in slow motion, with a soft “I sorrow” in the middle…
Monday, October 26, 2009
3 – God?...long-lasting…100% natural…hugs trees…laughs last
The next day, I had been lurking again, for quite a while, by the solar panels, anxiously hoping, and wondering…Now?...when was Now?...had I been dreaming?…hallucinating?…when the new kid on the block materialized behind me. Having been again awake most of the night wondering about our vivid, though dreamlike, encounters, I was eager to talk and came across perhaps a bit rude in pressing urgently… “God…tell me about your god…”
“What mean your god…God...your god…my god…everbodygod … god of everthink, everwho…you not knowing…?
“Er uh…I guess…I guess not…I mean…I…uh…I don’t…I thought…um…it’s just that it surprised me when you spoke of God’s gifts…I mean how could…Interrupting gently, he said simply, “how could not… be…god… everwhere…god in everthink…airs…you…stars…me…clouds…trees (very enjoy hugs)…waters …god IS…! After a pause for consideration… I asked, “what about the Church and the Bible and Presbyterians?”
“Oh, God there too, but, more hard find... fancy outfits, fancy talkin’…God there, maybe shy when bigmouthguys tell god stories…too much fancy, too much loud… God in there somewhere, but more hard find…don’t happy too loud…God more quiet outsydoors type… no like fancy…prefer 100% natural.” After giving me a moment to chew on these words, my friend continued…“Now you tell, why it is carefulhaircutguys loudtalk god allatime?…say, ‘god their side’…they maybe daze and dumbest, yes? …if god their side, why they need talk fraidyscared alla time?…god not preferring … god all sides, everwhere… god in church even…but more better find god THERE,” he said, gesturing toward the pond behind me. As if on cue, a cloud courteously shifted to allow sunshine to shimmer brilliantly on the reflected sky and trees, now rippled by a gentle breeze. Flickery flecks and specks of sparkle brighter than diamonds danced on the surface. I may have felt a whisper of reflective warmth on my cheek…
“God?”
“I be back”…
I turned, mouth open, fingers to my face, speechless…the little guy had already begun to fade…
“What mean your god…God...your god…my god…everbodygod … god of everthink, everwho…you not knowing…?
“Er uh…I guess…I guess not…I mean…I…uh…I don’t…I thought…um…it’s just that it surprised me when you spoke of God’s gifts…I mean how could…Interrupting gently, he said simply, “how could not… be…god… everwhere…god in everthink…airs…you…stars…me…clouds…trees (very enjoy hugs)…waters …god IS…! After a pause for consideration… I asked, “what about the Church and the Bible and Presbyterians?”
“Oh, God there too, but, more hard find... fancy outfits, fancy talkin’…God there, maybe shy when bigmouthguys tell god stories…too much fancy, too much loud… God in there somewhere, but more hard find…don’t happy too loud…God more quiet outsydoors type… no like fancy…prefer 100% natural.” After giving me a moment to chew on these words, my friend continued…“Now you tell, why it is carefulhaircutguys loudtalk god allatime?…say, ‘god their side’…they maybe daze and dumbest, yes? …if god their side, why they need talk fraidyscared alla time?…god not preferring … god all sides, everwhere… god in church even…but more better find god THERE,” he said, gesturing toward the pond behind me. As if on cue, a cloud courteously shifted to allow sunshine to shimmer brilliantly on the reflected sky and trees, now rippled by a gentle breeze. Flickery flecks and specks of sparkle brighter than diamonds danced on the surface. I may have felt a whisper of reflective warmth on my cheek…
“God?”
“I be back”…
I turned, mouth open, fingers to my face, speechless…the little guy had already begun to fade…
Monday, October 19, 2009
2 - earthsadness...God is in the details...the time is always Now
For the remainder of the day, and all night, my mind had a tough time wrapping itself around my experience. No traces of evidence remained to confirm my encounter, so my mind kept trying to get a handle on whether it had even taken place. In any case, I made no mention to my wife. I didn’t want to provoke her already suspicious regard for my approach to reality. Next morning, after she left for work, I sat, somewhat hopeful, on the cushiony grass of a slope near the solar panels, and continued with my puzzling. Weary after a restless night, I laid back, in the “nothing-so-fair-as-a-day-in-June”-sunshine, and drifted off almost immediately after closing my eyes, “just for a minute.”
The words, “Do you unnerstand you earthplanet don’t happy , very trouble…,” invaded my siesta. My earnest little visitor hadn’t apparently felt a need to wake me, before picking up with a conversation we hadn’t even started. His eager gentle shyness had clearly given way to serious, somber overtones. He seemed as disturbed as me about an ailing planet whose remarkable beauty had attracted his attention from afar, and as I learned later, it was what drew him into range of the irresistible power of its gravity. Then, out of nowhere, “Earthguys no appreciatate God gift.”
I was astounded “God’s gift? God? What…do you mean…? He returned my incredulity, “You not knowing God…? Creator of anything, whole enchilada, everwhichway what is there, God in it…in flower… tree…(preferring hugs)…I was confused…There was silence…then he added,“we more talk again maybe…I like …?”
“Yes, soon…me too…hopefully…I would like that…When? Is there a time I can expect you?
“Time?” What mean time?
“You know…like 10:45… I was surprised by my struggle to explain, when suddenly his face brightened… “ I get! You mean Now. Where I come, Time now, always …Now…we talk now…,” and as he faded to invisible “Seeing you now …!
The words, “Do you unnerstand you earthplanet don’t happy , very trouble…,” invaded my siesta. My earnest little visitor hadn’t apparently felt a need to wake me, before picking up with a conversation we hadn’t even started. His eager gentle shyness had clearly given way to serious, somber overtones. He seemed as disturbed as me about an ailing planet whose remarkable beauty had attracted his attention from afar, and as I learned later, it was what drew him into range of the irresistible power of its gravity. Then, out of nowhere, “Earthguys no appreciatate God gift.”
I was astounded “God’s gift? God? What…do you mean…? He returned my incredulity, “You not knowing God…? Creator of anything, whole enchilada, everwhichway what is there, God in it…in flower… tree…(preferring hugs)…I was confused…There was silence…then he added,“we more talk again maybe…I like …?”
“Yes, soon…me too…hopefully…I would like that…When? Is there a time I can expect you?
“Time?” What mean time?
“You know…like 10:45… I was surprised by my struggle to explain, when suddenly his face brightened… “ I get! You mean Now. Where I come, Time now, always …Now…we talk now…,” and as he faded to invisible “Seeing you now …!
Monday, October 12, 2009
1- I need some help here…an open mind, like an open parachute, is better
For more than four years now we have been enjoying the fact that the electricity we need for our home is generated by an array of photo-voltaic panels on our property. While it’s true that during cloudy or dark times, some power flows to us from the national electricity grid, this is more than offset by the excess energy we contribute to the grid during bright, sunny periods. We are paid for any surplus we generate and it feels good when we see on our monthly production statements that significant amounts of coal and oil were not burned on our behalf. It is important to feel part of a solution to an environmental problem, rather than helpless contributors to the alarming evidence of global warming. Naturally, it sustains this sense of well-being, after particularly windy storms, to go out behind our home to make sure there has been no damage, and that this photo-voltaic system is ok.
During one such an inspection, I had a sudden, remarkable encounter with an unusual creature I discovered half –hiding beneath the array of electric-producing panels. It appeared to be some sort of rusty-colored animal about two or three feet tall that was carefully situated for self-protection under the structural supports of the power source. It didn’t take long to realize this was not a specimen to be found in any wildlife guide. After suspiciously eye-balling each other for a few moments, I felt, from the gentleness of his demeanor, and his diminutive size, that I had nothing to fear.
My spell of amazement continued when he began to speak in a soft pleasant voice saying, “hope you weren’t worry, I sleeped in jungle behind you palace while rezoomining blebbergasters, for long swim where I come.” His “English” surprised me although it did sound as though it had been learned by listening to interviews with Russian hockey players.
With effort, I ascertained ( I think) that this creature was from a starry place, “long and far,” and that he had emerged from invisibility in order to “thanks, important palaceguy, and for help understand stuff.” I gathered that a seven room Cape Cod style “palace” was impressive from his point of view (and thereby the occupants “important “ ), and that he was somehow using our solar electric system to recharge his means of transportation. As I scanned uncertainly and unsuccessfully, seeking evidence of a spacecraft, he continued, saying that he “trouble understand me explain difference between earthguys for ‘Universe Story’ I rechurching.”
Then, before he could elaborate, he began to fade, dissolving like a daydream… disappearing…gone…
“What the…what…Wait…hey, wait…”
During one such an inspection, I had a sudden, remarkable encounter with an unusual creature I discovered half –hiding beneath the array of electric-producing panels. It appeared to be some sort of rusty-colored animal about two or three feet tall that was carefully situated for self-protection under the structural supports of the power source. It didn’t take long to realize this was not a specimen to be found in any wildlife guide. After suspiciously eye-balling each other for a few moments, I felt, from the gentleness of his demeanor, and his diminutive size, that I had nothing to fear.
My spell of amazement continued when he began to speak in a soft pleasant voice saying, “hope you weren’t worry, I sleeped in jungle behind you palace while rezoomining blebbergasters, for long swim where I come.” His “English” surprised me although it did sound as though it had been learned by listening to interviews with Russian hockey players.
With effort, I ascertained ( I think) that this creature was from a starry place, “long and far,” and that he had emerged from invisibility in order to “thanks, important palaceguy, and for help understand stuff.” I gathered that a seven room Cape Cod style “palace” was impressive from his point of view (and thereby the occupants “important “ ), and that he was somehow using our solar electric system to recharge his means of transportation. As I scanned uncertainly and unsuccessfully, seeking evidence of a spacecraft, he continued, saying that he “trouble understand me explain difference between earthguys for ‘Universe Story’ I rechurching.”
Then, before he could elaborate, he began to fade, dissolving like a daydream… disappearing…gone…
“What the…what…Wait…hey, wait…”
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