A beholder sees the beauty

I met a friend for a Sunday afternoon adventure on the Mall in Washington, DC.  It is a great time of year to visit museums; the tourist traffic is low, and parking is free on Sundays.

We found that the weather was so beautiful that it was more pleasant to be outdoors, and we spent much of our time walking or sitting in the gardens outside the Smithsonian castle.

One place we sat was a bit removed from the higher traffic area, adjacent to an overgrown perennial flower bed with many spent blossoms and plants going to seed.  It was actually quite pretty and refreshing to see things in their natural fall state - exhausted plants wilting and brown, a few blossoms thrust forth in defiance of the cold and end of the summer season.

Rather than dig them up and toss them out, the Smithsonian gardeners thoughtfully and lovingly left this flower bed in its natural state, preparing for winter and giving the perennials a chance to build up some reserves for next summer's show.

Several parties of tourists walked by.  One visitor commented "This looks ugly. Can you believe they left this," pointing to the perennial bed.  Others in the party nodded in agreement.  Clearly these folks are more accustomed to vacationing at theme parks where there are no natural cycles - things in decline are quickly removed from the public eye and replaced with full-bodied blooms.

From the "Ugly" garden

Thank you Smithsonian for not always making it picture perfect but letting nature create its own show.  In a city where there are more unnatural disasters than natural ones and where reality is distorted by constituents and the elected alike, it is refreshing to see that the real truth is allowed to be seen on occasion - and that natural cycles bring beautiful things too.

Little Fall Beauties

Dudley and I took long walk this morning and observed magnificent colors and the most interesting little tidbits of nature.  Otherwise, the day was mostly bland.   Clouds covered an anemic sun that never broke through for more than a few minutes.

But on the cloudiest of days, nature's colors shine the brightest.

My own mood, up and down with the falling temperature and fading light, was lifted and I rejoiced that I had the pleasure of a morning walk to revel in it, and a chance to thank God for his seasonal bestowing.

Following is a sample of what I saw in my garden and in the woods.  One of my favorite encounters was the tiny spider guarding the last of the pink petals - as if his life depended upon it, ready to defend of the remnants of a fading season.

Quarterly Review

After three months it is time to take a close look at a new relationship.  Stockholders expect a dividend.  Employers measure productivity.  Partners in a dating relationship make assessments too.


I took a look at the first quarter of the rest of Dudley's life, and some of his characteristics, and let him offer a few comments in response.  (Dudley is a rescue dog.  See Love at First Click for background)  I hope you enjoy.

Athletic ability:   Dudley is not much of an athlete.  He  loves to swim just enough to get wet.  He likes to run but he doesn't do it very often.  He is more of a marathon sleeper!

• Dudley:  she takes me for long walks every day.  She's able to keep up with me pretty well but sometimes I have to really yank that rope to make her hurry along, like when there is a RABBIT across the street.

Looks:    What could be more handsome and delicious than chocolate fur and beautiful soft floppy ears?

• Dudley:  everything is black and white to me.  I can see her and I like it when she looks in my eyes in that special way.

Nature-loving:   Dudley loves long walks to hunt for neighborhood rabbits and chipmunks and he has a beautiful pointing stance when he has his eye on one.  He finds toads catches bugs and loves to poke around under bushes in the garden, or dig a hole or two

• Dudley:  there are definitely not enough rabbits in the neighborhood.  She's pretty good about wanting to share these experiences but that rope keeps me from meeting my goals.  Just when I get close, she reins me in.  But every now and then one of the frogs gets out of the big water bowl in the back yard and I chase it until it jumps back in.

Wealth:  Never have I seen a dog with so much love to give.  He worships me, constantly aware of where I am, what I am doing and what I am eating!  His eyes tell everything.

• Dudley:  boy am I one lucky dude.  My first three years were not so great.  No fancy chow, no regular Milk Bones and nobody who loved me like this.  I used to worry about when I was going to be given away again; I haven't thought about that in a while.

Enjoys relaxation:  This dog is one expert napper.  He sleeps most of the day and all night.  He peeks out of barely open eyelids, not wanting to miss a snack or a field trip.

• Dudley:  the Kind One never sleeps but she sure does like to sit in that chair with the lighted board in front of her.  Some mornings I am ready for our walk long before she is and the waiting is intolerable.  This must be how humans relax because she does an awful lot of it.  My favorite time is when she scratches my belly.  Belly rubs are the best way to relax!

Protective:  That boy can bark!  No intruder could get past the front door or any other entrance without Dudley announcing them.  He is also extremely protective if he perceives danger.  Normally a calm and unruffled fellow, if he thinks another dog could harm me, he defends with every ounce of his energy.

• Dudley:  it's my job to make sure the house is safe and She is not in any danger.  Sometimes it just feels good to let out a big bark, and another and another.  But nobody is going to take Her away from me.  

Well-traveled:  Dudley came here from Missouri and he has already been on two long car trips totaling almost a month and about 3,500 miles.  He is a great traveler and loves the car rides and adventure (and the treats).

• Dudley:  when She says "want to go for a ride in the car?" of course I act enthusiastic.  She sounds so happy about it and, after all, sometimes it means treats and always means spending more time with Her.

Hunting for chipmunks in the wood pile

Intelligent:  Dudley is not the world's smartest four-legged, but he has enough smarts to get along just fine.  He is clueless about the danger of going in the street.  While he now knows to sit at the curb until I tell him he can cross, he fails to comprehend why.

• Dudley:  She doesn't understand that this sitting at the curb business means wasted time that could be used in chasing rabbits.  But it makes her happy and if I don't do it she won't cross the street.  Not smart if you ask me, but she gets along ok.

Already into our second quarter, Dudley and I make a pretty good team and I feel blessed with dividends.  He's good company and just the best sort of chocolate friend anyone could ask for.