I have been dreaming...

Yes, it is true! The mear fact that I am sleeping long enough to reach REM is astounding enough, but non-the-less, I am dreaming.

These dreams are not reminiscent of soap operas, or even flashes of my earthly history. They are simply very vivid waves of color. All the colors of the universe, blending, bending, spiraling, flashing, holding and fading. Somewhat like the acid trip concerts of the 1960's. I never feel sad, or really happy, just peaceful. I am not sure what it means, if anything, but there are plenty of explanations to be found on the internet.

The search for "vivid colored dreams" yields a variety of definitions, with vast discussions, and no two seem to agree. I stopped searching when I found a link to Native American beliefs. It appears that historically, every tribe and even certain bands of tribes had their own thoughts on the meaning of dreams. Historically, each of these groups were held together with two specific threads in their belief structure. One, that the inner centre, The Self, or the guiding spirit of a person "is realized in an exceptionally pure, unspoilt form". Two, the more vivid, or colorful the "vision" or dream was, the more open the dream doorway was to a wider awareness. Now, what does this mean to me? I guess my dreams are calling for a staring roll in "The Technicolor Dreamcoat" or something! Who knows, I simply appreciate the depth and peacefulness they are bringing.....

This morning, I went to the book store. Not an unusual event for me, but this time, with no real direction in mind. No title, no author, no list of topics. Not even the thought of looking for dream definitions! I simply walked in, and looked for books that seemed somehow "vivid" to me. I walked around for a little bit completely focused, and then started to feel like I was being watched. As I turned down an aisle to look under fiction, I saw my spy. The book store harbors a renegade cat. All black, very tame and completely comfortable living in the bookstore. I had seen it before from outside, but was never able to find her inside on previous visits. This time, she sought me out.

I stood motionless at one end of the aisle, and she at the other. Then, after a brief moment she stuck her tail straight up, turned slowly, walked slightly away, and then looked back at me over her shoulder. "She wants you to go pick her up"! This from an older gentleman tending to the magazines on the wall. "She usually gets what she wants, so if you don't give her some attention, she will keep following you!" Trust me, I needed no one to tell me to go pet the cat, I was already on the move! I walked to the end of the aisle, and the cat turned to the left and jumped on the arm of a chair. I sat down, she crawled up on my chest and looked me straight in the eyes. She purred before I even started petting her, but never once did she stop looking me in the eyes.

After awhile, the same gentleman asked if there was something specific I was looking for. "Yes, something that I normally would never pick out myself" I told him. He smiled, patted the cat on the head and asked me the last book I read. "Shutter Island" I said. Of course I did not tell him that SSG referred me to the book back in September and I did not read it until last week-end! He looked up to the ceiling, then back at me and said, come with me.

I followed respectfully behind the clerk, and the cat in turn followed me. He handed me "The Given Day" (another novel by Dennis Lehane - author of Shutter Island...) and said this one is quit different from what I had just read. He also handed me, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein and "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. I looked at him and asked what these were about, to which he replied "about getting something you would never pick for yourself! After you read them, come back and tell me if I chose wrong!"

As I was at the register, the cat was weaving in and out of my legs, purring and half mewing. I smiled down at her, just as an elderly woman entered the store. She had to be in her eighty's at least, with a plastic hair bonnet, clip purse and full length rain coat. She walked slow but firmly, and sat just to the right of the door to take off the bonnet. The cat, at full speed, raced over to her, leapt at least four feet from the Lady and landed gingerly on the arm of the chair. This cat then looked the Lady right in the eyes, pushed her head softly into the woman's chin, and the daintily curled up on her lap. I just love animals!!!

Two odd topics, I know, but somehow in my head they go together, or at least one after the other. I don't know, who does? Anyway, I am now going to make a few phone calls, then start reading a new book! I hope your day is turning out as peaceful and relaxing as mine is!!!