A beautiful day in Pixieville, U.S.A.

Doc Bubbles: It’s such a beautiful afternoon in Pixieville. I went for a walk at lunch, and had a lovely meditation.
Questioner: you call it meditation. Did you close your eyes?
Doc Bubbles: no, I couldn’t bear to, the day was so stunning. I sat by the Rotary Fountain that, in all its decrepit glory, set out four streams of water from four furry mouths. Sparrows came and splashed and drank from the top, then flew down and warmed their bellies on the hot concrete. I thanked God for them.
Questioner: Did you sit still?
Doc Bubbles: I shifted my position a few times, and moved to get out of the sun. It is still that warm, in October! And the sky brilliant blue! But I did focus on my breathing, I noticed my lungs filling with air and letting it go, while the water droplets splashed in the fountain.
Questioner: Did you find silence, at least?
Doc Bubbles: I heard it all and thought:
Little boy with fighter jets in each hand, zooming in on the fountain, Praise ye the Lord!
Backup-warning-beeps of great delivery truck, Praise ye the Lord!
Maple tree starting to turn, only letting one careful leaf drop with each breeze, Praise ye the Lord!
Old Tercel, with bumper stickers proclaiming an opinion on every issue arisen in the last 10 years, Praise ye the Lord!
Questioner: yet you call this meditation? This is just a kind of fair weather practice, that depends on the, well, fair weather.
Doc Bubbles: maybe it’s centering prayer
Questioner: maybe not
Doc Bubbles: It felt so good.
Questioner: meditation rises above feelings, does not get entangled in them, or dependent. What will you do on a gray day?
Doc Bubbles: so I shouldn’t rejoice in this most glorious day?
Questioner: rejoice if you want to, but don’t call it meditation or centering prayer.
Bubbles: just prayer?
Questioner: Doc Bubbles prayer, I’d say.
Doc Bubbles: Oh well.