Pondering piece

[Mousetoescamper]

The wooden statue usually sits atop a cabinet in my kitchen. I set it beneath the lilac in my garden during a rain shower this afternoon.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Well, my dear Mousetoescamper . . . I'm wondering just what this is.

And is this the way you normally see it?

At first glance, it looks almost human, as though it were sitting cross-legged with its head bent over what looks like a bandolier.

But my interpretation doesn't quite work.

It is a very well exposed photo with a very puzzling subject!

So, what is it?

[Mousetoescamper]

2. The design is often called the "weeping buddha" and sometimes the "shy man"

There are a lot of these around. They seem to have first been made in Bali during the 1980s. The statue belonged to a dear friend who died in 2011. He was a daily meditator, as I was for many years. It's a piece to ponder.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Thanks! I guess I wasn't too far off anyway. How about that? It did make me ponder! nt

[2naSalit]

3. It took...

A moment but I see a human figure, cross-legged, bent over, head in hands.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. That's great! I was way more puzzled than you were. And now I see it too, quite clearly. Thank you! nt

[2naSalit]

6. ...

You're welcome. The fingers were confusing at first.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. They sure were! As I said, they sort of looked like a bandolier!