to get away...

The Toledo Museum of Art was a surprise. Normally, one wouldn't think of Toledo, Ohio as having a great art culture, but it does.

At 8:30 AM on this Saturday morning, I was hopping around outside of the Howard music hall, attempting to keep warm. [i knew i should have gone back for my warmer coat...]

Honestly, for most of the cartime, I was asleep. [no doubt mumbling and likely drooling. but they were nice and didn't tease me] I've seen enough of southern Michigan and northern Ohio to know that there isn't much to see. Especially on a rainy morning in April. [indiana is still uglier, though...sorry, kayris. you and indianapolis are the two exceptions]

Stops included the Gathering and a little Indian buffet for lunch. [the best food i've had since...spring break] The company was true, and previously unknown for the most part, which was lovely. We buffet-ed our way through mango lassi, curry chicken and rice, fresh pita, more unprouncable yet delicious substances, and even a bite of rice pudding. ["gotta love how your 'no-regrets' lifestyle includes trying the rice pudding, trish"]

The building was about three times as big as I expected. This is no podunk museum, kids. This is the real thing. Marble, wood, stone, minimal glass, low security, and no tape on the floors. Art should be accessible.

you don't need my pictures on your wall

And Art we did see... Fearless Leader lectured a small group of adoring fans through ancient [700 b.c. was a long time ago] artifacts, pointing out recognizable figures, techiques, random facts, and a few letters. I gained [enormous] satisfaction at being able to translate "of the Athenian contest," even though some of the letters were worn. [that's why you're working like a madwoman and taking a stupid dead language, em. so you can read 2,500 year old pottery.] I mean, honestly, though, isn't that the coolest thing ever? I can tell you're impressed by my skills.

We admired sculpture and Egyptian artifacts, laughed at grotesque carvings, praised jewelry, and prudishly averted our eyes at the lack of ancient clothing. [naturally. what did you expect?]

Then we moved on to the rest of the world. I wish I could express how much I enjoyed my time in the museum. I found many old favorites and discovered some new ones. I already knew that I loved Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh. And they had quite a few originals! [sweeeeeeet] I also discovered Ganguin "Tahiti," Vuillard "La Salle Clarae," and Pissarro. I didn't get nearly enough time to wander or truly appreciate, but I'm anxious for more. My three newest favorite paintings are "Interior of Courtyard Strangade 30" by Villhelm Hammershoi, "Fortune Teller with Soldiers" by Valentin de Boulogne, and "London Visitors" by James Tissot.

I love pre-twentieth century French art.

So many paintings, sculptures, and carvings...I was awed and silent.

Stephanie and I also did some wandering through the modern art. Most of what they had was unmovingly grotesque or just plain lame. We had some good discussions about skills, good and bad art, creativity, design, and colors. We have similar tastes and philosophies, and I want to go back and look around more with her!

Thanks to Fearless Leader's generosity, we each made wishes in a waterless well in the middle of a jigsawpuzzled courtyard of several ancient monestary walls. I probably should have wished for a better Greek grade, but I didn't...

All too soon, they were kicking us out, with too many exhibits unseen and unappreciated. I got the sudden urge to watch "How to Steal a Million." I have a feeling Toledo is going to become one of my favorite midwest places.

I'm strongly considering making Classics into a hobby, and getting a minor in Art History. [would you like fries with that?]

this ain't about the things i've done
where i've been or what i've won
when i get this feeling
it's hard for me to come back down