Collections

I've been thinking about collections. What we collect intentionally. What we collect inadvertently. Moving does that to you. Suddenly you don't have rooms and rooms and rooms, not to mention basements, to put things away or display them.   Instead you find yourself reviewing and evaluating. Things that were saved more or less by chance turn out to the ones that make  you catch your breath. The beginning of a collection you started after thinking and planning -- not so much.

With most of my collections either in a storage room or my car, I'm thinking about what's necessary and what's important. What is it I really want to collect from here on out?  Can't take up a lot of space. Probably shouldn't be breakable. Well, what do I find myself going back to? Recollections. Recollections of moments. Moments when I stopped dead in my tracks and said:  That is the most beautiful or amazing or moving or fill in blank thing I have ever seen/experienced. I guess it won't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me that one of those moments was the first time I saw the Lippizaner stallions perform in Vienna. Or the daVinci cartoon in the Tate. The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi. More recently Diego Rivera murals in Detroit. Standing on a mountain in Austria and experiencing the power and serenity and peace and trying to internalize all that.

So I think the answer is that I'm going to collect moments. Moments that make you stop, literally stop, to take it in, to try to absorb. I won't even need to grab my iPhone for a picture. That would only be a distraction.  They'll be there, in my head, in that catch of breath. That's what I'm doing now. I'm collecting moments.

The Following

For those of you who are interested, I'm reminding you that tomorrow night's episode of The Following is the one in which my friends, the serial killers, arrive at the farm.  From the snippets last week, there will be a lot of scenes in and around the house.  Of course, there will also be the usual bloody bits as well.  If you don't catch this episode, don't worry.  They'll be at the farm for about five more episodes.

A Word of Advice

Do not leave three sleeves of Vernors ginger ale in the back seat of your car.  Especially with the weather in Michigan last night.  Not  a good idea.  On the bright side, however, it was the back seat rather than the front and it was still frozen this morning when I discovered it so I was able to extract most of the debris in solid/ice form.  Lots better than mopping it up.

theadventuresofdotty

This time in Michigan has been both restful and productive.  A chance to reconnect, especially with a lovely lady who is about to turn 92.  When I was in elementary school and high school, I think I spent more time at her house than I even did at my own house.  She is indeed a second mother to me and I was so happy to see her so well.  In fact, I really think she's faster at getting up a flight of stairs than I am.  I wish her the best of Happy Birthdays and many more days to enjoy.

My friend's surgery was accomplished successfully and seems to be already showing some of the good effects she was hoping for. Good news all around.
Meanwhile I'm proceeding with my plans for warmth this winter. After stopping off to see the grandkids in Chicago, I am heading for Savannah. I've rented a house in the historic district, within walking distance of the beautiful squares and the river. Sounds good to me although I have a few more things to do in Michigan before I hit the road.

Arrived in Michigan to support a friend through some surgery. Promptly found myself attending an Ethics class and a class dealing with Genesis. Wondering if this relates in any way to the repurposed churches I've found myself in recently.  A new research project perhaps.

If you find yourself in the Pittsburgh area, I can definitely recommend the Church Brew Works.  It's in an old decommissioned (I have a feeling that's not the correct technical term) RC church.  The booths are made of old pews and the architecture is the usual cavernous style of churches from a generation ago.  The beer, however, is excellent and is brewed on the spot.  I stayed on the lighter end of the spectrum and liked Celestial Gold and Pipe Organ Pale.  It also features pierogies, both traditional and non-traditional and is a friendly, enjoyable place.  Let me tell you,  this is way better than fast food or the usual chain restaurants that surround motels.  After all, I'm not in a hurry and stopping off to explore a place that sounded interesting was  for sure a good idea.  Now I'm really looking forward to the Contemporary Crafts Museum tomorrow and further progress toward Michigan.

I'm on my way!

The wrapping paper has finally all been cleared away and Christmas is now a memory, so let the adventure begin!
I've just come from a gallery opening at Theo Ganz Studio (theoganzstudio.com) where Kit and several other artists in various media were exhibiting. So glad to be able to be a part of it.
Tomorrow I put the last bits and bags in my car and I'm on my way. In the spirit of this adventure, I've decided not to just drive on to Michigan. I'm adding an interim stop to keep things interesting. One visit will be to a brewery/restaurant in a former church. Somehow I feel Martin Luther would approve. Full report to follow.