Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York

What an awesome week.  I started out headed to Dallas for a business meeting and then when leaving town, and while at DFW Airport headed to Chicago, this little guy hung out with me for quite awhile. 

A quick breakfast meeting in Chicago and then on to Minneapolis for a producer training session.

The best part of the trip started once I left Minnesota and headed to New York.  I arrived Newark and went into the city and was able to stay on Lexington in the theatre district (thank you love!) and have dinner at Joe Allen's that night.

 

Although a bit chilly spring was clearly in the air. 

 

Seeing the NYC Library - at 5th Ave and 42nd St was top of my list and it didn't disappoint.  The library lions, Patience and Fortitude, are a pair of marble statues world-renowned that stand proudly before the majestic Beaux-Arts architectural style building.  Although not the original names from 1911 when first presented, they were given their current names in the 1930s by then Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression.  If the lions look familiar it's no surprise as they are featured in countless movies, television shows and in literature. 

 

Reading Room 

Research Room

 

Loved it!

 
Then on to Grand Central Station located at 42nd and Park for a look at the fabulous terminal that's been around since 1871.

and iconic St Patrick's cathedral - a must see - and then . . .

 

Central Park which was lovely in the sunshine and filled with weekend revelers.

 

Then a perfect ending to the day . . .

 

This play was so much fun, and because I didn't know anything about it ahead of time the content was quite unexpected and hilarious.  Suffice it to say, I laughed a lot!  And then a decadent late night snack, martinis and other delicacies.

 

Next day Bergdorf Goodman - where else? - for some new "readers" (seems like I always need a pair and theirs come in a beautiful red leather case), and then The Frick,

where I got to see incredibly gorgeous art and their featured item of Don Quixote tapestries.  I could have spent hours more there. 

The trip continued with a drive an hour or so north to Chester, NY where I was able to meet artist John Simon and family in residence (courtesy of my dear companion who happens to be a relation of).  John provided a tour of his studio and commentary on his design approach, inspiration and daily work which was fascinating.

Then we all did a day trip together to Hudson on the Bay for a tour of the Roosevelt Library.  Having seen the PBS special http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/films/the-roosevelts  I was really interested to see this space and the Hudson River.  It was indeed impressive.

This was such a memorable trip and I'm so thankful to have had the time, mostly so with someone that makes my heart so happy; I didn't want it to end.

 

 

Spring in Houston

The smell of jasmine blooming is everywhere including my front patio.  It's intoxicating to the point I feel a moment of drunkenness when I step out my door.  Perhaps that's my overall mood these days but that jasmine doesn't hurt. 

Spring is finally here and the saying about April showers has been true.  I've been saying for months that if Houston can string two sunny days together we are declaring a holiday.  But the weather hasn't stopped my sunny spirit and feelings of joy for the whole family.  I've been basking in the glow of Jake and Gina's wedding - already one month ago, and the upcoming birth of Tyler and Gabby's first child in October.  I've already seen my first grandchild's first picture and he/she looks gorgeous to me.

This guy, beautiful adorable Grant James Schluetker, my one and only great nephew, is now 3 years old!  Happy Birthday darling.

Around Houston there's always plenty to do and The Houston museum of fine arts has kept things interesting with their selections of modern and contemporary art including this piece from Ernesto Neto from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Other displays currently showing include Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, then you move into the Cubist avant-garde. There are so many galleries it's hard to keep up but I know I also saw some Surrealist masters such as Max Ernst, Joan Miró, and Yves Tanguy, and Postwar Abstraction works by Anthony Caro, Lucio Fontana, and Ellsworth Kelly.   Newer directions in  Contemporary art have long been represented here in Houston by Jasper Johns, and then more recently by Brice Marden, and Robert Rauschenberg.  Having the museum so close by is like having art lessons on demand - a whole new and beautiful world.

Baltimore, MD

I had the opportunity this week to stay at the lovely Hotel Monaco near the beautiful inner harbor waterfront in downtown Baltimore, formerly the site of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad headquarters. 

It still today maintains a gorgeous lobby with lots of marble and chandeliers.

The history of the property is fascinating as is the B&O railroad itself.  This illustration is showing

a B & O train crossing the Thomas Viaduct (which remains the world's oldest multiple arched stone railroad bridge) near Elkridge, MD this photo from 1835. 

 

The façade of the building (not the best picture) is still evident in today's remake of a hotel. 

  And how can anyone forget this iconic mention of B&O from Monopoly.  Rent $25.  If 2 RR's owned $50, if 3 $100 and $200 if you were lucky enough to own all 4.

 

 

A modern day street scene. 

 

With wonderful and soulful restaurants nearby.

It was the perfect place for a tête-à-tête while also conducting business a few blocks away. 

 

My favorite artist / song this week are compliments of Nikki Yanofsky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFl9SwnItj0.  It's got a jazz beat and she's adorable.  I don't think you can help but feel like dancing while listening to this.

 

 

Home Based week

My time in Houston is starting to draw to a close - I can see the transition ahead.  I'm purposefully making decisions to make this happen.  It's been a great experience for me to be able to live in this city and in the area of town where I do, but I can feel myself pulling away a little each day and starting to think, "am I doing this or that for the last time?".  There's so much to do to make this change happen that some days I feel a little overwhelmed but I know I can handle it.  I'm starting to make lists, prioritize, use colored dots to make distinctions about things, and draw from the experience of my project manager friends.  I believe six months to a year from now my life will look different and I'm ready for that.

This week was completely home based and working with customers who were in "my town" and then catching a Rockets game. 

It's Easter weekend and the first Easter in my life that I can remember that I have no plans with family to celebrate.  But I will have each of you in my heart and know that you are doing well.

A constant thought:

What a life changer. 

 "it's not always rainbows and butterflies it's compromise that moves us along" . . .