Montreal Subway Baby

This is a map of Montreal's underground subway system. I'm happily planning my trip there late this month and early next month, and am going to use the Metro system for most of my travel.

The subway system started in the 1960's, and was widely hailed for its' quiet, efficient trains. My hotel, as I understand it, is somewhere near the middle of the orange line, on the bottom third of the system.

This is just one of the many aspects of this old city I am excited to explore.

Under my Fingernail

This is Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait With A Straw Hat". Ordinarily,. I would spend time discussing the artist's choices of color, the brush strokes, the way he was trying to express himself.

But not this time. This is a confession.

In the summer of 1977, I took my first high-school trip to New York City. One of the first stops was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We had 2 whole hours to explore the collections. I knew nothing about art, but I had seen this painting in magazines and books.

It drew me in. I stared and stared at it. I just wanted to be a part of all those colors.

I got closer. There were no guards in the room, and no electronic security systems around the painting. I leaned forward and took a deep breath.

I put my finger up to the painting, and touched it. What Vincent Van Gogh painted all those years ago was now a part of my cellular structure.

A little piece of yellow paint came off and it stuck under my fingernail.

It stayed there all day, as we saw "Pippen" in a matinee on Broadway, at Mama Leone's Italian Restaurant for dinner, and later that night, at the New York State Theater, as we saw the Metropolitan Opera perform "Carmen". I fell asleep during the 3rd act. But the paint chip was still there.

When the bus dropped us off at our high school in Pennsylvania, around 4 in the morning, the paint chip was gone.

I never told anyone until I was in my 30's. And the person I told was horrified that I defaced a work of art.

Didn't think of it that way at the time. I just wanted to be a part of that beauty.

What does he MEAN???

I think I've figured out much of 'lil Dudley's communication, but I have a LOT to learn.

Here's what I know. When he comes up to me and barks, we need to begin the game of 20 Questions.

"Do you have to go potty?" --- one bark in response.

"Do you want to get your bone?" ---again, one bark in response.

"Do you want your supper?" ---- bark bark bark HOOWWWWWWW
Got it. That means YES.

That means ONE bark means NO!

But what about when I ask him a question and he sneezes and shakes? It means SOMETHING....but what?

A Google search says shaking, when a dog isn't wet, is a stress response. But to WHAT? Is it a number 1 request? Number 2? Dudster, please come clean.

Perhaps a haiku will express my frustration.

You sit there and shake
My questions have gone adrift.
What is it you want?

Back at it

Fever broke late yesterday afternoon. And while I'm not as chipper as Mr. Happy Heart-guy there, I'm a bit better.

So what's up with YOU?

In a Haze

The blogging has returned! But I must admit, I am doing this in a fevered haze. It's been so long since I've had a fever like this, that I forget what it's like. Let me explain, in the form of a Haiku:

Dizzy, warm and yet
oddly calming, this dis-ease
rocking me to sleep.

But, after several weeks without a blog, I have found a way to re-create the magic:

Trying hard to write
But there's fear since I've been hacked.
Will they hack again?

I look forward to sharing my love of art, dance and other things cultural with you again:

Paintings, sculpture and
Oceanic objects d'art
Will return post-haste.

As you can see, I am rummy with fever, causing me to create haiku willy-nilly:

Get me Ginger Ale.
Maybe ice cubes in a glass
thirsty. Quench me PLEASE!

That's it for now. I miss you. Let's chat soon!!!

Going back to bed.
Enough postings for one day.
starting to giggle.

'bye!