Thoughts on the Journey

One of the main things I was hoping for from this little birthday trip was to find new places to discover and learn, which happened. In the morning, we went to Annmarie Garden, a wonderful sculpture garden with a glorious combination of items. There were monumental sculptures, small ones and fairy homes made by local people scattered around. It was a place that invited wandering even though it wasn't huge. My Instagram and Tumblr sites are full of the pictures I took, because everywhere I looked something caught my eye. Places like that make me happy since they're about enjoying and creating art, they run classes and have an Art Lab along with a pretty gift shop. Also being in the shade was much appreciated since the weather has gotten hotter.

Then we went to lunch at the local cafe which was great, delicious food and a friendly atmosphere. Everyone here is nice and that makes the trip even nicer.

After lunch, we headed to Calvert Marine Museum which was so well done. They had natural history, amazing fossils including a discussion of a fossil whale skull and how it was transported to the museum. There were also living exhibits showing the different types of fish that live in this area and some good discussion of invasive species. The history section was interesting, I love seeing the tools of the oyster trade. Best of all was that outside, they had two river otters who were playing and I was able to get a few picture. Otters make me happy.

Now I'm sitting in the B&B watching the marina as my phone charged after I used up all the battery taking pictures.

Today I spent two hours in the University of Michigan Museum of Art to help some fellow SI folks with a project but it ended up being just what I needed. Yesterday I sent off another job application and this morning woke to feeling afraid that perhaps I'm setting my goals too high. I decided when I went to the museum that I would keep myself open and hopeful as I've been falling too easily into spirals of doubting myself. I'm so glad I did go, because as with every museum, I found pieces I'd forgotten, saw new ones and remembered the power of beauty.

There's a quote I want to use for this entry from Rosanne Cash's Composed that I recently finished about how we need music and art, but I can't seem to find it. That's how I feel today, I feel like I stepped back to when I sat quietly in meeting and found a measure of peace. Today I walked through a museum and I opened myself to beauty and hope.

One painting that I kept coming back to was of Abraham Lincoln as a young boy reading by a fire, it reminded me of what I wish to do. I want to find those children who aren't sure about reading and get them excited, I want to open doors to other worlds.

Below the cut I'm going to put an image of the painting as it connected with me and I want to share it.

( Boyhood of Lincoln by Eastman Johnson )