Life is a Verb: Week 5

The simple definition for verb in grammar is that it is the action word in the sentence.  So if I were to extrapolate this a bit I could say rather than Life is a Verb --- Life is Action.  And if that is the case, then I have definitely lived this week!  

Geoff and I managed to get on the road around 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon.  We arrived in St. Louis around 9:30 Thursday night and both of us were asleep by 10:00!  However, we got up bright and early the next morning and were walking into the St. Louis Zoo by 8:30am.  What a wonderful zoo!  While we paid $11.00 for parking, admission to the zoo is free -- quite a bargain in the 21st Century.  We tons of animals and I took about 250 pictures - but my all time favorite exhibit is the Penguins!  You can't help but smile looking at these carefree birds in their formal wear.

We then drove to the Hill section of St. Louis - the Italian neighborhood, as it were.  Oh my - this took us back in time to the "old" neighborhood of Bridgeport, CT where all the cookie cutter houses lined the streets and each neighborhood had its own local deli, bakery, and restaurant.  We had great fun walking around the area, catching the National Bocci Ball Tournament, and buying authentic Genoa salami, scamorza, and Italian cookies by the pound.

The drive from St. Louis to Chicago was about five hours - but due to construction it took close to six.  We arrived late Friday night and once again, were fast asleep within 30 minutes of our arrival.  On Saturday we visited the Art Institute of Chicago and I was in Heaven.  We spent about five hours at the museum, which wasn't nearly long enough to see all that I had hoped to see, but long enough to give me sensory overload.  I have decided that I would like to become a member of the museum.  You are allowed free admission for two adults and that way we could visit the city over a long weekend and spend a couple of hours one day looking at the European paintings, a couple of hours another day looking at the American paintings, and a couple of hours a third day viewing contemporary art.

Steve Jordan - Niko Bolas - Brian

The highlight of Chicago was to visit our son in action.  He was in the city from Nashville to record some well-known artists at the legendary Chess Records Studio.  Geoff and I were allowed to visit for about an hour where we saw Steve Jordan (drummer for John Mayer), Pino Palladino, Tamio Okuda, Ron Wood (guitarist for Rolling Stones), and Hubert Sumlin (retired guitarist from Muddy Waters).  While I am not familiar with any of these musicians, I must admit that it was fascinating to watch them just sit around and jam for fifteen of twenty minutes.  While I took several pictures of the musicians in action, I must confess that I took just as many photos of my own son.  In my book, he was the TRUE star of the group.

I have already recounted our trip home via Field of Dreams, which was one of the best parts of the weekend.  It was a short trip, but very eventful and at the same time, somewhat relaxing.  It was wonderful to get away.

So while this week did not focus on the posted topic, I did attempt to get out there and LIVE life - not just be content with a passive response.  I am still ruminating the thought of taking care of me first - so that I have the resources available to take care of others.  Old habits die hard, and while this appears to smack of selfishness, I am learning that there is truth in these words.  I thank you all for your kind responses last week; they have helped immensely.

This week's meditation is short, sweet, and sassy:

My friend Pat spoke...."I'm so sick and tired of middle-aged white women saying they need to find their voice.  I've heard that a million times.  I just have one question for you:  If you did have a voice, what would you say?"  (page 127 - Intimacy section)

WOW --- that kinda puts me in my place, doesn't it?!