Saturday Explorations

Saturday was a gray day in Boston. We expected sunshine. We got a light drizzle instead. Still, it was pleasant enough for a good walk.

Tom and I shunned the subway and decided to walk to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum about 20 minutes away. Two subway stops or a twenty minute walk makes this ISGM practically in our back yard. So why even consider the subway? Well, spring weather in Boston is still a bit chillier and damper than in Georgia. My hips and my knees have been protesting even when I think it is a beautiful day. Mom always said, "It's hell to get old".

Anyway, back to our walk. Boston, on foot, is a city of angled streets, uneven brick or cobble sidewalks, entire blocks of attached 5-7 story buildings, trolleys, and sirens. Lots of sirens. Day and night sirens. If you aren't watching your feet so as not to stumble, you are looking over your shoulder for where the siren is coming from or going to.

The street level of many buildings house shops of all kinds. There are lots of ethnic places to eat, an Au Bon Pain (Boston's upscale answer to Waffle House) on every corner, dry cleaners, Starbucks and convenience stores. On the more residential streets the tall, narrow, stone or brick buildings have minuscule front gardens, big stoops and, if we are lucky, glass doors so we can peek into the tiny lobbies possibly to spy some vintage tiles. Real estate takes up valuable space in a busy city like Boston. Several apartment buildings posted inventory signs out front listing the available units. I didn't see a thing under $2500 a month with an occasional spike to $3800 a month. These buildings are OLD. One would expect them to be completely and newly renovated for that kind of money. Somehow I doubt the are. I think the price is driven by location, not condition.

Spring is just beginning to bloom in Boston. There are daffodils everywhere. The tulips are not quite ready. I don't know the variety, but there are magnolia trees in bloom, oven in double rows lining the city streets. Swollen buds are showing on most of the other trees with tiny green leaves beginning to peek out. Pollen is in the air (NOTHING compared to what we experience in George!) and my allergies are in full swing.

We had already experienced the emergence of spring before we left our southern home. We are enjoying the process all over again up north. Having spring come twice is delightful. So much more pleasant than going through two winters in one year.

The Gardner Museum is a 4 story structure behind the Museum of Fine Art. It is not very imposing from the outside. Like many Boston structures it is set very close to the road. Housed in a 15th century style Venetian palace called Fenway Court, the inside consists of 3 floors of galleries built around a stunning courtyard. The art and artifacts are the personal collection of Mrs. Gardner's travels around the world. The art spans centuries and includes significant, well know pieces. One afternoon is certainly not enough time to fully absorb all the culture and beauty.

I had not done any research on this museum before we went so I was suprised when I asked a security card about the empty frames found amidst other prominent exhibits. Apparently there was a major art heist at the ISGM in 1990 that has not been solved to this day. I love a good mystery so upon arriving home I went straight to my computer to dig up some facts. If you love a mystery too, then I suggest that you might enjoy exploring this website: http://boston.com/news/specials/gardner_heist/heist/

Today, Sunday, is clear and sunny. Kelly is feeling pretty chipper. She 'seems a bit more independent today. She is fussing with droopy flower arrangements, insisted that she take a small bag of "botanical waste" to the garbage chute and passed the visiting nurse's exam with flying colors. She is starting to think about going back to Albany and their beloved lake cottage. The dog has been at "camp" for almost 3 weeks. I am not sure who is missing whom more.

Kelly expects to have her third, and final, drain removed tomorrow. If the surgeon gives her the green light we will begin to make our plans to leave the wilds of Boston for the tranquil countryside of upstate New York.

I'll keep you posted.