MASS MoCA.

Sounds like a powerful coffee drink at first glance.  I am sure they had a cup that packed a punch at the snack bar.  That is just speculation.

In North Adams, Massachusetts, you can find MASS MoCA.

The Massachusettes Museum of Contemporay Art.

The last museum of modern art my dear wife, Carrie, and I visited was the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis many years ago.

Look, I am not purporting to be a great art critic by any means.  Heck, if it hadn’t been raining, we would have gone to look at flowers at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge.  As many times as we have meandered to the Berkshires, we have only threatend to go check out MASS MoCA.  This year we made it.

As much as I enjoy gazing at a Monet or put the pieces of a Picasso together, I too enjoy the imagery and light that I find in some modern art.  Look, as long a Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” is at home at the Art Institute of Chicago, that museum will never cease to be my mothership of art.

Still, taking in many of the pieces at MASS MoCA was a most pleasant experience.

I was able to take photos of many of the exhibits, though some were off limits.

Both ends of this piece.

There were many more but I did not photo them all.

What is it?

Now and again a vision out the window provided a bit of an impression too.

So too were some of the walkways from one building to another.

I am a sucker for light in my art taste.  Stems from how Hopper can brighten up and contrast a scene like no other for me.

The buildings across the way were great to look to.

We had plenty company.

My favorite picture of the day; I think it is.

Enjoyed looking here as well.

I will never be the art expert I would like to be.  But in the end its not about knowing so much as feeling when it comes to favoring an artistic exhibit.  Don’t get me wrong.  There were a few exhibits that were not my cup of porridge at MASS MoCA.  I walked on to enjoy what I wanted to next.  I did not waste time complaining about that which I can’t and have no right to control.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson

The Marc Cohn song “Walking in Memphis” comes to mind as I write this post.

Earlier this month I took a walk in Indianapolis as my dear wife, Carrie, was on a Zoom Meeting call.

Monument Circle in Indy is impressive.  Seen it many times lit up during a Monday Night Football telecast that does not give this thing justice.

The Indiana State Capitol building.

The last time I was in this building I was with Brad McCammon picking up a 10,000 dollar check for Medora Schools from Tony Bennett.  The check looked like one you would get from Publisher’s Clearing House.  It was awkward, given Gov. Daniels seemed set on closing small schools.  Bennett gave his signature “three point” speech.

Indy’s Circle Center Mall.  Many a good burger was eaten here before a Colts game.

What a beautiful Catholic Church not far from Lucas Oil Stadium.  This church has been here a great deal longer, I can tell you.

It is lovely.  I sat in a pew and said a few prayers.  There is a different and better world in a church sancutary.

Exterior view of church getting some work.

Serious work.

Indy bragging of its college basketball legacy.  My brother-in-law swears I am the holder of the record of seeing the most Indiana University football games with having never seen a college basketball games.  He is probably right.  I have seen more than 70 FBS teams play in person all over the country and have seen well over a hundred IU football games in Bloomington.

The house that Peyton built.  I have said it before.  Peyton Manning has meant more to Indiana football than ANY other individual.  No contest.  Greatness will do that.  Though I have never seen a Colts game in this new barn, I saw many at the Hoosier (RCA) Dome.  I have seen a few college games here.

Banker’s Life Fieldhouse where the Indiana Pacers play.  I tell folks I have heard two people sing here.  Paul McCartney and me.  Paul sang 36 songs.  I sang the National Anthem.

My attempt at artsy photography.

The I-5.  No race better.

I attended a meeting in Indy while in town.  It was a great room and a positive experience.  Both are rare in education conferences.  It was all about making progress and not making hot air.  Again, this was refreshing.

A meeting with a real cup of coffee.  Can’t beat that at Kroger.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

Once again our screened back porch takes on the position of aviary for another group of hatched Wrens.

They are something.  They get their flying chops is short time and it is always fun to see them flitter across the width of the porch and catch a piece of screen before they hit the deck.  Sometimes they hit the deck.  But they are resilient and tough little critters for sure.

They will sit for a while and wait for their next move.

Looking out to the bigger space that waits for them when they are ready.

These photos were taken yesterday and there has been no sign of them on the porch or on the nest at the edge of the southeast awning.

I feel like Opie watching Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod take off.  It was fun while it lasted and not a bit of bird poop on the chairs.  They are polite too.  Until next Spring, I suppose.  They’ll be back.

Beyond the hay and the trees in the background there are probably folks canoeing on the Blue River as I type these words.

I walked three miles yesterday on my path and only saw two vehicles go by.

It was very nice.  Mid-80s.  A little breeze.

I consider this my reward for surviving a five mile walk on New Hampshire’s Highway 101.  That was an adventure in crossing a bridge, dodging cars, walking on my tippy toes at times, and a great deal of my own resilience and the power of prayer.  Glad I lived to tell the story.

Hope all have a good weekend.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson