On Retreat

The weekend was a great success. Definitely well appreciated. I drove home, had breakfast with my fam, and with a camera and a notebook, headed for Chicago.

I love taking the train. It is always very relaxing. There is always comotion and panic from those who fear missing the train but then when all ends well there is always a sigh of relief-and all is peaceful.

From the station, I headed to the Chicago Art Intitute making a few pit stopf to take pictures on my way. I was on my own and I was loving it. I took pictures of plants, buildings, anything and everything. I had no schedule. I was on retreat...my retreat!

I finally arrived into the museum where I befriended the information desk receptionist. She suggested the European wing and I sped towards Europe "on the second floor".

It was great because the first paintings that I saw were gargantuan and alive. I'm not an art aficionado but I do find creation and technique through art such a gift to our humanity.

The gift to create from scratch that which makes you love life, that which makes you--well, you. One's elation in one's creation must really give one a tiny glimpse at the feeling God had creating man, the world, and the universe.

The first few paintings I saw were of St. Francis. I guess he must have been traveling with me because there was a lot of St. Francis around at the museum , and everywhere else too.

Good to know I was enjoying my time with a friend.

I also saw a few of Claude Monet's works. The texture of a painting and the style of the painter look you traight in the eye. The poster knock offs one buys are like the "sparknotes" of a great classic.

The whole time I wondered what the painter was thinking while painting. What was going on in their lives that made them shade something one way or another?

Either way, it was great to see.

I then headed to Mass where the homily was about St. Francis and taking time to spend alone with Jesus. It was really good to know that this retreat in the city was exactly what the "doctor" ordered.

Of course I spent the day at a few of my favorite stores, not too many though, but just enough.

By this time I met up with my cousin and we headed to dinner to a little restaurant that was highly reccomended by a friend. Really a great meal.

The rest of the evening we spent it walking around, taking pictures and even visiting some bars.

All in all Chicago is "my kinda town!"