A few pages from my Comfort book for Carrie, to bring me comfort and peace after my brother's passing.
    We spent yesterday in the exquisite Walter's Art Museum in Mount Vernon, Baltimore, MD. It was originally a private collection of William Thompson Walters, born May 23, 1819, from Liverpool, PA. Walters moved to Baltimore at the age of 21, made his fortune and married Ellen when he was 26. He and his wife had 3 children but one died in childhood. Henry, born in 1848, and Jennie in 1853, survived. Walter began collecting art with his wife in the summer of 1861 in Paris, then traveled through out France, to Italy Switzerland and England. Ellen died of pneumonia when she was forty years old in 1862 and William continued collecting with even more intensity to attempt to dissuade his grief. After the war, in 1865 he and his children returned to Baltimore. His son eventually became involved in his father's art collection and carried on after his death. Their collection of 22,000 works of art from 55 centuries of art formed the basis of the collection and today the collection contains over 35,000 works of art including an expansive Egyptian collection, china, Faberge eggs, illuminated journals, French Impressionist paintings, bronze statues and so much more!  Insights From a ChildTheir are endless opportunities to learn and enjoy for all ages as evidenced by this young person's observation in a "What have you discovered?" journal encouraging comments.
Today's class on Impressionists was filled with reminders about my trip to Paris with Nancy. Our instructor is superlative. He wove insights, knowledge and wisdom through out the course, giving whole new meaning to what we experienced this summer.
The gardens - floral and water lily - were spectacular, and the home was warm and inviting, such a contrast from our earlier visit to Versailles. His reverence for beauty and love of nature filled the area with peace and serenity.
His home, filled with spectacular Japanese prints, was breathtaking. Seeing his masterpieces, hung and stacked in his studio was the high point of an already surreal experience. If I ever go back to France, seeing Giverney again will be at the top of my list. Loved the hustle and bustle of Paris, but the aura in and surrounding Monet's home and gardens was more my preference. .
 Hecate’s herb, garlic, has been used to guard against vampires, monsters, being struck by your enemies, the plague and threatening weather. It also induces lust, a theory I validated on a trip to Italy. Ha!
It would be hard to imagine a more perfect weekend!!!! Carrie and her family came all the way from New Jersey - 8 of us altogether at my favorite restaurant in Towson, Strapazza's, for the season's last Feet on the Street. It was a wonderful evening of laughter, dancing and celebration - Happy Birthday Jill and Michael! What a gift to have all of you come to Towson and include me in your festivities! Saturday was a delight - back at Strapazza's for lunch with Mycala and then off to the exquisite Court House Gardens. Sketched several times over the weekend and Zippy and Sparkiie took walks and had a Sunday afternoon date! And to add to the celebration, the Ravens and the Orioles both won today's games.    |
Welcome!! I’m Mikell (pronounced Michael). If you love spicing up your life with herbs, recipes, decorating and crafts, symbolism and rituals like I do, I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter and free Enhancing Your Life with Herbs e-book!
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MikellMikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life! |
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