Friday is the day I volunteer at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, VA. I like the idea of contributing to the community I live in and I also love this particular attraction. The private collection is solid and the building that houses it is fabulous. I applaud the community for having had the daring to hire the architect, a former student of Frank Gehry, who created the design. The materials, use of space and light, and external features all reflect the mountain landscape of which it is a part.

The current special exhibit is American Impressionism in the Garden. Attendance has been excellent, and we can hope that some of the viewers will later become members. Today there was a special tour of the museum and the special exhibition for the Yale Class of 1965 Reunion. About forty “Yalies” from all over the country were there. Didn’t find out why it was held in Roanoke.

I found time between yoga and going to the museum to check on a big, heavy pot that I wanted for the deck. There was only one left, so I dived in and bought it. It’s perfect for the big fern that is going to live in the corner.

Trip preparation today is going to be some hemming and checking to make sure my toiletries are complete. When I traveled for work, I was on the road so often that I was always prepared. Now, it takes a whole week of “miereneuke” (roughly translated from Dutch as ant fucking) tasks just to get ready for a ten-day trip!

By the way, temperature in Rotterdam tomorrow is forecast at 55 degrees. A week from now it may get up to 58 degrees. Think I’ll pack an extra sweater!