Me and Rothko

So we made it to Washington DC after 11.5 hours and 806 km and only 3 bathroom stops!! One of the things you learn when you have more than four kids is the difference between an "I'm bored" I have to pee vs an " I really have to go" I have to pee. Parents who have learned the skill of differentiating between the two don't have to stop every two hours.

Today we went to a couple of unexpectedly inspirational places. The first being the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Former students of mine will recall my love of the theological principles expressed in architecture, especially those who completed their church projects ;)

 

The Basilica was no exception. It was beautiful inside and out. I also took advantage of the massive bookstore where I purchased a whole bunch of books, a couple of them being recipes from a monks kitchen. Many people have the (wrong) impression that monks live on only bread and water, not so! Sometimes they even have beans! But on special "feast" days, they put on quite a spread. Actually having worked at a monastery in one of my previous career directions, I know first hand that monks eat pretty darn good.

The second inspirational stop we made today was the national art gallery, where I got to stand beside the works of one of my favorite artists, Mark Rothko.

Mark Rothko is an artist who I have come to admire, although I will admit, that I did not really get his works at first. However after getting to know the man behind his paintings I have to say that I see them in a different light.

In fact there are many who say that Rothko's work has the ability to touch the very soul of a person.

Any way here are some pics of Mark and me :)

His paintings that is....

 

More to come!

TiPSI Dad

 

Posted with Blogsy