ARTWORK SAGA:

STAINED  GLASS
Oakland, CA
1974

The first piece of artwork I'd like to explore is a fabulous 38" x38" stained glass.

I was visiting the Oakland Museum in 1974 and toured the Art Glass Exhibit. I saw the stained glass piece in the ‘for sale’ portion of the show. Well, I fell in love with it instantly. It was on the lowest row of several stained glass creations. Well, I plopped down and sat on the floor mesmerized.

Alas, it was Sunday and the office was not open. I talked the guard into taking a check to be turned in the next morning. I called first thing Monday morning. It had been bought! Phooey! However, they called me two days later and said the first buyer had backed out! It was shipped in the biggest crate you can imagine.

The actual piece appears in “Glass Art Magazine” April, 1974, page 42: A. R. Lewis. ‘#60’.

The glass changes color according to the angle viewed or the time of day!

At night the image reverses and it becomes blue and mirrored!

It has hung in my house proudly ever since.

TIDBITES SAGA:

TUSCAN GRILL
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

It's in the old cultured pearl space on Wilmington Avenue and it's been redecorated—okay. 

It's your typical Italian type ordinary restaurant. Mary Ann, Ted and I had dinner there. Mary Ann had a steak salad, Ted had eggplant Parmesan, and I had lemon veal. All were satisfactory to good.

It reminds me of an Olive Garden, albeit not quite as good. I don't particularly like chain restaurants but in this case Olive Garden surpasses.

This is not a "destination" type place but it's okay for a quick, inexpensive Italian dinner—assuming you can abide "touristy" type places.


   ---Don Voth, your friendly reviewer.

TEN DC PLACES SAGA 6:

THE KREEGER MUSEUM:

Also designed by Philip Johnson. Former home of owner of GEICO, the private museum houses 19th and 20th Century art ranging from Monet, Picasso and Renoir to Stella. Little known but a real treat.

The Kreeger Museum (1967) is a modern building that has a timeless quality. American architect Philip Johnson, with Richard Foster, accomplished this by making obvious references to the past and combining those with a modernist vocabulary.

Johnson and Foster were challenged to create a structure that could serve as a residence, a museum and a recital hall. The modern building that they designed not only fulfills these functions, but with a classical style. To achieve this, Johnson and Foster blended modern features with historic quotes. For example, the domes of the structure allude to Byzantine monuments like the Hagia Sophia. 

As you move through the building, you will notice transitions from small to large spaces. This was inspired by Egyptian tombs. The use of the module, the 22 foot cube that is the basis of the building, dates back to Roman architecture. (The Great Hall, for example, is three modules long.) The result of these historical references is a structure that seems timeless.

Next, an Interesting House.

BODY WEIGHT SAGA 12:

ONE YEAR AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY!

I'm doing great. My body weight has stabilized at around a 50 pound weight loss.

My medidical condition is MUCH better! My Stage II diabetes is gone as well as my high blood pressure, cholestrol problem and sleep apnea. I have Stage III kidney diease, BUT my GFR (Globular Filtration Rate) has gone from 46 to 60! which is a boarderline, Stage I condition. (My kidney doctor is amazed.)

My outlook on life has improved, I have a better feel about myself and I still get complements on my weight. I'm certainly glad I had the surgery.

Time to take my anniversary picture.

BEFORE 12/5/11, 225#

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NOW, 225# to 176# = -49#.

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