Pittsburgh

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My first, live and in person, NFL game! The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. The Carolina Panthers. I wore my most awesome Coors cap with a deferential nod to my Dad and absolute favorite football fan, without whose guidance I would not have learned that an hour is relative or how to yell at the television with impunity. I also could have watched far more Sunday Matinees.

I regret to inform my Dad and countless football fans that attending the game did not result in my conversion to a fan. Football in person is just as long and boring as it is on television. Give me hockey! I was, however, delighted by the fabulous Pittsburgh skyline, giant ketchup bottles that poured out their secret sauce, the energy of enthusiastic fans waving Terrible Towels, and the generosity of our friend George, who gifted us the tickets. Life is good!

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When I am world weary and heart heavy but cannot escape this mad collection of bridges, hills, and gulches, I head to the Phipps. I wander, my fingers skimming, searching for scent, my eyes alighting and darting, delighted and eager as butterflies, from plant to plant to plant. The stubborn knots of my troubled soul are loosened by the order and wickedness of nature, where all are needed, all are beautiful, yet none are spared the end. The vanilla of orchids, the whoosh of air on silken leaves, the hum of bees and wasps, and flower after flower nodding in surrender and approval. We are one.

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Fooling around in the Yayoi Kusama works at the Mattress Factory, a contemporary art museum on Pittsburgh’s North Side. It is very unique in that it is about spaces, indoors and out, and the art isn’t hung on the walls, per se. It is drawn on them, holds them up; it’s strung hither and thither to the ceiling, the floor; it is a place to sit, an organized pile of chaos, an illusion, a light (or an absence of it), even sound. Wonderfully wondrous, a bit wild, too.

 Catso, Red

James Turrell

Winifred Lutz

We saved our visit here and the Carnegie (below) for the hubster’s parents to enjoy with us. Hello!

The Mattress Factory occupies a collection of neighborhood buildings. I spied a lobelia making the best of a crack in the pavement on our way to the next exhibit.

It makes me think of a Subterranean Homesick Alien, which always makes me happy.

Living Things

Jacob Douenias / Ethan Frier

This did not read this blue in person, but I like the look of it anyhow. Follow this link if you’d like to see a more accurate representation.

The Color of Temperance: Embodied Energy

Julie Shenkelberg

Shift Lens

Anne Lindberg

Even the shadows look like art.

Trace of Memory

Chiharu Shiota

City of Asylum

House Poem

Huang Xiang

Burma House

Khet Mar

Across the Allegheny for a delicious lunch break at The Porch (NO pictures! Shocking.) and a little tour of the Cathedral of Learning

Inside the Carnegie Museum

Having Fun/Good Life, Symptoms

Bruce Nauman

Triangular Solid with Circular Inserts Variation D

Dan Graham

Telling Vision #3

Tony Oursler

I don’t know who made this, but I sure like it.

Happy Friday!

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We Get Around

Holla! Happy Tuesday from Pittsburgh’s North Side. When I visited to house hunt, I stayed, for the very first time, at an airbnb. The hubster and I are old hats at renting vacation houses and apartments, preferring to see a place as the locals do, but we’d never ever considered renting a room in a home while the owner was present. That’s weird. Well, peeps, it pays to branch out, because Jonathan (pictured on the left with his boyfriend Andrew) became my first friend in Pittsburgh! He is a true man about town, knows this city better than anyone I know, and is a terrific person, all around. We met for dinner at the Monterey Pub (the place we first ate together – we’ll always have the Monterey, Jonathan!), had drinks at Andrew’s, and topped off the evening with Banjo Night at the Elk’s Lodge. We did not win the 50-50 raffle but hit the jackpot with a celebrity sighting of Ewan McGregor! Fun!

Heinz Hall

The Grand Concourse

Pittsburgh:

A city of well preserved architectural gems,

bridges,

sharp angles,

super cool murals,

war memorials,

churches,

and staircases!

 

 

 

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Up early on Friday for a hike in North Park with our friends Kristen and Patrick (Hello!). Oh my goodness, with hiking, bird watching, kayaking, places to eat, and many a lovely vista, it’s like all of my favorite parks rolled into one!

Good times on the roof of a parking garage to see Jaws! It’s bloodier and funnier than I remembered.

 

More fun at the Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival, benefiting the Ligonier Volunteer Fire Department. Friendly folks, sweet singing, and some mighty fine picking!

Throwing it back to May, with our first visit to Randyland and Max’s Allegheny Tavern. Wonderful and delicious…

And our borough’s car show. What a treat to be able to walk down the street and see so many beauties!

Hope you had a lovely holiday…

 

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