Cleveland, Degas, Oberlin and More (Janie part 7)

 

Janie (Part Seven) November ₂₀₂₃

Dan and Netti help take all the randomness of Cleveland trip out of play. With enough notice, I’m able to check in to the Winton Place (19^th Floor) with all the amenities of Lake View, bed, bath, and luxury condominium living. My wanna get away Southwest airfare is manageable if a bit archaic traveling to Cleveland via Chicago Midway and returning to Saint Lous through Nashville, TN.

Dan is airport pick up and treats me to a Crumb + Spigot pizza in Lakewood on Friday Night and Janie agrees to be on the Saturday agenda starting with a breakfast at Cove Community Center meeting celebrating Dan’s participation in gardening excellence as part of the “Adopt a Spot” at the entrance of Lakewood Park.

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a special exhibition of Degas and the Laundress. Janie indulges my obsession with CMA and even agrees to visit Picasso’s La Vie, Bellow’s Stag at Sharkeys, and Mark Rothko’s #2 Red Maroons (1962). Janie reminds me that “We have theater tickets” and agrees to return to Lakewood for a late breakfast fare at Dinerbar.

The play is Girl from the North Country which is set in 1934 Duluth, Minnesota and features music by Bob Dylan. The play is packed with a talented troupe that presents a sort of convoluted story around the lyrics of Dylan’s songs such as Like a Rolling Stone, Hurricane, and Forever Young. 

Note: Bob Dylan wrote Forever Young in 1974 as a sort of lullaby to his son Jesse (born in 1966). How cosmic a coincidence is that? Janie and I went our senior prom together in 1974.

Sunday began at St. Clement’s with a 8:30 am Mass followed by a breakfast at My Friends Lakewood. The afternoon was open for a “bucket list” trip to Oberlin, Ohio where it was Parents’ Weekend, Dan and I enjoyed the history and charm of Gibson’s  grocery/bakery/pharmacy, Ginko GalleryArt Supply, a Frank Lloyd Wright House, Fowl’s Farm Store and more. The Allen Art Museum was not open (giving me a reason to return to Oberlin). 

But the time with Janie (after baby-sitting two grandchildren) was just perfect. We are still High School Sweethearts and both living in the moment and mindful of Bob Dylan’s lyrics from 1974.

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young