I have written a lot about how much my husband loves walking, but I have a dirty little secret... I love walking too. I have a standard route that I take at least twice a day; it’s so familiar that I could do it with my eyes closed. Also, this route gets me exactly to 10,000 steps. (I know the number is made up, but I have to get there.)
Whenever I need a pick-me-up, and I needed a few this week, I head to one specific block on my route. This block is home to what I call the Mini-Museum. Now, I famously don’t love museums — I’ve never understood the right amount of time to stare at a piece of art. I’m always standing there for too long (trying too hard) or too short (what, you didn’t like it!?) so I usually forgo them altogether. But not the Mini-Museum; it lures me in and sends a jolt of lightning through my at-times cynical heart.
This establishment, run by some fine neighbors who I don’t know but hope to soon, asks local residents or some not so local (recently I saw a piece from Michigan) to submit their drawings via a mailbox. Doodlers must sign their name and age (bold!), and afterwards, the gallerinas will laminate the piece and showcase it as the museum allows.
Today, I took an extra lap to check out the art of one of my son’s best friends. She had drawn a family portrait, and I’m a huge fan of her work, having seen it regularly at daycare. I had more fun seeing her art on display for all of our neighborhood than I did the Sistine Chapel. There was no pressure to look at it for a long time, and I didn’t have to crane my neck. But really, it is the good-hearted nature and humanity of this whole project that gets me feeling all warm and fuzzy. Below are some of my favorite pieces in the current exhibit.
Pure happiness