Excellent weekend - capped off with the first Mass at the renovated Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Paul and I were able to go to the Mass because it was open to employees of the Archdiocese. It was an interesting experience for several reasons - to start off with, we had to walk by all the people lined up for food at Our Daily Bread next door to the Basilica. It made a real contrast - it was a cold and windy day and people were hurrying by wearing fur coats and their Sunday best, while the poor people lined up. I was a bit nervous about being panhandled with Paul with me, but it was OK. Our names were supposed to be on a special list for admission, but of course they weren't, so I had to talk my way in, but it was OK. The Mass was wonderful, complete with the choir and brass ensemble and organ - the church is wonderfully light and clean and just magnificant in general. It was very special to be able to bring Paul to the Mass and I missed Karl greatly.

The day before, Paul and I went to the Museum of Industry near the Inner Harbor. It is small, but interesting. Paul was particularly drawn to the machinery in the machine shop. There are working models which I would like to see in operation. Made me think of my dad and grandfather and how much they would have enjoyed the exhibits. Included were several displays of how Baltimore led the way in one industry or another, but what really piqued my interest was a display of old black and white photos taken by a Baltimore Sun photographer - fantastic. What an inspiration. I'd like to have copies for myself.

Now, I'm all jazzed to go to the Walter Art Museum in a couple of weeks because they have copies of medieval missals with an exhibit timed to coincide with the events surrounding the basilica's reopening. This is all so cool.

woman at the well