Monthly Archives: May 2025

Head Down

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This week has been busy and starting to feel long enough that I’m not even sure what day it is. Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out but it is a little disconcerting.

I hiked on Saturday and found myself and my bum leg on a rather steep stretch of hill. While better than a month ago, the knee and shin don’t always work together well so that hill was challenging. Rather than worry about it, I just put my head down and kept my eyes on the ground so the sheer steepness and difficulty wouldn’t intimidate me too much.

I made it up with no trouble and was quite proud of this small victory.

This has more or less been my approach to this week. I have mostly been away from home. When I do go home, I feed the cat and go to bed. Work has been busy. I look forward to the quieter days ahead when I can sit at a desk and dig into my to-do pile.

Meanwhile, I’m keeping my head down while I push up the hill.

The bright side is that many hours in the car have given me podcast listening time. The bad news is that creative projects aren’t going so well. It’s hard to feel inspired when you’re in constant motion and tired.

It seems the theme lately has been “I just have to get through THIS and things will be better.” Yet, I get through “THIS” and there’s always something else to distract and slow me down.

Does this sound familiar to you? Can you relate to the sentiment that if it’s not one thing it’s something else?

I’m certain I’m in good company here.

This brings me back to something I wrote earlier this year that encourages us to just do whatever it is we need or want to do because time waits for no one. You can read it here. I actually wrote that story for me because it was something I needed to read at the time.

Evidently, I still need the pep talk because it’s as relevant today as it was last month.

In one of the podcasts I listened to today, I heard an author say that she was having trouble writing and set a goal for herself to write one word a day. Just one. Some days, she literally wrote one word or two. Some days she wrote a thousand words. But in the days she couldn’t muster much, at least she was still doing something.

I liked this.

We tend to believe that we have to do the big jobs for it to count. If you never start a big project because you think there’s no time, that’s not nearly as effective as setting ten small goals and actually chipping away at them.

Remember, even when the hills are steep and especially when the hills are steep, it’s a good idea to keep your head down and focus on one foot in front of the other.

Now excuse me while I go figure out what day it is!

PS- Before you ask, the featured picture is from the hike but not of the hill. It never occurred to me to document that segment of the trail!

The Color And Light Of Randyland

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Last year I finally made it to Pittsburgh’s famed Randyland but avoided writing about it because I honestly didn’t know what to say.

The truth is I loved Randyland but didn’t completely understand it even when I was standing there. All these months later and I can’t say my understanding is any clearer. 

It’s color and light, trash to treasure, and a sense that all are welcome. It’s the eclectic and commonplace colliding to create memorable outdoor art. 

It’s free to walk through but there’s a price to pay – the cost is that you’ll see and read things that are hard to forget and may cause you to think.

I feel like I’m not explaining this very well. 

Some call it an outdoor art museum. Some say it’s one of the most important art exhibits in the country. Personally, I think the place defies description. 

Essentially, Randyland is an outdoor space on Pittsburgh’s northside that’s filled with murals and repurposed stuff made into art with lots of words and quotes from Randy himself. 

Who is Randy?

We met him briefly and he is lovely. His name is Randy Gilson and he seems to have created this place to foster a community where he belongs. On a sign he wrote

Hello, I’m Randy Gilson. Have you ever been bullied? I’m different. I’m retarded. I’m a broken tape measure. My life understands ME. I will never be like you. I’m happy. Please be happy. Everyone is unique, a gift.

From what I gather, Randy has been homeless in the past. He has been a community advocate and has worked to bring people together through art, gardening and being kind to others. He reminds us all that we are ok. No matter what others tell us, we are ok, just as we are.

No matter where you stand in this museum, there is something fascinating to see. And no matter how long you look, it’s impossible to take it all in.

I know plenty of people who would just call it a pile of junk but that would be a mistake. There is beauty to be found in the wall of empty but still vibrant paint cans. There’s intrigue to be found in the way old crystal chandeliers sparkle in the sunshine. There’s wisdom to be found in the words and in the way random objects are united in unexpected ways. 

Not everything is meant to be defined or even described. Randy calls himself a broken ruler and says he will never fit in, will never be like everyone else. 

I actually find that admission and that acceptance a breath of fresh air given how many of us work to fit in where we find no acceptance where will never belong. 

If you’re ever in Pittsburgh, the address is 1501 Arch Street. Go see it for yourself. Meanwhile, check out Make The Journey Fun on Facebook. I’ll post more pictures there because there were too many to share here.

Joan Of Arc Out Of Storage

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Once in a while you find yourself in a place where you turn a corner and are astonished by what you see. I live for those moments. Whether it’s a meadow of wildflowers, a mural that brightens an alleyway or anything else that’s out of the ordinary, I’m all in for these experiences. At the library in Piqua, Ohio, there’s a life-sized statue of Joan of Arc that sits, unceremoniously, in a corner. 

I entered this space to admire the beautiful light streaming through the windows. Imagine my delight when I turned to see her.

Created by Henri Chapu in 1872, this is a plaster copy of the original by the Caproni Brothers of Boston. The tag next to her says that this piece appeared in their 1914 catalog. It was purchased and presented to Piqua High School by the Class of 1917. She was exhibited at the high school for many years. 

Sadly, her identity was lost at some point and she became the “Squaw” to go with the Indian statue that was exhibited in the high school lobby before moving to storage. The tag tells us that she was discovered in the basement of the Board of Education Office, brought to the library, and restored by the Piqua High School Art Club. It was during the restoration they discovered her identity. 

There is a lot to unpack here. First of all, the library inherited several pieces of artwork when the old school closed. That’s how they have so many interesting things to enjoy. 

Second, she’s beautiful. I have read that Henri Chapu was a classical sculptor who explored bringing elegance and naturalism to his work. This piece was especially popular among the nineteenth century French who were fascinated by Joan of Arc.The original marble statue can be viewed at Musee d’Orsay in Paris along with other works by this artist. 

It’s worthwhile to note here that the Caproni Brothers were famous for their work manufacturing plaster copies of classical and contemporary statues. These pieces were largely created for educational purposes to give people access to art and antiquities they otherwise might never see. They are mostly found at major universities and other places with more wealth. To have one in a local high school was kind of a big deal and it’s still a big deal to have access to this piece today. 

I’m thrilled that she was kept safe all those years but, golly wow, what abuse and neglect she endured. Hundreds of years before Piqua, Ohio was a place to find on a map, Joan of Arc died at the age of 19 after overcoming gender roles to become the defender of France. She’s a patron saint of France. It seems like we should remember her name, tell her stories, honor her significance and not call her “Squaw.”

Luckily, she’s out amongst the living today and in a place that will keep her safe. I’m hoping the librarians tell her tales, encouraging young girls and women to be the hero of their own stories.

Art At The Library

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Yesterday I gave you a glimpse into the public library in Piqua, Ohio. It’s a magnificent building that was hopping with people on the Saturday we visited for a look-see.

I’m a big fan of any institution that encourages people to expand their horizons. Libraries are wonderful resources for free programs, book clubs and things that you might not expect. Some libraries now loan items like bicycles, guitars, crock pots and power tools. I have seen a couple of libraries that allow you to borrow people to talk to. Some, including Piqua, have a maker’s space where you can access a 3D printer, sewing machine, photo editing equipment, and more.

They also have interesting things like local art and historic artifacts on display. 

Step inside the library in Piqua and, if you’re like me, you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. An imposing fireplace, columns, stained glass, marble and a beautiful glass ceiling give the eye plenty to devour. These elements create a tremendous big picture but there are so many details to appreciate too. 

There is art from local residents and some plaster copies of famous sculptures to be found around the building.

Incidentally, there is enough to see that I didn’t realize until going through photos that I had missed that there’s a bookstore inside the library. Friends, I have never once in my life missed a bookstore, especially a used one. By golly, I missed this one!

Places like this are increasingly important as our economy worsens and as priorities shift in terms of funding things that enrich our lives. Places like libraries, museums and other things that brighten our day and help us learn but don’t make money are vital to many of us. If your budget is tight, check out your local library for events, things that are beautiful and materials you can take home and learn from at your own pace. If you’re close to Piqua, go check out their art!

Piqua, Ohio Library Is Worth A Stop

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Before traveling, I research local libraries at or near my destination. If there’s a Carnegie Library or if there’s something interesting to see, I’m nearly always willing to travel out of my way to visit.

A couple of months ago I found myself in Piqua, Ohio with a few hours for exploration. I had read about their spectacular library so we went for a look-see. 

It is described as a Richardson Romanesque building that was constructed as the Piqua Plaza Hotel. At five stories, the 1891 building is a massive and imposing presence in the city’s downtown. I had to look up Richardson Romanesque because I wasn’t familiar with the name. It uses stone walls, round arches and contrasting colors to create a heavy appearance. This style was popular for public buildings between 1880 and 1900. While I recognized the style, I had no idea what it was called. 

The hotel was built in 1891 with 100 rooms. Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft are said to have visited here. Tragically, the hotel began to fail in the 1950s and was boarded up in the eighties. It was renovated in the early 2000’s.

We talked to a nice librarian who shared some interesting facts and stories about the place. He also shared some of the more recent history when the building was preserved to give three floors of space to library patrons, storage and a ballroom operated by the city. Each floor is accessible by an elevator that uses the hotel’s original elevator shaft. 

Friends, this building is magnificent. I couldn’t believe the magnitude of the building from the outside and could only say “wow” when we went inside. A black and white tile floor, gorgeous woodwork, high ceilings, artwork everywhere, a backing, a restored skylight and so much more make this space feel special.

And when I say special, I mean truly special. If I lived closer, I would be there all the time. What a magnificent place to write, to discover new books and to explore unexpected ideas. It’s sad to think how close this building came to the brink when it was boarded up in the eighties. 

It has the feel of an art museum with busts, reliefs, paintings and other pieces all throughout the building. You’ll find something interesting to study and enjoy in every nook and cranny of the public space. What a delightful place to explore on a rainy day! And all I could think is what a fun, exciting, intriguing place to be a little kid in search of adventure through books!

The Piqua Library is located at 116 West High Street in downtown Piqua. If you’re in town, swing by and have a look around!

I will write more about some of the artwork and historic pieces on display here so check back another day!

When You Arise

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When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Marcus Aurelius

The rain will be back today, creating ideal circumstances to see a movie, linger at the coffee shop or to catch up on chores. Whatever you do, make today count!