Come visit again, Rona! I'm a member of the Norton Simon and can take you as a guest. Since your last visit, they've put in a parking lot! And the outdoor cafe--my treat. I love that museum so much. Because we are members, we sometimes choose just one or two paintings to study at a time. Then we eat at the cafe. Looking at one painting for a very long time--the painting changes before your eyes. Anyway, here's to assertiveness and breaking a few rules every now and again. Life's too short to not enjoy one's own sandwich in a lovely courtyard (those sculptures!).
Mary, I can’t think of a better place for us to meet. I am not surprised to learn that you’re a slow and mindful viewer of paintings. LA generally was a revelation for its array of fine museums, the Norton Simon being our pick for most exciting of the lot. If you haven’t already seen this TIME cover story on Norton Simon, you are in for a treat. https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19650604,00.html
What an intense and driven guy! I'm exhausted just reading about him. I love his maxim: “I am in the process of becoming.” Thanks for sending that article my way. He was a true force. I cannot imagine being married to him, but I suppose it had its upsides.
I always head straight to this painting Van Gogh did of his mother. I think I'm the only person who is in love with this painting. This link does it NO justice. The greens are otherworldly: https://www.nortonsimon.org/art/detail/M.1968.32.P/
While I don’t recall this one, I recognize its power. Van Gogh’s treatment of his mother’s eyes is full of feeling. They sparkle, unlike the eyes in his other portraits and self-portraits. (I just looked at a few.) He may not have made her proud but he was a loving son.
“We have a contract with a food supplier!” The words of someone who is headed for greatness. You are definitely a badass, Rona. Love this story, Rona. Had not heard of this museum, but now I will have to make a pilgrimage.
Glad you enjoyed it, Mary. For an art lover, LA is a rich destination, with an array of distinguished museums to keep ypu happily busy. The Norton Simon is our favorite.
Absolutely delightful! As an 85 yr. old mother of three adult children, two of them daughters, I always get a kick out of their call to me to say, " I just had a "Mom" moment. You would have been proud !" I am a Gemini and a very easygoing person until I am challenged by authoritative persons whom I deem to have limited good judgement in matters that concern me. Oh my! I can become one self-righteous , outspoken matron. I will be headed to the Norton Museum soon and will mention your name and wear a red hat! Love your words!
I really enjoyed this story. It reminded me of the scene from Five Easy Pieces, only more polite.
You’re right: our younger selves would have thrown away the sandwich as ordered, and wandered through the museum hungry, thereby denying ourselves the pleasure of full attention and swooning appreciation. We might have even rushed through the last bit because we were feeling faint. All for the sake of an unsuspecting chicken and avocado sandwich!You go girl.
I’m so glad I found you on here! I really enjoyed reading this; I didn’t know which part to restack. I almost picked the paragraph where you threw away the sandwich, but then chose the Picasso parking lot comparison. It’s all so brilliant.
I'm so pleased to find you. My husband and I spend a lot of our retirement time visiting galleries, and are constantly fretting about parking and cafés. And I am getting louder in my complaint!
Why couldn't they have just advised you of the policy, let you eat your lunch and tell you that when you make a return visit - because you'll love the museum that much - kindly order from the cafe.
Love Ronaness of Rona! Admire your courage and standupness too! Go Rona Go! Your stories have the best details and how you insert humor so well! Great piece! 🩷😄
We had our fifth child fourteen years after our fourth one so I was one of the older moms at the parent teacher meetings. This year the teachers sat at tables stationed in the auditorium, and the parents rotated from teacher to teacher. I was aware that the teachers had to talk with many parents and so was conscientious about getting to the point I needed to make about our son. As I waited for my turn with the final teacher, the parent before me took a long time. While waiting, I noticed a father seat himself some time after me. When It was finally my turn, the dad, someone I recognized from the local newspaper as a prominent community member, jumped up and approached the teacher. I stood up and let him know I was next and had been waiting a long time. I approached the table, then turned to face the dad and smirked, "Nice try!" Almost immediately, I regretted the smirk, but it was too late.
You had made your point. I guess the smirk was like that one accessory style mavens say you should remove before leaving the house—the difference between just right and too much. And yet I do feel steamed on your behalf. Some men feel entitled to all the breaks.
I loved the story (and the hat). I wonder what kind of world it is that empowers a manager to give a free pass but not to let anyone violate the terms of the catering contract.
I felt I was going to have a brush with authority recently when I arrived late to join the queue at the immigration centre here in Tokyo to renew my visa. But the staff handled the situation with grace, turning a gentle blind eye to those arriving just after the advertised time and only closing the queue completely when the rushing, slightly panicked stragglers like me had all arrived. It was beautifully (and invisibly) done.
Come visit again, Rona! I'm a member of the Norton Simon and can take you as a guest. Since your last visit, they've put in a parking lot! And the outdoor cafe--my treat. I love that museum so much. Because we are members, we sometimes choose just one or two paintings to study at a time. Then we eat at the cafe. Looking at one painting for a very long time--the painting changes before your eyes. Anyway, here's to assertiveness and breaking a few rules every now and again. Life's too short to not enjoy one's own sandwich in a lovely courtyard (those sculptures!).
Mary, I can’t think of a better place for us to meet. I am not surprised to learn that you’re a slow and mindful viewer of paintings. LA generally was a revelation for its array of fine museums, the Norton Simon being our pick for most exciting of the lot. If you haven’t already seen this TIME cover story on Norton Simon, you are in for a treat. https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19650604,00.html
"Norton always pours catsup over everything."
What an intense and driven guy! I'm exhausted just reading about him. I love his maxim: “I am in the process of becoming.” Thanks for sending that article my way. He was a true force. I cannot imagine being married to him, but I suppose it had its upsides.
I always head straight to this painting Van Gogh did of his mother. I think I'm the only person who is in love with this painting. This link does it NO justice. The greens are otherworldly: https://www.nortonsimon.org/art/detail/M.1968.32.P/
While I don’t recall this one, I recognize its power. Van Gogh’s treatment of his mother’s eyes is full of feeling. They sparkle, unlike the eyes in his other portraits and self-portraits. (I just looked at a few.) He may not have made her proud but he was a loving son.
My method too. Drinking eyes.
“We have a contract with a food supplier!” The words of someone who is headed for greatness. You are definitely a badass, Rona. Love this story, Rona. Had not heard of this museum, but now I will have to make a pilgrimage.
Glad you enjoyed it, Mary. For an art lover, LA is a rich destination, with an array of distinguished museums to keep ypu happily busy. The Norton Simon is our favorite.
Absolutely delightful! As an 85 yr. old mother of three adult children, two of them daughters, I always get a kick out of their call to me to say, " I just had a "Mom" moment. You would have been proud !" I am a Gemini and a very easygoing person until I am challenged by authoritative persons whom I deem to have limited good judgement in matters that concern me. Oh my! I can become one self-righteous , outspoken matron. I will be headed to the Norton Museum soon and will mention your name and wear a red hat! Love your words!
They’ll be telling Mom stories for the rest of their lives. Have fun at the Norton Simon (as if I had to say it)!
I absolutely adore the image of you thumping a cane. And I love the freedom that seems to be opening up in the Rona of your Ronaness! 💕
That's your Hollyness speaking. Never let it turn into anything else.
😍
I really enjoyed this story. It reminded me of the scene from Five Easy Pieces, only more polite.
You’re right: our younger selves would have thrown away the sandwich as ordered, and wandered through the museum hungry, thereby denying ourselves the pleasure of full attention and swooning appreciation. We might have even rushed through the last bit because we were feeling faint. All for the sake of an unsuspecting chicken and avocado sandwich!You go girl.
“Swooning appreciation.” Well put! Yes.
I’m so glad I found you on here! I really enjoyed reading this; I didn’t know which part to restack. I almost picked the paragraph where you threw away the sandwich, but then chose the Picasso parking lot comparison. It’s all so brilliant.
Hi, Ingrid! Thanks so much for stopping by and restacking. “The Tears of a Painter” is a stack I have to check out.
I'm so pleased to find you. My husband and I spend a lot of our retirement time visiting galleries, and are constantly fretting about parking and cafés. And I am getting louder in my complaint!
They’ll never change a thing if we don’t demand our due. I’m delighted to meet you too, Sarah.
Love this, Rona. What a collection.
I might have lost my temper in that back and forth with cafe staff.
I held onto the comedy of it.
I am so grateful you have a cool hat! I would’ve never stumbled upon you otherwise…..
Oh, I’ve got a collection! Glad to meet you here.
The pleasure is mine, Ms Rona.
This is delightful. You go, girl. 💙
Thanks, Sue.
Why couldn't they have just advised you of the policy, let you eat your lunch and tell you that when you make a return visit - because you'll love the museum that much - kindly order from the cafe.
Where's the common sense?
Agreed! They were so afraid of upsetting the food supplier that they comped us on the admissions.
Love Ronaness of Rona! Admire your courage and standupness too! Go Rona Go! Your stories have the best details and how you insert humor so well! Great piece! 🩷😄
Thanks so much, Joan.
We had our fifth child fourteen years after our fourth one so I was one of the older moms at the parent teacher meetings. This year the teachers sat at tables stationed in the auditorium, and the parents rotated from teacher to teacher. I was aware that the teachers had to talk with many parents and so was conscientious about getting to the point I needed to make about our son. As I waited for my turn with the final teacher, the parent before me took a long time. While waiting, I noticed a father seat himself some time after me. When It was finally my turn, the dad, someone I recognized from the local newspaper as a prominent community member, jumped up and approached the teacher. I stood up and let him know I was next and had been waiting a long time. I approached the table, then turned to face the dad and smirked, "Nice try!" Almost immediately, I regretted the smirk, but it was too late.
You had made your point. I guess the smirk was like that one accessory style mavens say you should remove before leaving the house—the difference between just right and too much. And yet I do feel steamed on your behalf. Some men feel entitled to all the breaks.
Wow, that Rembrandt and the Courbet!
I loved the story (and the hat). I wonder what kind of world it is that empowers a manager to give a free pass but not to let anyone violate the terms of the catering contract.
I felt I was going to have a brush with authority recently when I arrived late to join the queue at the immigration centre here in Tokyo to renew my visa. But the staff handled the situation with grace, turning a gentle blind eye to those arriving just after the advertised time and only closing the queue completely when the rushing, slightly panicked stragglers like me had all arrived. It was beautifully (and invisibly) done.
Thanks, Jeffrey. The staff you describe must have been trained to express values, not simply follow rules. The difference this makes is profound.
My how the Snortin’ Pieman (harump) has changed.
I used to make espresso out of my van, in an empty parking lot.
And once even made love there after another day of extraordinary art.
There were no enforcers then. Times change, freedoms are eroded.
If we’d only had a van, we’d have been all set.
Wow! Reading this made me so happy!
Wow back! Now I’m happy too.