Tabletop Murals And Other Interesting Art, As Appreciated During A Saturday Adventure

A whirlwind decision to take the train into the city, something I'd never done, and I was scared, scared that I wouldn't be able to navigate the complicated maze of parking ramps at the Metro Garage, scared that I wouldn't be able to figure out how to add money to a fare card, and scared that I wouldn't find the blue-orange line.

But I decided to do it anyway. Because I don't like being scared (except of that thing from The Ring). So I had a quick shower, brushed on some mascara, and grabbed my purse.

Somewhere along the line, Lou and the children decided to accompany me.

I wasn't disappointed. Maybe even slightly relieved. A practice run with a pro. I insisted that I pretend, at certain times, that they weren't there, so I could do it on my own next weekend.

We went to Eastern Market because I'd heard that there were great handbags there, made out of vintage coats by a woman named Jenae Michelle (discovered via Ali Edward's blog). It was a cold day, thanks to a forceful wind. By the time we arrived, many of the vendors were shutting down, stuffing gorgeous knitwear and funky jewelry into boxes, propping beautiful artwork against brick walls. We met a lovely man selling his drawings (he greeted Lou with the most enthusiastic, "Well, hellllooo!") and he told us that Jenae usually set up at a spot beyond a pair of green doors, outside, but not today, probably due to the weather.

An hour trip for nothing.





But it wasn't. Because James got to ride on a train for the first time, his eyes darting when we first went below ground and the view out the windows became dark. Because Mac was able to be part of an adventure, where he compiled a list of interesting sites, like tallest buildings, skateboarders, flags, and used car lots . Because I got to spend the day with my family, and I also managed to "people watch": the masses of forgettable girls in pea-coats and hats, clutching literature in their gloved hands; the man, begging, who caressed us with his low voice: Couldjasparesomethingplease; the scribble woman with the frown on her mouth and in her eyes, who looked irritated, despite her joyful outfit of fuschia slippers, apple green hat, and pumpkin colored jacket.

And Lou? Lou got McCormick and Schmick's for dinner, which translates to mango salsa over seared mahi mahi, Maryland Crab soup, and Banana Creme pie.

The room was dim but filled with frequent eruptions of zest and chatter. My children laughed and drew a bold mural on the butcher paper covering the tablecloth. The large family seated beside us grew louder with each cocktail, the young mother fidgeted, overwhelmed, upon realizing that she had a martini and a glass of wine beside her plate. The young husband grew more and more ruddy faced with each swallow of his drink, and the older man engaged the waitress in a detailed discussion about growing up on Martha's Vineyard.



We arrived home around 8, put tired children to bed, and watched "Kinsey."

It was a lovely day.