I love going to museums with Maria, she needs to go to one every month or so, and I would love to go with her. I’m learning a lot about art.

I bring my monochrome Leica, which never gets enough use on the farm as it deserves, and when my legs give out, I sit down or wait until she has wandered out. It’s something we cherish, and I always take one black and white photo of her and two or three of a new artist we have discovered, in this case, Margery Ryerson,  a teacher and painter no one paid much attention to until recently. She was a teacher on the lower East Side of Manhattan, taught immigrant children, and her work was fantastic.

Child Practicing, Marey Emerson, teacher, 1917.

We were at the giant New York State Art Museum in the heart of Albany’s large state office complex.

After that, we went to see David Missener, a co-owner of CPO, Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics, the builder of my wonderful and life-saving brace that has me walking comfortably (or much more comfortably) than ever. David is a brilliant, gracious, and empathetic man. We became instant friends, and I cherish our friendship. We went out to lunch and were exhausted; we just got home. I’ve got a few flower photos to go up.

NYC fire truck, after the 911 attacks. The 911 exhibit was heartbreaking.

I love seeing Maria in museums; it fills a hole in her, and I love seeing how happy it makes her. I’m also loving it. I’m getting to feel like an artist.

Margery loved to paint the children on the Lower East Side.

Dance Class, Margery Ryerson.

David Messiineris a hero to me and also a friend. He is kind, funny and caring. He built the brace on my left foot that saved my foot and made it possible for me to walk again, comfortably and often (just not fast and for too, too long. He’s great; we have a blast when I see the iPhones come out and compare pictures. He did a routine maintenance of the brace. I love seeing David; he has a wicked sense of humor and enjoys laughing at me. He’s a friend. He does a lot of good at CPO (Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics) in Albany. He saved my foot (along with Dr. Daly.)

Sign in to David Messenger’s office. I’d like one for Bedlam Farm.

The West 58th Street Pier, New York City. We had bitterly cold and windy walks to and from the parking lot to the vast museum. It was great, but it wore me to the bone. New York put more artistry into a Pier that punts most new homes in America to shame.