A Little Freedom

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Child Reading 

Oil on canvas, early 1890s

One of the paintings that I had hoped to see next week.

I have been hatching plans for my upcoming 5 days of of reduced responsibility.  Joey will be away at special needs overnight camp next week, the last week of June – this year I signed him up for the first session of the summer.  But as it turns out it may have been better to have chosen a different week.  Our lives are still in limbo regarding my husband’s job and he can’t take any time off during the all-important first week of new company ownership (he is one of the chosen few asked to stay on during transition and into new ownership although he will still be working for the former company – we consider this an encouraging opportunity). My sister has been selected to report for jury duty that same week, too.  Additional bummer to my plans.  I have never had to serve on jury duty although I have wanted to... the suspense of a trial, the drama of the courtroom.  Since I am the primary caregiver of a handicapped child, I have been promptly excused every time. But, I always told them that I would be happy to fulfill my civic duty if I can leave in enough time to be home every day at 2:30. That never did fly with the good people of our local government.

My freedom goals are simple: visit the newly located Barnes Foundation Museum in Philly (one of the world's most extensive collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern paintings) and take a little jaunt down to Atlantic City to shop at The Walk.  Or both.  I can take my time, stroll, meander.  I won’t have to be home for Joey!  And maybe drop a (ahem!) couple of quarters in a slot machine as well, since I’ll be there anyway.  I would go by myself to Barnes if I had to, but my friend Fran just retired from her long career and she is now available and interested. As for AC, if Dut is dismissed from jury duty, as happens in many cases, it’s hit the gas pedal, the shops, the slots and the buffet. 

My other plans include relaxing, reading and going out to dinner more than a few times. This seems like a lot of pre-planned eating... hope I don't blow my WeightWatchers progress.

No tickets are available for Barnes... will try again at a future date.  I will have to find some other cultural activity to replace this outing.  But the good news, Dut got a pass on jury duty for Monday so….