We started in St. Louis and ended in St. Louis.

First, hooray to Waterway Car Wash. Second, boo to Strange Donuts.

We spent most of the day with our friend Judy at the St. Louis Art Museum, one of the best. The special exhibits included one titled Matisse and the Sea. You can figure out what it’s about.

I like these three pieces, I must admit. But I also must confess that I have never really been a Matisse fan. In fact, I think he’s one of the four most overrated artists of the 20th century. The other three are Ellsworth Kelly, Cy Twombley and Joan Miro. I know no one would probably agree, but that’s my opinion. Period.

One of my favorite 20th century artist is Anselm Kieffer. Here is one in the St. Louis museum.

And I like Max Beckmann.

And then I saw this great urban overview made only from miniature electric circuits by an Ethiopian artist, Elias Sime.

And finally

a detail of a painting by Oskar Kokoshka. O.K.?

We had lunch in the Panorama Room at the museum. A fine lunch it was, but the service took forever. Not sure I’d want to do it again. The waiter assured us it was not his fault, that he was controlled by the chef.

Dinner, which was delicious at our friend Wendy’s, with Judy and Michael. Much reminiscing and much trying to remember things that our younger selves would have figured out much more quickly.

Today promises to be busy, so… let’s get to work.