Journeys 3.1

To fill time between body scans at the U, I peeked into “221B Baker Street” (the U has the world’s largest collection of Sherlock Holmes artifacts), explored an exhibit on Minnesota women architects, and enjoyed uplifting piano-playing at Coffman Union. Earlier, while waiting for my first scan, a pianist played funereal hymns, including “Abide with Me.”

Walked over to the Guthrie to see The Mousetrap, a play that’s inexplicably been running in London since 1952 (my mum fell asleep during it 70-odd years ago). I asked Dwight to have an elbow ready to prevent me from continuing the family tradition. By the intermission, he was ready to doze off but he had deduced the identity of the murderer. In keeping with the play’s tradition, we were asked to maintain the secret.

Met a friend at Minnehaha Falls then caught up over coffee and fine pastries at nearby Cafe Ceres.

Snow-covered tables were waiting for warmer weather as I walked into Northrop Auditorium for a cuppa. While I sipped, I was struck by the hushed atmosphere in the crowded cafe where U of M students were hunched over their study materials. Occasionally, there were quiet murmurs between study partners. No one was talking on their cell phone.

Earlier rain has given way to a gentle dusting of snow, making it a perfect day to stay in and plan upcoming travels.

The cherry blossoms have opened at Himeji Castle, Japan, prompting an update to our LEGO model today. When I visited exactly a year ago, the blossoms were late, allowing me to experience the castle without the usual crowds.

On my cycle ride, I had to stop and admire the ingenuity. My youngest nephew could’ve climbed up there, not that I’m saying he would.