The city of Cleveland is home to the wonderful Cleveland Museum of art. I can still remember my first visit there and what an influence it had on me. I was still in high school when my friend asked me if I would like to go to the museum with her.

Now, I'm the oldest of nine children, my mother was born and raised on a farm and my father worked twelve hour days to support his large family. Needles to say, we were not exposed to a lot of culture because there was little interest and no opportunity. We did manage to go to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Health Museum, so we were not totally deprived. Oh, we also went to the zoo each summer, too. When my friend asked me to go with her I thought that if nothing else it would get me out my Saturday chores.

When we arrived I was amazed at just the sight of University Circle, with it's immaculately landscaped grounds and the beautiful pond with real swans floating on it's surface. The museum itself is a beautiful and at the age of seventeen I was humbled by site of it. Inside it was quite and I think was because in the presence of greatness one whispers, if you speak at all. We visited room after room of splendor, some were not my 'stlye', but oh, the others! So much to see, and I felt like a person who was starving and was suddenly presented with a feast. My senses were on overload and I did what I usually do and hurried from one to another with my favorite exclamation. "Oh! Hurry! Look at this one!.' I think my friend was pleased with my reaction because she followed me around with a smile.

It was there that I fell in love with the work of John Waterhouse, one of the Pre-Raphaelite (although really a Neoclassic) artists. His combination of mythology, poetry and mystique femme fatale is outstanding and addicting.

As if that were not enough, there was a special exhibit of Egyptian artifacts, including a sarcophagus. The wealth of history and art in that room turned out to be my downfall. I had fallen in love with ancient Egypt, Pre-Raphaelite & Neoclassic artists and the art museum.

This artistic enlightenment wasn't something I expected when my friend asked me to visit the museum with her, but it certainly was an awakening. Kay, if you are out there reading this, thank you.

Here is a wonderful link to experience the works of John Waterhouse.

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Herie s a link for the Cleveland Museum of Art.

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Enjoy!