Strongsville, OH
12:19 AM
Man, my eyes are burning. What an exciting but tiring day it was. I type this from the third floor of the Angel House Center for Art and Creative Life Change (www.angelhousestrongsville.com). Carol, my host and the reason behind all of my Cleveland happenings, just sent me to bed after a bowl of chocolate ice cream with cherries. She and I returned about an hour ago from the Cleveland ABC affiliate, WEWS, Channel 5. Ted Henry, one of the anchors, interviewed me. Boy, did he ask some tough questions. I wasn’t expecting some of the topics, but because of that, I could only answer off the cuff. They said I didn’t look like a deer in headlights too bad. Anytime you are in a TV studio and the lights are blaring and the camera is focused on you, tension occurs. I did my best to handle it. We’ll see how I did whenever the story airs. As it goes in TV, I’ll know when they know and then I’ll pass it on.
The road treated me right today. I90 wasn’t too slow with traffic or construction and I made it to Notre Dame College in just over 4 hours. One thing for you New Yorker’s the gas here is cheap! $2.33/gallon. That’s the best I’ve seen in a long time. ND was a nice campus with huge chapel like buildings. I wish I had my art history book to describe the type of building, but the ornate work was incredibly detailed. I met with them for about 45 minutes and then made my way for a drive by of the John Carroll campus. Some of my friends from home attended there and I could see why. Very nice and manicured.
After getting lost I drove into Cleveland on 422 with the final destination being Rollie Masimino’s place, Cleveland State. I walked the campus and dropped off an information pack, but it was close to 4:00 and I didn’t want to hit rush hour, so my stay was short.
The Angel House is awesome. Pulling in to the compound, all I could see was green grass, trees, and a barn. There are two other houses, but the barn us what caught my eye. Coming from one of the windows was the sound of a violin. It turns out a teacher uses the space for classes. The birds chirped as I further surveyed. Carol was waiting for me outside and we shook hands. She had been in the gazebo reading. One house turned out to be a 3 car garage with a loft apartment above it. An airline stewardess rents it. In the main house, where I am, Angels are everywhere. They are in the artwork and in sculptures, but I can feel the energy of them. The creative vibe is intense here.
The grounds here are amazing. In the backyard there are numerous benches and places to sit. There are two sweat huts (I think I got this wrong) that are used monthly. I would love to try this Indian custom. Form what I understand, the 4 foot high domes are draped in different blankets and furs. Inside, a fire is lit and then rocks are brought in. Water is poured on the rocks and the steam sooths and cleanses. (I’ll try and do a better job of explaining this after I meet one of the builders tomorrow).
The Rocky River flows in the backyard and you can walk to rapids as well as a peak that overlooks the water. At the peak is an Indian prayer circle (more to come on this too).
Time for bed. Kent State tomorrow AM.