Dateline Dayton – Here in Ohio, all we hear about is how cash-strapped California is, how services must be cut, and layoffs are common.

Now there’s Los Angeles and the County Museum of Art. Who decided that they, or someone, will spend millions to put a rock on display, in the name of art? I understand the desire to beautify? At what cost? With a rock?

I realize art is in the eyes of the beholder. There appear to be two cement walls that hold the rock. Is there a design on them? I hope it looks better than it did on television.

I must assume that Los Angeles doesn’t need anything like road or bridge improvements. I am sure they already have taken care of feeding all the hungry, especially the children, and they provide facilities for the homeless. Possibly they, if there are any, can stay under the rock. Hopefully police and fire stations are fully staffed, with up-to-date equipment. If Los Angeles has all these things under control, spending millions on rock art is justified.

Even if none of the above do apply, I still don’t see how a rock, sitting on what, to me, appears to be a drainage tunnel, is art.

Who am I to judge art, being someone who can’t draw a straight line with a ruler and doesn’t frequent the art museum, although I am a member of the Dayton Art Institute? Some could question the money being spent in Dayton to beautify the city, especially along the river. We don’t, however, have two walls of concrete holding up a rock that was moved miles, from its natural habitat. Maybe next year I will see the rock in person. Then I will have a greater appreciation for this art form.

Oh, My Aching Foot

Last Thursday I noticed a little pain around my big toe. I didn’t think much of it. On Friday the pain had progressed. I said something to Pauline when I came home for lunch. I told her I might have gout. But I called it grout. I refer to many things by another name, such as pronouncing the “h” in herbs. Since I needed to change my doctor appointment anyway, I would have them move it up so he could examine my toe.

Just as Pauline had predicted, the pain worsened Friday night. On Saturday morning I told her I was going to Urgent Care, just down the street. She asked if I wanted her to go along and I said, sure. Two weeks ago she was bitten by something, leaving a big red mark on her leg. I told her she should have that looked at while we were here.

We arrive at 8:15. They open at 8:30. We were fourth in line. The facility is well-organized, and in no time we were visited by a nurse, who took vital information and our blood pressure. Pauline’s was high. Mine was great. You know that gout is a rich man’s problem, the nurse said. I told her that didn’t apply in my case. I met the other qualifications – fair, fat and forty. Shortly after the nurse left, we were seen by the doctor, a very nice older (maybe younger than us) man. When he examined my toe he confirmed that I did have gout, and he prescribed medication. He thought Pauline’s bite could be infected so he prescribed an antibiotic and a salve for her to apply.

I was impressed by the service we received at Urgent Care. We are fortunate to have the facility in our community. My doctor’s appointment is today. I will see what he has to say about my foot and the excellent blood pressure reading.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net