Got back from Chicago last night. Found an Italian deli close to the hotel that provided me with arancini that were every bit as good as the ones I fell in love with during our honeymoon in Sicily. We listened to some "not just plain old blues, but gutbucket blues.... like, in the alley... with the rats." Had a drink at sunset at the top of the Hancock building. Made my Ivan Albright pilgrimage, saw some great art in the galleries, met with a few friends.
Felt so guilty about leaving my painting that even though I took a sleeping pill, I got up from bed and painted until the wee hours of the morning. Which reminds me.... back to work.

P.S. I just found out that Elizabeth Murray died a few days ago. Discussion about her subject matter has prompted a great post by the ever insightful Ed Winkleman about how we look at paintings differently when they are painted by a woman vs. a man. Murray was an artist's artist. I remember an interview with her on one of the videos I used to show my BFAers... she had a family, apparently, in addition to her intense studio life, and did not spend much time networking. Her line was "when was the last time you got a great idea at a cocktail party?", and I think of that often when I am setting my priorities.