A Place to Hide
That summer I found places to hide
around the neighborhood.
The metal tubes stacked
at Grimes’ lot behind our house
was one of my favorites.
I sat in one on rainy days,
smelled the air,
and would not be bothered.
I hid under the stairway
and read comic books
in a neighbor's hall closet -
sneaked in the back door,
turned on the light,
and sat under jackets and coats
in privacy.
From the backseat floor
of Mom’s ‘41 Chevy,
with the window rolled down,
I watched ants crawl
over the top of pink and white peonies
that lined the driveway.
I found places to hide
so I could be alone,
I found places to hide
from father’s anger,
I found places to hide
where I listened
to what the rain had to tell me,
or the ants,
or the peonies,
still my favorite flower.
- © Kathleen Matson 2005
Up and down the winding streets of the Golthic Quarter is fascinating. 
Sculptures in Plaças. 
Christmas markets. 
La Boqueria and all that food entails. 
Best fruit stand ever!! 
Iberian ham. 
Great places to sit for seafood. 
Great seafood. 
Best egg stand ever!!
Can't stop walking. 
Gaudi. 
Down an ancient narrow street in the heart of the Gothic Quarter stands the Hotel Neri, a 12th century medieval palace - a magical place to land. 
Massive front door. Understated rooms beautifully appointed. Scent of starlight permeates the lobby, a scent I have known before time, a scent I have searched for the last 5 years. 
Terrace for sun. 
Bathroom built into rock. 
Steel door to the street. 
Front street wraps around the corner 
Goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover...
Hello France. ...
Over the Pyrenees to Spain...
Landed at the 
With absolutely no destination it begins with the Fiume Tevere. 
Love the way the streets are paved. 
Stumbled onto the Napoleon Museum. Free. 
Bronze of Pauline Borghese. 
Via Dei Coronari. Magical shopping, antiques, restaurants, mask store. 
Transition to winter at Kellie Garden. 
Move toward the dark materials. 
