Bao, in retreat.

Yesterday we met Bacchus, the beautiful, gentle St. Bernard featured in Mari Meehan's Dogwalk Musings. As Bacchus came forward to greet us, Bao sobbed and tried to climb my neck. He was absolutely, totally terrified. He had nightmares all night and this morning, he threw up. So we didn't get the long-anticipated Bao Meets Bacchus photo. Darn! But ever since he was attacked, Bao has been scared of anything bigger than he is. And Bacchus is big.

I'd been looking forward to meeting Mari , whose blog inspired me to start this one. I already knew she was clever, witty and thoughtful. What I didn't know was that she and her husband Mike are dedicated collectors, specializing in Northwestern art. I was totally blown away. The collection -- magnificently displayed throughout their lovely home -- is one of the finest of its kind I've seen anywhere, and that includes all but the biggest of metropolitan museums.

Every piece has a story. Every story is fascinating. There are oils, watercolors, masks, carvings, bronzes, ceramic pieces, beautifully woven carpets. It's spectacular. It's magical. It is just the most wonderful collection.

One rarely has the oppportunity to view a private collection of this calibre. It's not just the pieces themselves that make it special, but synergetic relationship between them, the expression of individual taste and connoisseurship that brings it all together and makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts. A collection like this is like a visual symphony, an aesthetic delight.

I feel truly privileged to have seen these lovely things. Yesterday afternoon is one of the high points of the entire trip. Thank you, Mari!