Musings -- on the editor's mind

Washingtonians love art. Not just folks from the Skagit Valley or Bellingham and not just paintings capturing mystic light. It is too late now if you have not seen the Andrew Wyeth retrospective that closed Monday at the Seattle Art Museum. Celebrating his 100th birthday – he was born the same date as Henry Thoreau – the 110 paintings and drawings being displayed were crowded with people circling around them as if they were rock stars.

These were mostly locals on this January, Friday morning low-tourist-season day. I was amazed and gladdened. It recalled my Christmas week visit to...