Back from a Whirl Wind Tour

No more to be said than the Wedding in Richmond that we went to was lovely and more delightful than that was seeing our daughters and our son – in – law. [I just love DC] ~ Besides not having to cook, clean, mow, weed eat etc for almost a week was Heavenly. The shopping and restaurants were yummy, delicious and tastefully executed. The company was the best as always! The newly weds soon to be home is sooooooooooooooo adorable! Almost a year ago our daughters took me to Jaleo’s, this time my Sweetie had a chance to try the cuisine, and he liked it. Jaleo offers bite-sized appetizers, which makes sharing the thing to do. The Duck leg confit nectarine sauce is still a fav of mine. They were out of another favorite, grilled quail with honey alioli and rosemary sauce. We did seconds on the sautéed spinach, pine nuts, raisins and apples. Some New places: The Uptown Theater and the Seminary. A Perfect place to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 This theater opened in 1933, the Uptown is the last movie palace in Washington, DC still showing first run films and was the location of the world premiere of '2001: A Space Odyssey' in April, 1968. We had a driving tour of the Seminary and on another trip we will certainely do the Walking Tour of Forest Glen Seminary.The Seminary was an early 20th century school that features a unique collection of architecture from around the world (including an Italian Villa, a Japanese Pagoda, a Dutch windmill, etc). Of course I had to go see Eastern Market, knowing full well that it is not functioning as it had before the fire. It was like visiting an old friend. A big problem at the market right now is that most people in the DC area think that the market burned to the ground! And that they are not open! Au contraire! The building itself is fine, the structure very much in tact. They have started to re-build the roof and have broken ground on a new temporary structure for the food vendors who lost their businesses inside the South Hall. The market is open every weekend and thriving! Back to Reality??? ~ OH shucky darn, but as always Good to be Home! Before I get back to sharing the advancement of Sarah’s Pond, there are some pictures just ‘Cause!

Eastern Market a Sad day indeed!

Besides loving DC well before our daughters took up residence there, on our visits I became an Eastern Market-aholich. YUP and with our soon to visit time I said gleefully, “Don’t forget a visit to Eastern Market! “ Now this news~ A sad, sad day Historic Capitol Hill Marketplace Burns By Howard Schneider, Debbi Wilgoren, and Allison Klein Washington Post Staff WriterMonday, April 30, 2007; 8:24 AM Fire coursed through the shops of the historic Eastern Market on Capitol Hill early Monday morning, gutting the southern half of the 134-year-old landmark.

Squish, Smoosch, Slurp, Slip and Glide

Walking in soaking wet tenny pumps. If you calculate your gate you can walk in rhythm. Sorta like walking when you are wearing cords, they sing; or driving over a road where they have re surfaced the cracks. If you maintain a certain speed, a syncopated rhythm becomes so obvious that a song comes to mind. Then you intently try to maintain that speed, then you figure out other song, scores, cadences that will work. So it rained, and rained and rained. Some of the Koi ponds efforts were disrupted. As I was walking passed the pond I heard the pump sucking for air. Upon further investigation it was apparent that the upper pond had spilled over and went to the underneath of the lower pond. I placed my hand in the pond so I could retrieve the pump. The swelling, from below was as large and darned close to the same shape as a woman’s belly at the 9th month. I pulled the plug so the pump would not burn up. The frogs, now numbering 3 of one species and 2 of another peered at me with upset eyes. I had disrupted their Spring Rituals. Now we need to wait for the drainage to begin before we can remedy the situation. Meanwhile back at the ranch… It appears that finally the Wisteria tree is going to bloom. Ella was so right in telling me how to cause this to occur. Thin out unwanted mature stems in winter (January) and head back new growth in summer (July). Over wintering flower buds occur in spurlike twigs that must be watched for, not broken or pruned off if flowers are to be seen. In this manner wisteria are similar to apple trees, although their flowering spurs are even more fragile and easily lost to clumsiness or lack of awareness. If your climber is all over the place it may not need to be fertilized at all. At any rate, always sample your soil and have it analyzed before fertilizing. Use soil test report to choose appropriate formulation, if any fertilizing is indicated. Re: the Panda post on Ruth and Matt’s blog. It sure brought back wonderful memories. I remember taking you all to the DC Zoo in the late 80’s when Ling - Ling and Hsing – Hsing were the DC darlings. How amazing they were!