Nationals World Series Champs

We moved to Washington DC thirteen years ago. About that same time the Nationals baseball stadium was being built in the Navy Yard only a few blocks away from our Capitol Hill condo. Our grandson grew up with the names Strasburg and Zimmerman and went to many games and loves to play baseball. My brother was a left handed pitcher in high school, was drafted by the Orioles, and has attended almost every Nationals game rain or shine. In our house, growing up, there were baseball games on all the time and my dad missed only one of my brother’s games. My dad and brother went to all the spring training events at Al Lang Field in Florida. Many autographs and slide photos were taken. My husband and I went to a couple of outings, but it was always too hot or too cold and we didn’t have the patience or interest. We’ve been following the ball club this season, but since September we have been paying even closer attention to the drama. We were in Milwaukee when the Nationals took the wild card spot. I’ve been texting my grandson about the games. With each game that followed I kept checking the scores but couldn’t watch. I texted my sister in law whenever they were heading to the park. When the World Series games started, we followed along but still didn’t watch. Then with game three we decided to tune in and were totally disheartened with three losses in a row. This didn’t look like a winning team at all and we couldn’t take the angst. And then it happened! The spark we hadn’t seen ignited in game 6, and the rest is history. The Washington Post had the wrong score on the first headline and it was corrected quickly. I don’t know why I am so emotional about it - maybe it’s in the genes, maybe it conjures up memories of my dad and my brother, maybe it’s because we lived just a few blocks away and saw Nationals fans walking past our house with their heads down so many times, maybe it’s our hometown, maybe we just need a happy and joyful story that everyone can celebrate. When the hockey team won the championship we walked over to watch the parade roll down constitution avenue. We didn’t even watch any of those games but have an interest in special events on the Mall. I wonder what we’ll be doing on Saturday? 

What a Difference a Week Makes

It’s been an uneven fall season. Last week we took a day trip and visited the Virginia Safari animal park in Natural Bridge and thought we would see an autumnal view of the Shenandoah Valley. Everything was still pretty green. When we took our usual morning walk in the park the following day, the leaves were also pretty much still green. I read somewhere that the peak time would be this week in to November 2 or so? I’m not sure why I like the fall season so much - maybe it was my dad’s favorite and my parents always visited us in the Midwest at that time. I remember my mom burning leaves in Connecticut as a youngster all those years ago. We are planning to drive south towards Richmond this week to see a dog show and hoping to see a final glimpse of the season. Yesterday in the park the palette was still all over the map. But there were more reds and golds than greens. Some of the leaves were huge - bigger than your head! With the expected rain today and tomorrow most of what remains will invariably end the best of this time of year. And daylight savings will again remind us of the shorter days ahead. Regardless it feels like the year passed by even quicker than last. Best to enjoy it all while we can. 

Scary Letter from Delaware DOT

When we first moved to DC thirteen years ago we got an automated driving speeding ticket near Bethesda. Luckily that was the only time. When we were driving through Lawtey Florida a few years back, we were stuck in a speed trap and paid the consequences. I filed my case with the Florida house and senate offices here in DC as well as the state of Florida representative because it is a well known problem. The office staff all knew about the issue. I received a follow up letter from the Florida State office saying they would address it. We still had to take a written test and pay a fine. So when we drove through Delaware to meet my sister for lunch in Cape May last month, my sister warned us about a speed trap. So when we saw that we would be getting a letter from the Delaware DOT on the USPS Mail preview, we were a bit nervous. My husband was worried about it all day thinking we got another speeding ticket. I wasn’t as concerned because I always like to worry AFTER I know the exact situation, rather than imagine what it might be. Finally when the letter arrived, we were both relieved to learn that it was for a pay toll. I vaguely remember that I may have missed a toll when we drove from Maryland to Delaware. We have an Ezpass device but it’s not stuck to the windshield and I have to hold it up every time we need to use it. My husband was asleep at the time and I just didn’t notice - but I sort of did. But by that time I did, it was too late. All I can say is that I’m glad the invoice was for $5.60 rather than some outlandish speed trap. Nevertheless it ruined our day! Now I need to find out from Subaru if you can hang the transponder next to the eyesight safety feature on the windshield. Then I won’t have to worry about missing another toll. 

Nips Chocolate Parfait Candy Monster

Whenever I order something from Amazon I always ask my husband if there’s something he might need. Usually the answer is no. But every once in a while he checks the candy bin and tells me he has a short supply of something. That was the case the other day when the Nips Chocolate Parfait were at an intolerably low volume. So rather than order one carton of twelve boxes, I ordered two. These aren’t the only candies in the house, car, and every pocket. And that’s on top of all the cookies that are well stocked - and also all the sugar cubes he has with coffee and tea. I think that’s why he is one of the healthiest people I know. And that’s why I always make sure he has a huge supply of whatever candy or cookies he likes. There’s always room in the cupboard for his treats because that’s what makes him so sweet. 

Eufy RoboVac Filter Change

We got a Eufy RoboVac about a year ago when we were still living in our tiny Capitol Hill condo. It worked rather well so we brought it along with us when we moved to our 1000 square foot condo in northern Virginia six months ago. My cleaning routine started immediately. On Saturday after grocery shopping I do the vacuuming. On Sunday after a walk and lunch I do the dusting and clean the bathroom until it shines. I can’t really leave the eufy on it’s own. I generally cordon off sections to make it easier for it and then empty the container full of dust and debris about half way through. Where does it all come from?!  After the RoboVac does it’s job, my husband cleans up the brush and the filters. He also shakes out the swiffers after all the dusting is done. Since my husband does all the cooking and empties the trash the least I can do is the cleaning. I always keep a supply of extras on hand in case a new filter is needed, or the brushes need to be changed. And that was the case last week. The main filter was really quite dirty, and I noticed a better outcome this week since it was changed. What I like about eufy is that it can go under the bed, dressers, and TV bookcase/stand. Unfortunately my swiffer alternate that I use for the baseboards, doors, and the crown mounding broke today so I’ll need to get a replacement. We also have an iRobot braava jet to wet mop the bathroom floor and marble foyer, and dry mop the wood floor. It’s also nice because it goes under things. I generally use that once a month. So before the week ends we’ll need to get the baseboard duster replaced. Somebody’s got to get the cleaning done. And as long as I am able to do it, it will be me. It’s good exercise. 

Virginia Farms

We usually drive along the east side of the blue ridge mountains whenever we visit family in the mid section of Virginia. When we returned home from a road trip out west three years ago we drove along the west side. It was a really lovely and very scenic road. This week we took a day trip to Natural Bridge where the Virginia Safari Park is located. We wanted to visit the park but also see how the autumn colors were looking. Having just driven to Milwaukee in September, the season has definitely begun to affect the views. One thing stands out - whether you are in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Indiana - the farms and farm lands along the way are interesting to see. And it’s no different in Virginia - except I think the landscape, scenery and overall road trip seems so much prettier! Maybe that’s because we actually live in Virginia now rather than DC. For whatever the reason, it was a great day to be out and about.