One Box Down - More to Go

We used to have a huge file cabinet in the office of our Midwest home. That was fifteen years ago. When we moved to DC we literally moved from 2500 to 500 square feet. There obviously was no office. We had a couple of accordion file folders to hold important documents. After many years things got out of control and paper was thrown in to drawers. So much for organization. A couple of weeks ago we got a file box at the container store. We accumulated a lot more paper work over the last couple of years when we moved to northern Virginia. There are drawers and other containers that really needed clearing out. We have been tinkering with the recent tax and health care documents, and I finally got around to start filing things in the new file box this week. If I hadn’t looked at it in the last year it got shredded and tossed. It really is amazing how much junk accumulates. So one box of stuff was whittled down and there is another huge one that I tend to throw the most recent information in that will be next. You really do need to be in the mood to do these sorts of things. Eventually I’d like to stick with this organized system and keep the top of the table next to me clear of everything. Wishful thinking? I hope not. 

Bed, Bath and Beyond Homedics Bath Scale

We have not had a bathroom scale in our house since we moved to DC fifteen years ago. But since we are dealing with some health issues these days, it would be nice to know if the level of unexpected weight loss is causing a significant drop in weight. Just having your weight taken once a year at an annual check up won’t do for now. So after our morning walk we took a drive to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Before we went in to the store I quickly checked my emails for coupons because they send them out all the time. And I found one for twenty per cent off on a single product that expires tomorrow. So we walked over to the bath department and checked out the inventory and decided upon a mid level unit from Homedics - a digital glass scale that required three triple A batteries that come with it. I’m not sure why we picked a glass scale other than that it looks clean and neat. I took the first try and was pleased to see that I was under what I thought I would be. My husband tried it next and he has lost weight - something we are trying to find out about. At least we know we can report it to the doctor when we speak with him on Monday. Thank goodness for video visits. We couldn’t get an in person visit next week so we were able to schedule a virtual visit. We’ve been dealing with this chronic situation for over five weeks now and have more tests scheduled. Hopefully we can find some answers soon. Being in health care makes it more exhausting and we tend to over think everything. Now we have another piece of stuff to store. We don’t have enough space in the bathroom for the scale so we ended up putting it under the bed. I wish that was all I had to worry about. 

DC Halloween

Last week we spent some time in Old Town Alexandria for a morning walk, and to take photos for the weekly 52frames challenge. Halloween is a big deal there, as we walked about looking at the decorations. This week we drove in to DC to do the same thing and to search for options for another photo challenge search. Since the subject matter this week was “shot with a phone” anything was up for grabs. Sometimes when the subject matter is so broad it’s harder to focus! Anyway, we drove to our old neighborhood on Capitol Hill and started to walk in our old footsteps. There were nicely decorated doors and the usual skeletons and witches. There was one ghoul that was most interesting and would serve as the subject of a portrait. It was a lovely fall day and we always like visiting the old neighborhood. It’s hard to believe we lived there for thirteen years. Everything is all so familiar. 

52Frames 52Picks Selection!

It was very exciting this morning to get an email notice from 52frames that my photo submission for this week was recognized. Out of 2,077 photos uploaded to the site this week, my “walls” image from Old Town Alexandria was selected. The photos are chosen “based on each committee member’s individual tastes regarding creative concept, technical execution, and overall story.” I’ve been participating in 52Frames for almost a year at the suggestion of a friend. It’s been a great way to get out of the house in search of a photo that meets the subject matter challenge. And to do it with just an iPhone 8Plus is even more amazing. I’m not a photographer, but I love to take photos for this blog, and now for the weekly challenges. When I was selected as a winner in the New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest ten years ago, I was thrilled because it validated my digital art skills - and reignited my interest in art using a new platform. Watercolors and pastels were exchanged for an iPad and a stylus. It’s really nice to be recognized! 

52Frames_walls Weekly Challenge

It was the best place to get photos for this week’s challenge. There is no better area than Old Town Alexandria to capture very interesting options. Aside from that, Halloween is a big deal there, so it was worth the drive to do two things at once for our morning walk. After checking out the cobblestone street filled with ghouls, goblins, skeletons, and the Wicked Witch I was on the look out for walls. Obviously there are historic buildings and very old scenes to pick from. There were walls that surrounded homes made out of brick and brick covered in ivy. There were beautiful gardens facing each other separated by small walkways; brick walls with archways and varying colored doors; more skeletons that covered too much making the photos too busy; homes that butted up against beautifully lined sidewalks; secret garden enclosures; walkways between row houses with gas lanterns lighting the way; ivy everywhere. Later in the week we took a ride to DC’s SE Waterfront near our old home on Capitol Hill. The glass sided DC water department building was glistening in the sunlight, and the graffiti covered support wall underneath the freeway was an interesting idea. In the end I used the gas lighted passageway in between the 1800 row houses. There was just something about the angle and the vibe. 

Bowlero at Tysons Galleria

My mom said she liked to bowl. As kids, we also bowled. I haven’t given it much thought until I read somewhere there are five reasons to visit Tysons. Since the wind was howling after a dreadful rainstorm last night we didn’t want to take a morning walk outside. So for the first time in months we decided to drive over to Tysons Galleria to walk there instead. It was always our go to place for inclement weather until the pandemic struck. Now that things are settling down - or at least we are vaccinated and wear masks indoors - a trip to the mall was in order. There has been construction work going on for at least two years or more where the Macy’s three level store once stood. When we walked in today the first thing we noticed was Bowlero - a huge entertainment venue on the main floor. It just opened, but only in afternoon and evening hours. So we peeked through the glass to see what was going on. We didn’t see any bowling alleys as such, but there were signs - along with a lot of other arcade type things to do. For whatever reason it feels sad to go to the mall. I used to love going to Northbrook on the way to Chicago to search for seasonal work and leisure clothes. Now I don’t care what I wear and dread the idea of having to get something if we really need it. At least there is some place for those inclined to go to spend time doing something different. We will just walk past it. 

Beautiful Evening Sky

There is a reason I wanted to live on the west side of the building. I always liked the evening hours. When the weather is good, we sit on the balcony and watch the sun set - and play iPad games. Last evening was a bit cold to sit outside, but the sky was really lovely. It looked like cotton candy. My iPhone camera just didn’t do it justice but I couldn’t help but take a few photos because it was simply brilliant. Today may be the last warm day we will have this season. It’s supposed to go in to the seventies, but rain is expected late this afternoon in to the night. I really don’t mind the cooler temps as long as the sun shines. Pretty soon we will be bringing in the cushions from the chairs outside and turn the seating arrangement out toward the street so we can better see our winter pansies in the baskets hooked to the back of the sears - soon to be joined by Christmas greens and sticks. The seasons just keep changing and there’s no stopping them. Sometimes it’s nice to capture the moment.