Mary Livingston Ripley Garden

What feels just like yesterday was two weeks ago. We drove to our old neighborhood on Capitol Hill and took our morning walk there instead of our northern Virginia routine. It’s one way to get a bit of a change from what is now becoming ground hog day. We lived in DC for thirteen years and walked along the national Mall more times than most. One of the gardens we always passed through was the Mary Livingston Ripley space that is located between the Hirshhorn Museum and the Arts and Industries Building. After passing by the fountain and the beautiful roses in the front of the building, we took the path from there to Independence Avenue. Another fountain beckoned us in and on both sides of the winding path were the late summer flowers and plants enjoying their last days of the season. As we turned down the avenue we walked by the air and space museum - currently getting renovated - as well as the Eisenhower memorial that has not yet been dedicated. It was a cloudy day and even a bit cool. We put on more miles than usual by the time we got back to the car but it was worth it. We do miss some things about the city, but more things that we don’t. We wanted to live close by for some of the events we liked to attend. None of that applies anymore and it doesn’t seem like they will any time soon. 

The Smithsonian Garden Party

As the seasons change so do the plants and flowers surrounding the Smithsonian Buildings on the National Mall. The newly renovated Arts and Industries Building has undergone a huge transformation. Not only the building itself was restored, but the gardens around it have been totally beautified. On the West side of the building an entire outdoor seating area was added. The newly potted plants and flowers have not yet been placed in their final spots, but it looks very inviting. Along the secret garden path is a wall of succulents featuring an array of colorful varieties. Interesting baskets hang from the trees in front of the castle. It reminds me of the Chicago Botanical Garden we visited several times - and each time creative ways to showcase vegetables and plants was not lost on any of us. I never get tired of looking at the exotic and ever changing scenes on the mall. This is only a small piece of it - and such a pleasant one.