Northside Clogs

I had a wonderful pair of clogs that I think I bought when we lived in the Midwest. They lasted a really long time - probably because I only wore them inside the house. I used to get my toes caught on furniture a lot resulting in bruised and broken bones. So I always wear toe covered shoes just to stay safe - whether I’m walking inside or out. But my clogs were starting to fall apart. The rubber was tearing away from the sole and the shoes were seeing their last days. I was reluctant to throw them out until I found something at least similar. It was difficult finding something until I came across the Northside brand on Amazon. So I ordered a pair in tan/neutral. When they arrived I tried them on. I was surprised they had a sheepskin lining - I didn’t want “slippers” but just a shoe. They felt okay so I threw my well worn old clogs away. They were so comfortable! Now I’ve had the new shoes for about a week. They feel rather stiff and a little warm. It’s some kind of a cork sole that doesn’t “give” and I have the strap buckled on the tightest hole. I suppose they will do for just wandering around the house. But I’m a little disappointed. 

Williams Sonoma Apilco Replacement

When we moved to DC ten years ago, we left everything behind because none of it would fit in to our tiny space here. That included the china. We had a beautiful set that usually was housed in the dining room cabinet and another set for every day that was in the kitchen. Since our son and his family lived down the street in DC, we got enough Apilco plates and bowls for four to begin with, and then six once we were here a bit. Because they had the same plain white dinnerware, we could borrow extra pieces if we ever needed it. And we did need it a few times. Well, a couple of the bowls are quite chipped so it was time to finally get replacement pieces. And since our son and his family don't live here anymore, our ability to borrow items no longer exists. So after lunch we drove over to Williams-Sonoma in Alexandria and got two more bowls. I suppose it is worth maintaining our tiny set of dishes especially if we ever have at least six people here for dinner at one time. That doesn't happen that often, but it's better to be prepared than embarrassed. 

Monday Morning Castle, Folklife Festival, Rainbow, Glistening Water, Capitol, Press

Since I was lucky enough to go to part time status a couple months ago after working full time for almost forty years, one of my new habits is to get up early on Monday morning and walk with my husband on the Mall, then stop at Pete's Diner for breakfast on the way home. I am by no means a morning person, so this is considered torture. But getting up early puts me in to the morning routine for the rest of the week. Things do look different in the morning. The Mall is empty. There is an occasional jogger, and a few folks ambling on their way to work. The Smithsonian Castle looked magnificent with the namesake's statue in front; the folklife festival is being set up to celebrate Kenya and China this year; the sprinklers are activated and rotating on and off to cover the immense lawn...but the rainbow they create with the Washington Monument in the background caught my eye; the water shimmers in front of the Capitol where a huge group of school kids are posing for a snapshot of a lifetime; the police on foot and motorcycle chat in front of the majestic Capitol building - and the reflection of the dome is caught in the pool in front of it; a Supreme Court decision will be immediately reported on by the myriad of press sitting it front. Just another day in the Capitol city, but it takes on such a different look when you don't have to work. Today we decided to "cool down" for a few minutes in the shade of the trees by the Jefferson Building before having breakfast. It was a good idea...to cool down. I'm still trying to decide if getting up early is too.