Library of Congress Souvenir Brick

When I started work at the Library of Congress twelve years ago I was excited about it. After thirty years in health care I would be working at a very unusual and one of a kind place. I could walk to work, come home for lunch, and spend ten years “toiling” as a federal employee. My job was measuring performance in the infrastructure services. And that included all of the facilities. Back then, the Capitol visitor center was under construction and we had an opportunity to see the construction first hand. I was also able to participate in ground breaking ceremonies. On of the events included a breaking down of the Jefferson Building wall to create the tunnel that would connect the Capitol building to the library. The other day I was looking for something at home and came across a piece of brick that I always kept on my desk when I worked at the library. After the ground breaking ceremony all of the bricks that were removed were saved to give as “gifts” for special occasions. That day I got a piece of a brick that would have been thrown out, but it meant the same to me. When I retired I took the momento home. It is actually a part of the original Library of Congress wall that was built back in the 1890’s or so. So I am still connected to the famous buildings in Washington DC in a quite unexpected way. 

Neighborhood Front Doors and Gardens

It finally feels like the summer heat is slowly heading south. To that end, and when the humidity allows, we are finally able to walk in our quaint Capitol Hill neighborhood rather than the air conditioned Union Station. It’s so much prettier than the three floors of food courts, train waiting areas and ticketing counters, and shops on the third floor that look like ghost towns so early in the morning. I really prefer checking out the variety of gardens and front doors on both the row houses and standalone homes as we wander by them on the sometimes very uneven brick sidewalks. It’s always a good idea to look down to avoid a stumble and to take the pathways under the shadiest sections. Each abode is very uniquely different than the one it sits next to. Obviously some are taken care of better than others. I always imagine who lived in these places since they were built. Our condo was made in the 1890’s and many of these homes are much older than that. They all look lovely, but I also know how very impractical they are - from just about every angle. But we enjoy the walk and the views and the creativity of the neighbors. It’s a bit different than your typical suburban midwestern environment. The question is - which one would you prefer to live in?

Walkways and Decorative Paths Around the Capitol

For whatever reason the streets were all blocked off all around the Capitol Building last night. It stopped the tour buses that typically travel through the area. It didn't stop pedestrian traffic, so we took our usual walk. Depending on the time of day, the Capitol and the surrounding grounds of the Supreme Court and The Library of Congress take on a different vibe. As the sun was setting in the distance, the lights started to flicker on. All the textures in the walkways and paths came to life or maybe just became more obvious. There wasn't a lot of foot traffic. It almost felt like we were the only people in town. It's like a people switch gets turned on and off. You would never know this was a busy place during the day. But on the weekend - especially on a weekend in August - it's mysteriously silent. But it gives us the opportunity to really enjoy the neighborhood, and the lights, and the walkways. It's even better when you are with your favorite companion.