USDA Farmers Market

On Independence Avenue and 12th Street is the USDA Farmers Market. It is open every Friday and runs from June to mid November. The idea is to support healthy eating, and local growers. One sees farmers markets just about everywhere these days. A small one was even set up in the Library of Congress cafe this year. It is odd to see one amongst the concrete and marble along the avenue. It is even stranger to see corn growing in front of the Department of Agriculture. If you prefer heading in the opposite direction, there is always Eastern Market. It is open all year long and has a tremendous variety of everything. It is also one of the oldest of its kind. It's nice to know we have options. And it is all within walking distance.

Church Street, Frederick Maryland & The Tasting Room

Our friend retired on Friday and to celebrate we all took a ride to Frederick, Maryland. We stumbled upon The Tasting Room on Market Street two years ago after visiting the so called show house at a farm during the afternoon. I like Frederick because of the Civil War history and the Medical Museum. The downtown is quite charming. If you like antiques, this is the place for you. We took a walk around town passing by City Hall and a house where Lafayette slept and Francis Scott Key wrote a poem. But Church Street struck my fancy this time. The steeples against the blue sky were all shouting for attention. The dinner was great but the company was even better. The ride home was just as fun. At least we can say we have great friends both here and Milwaukee. We consider ourselves very fortunate. All the stuff is just background to the great company and conversation.

Happy Birthday H

Congratulations Merrily

Happy Birthday W

Dr. Mahdi Aminrazavi and Omar Khayyam

Today was one of those days that my husband joined my friend and colleague for a lecture at the African Middle Eastern Division in the Jefferson Building. And for once, I really liked and enjoyed it. We sat in the front row, heard every word, and the subject matter was even interesting - for me. Usually I don't always connect with the subject, but this presentation was well done. The speaker is from Mashad, one of the many cities we visited in Iran a couple years ago. What I like most about this type of event is that it gives us an opportunity to enjoy the perks of working at the Library of Congress. After the questions and answers ended, we walked back through the tunnels that connect the Jefferson Building to the Madison Building and have lunch on the sixth floor. The view from there overlooks our neighborhood and you can see our house. What I miss on these days is the walk home, and lunch at home, and a quick cat nap. But every once in awhile, this is a treat. And something like this never happened in any of my previous work places.

Happy Birthday M

Wonders Never Cease

It's been about two weeks since the horrible storm leashed it's
ferocious destruction in the neighborhood and community at large
leaving hundreds of thousands without power in the dreadful heat.
Luckily for us our power lines are underground and we had a lot less
damage than most. Just yesterday I was wondering when all the dead
tree limbs would be picked up. I was certain it would be a long time
if past experience has anything to do with it. To my delight and
surprise, the branches were all removed by our house and next to
Bullfeathers. Services in Milwaukee are typically much speedier and we
didn't have to think much about the turnaround. I wonder if I will
ever have that opinion here?

On the Mall July 4 Fireworks, Cannons & Concert

We decided to brave the heat and walk over to the Mall last evening to watch the fireworks. All along the way there, the neighbors were staking out places to watch from those areas only they would know about. The House Building parking lot was quite full and the balconies were too. Rather than watch the concert in front of the Capitol, we walked in between that and ventured towards the pool in front of the Capitol where the cannons were set up to blast during the 1812 Overture. In spite of the heat and humidity, the threat of storms never materialized, and the crowd was able to enjoy the festivities after such a dreary week of weather damage and power outages for many. For a short time everyone could forget about it. It doesn't feel so bad to be hot watching fireworks, but we were lucky to get back inside in air conditioning. Some folks don't have that luxury yet.

The concert was playing & the police were everywhere

All of these characters must have been hot

And the show begins

The Marines in full dress man the cannons

It's been a long day

Walking back home along Independence Avenue

Dallas

Dallas really does not have much to do with either DC or Milwaukee. But now that the TV show returned to prime time, it does. The only reason there is a connection is beacuse we faithfully watched all 13 seasons of the original episodes. I couldn't wait until Friday evening to get home from work, have dinner, and settle in to a comfortable spot and watch the show. We oftentimes scheduled activities around having to be home in time to watch. Obviously those were the days before VCR's and streaming. How things have changed. But what hasn't is the fun watching this rediculous show and that they key players are still around and kicking. It also reminds us of another time, just like certain songs and music does. It's not so much the show but what was going on around us that brings back the memories. But it's still fun to watch so many years later, even if it is on a Wednesday.

The Supreme Court Health Care Decision

As I was unable to attend the event because I had to work, my husband diligently took some photos in front of the Supreme Court this morning while on his daily walk. He walks with me from our house to work, which is 2 blocks down the street to the Library of Congress, and then he continues on past the Capitol near to the Washington Monument and back. He's been walking just about every morning since he retired. But the landscape changed from Milwaukee and Grant Park and Lake Michigan, to the sidewalks of the Capitol City. Today was a great example of actually being a part of living history. He generally passes behind the Supreme Court. But the activity was well on it's way this morning, and he promised to pass by the front. I'm not sure exactly what the decision will mean to us. But I have a feeling we won't get any breaks. We both spent our careers in health care, and have never seen spending decrease for anything. Luckily I don't have to deal with that anymore in the work setting, but as a comsumer, we all will have to- whatever that eventually means.

A Capitol Fourth of July Celebation

We usually are not in town on the fourth of July, but this year we will be. We attended the Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol in May, but as soon as we arrived the crowd was asked to leave because of severe thunderstorms. We also attend a few of the Army Band concerts on the Capitol steps on Friday evenings throughout the summer. And again on Labor Day, there is also another concert. Memorial Day is a somber event, while Labor Day marks the end of summer- another somber event. A Capitol Fourth Concert is packed with visitors, tourists, and residents alike and has its share of "celebrities." And of course the fireworks display is spectacular with cannons and all.

Broadway stars Matthew Broderick, Megan Hilty and Kelli O'Hara will be among the performers for this year's A Capitol Fourth, to be broadcast live by PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, on July 4 from 8pm to 9:30pm ET (check local listings), according to reports. Dancing with the Stars' Tom Bergeron will host the event, which will also feature American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, The Voice winner Javier Colon; country singer Josh Turner, pop singer Russell Watson, R&B superstars Kool & The Gang; the National Symphony Orchestra; and a tribute to Team USA honoring the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, featuring composer John Williams.(from Theater Mania)

Usually there is a dress rehearsal the evening before, and it is more low key and less crowded, but not everyone shows up. Since none of the "stars" are a must-see, it hardly matters. The weather oftentimes dictates which one we go to. It really is quite a sight to see the monuments and the fireworks with the 1812 Overture playing. We could watch it on TV like everyone else, but there is something about having a front row seat to the event, even though our seat is usually way far in the back.

Setting up for the celebration

A lot yet to be done

Either guarding all the junk or directing it somehow

It's really busy this time of year

Fencing is put up all around the grounds to keep pedestrian traffic in check

Library of Congress Summer Programs

In the cafeteria this morning there were a lot of young folks who were casually dressed, in large groups. They would either be tourists or interns. Because it was so early in the morning, I decided they must be interns. There are several internships sponsored by DC, as well as through high schools and universities all over the country. We've had many come and go to our office over the years, and you can imagine the caliber of skill level varies all over the map. As I was taking my walk this afternoon along the long corridors of the Madison Building, I came upon a very large group of students waiting to access the Congressional Research Service. They were all dressed the same in dark jackets and pants/skirts. What I noticed most was that they simply do not move aside so you can pass- not an uncommon and very irritating phenomenon that routinely occurs on the sidewalks of this city. It is so rampant that I now basically push my way past anyone who feels they own the sidewalk. (By the way, someone slammed the door in my face this afternoon). I really can't think of an excuse for this sort of behavior, all I know is I don't like it. Aside from all the students mulling around are the programs that are free and open to the public. These are the perks of working in a place like the Library, and living in a city like DC- even if you have to elbow your way past some of the human barriers to get to them.

I just elbowed my way past these human barriers
that blocked the entire hallway

Large crowds attend the
Congressional Research Service Programs

Visitors and staff can attend the free public programs

Sailabration in Baltimore

The War of 1812 is being celebrated in Baltimore this week. Since it was such a nice day, and we have not been on a day trip of sorts for awhile, we decided to take a ride to Baltimore, which is not even 50 miles away. A lot of tall ships and sailing vessels were invited to the fest from all over the world. We stayed in the Fells Point Neighborhood in the 80's, when it was first being reinvigorated. At that time, the Baltimore Inner Harbor looked a lot like Milwaukee - there is even a building there that looks just like Grand Avenue. Our daughter in law is from Baltimore, my brother was drafted by the Orioles out of high school as a left handed pitcher, and our son went to Johns Hopkins. My dad was in the Coast Guard, so seeing ships and sailing vessels brings back a lot of memories. A million visitors were expected to this event, and I think that was the case. As we passed by Camden Yards and the golden glove statue of Brooks Robinson, the traffic became very heavy. And as was predicted, there were a lot of sailors on the streets. We didn't find any parking, so just moved along slowly and observed the scenes. We even saw, but mostly heard, the Blue Angels flying overhead. It was a vibrant and bustling scene, and a very interesting place to visit. We did not make it to Fort McHenry. We were there before, and it is nice to know that it is remarkably close in case we ever want to go again.

Baltimore does look like Milwaukee



Camden Yards



Brooks Robinson

The sailors were everywhere

A Canadian ship

Wonder what she is thinking?

Always a pirate ship

 

If you look hard enough there is a Blue Angels aircraft

Strolling along

A lot of activity along the Inner Harbor

Could be from Indonesia- one of the invited guest countries

Reminds me of visiting my dad's Coast Guard ships

At Fells Point

Making the rounds