House in the Park

We walk in the neighborhood park almost every morning except for one day a week that we drive in to town. Along the path are the backyards of the homes. Some of them are fenced in; most are not. Over the last several months there has been activity to change up a mid century looking home. What strikes us most is that this is what our son does to his “cabin” along the James River in central Virginia. He’s planting a lot of trees and is constantly putting in new paths and finding various projects. It’s like a hobby. This homeowner is also putting in paths, taking out trees, planting plants and shrubs, put in a fence around the entire backyard, added a gazebo, put in planters, screens on a porch and did just about anything that can be done. We don’t see him working as much outdoors since the flurry of activity over the last several months. I suppose you could say it looks good. But that is in the eye of the beholder. It makes one wonder if he is trying to keep the wildlife out of his backyard since we always see deer, fox, etc. We have never seen a dog to keep out of harms way. I suppose he just wants to beautify the place and has the money to do it. But how much is enough?

A Horrible Location for a New Home

The corner on Chain Bridge Road and Great Falls Street was always a mess. There still are huge electric poles and wires and used to be weeds. We always commented that it was a horrible location and no one would ever buy the corner lot if it ever came on the market. And there is so much traffic it didn’t stand a chance. Then a for sale sign appeared a couple of years ago. We thought it might be retail space, but it turned out to be residential. So we watched the new home slowly being built. My husband kept saying how much he liked the look of it - more of a mid century modern white with dark grey accents. The home itself is actually quite nice, but even the shrubs that were planted around it still wouldn’t improve the general vibe there. The electric poles and traffic remain. So I looked up the specs - there are 6,000 square feet and the price tag is two and a half plus million. In this neighborhood that is nothing; but in a location like that it is ridiculous. The interior of the home is actually something we had never seen - we looked at the listing details and photos. It didn’t sell without staging. It still hasn’t sold with staging. I think they need to put up a big wall around it to make it more enclosed and secure. You can see right in to it whenever you are stopped at the light. It’s just an awful location. Who’s idea was that? I’m looking to see how much it actually sells for when all is said and done. 

New England House Architecture

Toto - we aren’t in Kansas anymore! Well, we weren’t exactly in Kansas, but the general architecture reminded us that we were no longer in northern Virginia. We went for a whirlwind road trip to New England a couple weeks ago. It was primarily for a memorial service for our oldest cousin who unexpectedly passed away last year. Due to the pandemic the family decided to have a sort of picnic celebration rather than a traditional funeral. So we had an opportunity to check out old and new places alike, including the family home of my mom’s favorite sister. There is something so very familiar about the homes and the architectural features. Though my family only actually lived in New England until I was in second grade, my parents both came from the same small town. We did visit New aengland a few times as we were growing up and these are the memories that remind me of another time. It’s also been about twenty five years since we last were there. And that time was for a surprise fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration for my parents. So many people have come and gone since then! The large homes near the pond were quite stylish - many are now converted to condos. The three decker houses remind me of our own childhood home. We lived with my grandparents and my mom’s sisters family for a few years in one of those structures. Along the coast are sea going whimsical offerings. The parking is almost worse than Capitol Hill in some of the neighborhoods - which is hard to believe. It was a very short and memorable trip. We need to do it more often. 

Two Year House Anniversary

It’s been two years since we moved to northern Virginia. It’s hard to believe and then it isn’t. We spent more time in this house over the last year than we thought we ever could. After living on Capitol Hill for thirteen years, we moved to a condo in a familiar neighborhood. We went there every week for Saturday brunch, then groceries, and sometimes back the next day for Sunday dinner out. Our two 500 square foot condos on Capitol Hill were swapped for a single 1000 square foot one bedroom and den - and most importantly a parking garage and space. When we were traveling during the year the size of the house was great. But being stuck in it there were days it was a bit claustrophobic. It’s still not as cozy as I would like it to be and maybe it never will be. It’s a combination of old and new items. It’s comfortable enough, but having one bathroom is only a mindset. It’s worked out okay but we haven’t had any visitors for the so long. If we would ever have them again there is a hotel just a couple of blocks away. Would we have done anything different? I miss our Midwest home a lot now, and we do miss our Capitol Hill neighborhood but we can still drive in whenever we want. This week we learned that the house we grew up in in Florida has officially been deeded over to the next door neighbors who took care of my mom who passed away a year ago. It was her gift to them for everything they have done for her and for us. Now that it’s done it tugs at my heart a bit. Another chapter closed. It’s another place I spent a lot of years in and I didn’t think I would miss it as much as I do now. I can’t think of anywhere else we would want to live, but I’m not quite as settled as I would have hoped.  

A Trip to Edgewater near Annapolis

We’ve been getting together just about every month. My sister lives in Maryland, my brother and sister in law live in DC, and we now live in northern Virginia after thirteen years living on Capitol Hill. We meet for breakfast/brunch and rotate the locations to each “state.” Last week it was my sister’s turn, but there was an interesting twist. She just bought a house in Edgewater, so we gathered at her current house and then we drove to Edgewater for breakfast. Following that we took a tour of the town. It is surrounded by water and has a distinct nautical vibe - not surprising because it is very close to Annapolis and the Naval Academy. She’s always liked the water and the beaches and the art vibe this small town represents. I’m not sure I would take on a project like it, but she was so enthusiastic about the new location and house and her plans for it. After a visit there, we drove through Annapolis and the surrounding area. You could say it was one of our more interesting adventures. Too bad it’s further away, but it’s still close enough to get together. 

Discovering Washington

Whenever there are shows or movies about Washington DC on television, we always watch for views of our house. It is not unusual to find it in the overhead shots. Most recently we were watching “Discovering Washington” on PBS for the sole purpose of seeing our house. All the footage of the sites were so familiar because we have now lived here almost twelve years, and see a lot of what the show was describing on our daily walks along the National Mall. Every time we see these programs my husband comments about how much he loves living here and would be very sad if we ever left. When the aerial views of the Capitol came on we paid very close attention to the surrounding area. And for about five seconds we could see our house on the far right side of the screen. The building has after all been around since the 1870’s - which is both good, but also bad in terms of living on picturesque Capitol Hill. We are here because of the neighborhood - not the sound infrastructure of our building! What once was a home for single girls working in the area - run by the nuns - was converted to condos. It’s a very pretty place and anyone who walks by takes a good look at it. It’s nice to be in such good company. Not everyone can point their house out on tv. 

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson & Ted Yoho Office Staff Ratings

I made the rounds to the Cannon, Russell, and Hart Congressional Office Buildings this week. I wanted to register a concern about an incident in Lawtey Florida regarding a speedtrap and an inappropriate comment made by the police officer. My first stop was to Representative Ted Yoho's Office. It was the easiest to reach as it is right next store to the Library of Congress. The three staff were pleasant enough, told me they would make some calls to the district in question, took my personal information, were aware of some of the problems, said they would get back to me, and asked if I would like something to drink midway through - but all discussed in an open space for everyone to hear. Grade? B+. After work I walked over to the Russell Building to Marco Rubio's Office. The young man was very professional, was surprised about what I was telling him, recorded my personal information, also said he would follow up,  at least seemed interested, concerned & apologetic, we had a more private interchange but still in an open space for others to overhear. Grade? A-. Then I made my way over to Bill Nelson's Office in the Hart Building. Four staff were standing around, and no other customers were present. They told me the issue should be taken up with the local district, didn't seem concerned or interested - especially when the content of the message was known, didn't say they would get back to me until I asked them to respond. In general, it was a very awkward exchange. Grade? D. I sent follow up emails to the Senator's Offices, but could not leave one at the House Office because I do not live in Florida.  Now let's see how long it takes and who actually responds. More to come. 

The Distinguished House on Capitol Hill

Some days we actually miss our house in Milwaukee. Not the state of Wisconsin, but the house.  If we ever had need of help to fix a problem, we always had someone who would come immediately and put an end to it. I can't say that about living here. If I had to pick a house in the neighborhood that vaguely looks and has the feel of our old home, it's one that is located on Third Street near the Library of Congress Adams Building. It has columns, a circle driveway, a nice yard, only two stories, and looks like an individual home rather than a row or townhouse. I'm sure there is a fireplace or two. I'm not sure they would have any more luck getting help fixing a problem any more than we do. All I know is that when you have your own house you definitely have more control over how to go about it. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad, but our routine schedules have been completely disrupted given the government shutdown, having to battle this nagging cold/flu thing for the last eight days, eye surgery this week, and house problems. I suppose it can only get better - or let's hope so.