52frames Inspired by a Photographer

He was right. Taking photos of koi is quite tricky. A Polish photographer Lukasz Palka who lives in Tokyo has taken some lovely photos of koi. So I tried my best at the National Arboretum to do the same. The koi pond just reopened and there weren’t a lot of fish. The water was a bit murky and they were primarily in the shade. They move about so quickly and appear to be rather shy. Aside from the fish we took a morning walk through the azalea park - but we missed the peak blooms. Another photographer I wanted to mimic was an Iranian film maker who has also done a lot of black and white images. So we wandered about the grounds and found some interesting options. Before we left we checked out the herb gardens and roses and arbors, then passed through the substantial bonsai collection.  I was surprised how much attention both the fish and the woods got on my Facebook business page and on Instagram. I use the responses to gauge which photo to choose for the weekly challenge, along with my husband’s opinion. I ended up selecting a single koi - there was something about the contrasting color of the fish and the water even though it wasn’t very crisp. Regardless of the challenge it’s a great excuse to get out of the house. 

A Visit to the National Arboretum

The azaleas were past bloom. We used to visit the National Arboretum routinely when we lived on Capitol Hill - especially during spring cherry blossom and azalea seasons. We returned last year to take photos of the Capitol columns and haven’t been back since. So it was time for another walk about and that would be the place. So we drove in by first heading towards our old neighborhood and then took the side streets rather than the freeway. There wasn’t a park entrance fee this time and one can use the old entryway off Bladensburg Road rather than the busy New York Avenue entrance. The park was very green since we are now in between seasons - except for the entry walkway that has huge purple balls along the way. The new and renovated koi pond had a few large koi, but it was nothing like before when it was filled with hundreds of fish. There were quite a few people wandering about. We did walk through the azalea park, but we were not able to drive along the path we liked because of the eagle nest that could not be disturbed. There is also quite a significant bonsai collection and a lovely herb garden with arbors and roses. All in all it was a very pleasant visit. We decided to return home using the freeway. The city has definitely changed since we first moved sixteen years ago. We rarely drove through then NE section of town and we were not familiar with the roads. I’m not sure when we will return, but it’s always a nice option. 

Fish Survived the Deep Freeze

When our son and his family lived down the street from us in a lovely townhouse, they installed a small fish pond in the front yard. You really didn’t notice it from the street - but it became a matter of conversation when you reached the front door. We always wondered what happened to the fish in the winter. They just seemed to disappear to the bottom of the pond until spring came around. And most, if not all of them, reappeared. Well, we can’t check out that fish pond any more because our family hasn’t lived there for the last few years and it would be a bit awkward to see what’s going on. We were just interested to see the impact of the brutal bone chilling temps of the last few weeks on the poor fish. Well, today we found out. We took our morning walk towards Eastern Market followed by breakfast at Ted’s Bulletin. There is a little fish pond on the corner. There happened to be a bird taking a sip of water in the pond. And below the cracked ice were several gold fish huddled along the edge. Being almost fifty degrees they probably felt safe enough to emerge from the depths of the deep freeze. So it just goes to show you how sturdy and hardy these critters are. Amazing!

Old Men in Yazd and a Fish Pond on Capitol Hill

It's been awhile since the last art show at the Library of Congress.  I have participated in it over the last four years. Then there was a hiatus, and a year passed without an event. I retired in February, and made sure I was on the mailing list for updates since retirees can continue to contribute their work. Last week I received a call for art notice and that the fair was scheduled for October 2016 through April 2017. The email included the necessary paperwork - guidelines, registration, and agreements. Since I already had my selections made, it was easy to put together. The toughest part was getting the documents to print on my very old HP printer. For whatever reason, I couldn't print from my laptop, but could save the images to my iPad as a photo, and they printed. What was even more curious is that the copy function would only work from a color document and not with black and white. I hate it when these things happen! But as long as I can find a work around.... Anyway, yesterday I brought the two items to the Library and then had lunch with a colleague on the sixth floor cafeteria. This year "Old Men in Yazd" and "A Fish Pond on Capitol Hill" made the cut determined by a process of elimation of my then colleagues before I retired. My husband loves the old men image; I like the fish pond. Hopefully, one of them will get noticed! 

The Capitol Hill House in Art

It is an interesting neighborhood we live in. The last couple blog entries have been about the diverse and whimsical house and garden ornaments that abound, and about how quickly the real estate sells around here regardless of the type, shape, or location of the place. We had a connection to one house in particular. But it was sold last month the day it went on the market when the owners decided to move to Virginia a few hours away. While our grandson was in residence there these last eleven years, we became quite familiar with it. So much so that I preserved it by digitally painting and using the images in two of my children's books. Because it had some unique features, it was a great subject. The little koi pond in the front yard, hidden behind the rain garden right in front of the steps and under the kitchen window was another whimsical setting. The owners would drink coffee on the steps early in the morning and listen to the quiet of the gurgling pond. It was a great place to sit no watch the world go by. In the backyard was a private garden... really more of a rustic patio with large pots on the brick fence that housed a variety of foliage and plants. Many a party was held back there in every season. Now there are new owners who will make this place their own. When we walk by it, it doesn't feel the same. A lot of memories were made in that home, with many more to come - for someone else. 

Another Pond in the Neighborhood

Right near Eighth Street is a home with a very large pond in front of it. It has some fake lily pads and maybe a fish or two? It caught our attention because the other pond we are well acquainted with is at our grandson's house just up the street from us. We were asked to feed the always hungry koi for one last time while the final arrangements are being made for the move to Virginia at the end of the month. There is something relaxing about a little gurgling water and a lazy summer afternoon. Their home - which sold the same day it went on the market - has been the inspiration for a lot of my digital art. Paintings include the townhouse itself, the courtyard patio in the rear, and of course the fish pond. The home has also been a part of three children's books that I wrote and illustrated. This morning was the last official feeding time. I'm not sure there will be any more after today. I only hope the new home owners take as good care of this place as the previous owners.