Take Out the Patio Cushions

We wrapped up and stored the patio cushions before the winter season began. Since we have limited places to put things, they ended up under the bed. Yesterday was a very bright a cheerful day - enough to make you want to sit outside. But it was still much too cold. Since the weather forecast was calling for sunny skies all week it sounded like a great time to get the balcony cushions outside. So my husband crawled down and reached for the items, then we moved them to the balcony. We have had this patio set for almost seventeen years. We got it from Ethan Allen before we moved to Capitol Hill, along with the bedroom and living room items for the tiny five hundred square foot condo that we never thought we would live in full time. But then I got a job at the Library of Congress and the rest is history. We moved to Northern Virginia four years ago and brought the furniture along with us. I suppose you could say it has held up over the years, but it definitely is starting to look old. But it will have to do since it serves the purpose. Once the weather gets nice it is one of our favorite things to do - just sit outside and do nothing. Or, in the evening we play games on my iPad while enjoying the early evening after dinner. I’m so glad we have a balcony to use and have a few flowers too. So another season begins. We are hoping life will finally return to normal. 

Gardens, Seating Areas, Patterns and Neighborhood Walks

Rather than walk over to the Mall this morning we took another path towards Union Station and then in to the neighborhood. For whatever reason we are avoiding the marches that are scheduled today and tomorrow. We usually like to see what’s going on regardless of the agenda, but just not up to it during  these last several dreary winter days. I was more interested to see what the leftover snow was looking like now that it’s almost melted. Sometimes the most unusual patterns can emerge. There was a huge chunk of snow hanging precariously from the rooftop - just don’t walk out the front door at the wrong time. The red brick townhouses stand out - each a little different than the one next to it. The patio seating arrangements don’t look quite as inviting as during the summer months. The flowers really pop in front of a white background. Sidewalks have patterns along the grout lines and you can certainly see the paw prints of the four legged fury friends. Some very thoughtful person set up three birdhouses far enough away from a predator, but I think the squirrels can still find a way to disturb them. I suppose each season has its attraction. I really have to work at not only finding the unusual sights, but actually liking them. 

French Drain

I wish I had taken more recent photos of our patio and garden. We didn’t tend to the garden as much this year because we knew there were plans to put in a French drain along the foundation of our 1890’s building. And that would include ripping up our patio and digging a trench three feet from the house and at least that much deep. That means several plants and small trees and vines would be lost. We have been through all of this before. When we moved to DC twelve years ago, another project like this was done soon after - and we had just had the garden professionally landscaped. I’m not sure exactly what the difference between this mess is from the last one except sump pumps are going in. The foundation of the building needs shoring up and tuck pointing. For most people who live in the building it may be a minor inconvenience. But we are in the middle of it for eight to ten weeks. And when they are done with the backside of the building, they will be doing the side and front as well. So our apartment on the front side will lose all the privacy bushes and we are in for a lot of noise from 7AM to whenever every day during the week. All I care is that it doesn’t rain so the work can get done as soon as possible. These old buildings are really charming, but they are a major maintenance headache - especially if you live on the first floor. 

Gardens and Seating Options

When the temps get warmer, but not really hot and humid, we prefer to walk under the shady trees in the neighborhood rather than the concrete jungle of the National Mall. When it gets really hot, Union Station is the place to wander as it is air conditioned. Getting to and from can be grueling, but we always have a water bottle on hand. So today we walked all the way to H street and followed the shade all the way. The neighborhood is always changing and it’s fun to see what is new on the walkabout. Usually cats sit in the front windows, but a cute little pooch was perched on the window ledge inside the house and smiling back. One of the patio doors looked like something from inside the house with glass insets. There were several patio seating options to be found. Some of them were obviously much nicer than others. Unfortunately many of the garden spots have blue garbage containers nearby. That sort of ruins the ambiance and charm. The hydrangea plants were all different colors in full bloom. It is a very quirky and eclectic neighborhood which is why we like it. There is a lot to be said about all of these old places. On days like this we really like it. 

One Daffodil from the Garden

Although it is my husband’s least favorite spring flower, the daffodils are blooming around town. When we first moved to DC twelve years ago, we planted several bulb flowers in our tiny patio garden - a few tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other things - I don’t recall the names! Most of them were located in the main section of the garden by the birdbath and one bulb was planted on the other side. This particular one comes up every year, but it never blooms. I was just commenting about that last week. Then my husband pointed out that there was a flower - and a daffodil at that. And it was the first one to bloom this year. We oftentimes bring in flowers from the garden to put in our wall vase. But I currently have an air plant, a succulent, and a cactus occupying that space. But the single flower vase on the table was sitting empty. I thought about taking the daffodil and putting it there, but forgot about it. Before I knew it, someone decided to do just that before telling me. My husband loves single flower arrangements so he cut it down himself. I’m not sure how long it will last, but I know how much he treasures it - even though it’s a daffodil. 

Snow Art

The last thing I wanted to do this morning was walk outside in blustery cold temps. But it is our habit. One can get enough exercise just getting dressed with all the layers and wraps. So we started out on our usual route, but decided that maybe a trip to Ted's Bulletin for breakfast would make it worth our while. So we turned back from Union Station and followed the salted walkways - which means staying away from the neighbors houses and taking the business route. That way you'll have a better chance of cleaner walkways and less slips. No one around here cleans their sidewalk so there is no point of taking a chance. And wearing mittens makes it very difficult to hang on to my husband! When we got home we put the wet boots on the entryway mat that faces our tiny patio. I couldn't help but notice the artwork staring me in the face. Usually I find snow irritating at best - living in the Midwest for thirty years does that to you! For whatever reason it looked pretty today - maybe because it was more of a dusting than an accumulation - and we didn't have to be anywhere. I asked my husband to look at the patio and he didn't see any of what I was looking at. That just goes to show you that we have different brain functions. I see things as artwork. He sees the same thing as snow.