National Gallery of Art East Building Skylights

It’s been going on for a very long time. The National Gallery of Art East Building has been undergoing a renovation. The main entrance was switched over to the side for a while. Then the building itself was closed for several months. Every time we drove or walked past there were construction crews surrounding the place. The streets have been closed down as well. Last week we wanted to go in to town and visit the art gallery for some photo ops for the weekly challenge. It wasn’t until then that I realized that the renovation was partially completed - enough so that the front entrance was reopened and the streets were once again open to traffic. We were greeted with a lot of gusto! It felt like it was the first day - and maybe it was. Everything inside seemed to be so much brighter! And it should because the main reason for the renovation was the redo the skylights. And they were indeed magnificent. There was no more scaffolding and draping and obvious work going on. It was once again restored to its beauty. There were also a few new exhibits that we had not seen before. So it was well worth the trip and we did get several great photos. It’s especially nice to visit during the summer months just to get out of the heat. We will indeed return in the weeks ahead. 

Benjamin Moore Dior Gray Kitchen

I hope I like it. My husband has not been happy with the color of the old kitchen cabinets since we added a backsplash. Yes, the cabinets were worn and chipped, but I thought the existing color created a warmer tone against the masculine feel of the black and white glass tiles. And he hated the color of the drop leaf table too. So after discussing the options for a few weeks, we finally picked out a Benjamin Moore Dior Gray paint. We didn't want it to be too light - we had white cabinets in our old home - and not too dark. For a tiny space the last thing I want is a gloomy room. The work started yesterday. The upper cabinet doors and the base cabinets were primed. The table was sanded down. The initial coat was painted and the doors were set outside on the patio to dry. I think it is going to take more than a couple of days to get this  ll done. It will be worth it if I like it. But I haven't made up my mind yet. 

Bartholdi Park Renovation

One of our favorite walkways is through Bartholdi Park. It is located on independence avenue and is part of the US Botanical gardens. When we first moved here, the majestic fountain was being restored. The construction seemed to take forever. Now, the park is being renovated to improve access, more seating space, improved walkways, better lighting, and edible gardens, among other things. I was disappointed to see the typical construction walls being erected around this beautiful place - because that would mean we would not be able to pass through it on our way to and from home on our routine walks. I've taken dozens of photos of the plant life and of the bees and birds every time we visit. But I know in the end it will most likely be better. But what's nice about it now is how peaceful it usually is even on the busiest of days. There is something very serene about it with the tucked away seating areas. Hopefully the construction this time won't take more than a few months, but I have my doubts. The sign says 2016, but it doesn't say what month. Hopefully before the end of the year?!

DC Services Stink - Do Yours?

It takes a certain kind of person to live in this town. Maybe this week was just odd and not typical, or maybe we have nothing life threatening to worry about. I can only compare it to what life was like in the Midwest - and it was nothing as irritating as this. Starting with USPS - our held mail was never delivered. Neither two postal workers nor email complaint has been addressed. We still don't have our mail or a response within the promised 48 hour window. The public garden on the corner is overgrown and full of weeds. A request was sent without any action - they have one more day to meet the two week turnaround. We started a project three months ago for a simple installation with a promised date for tomorrow. Even with several email reminders to the vendor about meeting this deadline, we were assured it would be met. Guess what? It has to be rescheduled another 7-10 days out. Our entire kitchen in Milwaukee was remodeled in less time than this. I hate living my life around incompetence. I've been trying to make a doctor appointment for an annual exam for the past THREE months to no avail. I considered changing offices but don't want to deal with the prescription hassle. They said it has to do with scheduling changed. I don't think they want any patients. And of course there are other things going on in the city that create major inconvenience because of the lousy infrastructure. Thank goodness I don't need to drive to work or use the metro. If you are an organized and reliable and honest type of person - this is not the place for you. In the end probably none of this matters, but when it all happens in the same week it is quite irritating. 

DC SW Waterfront Construction

We had to go down to SW DC last week to the Register of Deeds. We haven't been in that area of town for awhile. Quite some time ago we went to a play at the Arena Stage, and explored the neighborhood around the Titanic Memorial after a near hurricane. And of course, we visited Captain White's seafood stand several times to pick up barrels of blue crab for our son's get togethers. As is true with every corner of DC these days, significant construction is also underway in this area. There had to be every crane on earth congregated in the huge hole as we passed by the future home of The Wharf. It is planned to open in 2017. My husband sometimes shops at the Safeway there, but it's not a routine stop for us. It is exciting to see all the changes that have and are taking place since we moved here nine years ago. This is one time I'm glad the noise and construction is somewhere else. 

 

A Hampton Inn Renovation In Process

We have been traveling since last Friday. It's been awhile since we took a road trip in summer. The traffic is heavier and the hotels are full. I tried to book a Hampton Inn several hours before the arrival time but it was full! So I looked for the next city and tried again. There was a warming that renovation was in process. We didn't want to take any chances so we made a reservation in Wilson, North Carolina. When we arrived there they told us there was no cable. Okay. The room looked like it had just been completed that day. It smelled new and was set up for the twenty first century with charging stations everywhere, sliding shower doors, sleek lighting fixtures, and pull out shelves. The chaise was nice but my husband didn't care for the green cover. It was comfortable as rooms like these go. Unfortunately this morning the Internet wasn't working either. We didn't get a discount for the missing services, but we didn't inquire either. It didn't bother us too much, but I'm glad we didn't have any kids to think about. Since we were traveling for an emergency this is not the time of year I would choose either. We are anxious to get back home today. There's nothing like it. Let's hope our cable and Internet are working. 

 

The Library of Congress Jefferson Building Arch Repair

It's one thing to see the beautiful main reading room of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building as the tourists do, but quite another to see it from almost the dome perspective during the arch renovation. Last week when I went to see the Magna Carta Exhibit, I stopped in the main reading room. It is splendid in every regard. It reminded me of a special behind the scenes tour we took about six years ago. As an employee, sometimes we are invited to unusual and interesting side adventures. I'm not sure how this one came about, but we ended up with hard hats and climbing scaffolding that took us to the archways that are located above the statues close to the dome. I don't think I have ever seen a bigger tarp than the one that was draped on one of the sections to contain whatever was going on behind it. Up by the stained glass windows were mentions of all the states. There we stood next to the statues four stories above the main floor. Luckily, I don't have a fear of heights, but when look at the photos, it is amazing I didn't think twice about climbing that high. I have a piece of brick from the Jefferson Building that was cut away for the Capitol Visitor Center Tunnel that connects the Library to the Capitol underground. And as the Capitol Visitor Center was being made, we took two tours long before it ever opened.  I worked on a lot of renovations while in health care in Milwaukee, including designing and constructing nursing stations and ICU's. That was interesting too. But these kinds of explorations are one of a kind opportunities.