The Patio Garden

Even though we only have a small patio, there is plenty of space for a vegetable garden. Last summer, we were denied a harvest due to the extreme heat. So far this season, everything is very green and staying very green. The green pepper is the only one of the five pepper plants that has grown in to a pepper. All the others have been bitten off at the tips. I'm not a fan of the green pepper either, so whatever is munching on my vegetables unfortunately has my taste. There is one good sized tomato on a plant that is already three feet high.  For something that tall, there should be more! The eggplant has a few flowers, and not much else. But the three cucumber vines may be our best bet. They are flowering and meandering their way around and on top of everything else. I love the way they find a way to wrap around anything in their way. I am rooting for these guys the most, because there is nothing better than a cucumber fresh out of the garden. We had vegetables in Wisconsin too, but the planting and growing season was so much shorter, and we were never as successful as here. It all goes to show you that you really don't need a lot of space to enjoy the big treats in life. 

Women on the Steps of Persepolis - SOLD!

It's been a long time since my first art work was created with crayons and construction paper back in kindergarten in Connecticut. I've always had the artsy bug in me but didn't do much about it until three years ago when the iPad came out. Yes, I did keep a sketch pad of some kind along the way, but using the iPad as the canvas and a stylus as the brush makes it so less messy and rewarding! I have received a lot of positive feedback on my two entries at the Library of Congress art show. In fact, I have a buyer for The Women on the Steps of Persepolis. The cool thing about digital work is that I can simply send the jpeg image as an email attachment or print to size. I much prefer using the digital approach because I don't have to deal with shipping. That way, the customer can mat and frame to their liking, or put it on an unconventional surface like a coffee mug. My Etsy shop is all digital with custom order options. Who would have thought this little blue bird would eventually make something out of herself? And if someone else likes this painting I can easily make another one. 

Rustico in Alexandria

Having heard about it when it first opened a while back, we decided not to go. But we changed our minds in the name of adventure. So we made our way to Alexandria to try out Rustico for dinner. It seemed everyone had pizza on the table but the daily specials sounded good - fried chicken and shrimp gnocchi. The sun was setting right in to my eyes so it made for a very fuzzy view. The salad and fries were good. I'm not sure what to say except maybe we need to try it again. It is situated in a relatively new neighborhood of look a like town homes. I understand why homes are so vertical in the city, but don't quite get the idea of it further away. All in all it doesn't feel like Old Town and reminds me of Brookfield in Wisconsin. Can't quite put my finger on it, but something sterile about it all. 

Dominicans, Buddhist Monks, and Mennonites

While roaming the Capitol grounds in anticipation of the super moon, a convergence of sorts ascended upon us. A small stage and microphone was sitting in the middle of the East Lawn across from the Supreme Court. About twenty Dominican priests and nuns traversed across the lawn. I asked one of them what their business was and it was to say a vigil for peace. I recognized the order due to my familiarity of the garb from grammar school. Next up were a couple of Buddhist Monks walking by the Bartholdi Fountains. And finally about ten Mennonites posed for a timed photo with very sophisticated equipment - which gave them away as not being Amish. Among all this was the lone Capitol Policeman on a motorcycle parading along the sidewalk. Everyone, including me, seemed to be captivated with the surroundings. Every one of us, except the policeman, were making every effort to capture the moment with our electronic devices - but for seemingly different reasons. 

Super Moon Over Washington DC

The last few Saturday evenings have been perfect for a walk about the Capitol grounds. Last night was no exception, and as a treat, the super moon was rising. Though it wasn't high in the sky, we got the idea. Though it wasn't really late at night, we still got the idea. We started at the Library of Congress Jefferson Building, then moved to the Supreme Court. We backtracked to the Madison Building - a place I hate to see on Monday morning, but don't mind at all any other time - and then down the street to our neighborhood. There is something about the old 1880 building landscape against the night sky. Who and what passed this way all these years gone by? But the most interesting view was around 2 AM. We stayed up to watch a movie, and I checked the moon once more. It was really bright, and eerie at the same time, and I was tricked in to thinking it was much bigger than it was. We were in France about ten years ago, and The Milky Way was within reach from where we stood. Our hosts were so thrilled about showing us this once in a lifetime event - and were annoyed that my husband just didn't get the drift. This was the case again last evening, but it didn't really matter. 

Yards Park on a Friday Afternoon

Yards Park down by the Anacostia River is about eight blocks from our house past M Street SE. The last time we walled that way was in spring with the beautiful azaleas in bloom. After dinner last evening we walked that way again. Folks were converging on the neighborhood for a Nationals game, and the sight and sounds of children could be heard from blocks away. When we reached the Department of Transportation building, the area was abuzz with activity.  Just down the street a new Harris Teeter is going in, and several shops are under construction. But the highlight of this area, on the first day of summer, is the wading pool. There were kids and grown ups in all shapes, sizes, and colors enjoying the beautiful evening and splashing about. The bridge reminds me of the Calatrava in Milwaukee, and the boats were tying to the dock. Music and entertainment could be heard in the distance. But even in this new establishment are reminders of the grunge. All the junk that collects in the river finds it's way to the celebration. Wonder when people will ever quit being such litter bugs? That stuff just doesn't belong at the party. 

Hyatt's Graphic Supply Company Reminds Me of Frager's

I use foam board to mount my digital cat and dog renderings at the Wagtime Shop. I used to get large boards and cut them to size using a straight edge and scalpel. But the straight edges weren't as straight as I would like, so I thought I would try getting some pre-cut boards. Staples didn't have what I needed, so I thought I would try Amazon, which of course has just about everything. I ended up with a company called Hyatt's on Main Street in Buffalo, NY. The package arrived within a couple days, but it was literally crushed, so I did not have a lot of hope for the squishy contents. Only two of the four pieces were barely salvageable. I sent off a note to them last night with a photo and received a response early this morning, asking if I wanted a replacement or a refund. I really didn't want either, just wanted to send a friendly reminder to be more careful with packaging this kind of stuff in the future. The invoice said it was a family owned business since 1959. It reminded me of Frager's and I appreciated their quick response and follow up. And I just didn't have the heart to make an issue of it.