A Visit With Sheila Waters - Calligraphic Artist

It's not every day we meet an internationally known artist. Since moving to Washington we have seen a lot of well known people, but have not actually met many of them. Yesterday we had an opportunity to take a drive to Pennsylvania with our friend who knows Sheila Waters. I didn't know quite what to expect but knew right away when I saw her studio that it would be an interesting time. Not only were her works of art on display from a recent show, but the brushes and paint and computer equipment were all very tantalizing! What I liked most was her hospitality, the sketches she did as a young girl, and the number of times she mentioned her late husband's name. She and Peter - a world renowned decorative book binder - were very involved in leading the effort to restore the rare books damaged from the 1960's flood in Florence. He also headed up the bookbinding division at the Library of Congress. My friend knows them both well and was trained to be a bookbinder herself. It was a really nice outing and one of many day trips we have taken since moving here. We did get a signed copy of her retrospective. It is well worth the read of a remarkable life. 

The Candy Man - Just in Time Nips Replacement

They came just in time. The candy supply was dwindling down to the last piece when the large box arrived from UPS this week. A few days ago my husband informed me that the Nips stash of chocolate parfait was dreadfully low. Never mind that he has buckets of Bali's Best and Werthers Originals. The flavors of each mean something very special to him. There are after all only two things most important to him in this world - candy and tea. What this conversation meant was that I needed to quickly get on Amazon and order up two big cartons of Nips, and at the same time load up on Twinings Breakfast de caffeinated tea K cups for the Keurig tea maker. Whenever he shares his candy favorites with friends and family, they all fall for his incredible taste in selection. Believe it or not, I never have any of it. But I really enjoy making sure his supply lasts. There was so much of the sweet stuff delivered this time that he wasn't sure where to put it. It is such a sweet habit after all. Who said eating too much candy leads to diabetes? Not in this house!

Magna Carta at the Library of Congress

It was a little different this particular afternoon. I usually take a walk away from my desk and get in a little exercise. So I went through the tunnels from the Madison Building to the Jefferson and on to the Magna Carta exhibit. Along the way I always admire the beautiful surroundings of the Library of Congress. I was even more surprised when I asked the attendant if it really was okay to take photos. Usually it is just unheard of. It's amazing to see such history before your eyes and only a few steps away from where I spend three days a week. I particularly liked the section about the Magna Carta in culture - stamps, songs, movies - and the letter from 1939 about safekeeping the document during World War II. I guess you could call it just another day at work, but this walk was indeed exceptional. 

 

US Botanical Garden Plant Monuments and Landmarks

For some reason they all looked better this year. Maybe they were cleaned up and repaired; maybe there were less crowds; maybe the other distracting stuff was moved to other rooms. All the plant made tiny replicas of Washington's landmarks were simply beautiful against the Christmas backdrop and pools of water at the US Botanical Garden. The main attraction for the kids of all ages is the train and lighthouse feature. The beautiful huge decorated tree finally got it's own spot away from the usually crowded rooms this time of year. What's nice is that we get to visit these free entertainment places in the nation's Capitol every year since we moved here. Better yet, we can visit on a Monday morning since I went to part time work hours last March. It's a good way to avoid the crowds, but it doesn't feel or look the same. When I look at the Library of Congress miniature now I can actually say I work there - not something I would have even imagined eight years ago. All these landmarks are so familiar to us now. My husband always asks me "how could we ever leave this place?"  In Milwaukee I couldn't wait to quit the snow and ice. I'm really not sure how to answer that question now. 

US Botanical Gardens Christmas Trains & Lighthouses

There we were with all the nannies and their wards. Monday morning is a great time to see a lot of exhibits on the Mall right afterThanksgiving and right before Christmas. And so it was at the US Botanical Gardens to see the trains, ships, and lighthouses. Everything in this wonderful place is made out of plant material which makes it all the more interesting. The trains come in all different shapes and sizes, and approach you head on, behind and overhead. The dragon train was quite unusual. And for the little ones there is a very low hanging ceiling/walkthrough space with portholes and crabs and octopus. You don't need to be young to spend time here, but there is definitely something about kids and trains. When you're done visiting the trains, don't forget to check out the main hall with plant made monuments surrounded by beautiful flowers and the giant Christmas tree with the Charles Dickens - like Capitol Hill neighborhood beneath it. When we lived in Milwaukee we spent a day or two in Chicago this time of year. It's all about getting in to the spirit of the season regardless where you live. 

Christmas Decorations Going Up Around the Mall

Monday morning walks are always different than on the weekend. Being the first work day after the Thanksgiving weekend, it was much less active than usual. The car and foot traffic on both the streets and sidewalks was quiet. But something also happens at only this time of year. The workmen and ladies are pulling out all the boxed up Christmas decorations, and transforming the usual Capitol city landmarks in to a winter wonderland. Passing by the American Indian Museum, about ten people were fitting a very tall tree in to position. Several boxes of ornaments rested nearby. By the newly renovated Arts and Industries building, the fountain had a step ladder next to it and garlands were being wrapped by the worker who was just on the other side of the ribbon. The Smithsonian Castle was being decked out with wreaths and swags. The Capitol Christmas tree arrived last week and has been getting dressed since then in preparation for the tree lighting ceremony tomorrow evening. In front of the US Botanical Garden, a mini truck and ladder helped set three trees in to the enormous plant stand. Large red balls and ornaments were being hung. And watching all of this action is a deer family hiding in plain sight. It's always a great walk around the mall, but it's just a little more magical this time of year.