Pedro's South of the Border

When we moved to Florida in 1960, we took many summer road trips all over the state and up and down the east coast. We escaped the cold harsh winters of New England. Now we are traveling to Florida from Washington. Rather than fly, we sometimes prefer the drive. Approaching South Carolina about 17 miles away from Pedro's, there are signs after signs about South of the Border - a landmark tourist attraction that even has gators. I have never been there, but it reminds me of the old days when the billboards were among the few diversions on road trips those days. Now it all seems so old, but charming at the same time. Gator land, Six Gun Territory, Silver Spring glass bottom boats, Sunken Gardens....that was before Disney World and Universal Studios. So Pedro is still going - wonder for how much longer?

Birthday Wishes, Trips, Dates, and Fudge

They come in many forms and it doesn't matter which one because all of them mean a lot to me. The first was a midnight kiss from my husband to start the day. This morning I received a really happy video from our friends in England and France. My best friend called this morning to drop something off - a card and munchies for the road. My Facebook  page is full of well wishes. There are email greetings as well. I don't think I've ever been literally on the road for my birthday - but that is the case this year. As we passed by the Air Force Memorial glimmering in the sunlight on our way out of Washington, had a quick breakfast at McD's, and passed through Richmond a few miles down the road, it's a great time to think about all the wonderful people I know. We're on our way to see my most favorite people and hoping to make their lives as easy as possible for parents in their 90's. Trying to catch up on some digital art portrait custom orders  is somewhat tricky, but at least I can bring my studio on the road. The sun is out and everything is right in the world. 

The Greyhound Pillow and Digital Art

It's really busy this time of year. Not just because it is the holiday season, but because I paint custom pet portraits and it makes for a nice gift. I've been swamped with requests and am having a hard time keeping up with it all! My husband has become a widower - but a very understanding one. My art is all hand painted, but I use my iPad to create the images digitally. It's so much neater than using my traditional water colors and pastels. So the end result is a jpeg image that can be used over and over again, and can be made in to more than just a portrait that hangs on the wall. I was so pleased to see that someone had their image turned in to a pillow of her friend's greyhounds. I was also pleased to see the feedback and comments other folks make about my body of work. Someone called it "digital magic!" Who could ask for a nicer compliment? What started out as a hobby when the iPad came around has now become a passion! Things have come full circle... I love painting, and I love animals. What a great combination. And to think someone would want to display the image in their home makes it all even more lovely. I still have that bird sketch I made in kindergarten. What an inspiration!

The Capitol Christmas Tree and Mall Decorations

We missed the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony last week. We had all the best intentions of getting there by 5 PM, but there is something about rain and sleet and freezing temperatures that just doesn't sit well with me. But at least now you are able to actually approach the tree and see close up all the handmade decorations sent from children in Minnesota. Prior to that the west lawn was fenced off with police barriers as the tree was being assembled and decorated. Aside from this lovely scene are all the other now completed holiday decorations that are also in place. The American Indian and  US Botanical Garden trees are also cheerily splendid and the Smithsonian Castle and Arts and Industry Building are flanked with bright red berries and interesting natural ornaments. We still need to get a glimpse of the lighted tree one of these evenings. It makes a lot of difference, but at least now we know what's underneath it all. 

 

Thanks DC Blogs

Keeping up a daily blog is fun and challenging. But I have been doing just that for three years. There is always something to write about when the subject matter is living on Capitol Hill and comparing it to living in the Midwest. What's even better is when DC Blogs takes notice of any of my entries. It's happened a few times and I can always tell because my stats increase. All the extra attention can't hurt - not that I have a lot of followers - but that is the general idea. I'm never quite sure what will strike their fancy. Yesterday's story about a diner with a charming waitress and a kind heart touched a cord. Maybe because it sounds more like something that would happen in Milwaukee? Or maybe the places and the people we live with are really more alike than different on the things that matter most. 

Pete's Diner Christmas Surprise

Every Monday since March we have been going to Pete's Diner for breakfast. The reason for this is that I started working a part time schedule, have every Monday off, and join my husband on his morning walk to the Mall. On our way back home, we stop at the diner that is situated right across the street from the Library of Congress. The waitress who generally serves us now knows exactly what we have, and never misses a beat. It's like being in a familiar place and you really don't need to say anything except "the usual."  When we got up to pay at the register today, she went to the back room for a moment. I saw her writing something and put it in to a Christmas bag. She came towards us and wished us a merry Christmas. It was so sweet of her, even if it is a good business move because it was so completely unexpected. When we got home, we opened the package. Inside was the familiar cookie tin with a charming traditional snowman scene. We opened the tin to wonderful butter cookies. She obviously knows my husband well! What I liked most about it all is that we now know her name - Alice. Given the fact that it is a diner, the name was coincidental perhaps? Now the place is even more meaningful and familiar to us. That's another reason we like the neighborhood so much. Although he didn't say it, my husband usually follows up by saying "how could we ever leave this place?" But I know he was thinking it. 

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.