Dyke Marsh - An Osprey Nest near the Convention Center

We were there last fall and there were promises that all kinds of interesting creatures would abound in the spring. We didn't see any at Dyke Marsh in Alexandria except for an Osprey nest that was a bit off shore. The Convention Center could be seen in the distance. What we did see was a lot of nothing, and picnickers enjoying the lovely - but windy - afternoon. This time we walked all the way to the end of the trail. The most exotic animals were saw were golden retrievers on tight leashes walking beside their owners. We found a few shells along the river bank - it reminded me a lot of the shore along Lake Michigan in Grant Park. In the end it's a nice place to walk to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And sometimes it is just what you need - even without any wild life. 

 

The Lincoln Waffle House, Amy Peohler and Madeline Albright

The Uber driver dropped us off across from Ford's Theatre at the landmark Lincoln Waffle House where a line was  forming because it was so packed to get in. It was a little before noon and the spring tourist crowd was everywhere. The long line to the Peterson House where Lincoln died, just down the block, reached the front door of the Waffle House. In between was a Lincoln souvenir place. We thought a greasy spoon could be a treat for our friends visiting from Milwaukee before we saw the matinee show "Freedom's Song" at the theatre - and it was. It's a cruddy place, but the waiter at the counter was a one man show. And it was fun - all the way down to the photograph he showed us with Amy Poehler and Madeline Albright chatting at the counter. Apparently they filmed a piece there for "Parks and Recreation" and our waiter was very much involved. So if you are in to greasy spoons and short order breakfasts, or lunches, this is the place. It closes at three pm and opens near five am. Next to our favorite Pete's Diner on Capitol Hill and McLean Family Restaurant in Virginia, the Lincoln Waffle House is something else. Just don't use the bathroom.  

An Abraham Lincoln Day - a Waffle House, Ford's Theatre, and Freedom's Song

It started with an Uber ride from our house to the Lincoln Waffle House. We chose this place for breakfast because it was right across the street from Ford's Theatre. Our neighbors are visiting from Milwaukee and we planned to see the musical Freedom's Song. The Waffle House was a treat in an of itself - a real greasy spoon. We had plenty of time before the show started to walk around the block and take in the sights and the long lines for everything this time of year. The spy museum was packed. We had an opportunity to visit the Lincoln Museum in the lower level of Ford's Theatre. We've been there twice before, the last time in the 1980's. John Wilkes Booth boot, the life mask of Lincoln, and other memorabilia were all on display. But the most unexpected surprise was how great the musical was about Lincoln and the Civil War. I have always been a civil war fan and belonged to the Milwaukee round table. The show was really well done - set on the stage and below the box that Lincoln was shot by Booth. One can only imagine what happened there that day 150 years ago. On the way home from dinner that evening we drove by the Lincoln Memorial. It was a very Lincoln Day. 

Rain Rain Go Away - Where Are the Cherry Blossoms?

I don't think it's ever been this lousy outside since our Milwaukee friends have come to visit in Spring and Fall since we moved to DC. Our plan was to take a walk through Dyke Marsh yesterday but it was raining so hard we decided to drive to Quantico to see the NCIS building. The traffic on 495 was even worse than the weather and what was to have been an hour ride there turned in to an hour ride in just a couple miles. So we turned back and got on Route 1 which was at least more scenic and much less crowded. Rather than come home too early in the day we drove by the Tidal Basin. The cherry blossoms are a full week behind schedule. At least the raindrops appeared to be painting a picture along the tops of the Hirshhorn and Air and Space Museums. You really need to use your imagination. When dinner time rolled around the clouds peeled back just for a minute to reveal an interesting sky over Alexandria. There were threats of even a tornado last evening. Today it is so windy it's hard to walk. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a better tomorrow. I need some sunshine!

The RCA Alarm Clock

I haven't heard about RCA for centuries it seems. But my alarm clock sort of died with daylight savings time. My old clock had been functioning so well for so long. I was no longer able to set the time forward or back, so we have been an hour behind for a few weeks. I tried using my iPhone as an alternate, but it just didn't work so well - especially when you want to just get oriented in the middle of the night and take a glance at the time. So I searched for a replacement. We didn't need a radio - just big numbers and an alarm. We only need it for the few days I work during the week, but my husband always gets up early and wakes me up anyway. I really didn't think we even needed it anyway. So it arrived yesterday from Amazon and it was sad to throw old Bessie away. But this one is really simple to set up and use and it didn't keep me up all night glaring in my face. I'll find out how the alarm works on Tuesday. But my husband really is the best wake up caller. No alarm clock could replace him, but I can't wake him up in the middle of the night to tell me what time it is. And checking the iPhone is too much of a hassle. 

Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn House Office Building Afternoon Walk

I decided to take a different route for my afternoon walk. Usually I only go there because the Post Office is convenient for the rare package mailing, and most recently I had my passport processed there. The tunnel that connects the Library of Congress to the Cannon House Office Building is usually filled with pedestrians of all kinds. Now the entrance is restricted to staff only, so the once in a while lunch with outside friends has stopped. But rather than head to any of the aforementioned places, I decided to walk to the end of the Rayburn building - the furthest one away - and back. It was relatively empty of furniture and visitors. The one thing in common is the grey and boring hallways. I heard someone on a tour say this looks worse than a crummy high school in Michigan when they passed by me going in the opposite direction. The little train station is located at the Rayburn building - an alternate route to the Capitol building if you don't feel like maneuvering the maze of halls. I didn't recognize anyone as I made my rounds, but I don't pay any attention either. The goal is to get away from my desk for awhile and it is an interesting place to walk - or is it?

Promote Pics & Tweet Pics Collage on Twitter

A couple months ago I noticed my digital art popping up on Twitter in a different format. I wasn't posting it that way, and it looked okay. Promote Pictures was actually promoting my pictures from my Etsy shop. Of course, you could sign up and pay something for the privilege - this was just a tease. I didn't sign on because I tend to tweet my work routinely and hope it catches someone's attention. Then I noticed it a few times more under the name TweetPicCollage. Then I retweeted and favorited all of them, then got an invitation to follow. I still haven't done anything about it but enjoy the back and forth and an waiting to see if anything surfaces again. Each time the images are different and do look nice in collage format. Here is another example of trying to stay on top of all the options out there. Luckily I still have adequate skills to create these types of displays - I just don't seem to have enough time in the day to do it. And perhaps that is just the point.