Springtime on the Mall

It's been a while since we walked on the Mall. The last time was before Christmas to see the Capitol Christmas tree. Now the tree is coming down and it hardly felt like winter. All along the way there were signs of spring everywhere. The birds were rustling about in front of the US Botanical garden, and the flowering trees were in full bloom in front of the air and space museum. The long shadows gave away the winter calendar, but everything else was decidedly another time of year. The cherry blossoms were out, but where were the crowds typically flocking around them? On the way back through the garden pond, a pair of ducks were feasting on whatever they found in the muddy water. He was keeping a keen eye out for her as the children tried to get a bit too close. It was a lovely walk and one less winter month to endure - which was one of the biggest reasons we left the Midwest. I could take this kind of winter anytime! 

Safeway Cuisinart Cutlery Stamps

We used to collect green stamps a long time ago.  They could then be exchanged for gifts, or items to use around the house. My husband likes to go to Safeway grocery store after we have brunch on Saturday in McLean. For the last few weeks, he has been getting Cuisinart stamps - kinda like the green stamps. Yesterday, he got a few more. I finally read the instructions after putting the last batch of stamps on the card and they finally surpassed thirty. That amount qualifies for a pairing knife or shears. His goal was to get a decent cutting knife. But I think the time has run out because the giveaway ends on January 6. So he told me he may take a ride out there before the deadline and collect his freebie, which he rarely does. Aside from that, he'll pick up more groceries that were out of stock over the long holiday weekend. So the question is - will he get the item he has enough stamps for that he doesn't want? Or pay a few bucks more with the stamps and get what he really wants? Or maybe nothing at all? I guess we'll find out this week. 

A Drive Along the GW Parkway

After lunch in Alexandria, we headed towards Mount Vernon along the GW Parkway. It is one of my favorite rides all along the Potomac River. And being a holiday weekend with weather that is still reasonable to walk in, there was a lot of activity. The parking lot was filled at George Washington's house, and there were plenty of walkers, bikers, and runners all along the path back to Alexandria. And if you are interested in water fowl, the geese and ducks were aplenty. Oh, and did I mention all the pooches? It wasn't quite a sunny as was predicated, but it didn't seem to bother the new year revelers. You never know what you'll see along the parkway. We haven't spotted any eagles for quite some time, but there remain a lot of nest remnants from season's past. Let's hope we see a few of these magnificent birds in the spring. It's such a great place -  for them and for us. 

Ginger Ale?

It started when we went to Florida to visit my mom for Christmas. I was feeling a little thirsty and she suggested a ginger ale. I've always heard of it, but never had it. I suppose the closest thing is 7UP, and I always drink that when I'm nauseated - thankfully that doesn't happen very often. And when I do, it reminds me of being nauseated! Our daughter in law raves about ginger ale, but I never thought about it. Well, I tried one out and had one each evening after that while we were on vacation. So when we got home, we had one last small can of the Hanson's brand left. It had to be at least five years old. My husband then picked some Canada Dry up at the grocery store, and I've had a few sporadically over the last week. What's nice about ginger ale is that it is caffeine free, which is great if you plan to sleep at night. It's a pretty neutral taste, and may be a way to help me drink more during the day - something I am very bad at doing. So, let's see how long this craze lasts. Goodbye diet, decaf Coke? Time will tell.

Dentists, Night Guards, and Dental Splints

Over thirty years ago I had what was then known as experimental TMJ surgery. I popped my jaw joint out of whack after chomping down on a popcorn that did not pop, and it was all downhill after that. I had headaches and neck pain constantly, a popping joint, and shaved down teeth to try and realign the mess until it hardly would open anymore. Following the surgery was months of physical therapy - including increasing the number of Popsicle sticks I could pry my mouth open with on the day after surgery. For the most part, Things have been so much better with an occasional reminder now and again - I really can't or won't eat anything that is hard - so pistachios, and a lot of other favorites are off limits out of fear! Routine dental visits can be torture because I can't tolerate a lot of pressure on my jaw or keep my mouth open for long periods of time. Since the surgery, I have always had to wear a mouth guard, so as not to grind down the joint and have the misery start all over again. That required a visit to s specialist who made a form fitting custom appliance at the Medical College. Since we moved, I've been using self made products, but decided to try a splint from the dentist. They started with a harder plastic mouth guard that of course is not covered by insurance. It required two impressions of both upper and lower teeth - gag! The sad part is that because it was hard, my jaw fought with it every night and lost, creating a very sore and swollen right side. So I returned to the dentist yesterday for a less intensive "cushy" splint that needed only one impression. Hopefully it will be able to sustain the impact of nightly fights. I'll probably chew through it in no time. But as long as it works, I really don't care. I'll find out tonight! 

A Library of Congress Lanyard

Because of an odd situation at home, I need to carry two keys around at all times. And because not everything I wear has pockets, the best solution is to use a lanyard. Unfortunately, the one I was using broke, and the replacement was in no better condition. So what could I do? After being off from work a few days, reality returned yesterday when I went back. So I took an afternoon walk to the Library of Congress gift shop and looked around hoping to find something that might work. And there it was - a little bigger than I hoped, but it would do well. And instead of a fish line attachment at the bottom to hold the keys, there was a key chain metal piece that looked like it may be more long lasting. And while I was in the Jefferson Building I took a quick walk around the Great Hall. So in spite of it being the first day back after being gone, it was useful in a more personal way. I'm not sure I know many people who could say, or do, the same thing. 

Sunset Over the Potomac

It was a long drive from Florida back the DC. And the last fifty miles can be dreadful. So we decided to get off the packed bumper to bumper freeway and head towards highway 1. It was the best decision we could have made and the time of the day was perfect. As we passed by Mount Vernon, we headed towards home. We've been this way many times, but not at this time of the day at this time of the year. There were a bunch of cars heading to a parking lot by the river. And now I know why! It was simply beautiful watching the winter sun sink in to the Potomac River. George Washington must have loved sitting on his porch witnessing the same magnificence. It took the stress and strain off the last hour of driving home after a long week away. Now the short work week starts. I'll have to remember what I just saw when I walk in to the office.