One Down and Three to Go

Congratulations to my husband who received his first dose of the covid vaccine yesterday afternoon! I signed him up last Saturday after receiving an email from our health care provider. The appointment times were disappearing in front of my eyes so I looked for a time later in the first week. We had to travel to Arlington to the centralized clinic but it was worth the ride. The process was set up flawlessly and the staff was simply wonderful. Since it was later in the afternoon there were no lines, and it was really organized. I didn’t plan to go in with my husband but decided to anyway. The next appointment was made right away so he is all set. We waited in the car for a few minutes but then decided to drive home since we would be passing by the hospital in the event we needed to make an emergency visit. Luckily that wasn’t the case. I also signed up for the Vsafe CDC program app where you input any side effects, etc. My husband said he is a little tired today but has no other issues. I have a feeling I will have to wait a lot longer to get my vaccine due to the huge pool of people I am in and the lack of supply. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t know, but it’s at least it’s slightly visible. 

52Frames_getlow Challenge

Depending on your perspective, “getting low” for the 52Frames photography challenge this week was interesting. My interpretation was looking up at something to make it seem larger than life, but also focusing in on the detail of an object that is low to the ground. I had an idea to use Fala at the FDR Memorial as the subject. So we drove over to the Tidal Basin, parked by the MLK Memorial, and walked over to a favorite spot in DC. In order to take the photo, I needed to crawl in to the space where FDR and Fala sit. Since I was so close to the subject I wasn’t able to pull back as far as I would have liked. I also tried taking photos of the breadline and Eleanor. My husband was taking photos of me to show how ridiculous it all looked to get the right shot. We then walked over to the MLK Memorial along the Tidal Basin path. I’m still amazed that there are no guard rails along the way. One little slip and you would be in the water. During the week I tried to get a couple more photos in the park just to see if something else was more appealing. But the chewed up tennis ball, leaves, park bench, broken glass, and children’s book at the library didn’t match up to the original idea. In the end I selected Fala with a twist. I added a tiny photo of me taking the picture on the rock in front of the subjects. Probably it won’t be noticed, but it was the best part of the challenge. 

Lincoln Memorial

We drove past the Lincoln Memorial on our way home to Capitol Hill for thirteen years. Since we moved to northern Virginia we drive past it whenever we go in to town. We take the GW Parkway to Memorial Bridge, then travel along Independence Avenue. This week we did just that on our way to the Tidal Basin. After getting a photo of Fala at the FDR Memorial for the 52Frames challenge, we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial. We haven’t walked near it for eight years. On the way over we passed by the MLK Memorial and the Korean War Memorial; afterwards we walked through the Viet Nam Memorial. With all the events going on in the city, pedestrian traffic was very light. Helicopters were flying about and there was an increased police presence. We felt like we had the place all to ourselves - and it was completely empty when we reached Lincoln. I don’t recall noticing the ceilings and massive columns inside the memorial. As a student of history one can’t help but think about all the things that went on in and around this place. The view to the Washington Monument down to the Capitol building was spectacular. It was an excellent way to spend the morning. 

FDR Memorial and Fala

In an attempt to get a photo for the 52Frames photography challenge this week, we drove over to the tidal basin to one of my favorite places - the FDR Memorial. The location is simply lovely nestled in the forested area. It’s even more spectacular in cherry blossom time with the fountains running, but in winter they are not. We had the place completely to ourselves; however, the presence of helicopters and police was sort of unnerving. But I was on a mission to take a photo of Fala, the Scottish terrier standing beside the President for the “get low” challenge. Along the way we walked through the entire exhibit including Eleanor and the Great Depression line. In order to get the image from Fala’s perspective I needed to crawl in to the memorial and literally lie on my back. My husband was taking photos of me doing this all along the way. After all, the idea was to get down to the level of the dog and make Fala look as big as her owner. In the end I liked one photo more and my husband liked another one. I usually post the image he prefers, even if it’s against my “artistic” judgment. It was an interesting way to spend the morning - all for the sake of a photo challenge! 

Reflections at the Tidal Basin

Our morning walk yesterday took us to the Tidal Basin where I had some ideas for the 52Frames photography challenge this week. Before I started thinking more about those, other images became more obvious - reflections. The water was so still and there was no wind, which is very unusual. And, the area was devoid of other people partly because it is January, but also because of the threats in the city and landmarks. There was a lot of police presence and helicopters flying over. As we strolled along the path everything looked surreal - especially if one focused just on the reflections of the most recognized monuments. The Jefferson, MLK, and Washington monuments looked like water color paintings. There were also a bunch of geese making their presence known, along with loose feathers caught up in the twigs. The cherry trees took on a more ominous tone - it’s amazing how spring turns them in to a fairy wonderland. Even though it was overcast the walk was delightful. And the place was all to ourselves.