The Library of Congress Book Festival Day 2

Yesterday's blog showed the Library of Congress book festival orange bags all over the neighborhood in all directions from the main event at the Mall. Today it was nice enough again to take the metro from our neighborhood Capitol Hill down to the Smithsonian. A lot of folks were heading in the opposite direction to the ballpark at Nats Stadium. It was less busy today, but equally interesting to walk through it. Several of the authors were talking about their books. I particularly like the Library staff commenting about the great services provided by the Library. Someone asked me for an interview about the event but I was disqualified because I work there. We ran in to a couple of people that I work with, but we did not see Dr. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, this time. C Span always has interviews taking place, and the children's sections are always well attended. On our way back home we heard a lot of music coming the way of Constitution Avenue and caught the tail end of the Latino Festival Parade.  You start out thinking you'll see one event, but end up catching several more. There's always something to do in this town, whether you like it or not. 

The Library of Congress Book Festival Orange Bags

We have attended the Library of Congress book festival since we moved to DC.  I work at the Library so the event has even more of an appeal for us. What I find interesting is how far an wide the event can be noticed all over the city. Strapped to the shoulders of the attendees are bags filled with books signed by favorites authors, posters, and purchases. This year the signature color is orange, which will be stored and used along with our pink and turquoise bags from years past. We started seeing the orange by the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River and then at Constitution Avenue by the construction site of the African American Smithsonian Museum. A sea of orange was obvious at the event itself on the Mall near the Washington Monument. All along the way towards the Capitol there was orange, and even more orange as we made our way back home to Capitol Hill, and up the escalator at the Capitol South Metro stop. We decided to take a short walk around the neighborhood and noticed more orange at the House Office Building and most fittingly at all three Library of Congress buildings... Jefferson, Madison, and Adams. The tired book lovers were taking a respite at all the outdoor eateries and the orange bags were everywhere. This is a well attended event, so much so that it is now a two day festival. I'm so very proud to be associated with the event, and have an orange bag to show for it. 

Nelson Mandela Statue in front of South African Embassy

It was a beautiful day for a drive and a lunch date, so my husband and I thought we would go to Cafe Deluxe on Wisconsin Avenue. I have noticed every time we pass that way the renovation of the South African Embassy that was supposed to open in spring of this year. Well, it's almost fall and it's still not open - but that would not be unusual around here. But now in front of the building is the covered statue of Nelson Mandela that was erected yesterday. There is a ceremony to be held tomorrow to dedicate the statue by those in the city who are close to it's history. The bleachers have been set up, and there are a lot of last minute preparations underway. We returned home back down Wisconsin Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue, where a number of embassies line the street on either side. We attended an event at the Irish Embassy last year. All I have to say is that it is a lot more impressive from the outside looking in rather than the other way around. 

The Last of the Vegetable Garden

We've had a great tomato crop this year. One of the plants was very good to us. The tomatoes were small and grew in waves so we could enjoy every single one of them. The miniature eggplant has been used for pizza toppings and there are a few more to go. The red pepper in the pot is ready is be plucked. The cucumbers and green pepper plants are exhausted. I am so sorry to see the warm months of summer and the planting season come to a close. Even though it is a very small urban garden compared to the typical larger sized gardens in the Midwest we have relished this one all the more. The vegetables not only taste delicious, they are also a visual feast.  

Washington in the Civil War - Lucinda Prount Janke

I belonged to the Civil War Round Table in Milwaukee for sixteen years. We attended monthly lectures at the Wisconsin Club and went to a few harvest balls. Since we moved to DC I have not attended anything Civil War. Last night we walked over to Pennsylvania Avenue to listen to Lucinda Prout Janke talk about her new book. She showed a lot of photos of Capitol Hill during that time, including the civilian Providence Hospital, that once stood just one block away from where we live and is now a park. It's very interesting to recreate in your mind how life must have been like then. The presentation was given at the Freemason's Building which has a history in and of itself. It's not hard to find events to attend where we live. All you need to do is keep your eyes open and walk down the street in any direction to find them. 

 

Graham Nash Wild Tales

My first recollection of Graham Nash was the Hollies music. Then predominantly in college, and thereafter.  So when I saw he would be visiting the Library to talk about his autobiography it was difficult to resist. I dragged along my husband and two friends and it was well worth it even though it meant returning back to the workplace after dinner. Music always has a way of reminding you of key moments in your life. Aside from the Beatles, this group did it for me whether he was a solo or group artist. I can hardly believe its been so many years ago, but neither can he. 

PetSmart Water Plant for Moby Dick

We used to go to PetSmart for big bags of dog food. But now we have a tiny little Betta fish. It feels like we go to the store just as much for him. Moby Dick likes to sit on water plants so he is just under the water line. The plant he had deteriorated over time and was in need of replacement. I really like the water plants typically available in the summer for outdoor ponds. But none if those are available now. So we picked one from the Topfin collection. Moby is a very curious fish and instantly began exploring his new seating arrangement. So far, so good. Even though Moby is very social and engaging, he is nothing like our Borzoi Tatiana. But I have to give him points for trying and he deserves to have a good seat.