Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Mount Vernon Campus

After our monthly Society of the Emeriti (SOTE) luncheon at GW's Mount Vernon campus, we walked over to the library for a special ceremony. We emeriti had requested office space and the University created a lovely communal office for us. In the photos below you will see George Bozzini, President of SOTE, and Provost Steve Lerman cutting the ribbon with giant golden scissors. In the background you will see Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Dianne Martin, the person responsible for carrying this project to fruition. Thank you, Dianne!

Cutting the ribbon (left, Lerman and right, Bozzini)

Returning the golden scissors to Dr. Martin

Happy Birthday, George!

We celebrated George's birthday in grand style at the Obelisk (2029 P Street NW). This small Italian restaurant offers five courses at a fixed (rather high!) price. The menu was varied and ample. We had the only window table, the best location in the house.

Dal was the host and George was the festeggiato

Christine and Andrea, the honored guests

Have you ever seen such long - and tasty - breadsticks?

Scrumptious artichoke fritter and delicious burrata with olive oil and pepper

Chocolate pudding, spiced pear, and an almond cookie for dessert

Another dessert: baba al rhum with a spiced peach sauce and cream

Bilbo Baggins Global Cafe

Andrea is not the most spontaneous person in the world so today when, on the way home from church, he asked me if I wanted to go to Old Towne for lunch, I said yes - after I caught my breath.

The choice of restaurant was mine and I chose the cozy, friendly Bilbo Baggins restaurant. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me but I did bring home a napkin and business card. I have photographed them and they will have to serve as this post's graphics.

I decided to splurge and not choose the healthiest item on the menu. I chose Frodo's French Toast - housemade raisin bread, caramelized apples and strawberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and maple syrup. Andrea had something less appetizing - a shredded pork sandwich with fries. Yuk!

Tormod Visits Washington

Tormod arrives at Dulles

Tormod, my cousin from Oslo, spent three days in DC. We kept him very busy!

He visited my Norwegian class and was a big hit. We put him on center stage!

Tormod, Chuck, Ellen, Greta, and George

Andres, Nicole, and Carolyn

Carolyn and Christine

We spent a day in Annapolis. We first drove through the colonial capital of Maryland, showing Tormod St. Anne's Church, the State House, and the beautiful tree-lined streets with their lovely houses. We then stopped to walk around the Naval Academy.

 Excellent timing! We arrived in time to see the plebes and 2nd-year midshipmen get into formation in order to enter the dining hall. It is a daily ritual.

Chapel

We then had a delicious lunch at Carrol's Creek Cafe. We ate outside,  overlooking the Bay. We had a lovely view of the boats.





After lunch Tormod and I boarded the Pride of Baltimore II, a schooner from the War of 1812, that was anchored in Annapolis for a few days. It was on an educational tour up and down the East Coast.





We stopped for ice cream at Straw Brothers.

Last stop: The Kunta Kinte Memorial. Alex Haley's ancestors docked here upon their arrival in America.

Edvard Munch

I attended a Smithsonian Resident Associates lecture by David Gariff held in the Ripley Center. I like Munch's art very much and had read a couple of biographies but there is always something new to learn. I enjoyed the lecture. The most interesting thing I learned was:

Did you know that Munch's "Scream" is probably based on a Peruvian mummy housed in the Museum of Man in Paris and well known to Munch and his contemporaries? Gauguin also included this face in some of his paintings.

Welcome Party for Larissa and Ivan

George hosted a welcome party for Larissa and Ivan. It was a very happy, festive occasion and a great time was had by all. The conversation was scintillating and the food was delicious.

Kathleen Turner at The National Press Club

Gertraud, Janice, and I went to the National Press Club to hear actress Kathleen Turner, the luncheon speaker. She is in town for Red Hot Patriot, the play based on the life of Molly Ivans. Turner talked about her support for Planned Parenthood. It was an interesting talk and with mostly interesting questions in the Q & A that followed.

Cupcakes for dessert