Christine's Circles : October 2008

Thursday, October 30, 2008

National Gallery of Art: Pompeii

Today I went to the National Gallery with Andrea, my friend George, and my grandson Arthur to see the Pompeii exhibit. It is extraordinary. I highly recommend it to one and all.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Bluebell Trail in Bull Run Regional Park

Yesterday I went on a hike with members of the Washington Sons of Norway lodge. We walked about four miles on the trail. It took us through the woods where the sun had difficulty breaking through (although nothing like Mirkwood Forest in the Lord of the Rings). It was a beautiful day, crisp but sunny. I would like to go back and hike there again. Maybe next time I will walk the entire 18-mile length of the trail.

Marilyn the Leader, Christine, Debbie

To learn more about this wonderful trail, go to the following website: http://www.olddominionwildlife.com/2008/03/30/blue-bells-and-more-along-the-bull-run-occoquan-trail/.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Planet X at the Kennedy Center

Andrea and I took our grandson to the Kennedy Center for a fabulous performance of Planet X by the National Symphony Orchestra. Two bumbling aliens tried to take over the orchestra and it was very amusing. The music was, of course, beautiful.

Maestro Mouse and Cheese were in the Grand Foyer greeting the children.

It was a warm, sunny day and after the performance we went out onto the terrace that overlooks the Potomac River. Christian was a happy boy. He loves going into DC!

Chekhov on Broadway

My very wonderfully generous sister took me to Broadway last week-end to see Chekhov's The Sea Gull. It was absolutely marvelous. We took the train up from Philly the morning of the performance, had lunch at the Italian restaurant Tre Colori, and then attended the play.

Thanks, Snooks, for a happy outing!

One nice advantage of living in the DC area is that NY is not too far away. It's an easy 3-hour train ride away. Although I like going into the Big Apple occasionally, I wouldn't want to be any closer than three hours!! There is a bit of rivalry between the two cities, DC and NY, and I definitely prefer DC. It is my very favorite city in the US. (My hometown Minneapolis is number two.)

Ann's Minnesota Apple

My dear Minnesota friend Ann Besser was in town last week and we had lunch together at one of my favorite area restaurants, Afghan Kabob. As usual the food was fabulous!

Ann brought me two special treats from Minnesota. The first - and the most delicious - was a Minnesota apple. It was a Honey Crisp (a local MN variety) and, beyond a doubt, the most incredibly tasty apple I have ever eaten in my entire life (and, as an avid apple lover, I have eaten tons of apples in my long lifetime!). She also brought two leaves from a Minnesota tree along with the apple. The second treat was the Minneapolis newspaper from the day before which had a decidedly Scandinavian flavor to it.

Ann and I have many connections - Washington, Italy, and Minnesota. This time the Minnesota connection shone through the most! Please, come back soon, Ann, and don't leave Minnesota behind!