Into the City

Marcello and Christian came to pick us up and we went into the District.

First stop: Ambasciata dell'Italia

Second stop: Washington National Cathedral

We immediately went into the Gift Shop so that Christian could add 5 bricks to the construction of the Lego Cathedral. All of the brick money goes directly to the building fund to repair the 2011 earthquake damage.

 Christian chooses his bricks as his uncle looks over his shoulder.

This is the section that Christian has helped build. 

More of an overview

Third stop: Cheesecake Factory for lunch 

Christian and Marcello

Pima and Adriano

We had an eventful ride home. 😒

Family

The Ashburn Melonis were the gracious hosts for our Thanksgiving Feast this year. Here are some photos from this event.

Christian with The Pig 

Christian with The Pig
and Arthur with The Plaque:
When the Queen is happy, there is peace in the kingdom.

 Marcello

 Arthur with his father

Ready to eat: Arthur, Colin, Christian, and Adriano 

Appetizers: A variety of olives and cheese cubes

Arthur, Colin, and Christian

Main Course: Gnocchi, Turkey, Brussel Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, and tapenade  

Two desserts: Pumpkin Pie and Tiramisu

Entertainment: Some football, Scrabble (Arthur, Colin, & Pima), and a very stupid movie

Where are photos of the two women?

Russian Birthdays on Apache Street

We had a very special celebration today, our traditional lunch to celebrate the birthdays of our dear Russian friends, Larissa and Oksana. It was a potluck with everyone bringing something tasty. The venue: Christine's home

Oksana, Ginny, Larissa, Christine (reflected in the glass above Ginny)

              

Many delicious dishes: Lentil & Spinach Salad, Cabbage & Beet Salad, Vegetable Spread for the Russian bread, Herring, Cheese and Crackers

 Larissa cuts the birthday cake as Ginny looks on. Ginny brought some Russian chocolates.

Oksana, Ginny, and Larissa

After lunch the Birthday Girls opened their presents. From Ginny to each BG: Marvelous scented hand creams. From Larissa to Oksana: A beautiful cherry blossom thermos, Nordic Style. From Christine to each BG: A framed photo of one of our birthday lunches at the Aroma, where we originally met for these lunches. See the photo below: Pictured are Larissa, Oksana, Ginny, Christine, and George (missing today).

George, Oksana, Christine, Larissa, and Ginny (Year?)

Expanding Local Horizons

Until quite recently, I almost always headed to D.C. when I left my house. Now I seem to spend more time in Springfield so, after having lived here since 1977, I am finally beginning to learn my way around and discover what Springfield has to offer!

Today my friend Janet introduced me to three new locations: Chloez Care in Burke, Pohick Regional Library, and a new-to-me Hallmark Store.

I loved both of these photos of Janet so I posted both!

Janet looked especially happy because she was enjoying a big cup of very fluffy hot chocolate with marshmallows on the side!

Music to my ears

My friend Indra and I attended the annual concert of the Northern Virginia Recorder Society at Lord of Life church in Fairfax. It was, as usual, outstanding with lovely music and delicious refreshments afterwards.

Listening to the Warm-up Fugue by Glen Shannon (b. 1966). President Friedler is in the center of the photo.

Chatting with Dr. Friedler during the reception

Many lovely pieces but I will single out a few of my favorites.

Fortune (my foe) by William Byrd (1543-1623)

Lei Pastoureu by Nicolas Saboly (1614-1675)

Sonata in F by Daniel Purcell (1664-1675)

Owase Bushi, Traditional Japanese - arr. Gordon Saunders (1979)

The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

A Delightful Exhibit

George, Mike, and I met at the Phillips Collection this morning and enjoyed visiting the extraordinary current exhibit, Bonnard to Vuillard. We then had lunch in the museum's Tryst Cafe.

Snow

I am always fascinated by paintings with the subject snow. Yes, growing up in Minnesota, attending college in upstate New York, and teaching in Vermont have all led to my fascination with the ways artists can create snow.

The Little Laundry Girl: Study and Final

I was particularly attracted to this painting because its subject called to mind one of my two very favorite books, The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak.

George and Christine (photo by Mike)

A description of the exhibit from the museum's website:

Bonnard to Vuillard: The Intimate Poetry of Everyday Life—The Nabi Collection of Vicki and Roger Sant presents over 60 exquisite, rarely seen works by a leading group of European Post-Impressionist artists who ushered in a new form of artistic expression in the 1890s. Assuming the name “Nabis” (from the Hebrew navi, meaning “prophet”), its members shared a belief in art’s intimate connection to everyday life. Works by Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Félix Vallotton, and others across a range of media—including painting, sculpture, lithography, stained glass, ceramics, tapestry, and screens—reveal the various ways in which the Nabis sought to break down the artificial barriers between the fine and decorative arts. The exhibition and its accompanying catalogue significantly enrich the understanding of the Nabis’ lasting contribution to the history of modern art.

Music from the 17th Century

A wonderful concert at Epiphany: The Sun King Rises! 

Here is the description on the website: 

The Sun King Rises: Music in the Era of Louis XIV with Seth Castleton, baroque cello, Mary Findley, baroque violin, Paula Maust, harpsichord, J. T. Mitchell, traverso flute playing music from operas, trio sonatas and solo works of that time.

Some of the pieces performed:

Rigaudon (English) The Sailor's Dance from Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Gigue, Sonata K. 89 (Italian/Spanish) by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Forlana, Entree pour une femme (Le Carnavale de Venise 1699) by Andrea Campra (1660-1774)

John and I met George and his two delightful friends, Anne and Norma from Catonsville, at the concert. And, as is our tradition, we had lunch next door at Au Bon Pain. The conversation was very interesting, of course.

George, Anne, Norma, and Christine

I hope to post another photo that includes John who was the photographer for the one above.

Were we at sea?

Five members of the DC Sons of Norway lodge attended a performance of illustrious Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse's Sea at the DC Arts in Adams Morgan. We found it very interesting and thought-provoking.

We enjoyed talking to Director Robert McNamara before and after the performance.

Marie, David, Christine, Robert the Director, Elizabeth, and John 

Christine and Director Robert McNamara

We went to the Friendship Cafe afterwards to talk it over. A most interesting discussion!

John, Marie, Elizabeth, David (photo by Christine) 

Most of us enjoyed a delicious macaroon.  I chose a Green Tea-Nutella.

Happy Encounter

What a happy encounter! After several decades, I finally saw my wonderful former L.I. student and his delightful wife here in Springfield. So much interesting catching up to do!

 Steve and  Marjorie

Steve and Chris

Back Then!

Steve, Front Row Left
Christine, Back Row Center

Faculty Photo, 1965-1966

Miss Foster, Mr. Wood, Mrs. Lord
Sponsors of the Travel Club

Traveling with Marie

Marie shared with Barbara and me her adventures on her recent Viking cruise. We heard some fascinating accounts of Switzerland, France, Germany, and Holland.


Marie is showing us her photos on her phone. (I was expecting a Power Point presentation but I was not disappointed. Nice photos!)

We met to hear her presentation at the Afghan Kabob restaurant in Springfield. Marie and I had the Vegetarian dish with fried eggplant, sauteed spinach, and pumpkin (pictured below).

Senior Fans

I wasn't the only crazy grandmother at the Nationals' Victory Parade!

Let's Hear It for the Senior Nats Fans!

 My Friend Ginny and Her Happy Crew

A Red Letter Day!

Our very own Washington Nationals won the 2019 World Series. How incredible is that? Time to celebrate and celebrate we did yesterday.

Marcello, Christian, and I went to DC for the Nats' Victory Parade. Here are some photos from this joyous event.

Marcello and Christian arrived at my house around noon and presented me with some Nationals' gear: a shirt and a cap.

Christian wanted me to strike a pose with my little mini pink bat that Andrea had bought for me several years ago at a Nats' game. It was breast-cancer awareness day and they were selling these mini pink bats.

"Out of the park!"

 Marcello was enthusiastic about buying some collectibles. He bought, for example, this pennant.

Christian looking good in his new Nats' sweatshirt 

Our location to watch the parade. Fans were about six deep all along Constitution Avenue.


Mima and Christian, the only sports enthusiast among my grandchildren

A long line of busses with players and other folks

In the distance you can see Mad Max riding on top of the bus. Marcello took this shot, saying that Max was looking for me!!!


We were all very nervous about the possibility of Mad Max Scherzer falling off and breaking his arm! He was on top of the bus all along the route, from 3rd Street to 15th! Truly mad!!

Soto! Soto! Soto!

The red confetti spewing out of the truck at the end of the parade was memorable! People were frantically scooping up the little red hearts and circles as souvenirs.

 We had parked in my garage at GW and we stopped to greet the GW Hippo.

I then gave Christian and Marcello a tour of the first floor of the impressive GW library and then we finally sat down to rest our weary legs at GW's Starbuck's.

What a day! One certainly never to forget! Will the Nats win another World Series in my lifetime? Maybe not. Strasburg and Rendon are now free agents and might very well jump ship. We shall see.