Just a few of the buds and blossoms around D.C. this week...
My Favorite Things – Springtime in D.C.
Tagged Washington
Friday’s Thought – With Fresh Eyes
"Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment."
(Ellis Peters)
From My Sketchbook – The Travelers
We just arrived back home from a quick trip to Washington, D.C. We were too early for the cherry blossoms, although I LOVED my visit to see the orchid show at the United States Botanical Garden. (In case you missed my post about the visit, you can still see the photos here.)
Also memorable was our visit to the Holocaust Museum. Memorable isn’t the only word that describes that experience, though. Haunting, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, disturbing, sad, overwhelming, and inspiring are also apt. In any case, our D.C. trip felt very full and I confess that my sketchbook got a little forgotten.
But I did capture this young couple yesterday waiting for their train in Union Station.
Friday’s Thought – In Due Time
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."
(Hal Borland)
My Favorite Things – The Orchid Show at the United States Botanic Garden
Because just about now, I’m desperate to see FLOWERS!
Fortunately, I’m currently in Washington, D.C. and had a free afternoon to myself today in which to see the (free) orchid exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden .
Although I knew I wouldn’t remember all of the the names of the different types of orchids (the collection contains over 5,000 specimens), here are some of my favorites!
The exhibit features far more than just orchids, though. In the Garden Primeval I spotted these pretty brush-like flowers…
While the prickly thistle was one of the interesting plants blooming in the Medicinal Plants garden.
While not exactly flowers, the shape of these cactus plants comes close enough in my book…not to mention that cacti are fast becoming my g0-to plants for our New York apartment!
The exhibit includes spice plants, like this Allspice bush…
And berries (these just happen to be coffee!)
The number of fruit varieties (starfruit)…
(Limes)…
(Kumquats)…make the visitor feel like they’ve stepped into a veritable garden of Eden.
And, yes, there are even cocoa beans to help round out the fascinating exhibits!
P.S. In case flowers aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of beautiful foliage in the Hawaiian and Tropics rooms to keep you interested!
Friday’s Thought – At a Glance
"Symmetry is what we see at a glance."
(Blaise Pascal)
Friday’s Thought – Just Visiting
"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."
(Walter Hagen)
My Favorite Things – Flower Power
I’m in Washington, D.C. on tour this week with the New York City Ballet at Kennedy Center. Although the weather was gorgeous the day we arrived, it’s turned cloudy and cold ever since…which is not so bad when you have to be indoors rehearsing, but puts a definite damper on sightseeing! After hibernating in the hotel room this morning, I finally got up the courage to pile on some layers and go for a brisk walk. And I was so glad I did. The grey skies were the perfect foil for the vibrant blossoms that are bursting forth on many of the trees.
There was a softness to the statues…
And columns.
Historic hotels looked majestic…
And the crisp air was delicately perfumed.
Just a tad romantic? You bet!
My Favorite Things – Spring Flowers in Washington, D.C.
After a long, hard winter, who doesn't need some flowers?!