National Arboretum Big Day, part 3: Dogwood and Camellia Gardens of the Asian Gardens

 The Dogwood Gardens have lovely green lawns.

 Grass was so green and cool.

 I little rest hut on the ridge.

 Always something to see, something to get your attention.

 The view of the Anacostia River from the hut.

 Lots of lovely Camellias.

 Romeo is ready to go home!

Home sweet home with his bones sweet bones--life is good.

Eggs for Breakfast

 Poached eggs on smoked ham, spinach on toasted ciabatta rolls with Hollandaise sauce with fresh parsley.

Hollandaise and fresh parsley on scrambled eggs with toasted ciabatta rolls with melted pepper jack cheese.

Pride Birthdays and Memorials for the Week ~ October 26th to November 1st

Remember Ottawa

From My Favorite View

...of Sligo Creek on my walks with Roméo.

From A Dear Mate Down Under

Columbia-Gem-of-the-Ocean! I have to declare, that I have some of the most amazing friends on the planet. I really do. Yet another enticement to plan a trip to Australia from my friend, Rod. He is a gifted photographer with some sort of day job to pay the bills and keep he and his little buddy F.R.E.D. in kibbles and bits. And I would love nothing more than to be his guest--someday. When his wonderful package of photos and narrated itinerary arrived, my heart filled near to bust with joy as if I were already there. Thank you, mate.

Kitchen Up-grade

I got a new cutting board.  Sweet!

It sits over the sink perfectly.  And the basket allows me to place cut veggies out of the way and rinse them at the same time.  The edges have rubber like grips that inhibit sliding.  I am very pleased with it's design.

Amazing Animal Stamps: Seahorses

I recently realized that I failed to post one of my Amazing Animal Stamp series from the past. First issued on May 19, 2014.  12th in the series: Seahorses.

Kingfisher

Saw a Kingfisher again in the park on Saturday.  Need a better camera....  They have such a distinct song, once you hear it, it will be the thing that gives them away first!

Got a New Toy

The Case of the Found Flamingo...

About a month ago at school I hosted a popsicle party in our little courtyard for the students who had successfully completed their summer math packets. This entailed a long afternoon with waves of students in groups from 50 to 70 every 20 minutes until all 465 completers were feted with icy fruit flavored sugar water. It's an annual tradition.

At one point a student made a discovery in the dirt. She found the battered remains of a little windchime made in the image of a be-hatted pink flamingo in copper and pieces of stained-glass. It had been buried in the dirt were it landed for some time by all appearances. I knew immediately that it had once belonged to our retired attendance secretary, and an idea took hold of me. Carefully I spirited it away from school.

For you see, in my neighborhood lives a man, Tony's partner, who is named Frederick. Frederick is by all accounts many things--he resembles a walking skeleton, he rarely interacts with others (a bit of a recluse), possibly hasn't left the home he shares with Tony in years--but above all speculation there is this one certainty: Frederick loves Flamingos! The yard that separates their home from the street is full of them! Every sort! Especially black plastic ones with their skeletons showing in the fashion of the Mexican holiday "El Día del Muerte". The arrangements of these 'pets' moves, and if you're lucky you might be around and catch Frederick talking to them as he helps them to their next position in the yard. There are also lots of Mardi Gras beads.

But what there wasn't was a Flamingo wind chime made of copper and stained-glass wearing a hat. I made it my mission to rectify this dreadful situation while giving the little wind chime a home where it would never be left to disappear into the dirt--a home where it would be cherished by a man with an odd, sweet heart.

[Best part, I snuck it down there and attached it to the tree when no one was looking...or at least I hope no one was.]

Pride Birthdays and Memorials for the Week ~ October 19th to October 25th

Potato Casserole

My friend Yamilette sent me this recipe.

Baked Potato Casserole
(makes 16 servings)

Ingredients

8 medium-size potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
Green onions or parsley for garnish
Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Put the chopped potatoes into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook them over medium-high heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender. Then, drain the potatoes. (You could also bake the potatoes in the oven and then cut them into chunks.)
Put the potatoes back in the saucepan and toss with the bacon.
In a separate bowl, mix the salt, pepper, 1 1/2 cups of cheese, sour cream, and onion. Then, add this mixture to the saucepan with the potatoes and toss thoroughly.
Grease a 2.5- to 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray, and then spoon the mixture into the dish.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, then top the dish with the remaining cheese and garnish and let it bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
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But then I did it so of course, I used Italian bacon (Pancetta) cubed, and I added the onions to the pancetta and caramelized them along with some shredded kale. I baked my version for 45 minutes, because the dish was deeper and the amount slightly more.

Dinner Memoir

Back in 1989 I spent 10 days in Brazil. On one occasion my gracious hosts took me to a beach south of Ipanema Beach (which was a cesspool even back then) and we ate lunch from a vender there. This is what we had.

Basically a bratwurst roasted over an open flame and place in a bun on a bed of shredded cabbage tossed in oil/vinegar and herbs (oregano, thyme--like a hoagie) then topped with mayonnaise and crushed potato chips. Every couple years I celebrate the memory by recreating it.

Glenwood Cemetery

Carved from trees that died...

Healthcare Report

Today is a teacher's holiday, so I set it aside to do my semi-annual bloodletting at my doctor's office. His office is in downtown DC so I got to see the Capitol Dome all gussied up in scaffolding for its latest facelift.

The stats are good: BP 126/80 resting heart rate 60 bpm. Weight unchanged. But the bloodletting? No longer on the premises. I had to drive several blocks over to a place that only does bloodletting... This costs me $12.50 on its own and another $12.00 for parking to go with the $18.00 parking fee from the first office with it's $15.00 co-pay. I know. I KNOW. I have excellent insurance coverage and very grateful for that. But what cost me altogether only $19.00 two years ago is now costing me $57.50. At least the flu shot was included...

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A few hours later....

I FEEL AWFUL! Got my flu shot this morning....lot's of localized fever, aching in my joints and headache.... Thank the Atoms & Void it's only a wee version of the real deal...

After The Rains

A walk in the park with my boy, Roméo!