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     The Kennedy Center is a magnificent living memorial to President Kennedy and honors him with endless exhibitions of the performing arts. 





We’ve been fortunate to have attended 3 performances during our visit here, the most recent, a celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday, with a NSO tribute. 

To enhance that, we visited an exhibition with displays of more than 150 personal artifacts, including personal items, photographs, scores, correspondence, furniture, and films. Among the items is his first piano, the desk on which he composed West Side Story, handwritten score sheets for songs from WWS; his Harvard diploma, and so many more interesting artifacts.

     There are interactive displays with listening bars for private enjoyment of some of his most noted works. There’s a booth that allowed me to sing the lead in WWS w/o assaulting anyone’s auditory senses.





                 Extraordinary views from Kennedy Center’s roof top

                                               Potomac River

     One of our favorites was a video of him standing on the podium while the orchestra played without him conducting but close-ups reveal his expressions, facial twitches, smiles—he was conducting with his face.

Neoclassical stone arch bridge crosses Potomac near Lincoln Memorial

     There’s a clip of a young Asian boy about 6 and his sister, a couple years older, who played for Bernstein—she the piano and he, the cello. The surprise is that it was Yo Yo Ma.

     Bernstein entered Harvard in 1935 to study piano and pursue his dream of being a concert pianist. He accomplished that and more as a world renown pianist AND conductor, the composer of WWS, Candide, and On the Town. He was an educator and lifelong humanitarian who spoke out whenever he witnessed injustice. 22 honorary doctorate degrees were bestowed upon him during his lifetime in addition to numerous other honors.  Visit leonardbernstein.com/about

    

                               McHenry Seaport Center

                                Old Town’s Waterfront

     In Old Town, Alexandria, VA, sits the Torpedo Factory, an old munitions factory, turned gallery and artists’s studios. For its 40th birthday 3 years ago, a glass artist installed 5 towers centered around a 3rd floor smokestack, a remnant of the building’s original designation. The spiraling movement of the balls in each tower is reminiscent of the double helix of a strand of DNA. They also look like they’re swimming, providing a very calming and peaceful movement, so you know I loved it.

     A collection of sights on my solo bike trip to Old Town Alexandria—a block of a preserved cobblestone street

     Gadsby’s Tavern, a 1792 Federal-style City Hotel, was situated on the main stage coach route between Boston and Williasmburg, enabling it to become an important political and social center. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee were notable patrons. 

     Then there’s an 18th century modest townhouse built in 1769 by Washington in case business or inclement weather prevented his return to Mount Vernon. 

     I visited Christ Church, a small rectangular Georgian structure. The moulding was made by hand and is original. The tower with belfry is 3 stories high. I sat in George Washington’s pew cubicle. Robert E. Lee was also a member of the congregation.

Original dentil molding in the church

                           Old burial sites on the church grounds

     Love the bricks placed in a herringbone design as a walkway to townhouses. Pretty little village.

  

Bill and Laura

Washington, DC

     A D.C. paragon is the Old Ebbitt Grill. It has been on our to-do list every time we’ve been here and we finally made it. This is an iconic dining establishment and historic landmark since 1856. Its Victorian interior represents Washington saloons at the turn of the century. The antique clock over the revolving door at the entrance is an heirloom and the marble staircase with an iron-spindled rail was salvaged from the old National Metropolitan Bank next door.

     The Main Bar is constructed of magnificent mahogany. There are 3 carved glass panels depicting the Treasury, Capitol, and White House that separate the Main Bar from the main dining room. Old Ebbitt’s is located 2 blocks from the White House and has been a gathering place for presidents and generals, lobbyists and theatergoers for over 161 years. 

     Around the corner from the Main Bar is the famous Oyster Bar, featuring paintings by marine artist, Peter Egeli and Chesapeake Bay watercolorist, J. Robert Burnell.

     To the foyer’s left and up five marble stairs is the Corner Bar.  This federal-style room is reminiscent of a downtown club with the spirit of the Chesapeake Bay. There are paintings of waterfowl and a collection of decoys that convey the relaxed and timeless comfort and camaraderie of an Eastern Shore hunt club.

     The main dining room is illuminated by antique gas chandeliers. The wooden crossbeams on the 10 foot ceilings are accented by a style of pinstripe stenciling popular at the turn of the century. The dining room chairs are copies of antique Victorian bentwood chairs from a New York Central Railroad dining car. On the north wall are paintings by Kamil Kubik depicting festive, patriotic scenes near The White House and near the Supreme Court and Library of Congress..  Also, on the north wall hangs a large oil painting entitled “Three Bathers”. Beyond the English lace curtains at the rear windows is the Atrium Dining Room which is elegant and adorned with plush leather banquettes and cozy leather chairs and an original sculpture by Washington artist, John Dreyfuss.

     Flanking the other side of the Atrium is Grant’s Bar with its ceiling mural of the famous Matthew Brady photograph of General Grant. Behind the bar is an oil of a reeling nude by Jean-Paul Gervais painting about 1900. This restaurant is so charming that we had dinner there twice within one week!

     I was born far too soon for this generation. Twice today I heard blatant disrespect for a parent from a child. Case #1 – a little girl about 4 or 5 looked up at her mother with a nasty look on her little face and said, “Duh-h-h-h!” (spoken in 2 syllables!) Case #2 – a girl about 10 or 11 told her mother, “just shut up!” Neither parent reacted so suppose it a common way of being spoken to by their off-spring.

     Bill and I cycled to Silver Spring, MD, by way of Georgetown and Bethesda where we stopped for lunch at a delightful sidewalk cafe. Sadly, the Georgetown Branch Trail connecting Bethesda and Silver Spring closed the day after we rode it in preparation for the Purple Line of the Metro to be built. It will be closed for 5 years and re-routed, not through the shady woods but along city streets and that’s far less than ideal.

     We got home just in time to grab a bite before heading to the Capitol for the final concert of the season by the National Symphony Orchestra. What a treat and with very patriotic overtures. Definitely not an event to be missed.

     That provided a great day of cycling orchestrated and led for Bill and me by our Bike Friday friend, Charmaine. I thought I’d cycled the entire Anacostia Trail but she took us to the obscured part that I didn’t see as well as the Metropolitan Branch Trail that she takes on her commute to work. A word about this lady who’s a dynamo on a bicycle. She commutes RT 15 miles a day, rain, shine, sleet, or snow not greater than 3” deep. She takes her bike to all parts of the globe to cycle—alone or with a group. She doesn’t care as long as she gets to ride and enjoy the solitude of nature. Talk about a fit woman—she is just that!!!

     Within 36 hours and unaccustomed to that distance, we cycled 50 miles. Charmaine probably thought she was leading a bike ride from the Old Folks’ Home but she was very patient with us—me, far more than Bill. He did a much better job of “keeping up”. We stopped along the Metropolitan Branch Trail for lunch at a sidewalk cafe. We were all in need of “fuel” at that point. It’s on the same patio as a bike shop who’ll repair while you eat or enjoy a cup of java for a caffeine boost. I love this city!    

      As we cycled past REI, I heard it calling my name so we made a stop there for some much needed bike accessories to make our DC cycling more safe—or less vulnerable to traffic. The building now occupied by REI was originally built as the venue for the Beatles to perform decades ago, which accounts for the many Beatles posters inside the store. That’s on Charmaine’s route to work and she was able to watch the construction/re-construction of the building before its Grand Opening just a few months ago.

     We rode past this amazing mural that she said was started and completed in just a couple of weeks by 2 artists. The medium they used is impervious to graffiti—it’ll accept it but is easily removed. It’s difficult for you to see all the intricacies of the painting but near the center, are the carving artists, the Piccirilli Brothers, hard at work. I love the silver-gray colors used in this beautiful artistic accomplishment. Notice the quote by Frederick Douglass, the freed slave whose estate we visited and the video about his life and accomplishments that I found so moving.

     Dinner with Charmaine after a lecture at SAAM JFK exhibit. Fig and prosciutto grilled cheese for me and Apple and Gouda grilled cheese for Charmaine. Riding home after dark is beautiful.

     One morning, I had the good fortune of attending a breakfast and interview with Wilber Ross, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, at the Washington Post.  James Hohmann, interviewer for the Post, (of which I’ve become quite fond), is a national political correspondent who interviews decision-makers on the most relevant news having to do with their jobs. So this morning, it was 79 year old Mr. Ross on the stage with Mr. Hohhmann. 

     The two discussed the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the playing field for international trade, the tax reform push, and other pressing economic issues, including hurricane recovery. Mr. Ross commented on the relationship between the White House and business leaders; the disbandment of the president’s manufacturing and economic councils. “What’s sad is for business leaders to give up an opportunity to influence policy over some singular issue with which they disagree.”This was to begin at 9 AM and it did—on the dot!!! It ran about 5 minutes over but no one seemed to object as it was a very informative morning.

      Long ago when the old Post Office was just that, Bill and I toured it and went up into the tower so I was curious as to what it looks like now as a Trump Hotel.

    


     I’d have never recognized it for what it used to be. Quite opulent but then what would you expect. The bar must have hundreds of bottles! I’ve never seen so much booze. I was happy to see that they kept the funny little circular radiators surrounding the columns and a few other original artifacts.

      A friend suggested I visit the Willard Hotel and it is so classic and pure grand old elegance. I love the old teeny tiny tiled floor. I’ve never seen tiles so small. Can’t image “back then” the back breaking job of laying those.

     














    













































    










     Charmaine invited me to her office for lunch in their cafeteria. This is an international legal firm of 2800 attorneys but in her building there are just a mere 1000. Instead of an office building it looks like a high end hotel and resort. Lawyer’s offices line each side of the halls—each of the 11 floors is laid out in a square, and are glass walls—no wood anywhere. The door to each office slides and when it’s closed, all mayhem could break out in there and you wouldn’t hear a sound. The cafeteria reminded me of the unlimited choices on a cruise ship. The good was quite appealing to my taste buds and tastefully presented. We took our meals and went to the roof where there are tables, umbrellas, comfy chairs, and a beautiful view accompanied by a cooling breeze. She works really hard but to come to work in a place this majestic and beautiful would be wonderful. The architects, decorators, and landscapers spared no cost to make this building a work of art.

     Gotta scoot!  Much more to see and do.  Later!


Bill and Laura
Washington, DC

     
                             Atrium of National Building Museum

     The National Building Museum is a private institution devoted to building and design. It tells stories of architecture, engineering, and construction. One of the exhibits features a kaleidoscopic array of photographs, objects, models, and firms that resurrected memories both familiar and surprising as displays revealed American home life and residential architecture.

         An architecture student’s intricate and detailed project on display

                                           Smithsonian Castle

  

 This is a huge piece and intricately woven from stands of stainless steel

 My view from 3 floor above this sparking fountain on the ground level.

 View from the top floor reveals the World War II Monument

                           A bird’s eye view of the lobby from the 5th floor

     It was disappointing that the Freer/Sackler Museum is closed till mid October but there’s certainly an abundance to other sights and sounds to keep us occupied and out of trouble. I especially enjoyed the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. I’ve visited this several times since we’ve been here.  I commented to a guard that he surely has a stunning place to come to work each day. He agreed and said he’d retired as a prison guard and how he loves his new job. Well!  I guess so!!!

          Time for a sip of wine and a time to reflect on the gifts of today.


Bill and Laura
Gangplank Marina
Washington, DC

 I LOVE this city and I never want to leave!  This afternoon I entered the auditorium in the bowels of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art for a piano concert. I sat beside a lady who was a delight with whom to chat before the concert began. She’s from Sweden, lived in the Virgin Islands for 30 years, and recently moved to D.C. She doesn’t have a car; doesn’t want a car; and loves to walk or cycle everywhere she goes with an occasional Metro thrown in. She pays $85/year for the BikeShare program and just raved about it, it’s easy, availability, and convenience.

      As I rode my bike home tonight, I became amused and kinda chuckled all alone and by myself! For blocks, a bus drove right beside me. It’d stop to pick up or let passengers off and I’d pass. Soon, it’d pass me again and at the next corner, I’d pass it. We leap-frogged all the way down to my point to turn so even though it was “even Stephen”, I think I won. I didn’t pollute, use fuel, and got a tiny bit of exercise. Guess I’m just easily entertained!

     At intermission a lady from Beijing sat down on the other side of me and after the concert was over, she and I chatted at least 30 minutes. They used to live here but moved to the Philippines for 15 years for her husband’s job, and now they’re back. We shared ideas and experiences and when we said goodbye, it was with a hug as if we’d known each other for ever.

     Since we’ve been here I feel like a dry sponge. I can’t see enough; go enough; cycle enough; hike enough; do enough; or learn enough. The energy of this city and the stimulation it offers is something that I will crave forever. 

     The country of Vietnam and its war has always been a great curiosity to me because our children’s father served there the second year of our marriage and the first year of our oldest son’s life. Despite the entrance to the memorial reading “Vietnam War”, it’s now called the “American War”. 

    

     I joined a tour group led by a docent who was very well versed on the war and the people of that country.  Our group was small but there were 5 who’d been to Vietnam as tourists.

     This sculpture, depicting three female nurses caring for a fallen soldier, calling to mind the courage and sacrifice of all the women who served. Around the memorial are 8 trees—a living tribute to the 8 servicewomen killed in action while in Vietnam and whose names appear on The Wall. 265,000 women served during the war and since they were prevented from being in combat, they served in health care, communications, intelligence, and administrative positions. This memorial honors not only those women who served but is also for the families who lost loved ones. It provides a visual that their family members who were suffering and dying, were being provided comfort, care, and a human touch. 

     Our docent pointed out an obscure plaque embedded in the pavers that he said generally goes unnoticed. It memorializes those who died prematurely years after the war had ended making it clear that the toll the war had taken on those who served had not ended. Many of the deaths were related to their service because of Agent Orange and other carcinogenic factors. Others endured the consequences of PTSD. The inscription in the black granite reads, “In memory of the men and women who served in Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.” 

          The artist who created The Faces of Honor, said, “They wear it on their uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bond of love and sacrifice that is the name of men at war…. Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident.”


     The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. There are more than 58,000 names inscribed on the black granite walls of those who gave their lives or remain missing. The idea for the park was conceived by Maya Lin, a 21 year old student of architecture. There were many designers whose submissions were considered so this was quite an honor for that young lady and what a jump-start for her career. This is one of the most moving monuments in the nation’s capital. 

     

Bill and Laura Bender
Gangplank Marina
Washington, DC

                                               Renwick Gallery

     This gallery fancies itself being America’s Louvre and it is quite interesting.

      The most fascinating display is the Parallax Gap, made of separate layers, suspended from the ceiling, and occupying the entire length of the Renwick Gallery. It transforms the upstairs into a visual puzzle with its multiple vanishing points. The 9 layers depict different ceilings in iconic American buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries.

     Installed near or on top of one another, they create layers that, depending on my position, appear totally different and change as I walk about beneath this suspension, looking up. 

     It plays with the ideas of depth and perspective offering many vantage points to appreciate the work. Parallax is defined as how the distance or depth of objects appear to vary when viewed from different lines of sight and this is most certainly THAT!!!  

     

     Without a doubt, this is the focal point of the entire gallery but there are also other works of interest.

     At first glance, Ghost Clock, appears to be a Grandfather Clock covered with a white sheet but it’s a sculpture hand carved from a block of  laminated mahogany. Its silence suggests eternity—the absence of time. I need to feel things and was so tempted to touch even though the sign said not. I had no idea that there’s a motion sensor that would tell the entire gallery that I’d transgressed and I’d have been mortified.

Till later–
Bill and Laura

      

     

     The two discussed the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the playing field for international trade, the tax reform push, and other pressing economic issues, including hurricane recovery. Mr. Ross commented on the relationship between the White House and business leaders; the disbandment of the president’s manufacturing and economic councils. “What’s sad is for business leaders to give up an opportunity to influence policy over some singular issue with which they disagree. I don’t think that’s very considered.”

     This was to begin at 9 AM and it did—on the dot!!! It ran about 5 minutes over but no one seemed to object. It was a very informative morning.

Trump Hotel

                                                                                          Trump Hotel Lobby

     Long ago when the old Post Office was just that, Bill and I toured it and went up into the tower so I was curious as to what it looks like now as a Trump Hotel. I’d have never recognized it for what it used to be. Quite opulent but then what would you expect. The bar must have hundreds of bottles! I’ve never seen so much booze.

 I was happy to see that they kept the funny little circular radiators surrounding the columns. 

     It was suggested I visit the Willard Hotel and it is so classic and grand old elegance. I love the old teeny tiny tiled floor. I’ve never seen tiles so small. Can’t image “back then” the back breaking job of laying those.

     Charmaine invited me to her office for lunch in their cafeteria. This is an international legal firm of 2800 attorneys but in her building there are just a mere 1000. Instead of an office building it looks like a high end hotel and resort. Lawyer’s offices line each side of the halls—each of the 11 floors is laid out in a square, and are glass walls—no wood anywhere. The door to each office slides and when it’s closed, all mayhem could break out in there and you wouldn’t hear a sound. The cafeteria reminded me of the unlimited choices on a cruise ship. The good was quite appealing to my taste buds and tastefully presented. We took our meals and went to the roof where there are tables, umbrellas, comfy chairs, and a beautiful view accompanied by a cooling breeze. She works really hard but to come to work in a place this majestic and beautiful would be wonderful. The architects, decorators, and landscapers spared no cost to make this building a work of art.

     Day is done and tomorrow’s calendar is jam-packed so looking forward to another great day.