Thursday, July 31, 2008

It's Official. I'M IN LOVE!!!!


With my Neighborhood.

It's obvious we're still in the infatuation phase, because we just can't get enough of each other. Here are a few more of the little treasures I've found while traipsing (we don't use that word enough, anymore) through the streets of my neighborhood. They are a part of what I love about living here.


1. Strawberry St. Market

I first crossed their threshold the day I moved in. While our pizzas were being cooked next door my sisters and I popped in here for some cold drinks and chocolate. They are priced higher than a chain grocery, naturally, but when I need one item (like bleach, salad dressing or Ben & Jerry's), you can't beat hoofing down the street instead of getting in the car.




2. Strawberry St. Cafe

Right next door to my last feature, resides this neighborhood gem. Turns out I caught it on a great night while Jess coming through town. After a walk, we stopped in here for dinner. Mondays are 1/2 price burgers and QUICHE night. Yum-O.

They have an extensive salad bar and supurb quiche. Those are the only things I've tried so far, but... wow. No wonder they are so popular.




3. Shields Market

Like the Stawberry St. Market, this small establishment carries assorted groceries and deli items, but there are a few ways they are a leg up on the competition in my mind.


  • They carry 20 oz. Diet Dr. Pepper
  • Their produce is organic and/or locally grown
  • They carry assorted Greek delights from "Stella" who formerly had a successful restaurant in the area.

Best find there? The Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. I don't know what their secret is, but that is one... good... cookie.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

I went in for a haircut this week. I thought I would try to find a new salon and stylist here in Richmond. I dreamed of finding someone akin to "Angelo" my heaven-sent hair guy in the DC area that I became fiercely loyal to. I wanted to write a quick blog quip about my new "do" and be happy.

Instead...

I have learned, once again, that high expectations only lead to disappointment. I have been reminded of my previous theory that when a stylist hears, "I'm growing it out. Keep the length. It just needs a little shape" it sets off some predetermined program that translates to, "I want Jennifer Aniston's haircut from 1995".


I love Jennifer Aniston, and there are a host of other styles of her's that I would be proud to showcase on my very own head. However, this was not one of them.

I hate long layers. This is the third time in 2 years that I have gotten a cut I don't like. (I did get one I REALLY loved in Des Moines - probably won't be back at that salon anytime soon, though). I'm beginning to feel like my lot in life is to wear ponytails and grow out bad cuts.

The two most frustrating things - 1. I never see it coming. By the time I see the layers coming on, it's too late to stop it. 2. I am too dang nice. I can't find it within me to say, "I hate it, and I hate that there is no way to fix it. I will spend four months trying to get back to where I was when I walked in this door." I even still tip well. What the heck is my problem?

Do you have a bad hair story to share? Are you a stylist that will offer to help me learn your lingo so I can avoid this?

An Open Letter To Peggy Noonan

Peggy,

Where are you? Are you enjoying the month of July with friends and family in a place other than NYC? Are you on hiatus because of work with a campaign? Are you, perhaps, trying to help the McCain shop develop a message and speaking style more pallatable to those of us who are trying so desperately to be excited about him?

I do hope that whatever your reasons are, you are in good health and spirits.

For three weeks, I have checked your column with my usual Friday anticipation. Three... long... weeks. I miss you. Please come back soon.

Sincerely,
A loyal reader

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Spoiling Myself Rotten

So... there are still two rubbermaid bins of clothes to unpack and shoes to reshelf (after the cat has graciously batted them all down from their assigned spots) - So what did I spend the afternoon doing....?

EXPLORING MY NEW CITY!!!

There are many places I look forward to knowing and loving in Richmond. I even bought a new notepad for the purpose of keeping track of them. Today I started out with two. I couldn't be happier with my neighborhood and I can't get over how lucky I am to have so many of the sights within walking distance. Somehow, even with soaring temperatures and high humidity, it seemed a crime to stay in.

Stop #1 - Virginia Center for Architecture (excuse the poor lighting that made this shot not nearly worthy of the building)

The exhibit portions of this location are minimal, but there is still something about good design and architecture that lifts my spirits. Standing in front or inside a Temple, being in ancient Rome, sitting on the marble of monuments in DC - those things speak to my soul.

This former home was designed by John Russel Pope, who also designed the National Gallery of Art (west gallery, obviously), National Archives and the Lincoln Memorial. Most of the interior is marked "staff only", but it was nice to just be inside and take in the dining room and learn about the building and design of the structure. I look forward to further exhibitions here.

Stop #2 - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (currently under construction, so I spared you from a photo)

Currently full of Degas', Monets, historic silver, the largest collection of Fabrege outside of Russia and a host of other treasures, this was a great way to spend a couple hours. It's undergoing a major expansion, so I look forward to returning here also. It didn't have similar spaces to my favorite fountains and the Italian galleries at the National Gallery, but it is beautiful and boasts an impressive collection.

Also, I learned a lot in the Fabrege exhibit. I didn't realize that the delicate eggs were originally designed as Easter gifts and contained the words "Christ is Risen" inside (not in English, of course). It made me want to add a Fabrege egg pendant onto my Christmas list for this year.

Another treat of both of these locations is that they are FREE. Between the two locations, I probably ran into 25 other people. Where was everyone?! Missing OUT, I tell you.

While I didn't take a picture of the art museum, I did snap this one of the Confederate Memorial Chapel directly across from it. It was built after the Civil War, so it's not the history that's fascinating, but the stained glass (for me, anyway). I peeked inside briefly, and since it was after their posted hours, decided to go back another day to fully appreciate the interior.


Stop #3 - Sushi on the way home. California rolls with brown rice. Could this day have been any better?

Monday, July 14, 2008

Cat - Centric Times

I know Marilyn has gotten unprecedented coverage since the move. At the risk of appearing like a crazy cat lady, I still give you this hilarious comic from Sunday's paper. This is from the column "Rhymes with Orange" by Hilary B. Price. The early morning and late night depictions hit a little close to home ;-)


Sunday, July 13, 2008

Best Two Minutes of Your Day


I only wish I had seen this before the 4th to share with you. It's not exactly Thomas Jefferson, but it is just what I needed. I love the incorporation of Animal and the Swedish Chef's voices in the music. Thanks to the CR's from GMU for sharing!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Hot Time, Summer in the City

Marilyn slumbering the day away in the window while I put books onto shelves... note her disapproval of the bright light interrupting her dreams of bird watching and mouse hunting.


I had forgotten how warm a third story can be in Virginia's summers. All the memories of sharing the "princess suite" with Haslam in So. Arlington have come back... the darkening of the windows.. the extra fans.. the sleeping on top of your blanket instead of beneath it... cool showers...

Things in the apartment have progressed, but as work has been busier, boxes have been slower to vanish. I still need to paint the top 20% of the walls next to the ceiling and do other assorted things to feel completely settled and at ease. I am finally done with last minute shopping of any needed items. Phew! But, I found this mildy disturbing while picking up picture frames at Michael's.



This was taken on July 8th, maybe... and according to my rudimentary calculations... that makes it nearly four full months before Halloween. This leads me to ask.... can retaliers imagine displays on anything other than the next major American holiday?

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Ugh....

Marilyn sleeping in her basket amid the item left to unpack


Well, I'm officially in Richmond. There were a few lows, but mostly highs in the moving process. Here are the highlights.

The Lows -
  • The furniture company I ordered my bed and couch from conveniently botched the order. They only deliver to Richmond once a month. They were very polite and responsive when I talked to them, but in the end, delivering in August was all they could offer. Call me crazy, but I can't wait a month to sleep on a bed or have a couch.

  • My front door key to the apartment doesn't work - This won't be a problem long.

  • Buying new furniture soaked up 5 hours of time with my family on the 4th of July.

The Highs -

  • My sisters came with me on Thursday to take the first load. They tolerated waking up at 5am and shuffling boxes up two flights of stairs with unusual cheer for teenagers. We had a great time painting, hanging out, checking out the cafe and market down the street and then seeing the Virginia Holocaust Museum the next morning (complete with a run in with a VERY kind elderly female Holocaust survivor who insisted we stay to have burgers and watermelon with them - what a great memory).

  • Thinking as I was falling asleep on the floor with my two sisters also on the floor how lucky I am to have sisters who would do this - and grateful again for having them in my life.

  • Time with the whole family when Mom and Dad brought the last load on Friday. It was hot and humid and we got through it with speed. Gotta love teamwork! Although driving to 6 different furniture stores wasn't my idea of a great 4th, I had Mom and sisters to know my taste and help scout the stores.

  • Believing that all my stuff actually will fit in the new space.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Preparing for the 4th (III)



I'm sure you memorized it in 6th grade.. but when was the last time you read it all the way through?

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.


He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.


He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.


He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.


He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.


He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.


He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.


He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.


He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.


He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.


He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.


He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.


He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.


He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.


He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.


He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.


He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.


In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms:

Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.


We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Preparing for the 4th (II)

(Monticello Book Room, NPS)

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any.

It is wonderful how much may be done if we are
always doing."

~T.J.