Summertime: Gin and Tonic Upgrade

Today I want to write about the color green.

But I'm going to start with a little history.

Back in Scotland, one of the "summer" drinks was Pimm's. It's pretty ubiquitous, and you don't need to know what it is to enjoy it properly - the recipe's on the bottle. Basically, take Pimm's, add lemon-lime soda (tonic might work, too), and fruit. Cut up strawberries and cucumbers especially, but citrus and other fruits work as well. Stir, and enjoy. We used to drink these every summer, at garden parties, in beer gardens, any pretty outside location, really.

Returning to the present, today is the first legitimately warm day in Scotland since October (says the woman from south of the M-D). In celebration, I've opened my door to let the sunshine in - early evening, fortuitously, is the best part of the day for this - and I'm having a gin and tonic. You thought I was going to say Pimm's, didn't you? :) I don't actually have any, but gin works almost as well.

In fact, the reason I told the story about Pimm's and Scotland is because I've upgraded my gin and tonic (with lime). It now includes cucumber. And it makes a very pleasantly, noticeable difference. First, cucumber just smells fresh and sunny. Secondly, it adds a really light high note on the palate of aforementioned fresh and sunny qualities.

Try it. Tell me if you like it.

To Remember: Autumn Visits Summer, June 2010

Yesterday was the first really hot day in the past week. Now the entire east coast is engaged in battle with a nearly record-breaking heat wave.

But four days ago (all timeframes and dates approximate), the mid-Atlantic region felt like Autumn had arrived early. Meaning I got even more restless, bored, irritable, and itchy to be outside. (Note: the downside to not having a day job is not necessarily having anything to do during the day. That, or I'm more lazy than adventurous.) Eventually, a few days later, I believe Thursday, I managed to get up early enough to drive to Great Falls Park and view the amazing falls from the three observation decks, and hike the River Trail. This trail is rocky, slightly hilly, and in places comes perilously close to the cliff edge. I witnessed a kayak practice, where kayakers crossed the river in the up- and downstream directions, caught a glimpse of climbers ascending the cliffside (shudder) and passed several groups of hikers, like me.

Great Falls passes ($5 for one private vehicle) last three days. Counting the day you pay for the pass, the first Park Ranger was careful to tell me. So two days later I went back, this time with the madre, and to hike a section of the Swamp Trail, which is more interesting, nature-wise, and quieter, people-wise, than the River Trail. Though more poorly marked. That day marked the return of summer heat and humidity.

This whole cool week, the breeze blew, mornings were chilly, the days full of sunshine, and nights downright cold. We left the windows open and my winter down comforter became a necessary comfort. The air even smelled like fall. I miss it already. I long for the apple cider, apple pie and pumpkins, the bright and deep color of the leaves, the scent of autumn, the crisp mornings and cool evenings, the light layers that make being outside comfortable. All the best holidays are in the fall, too. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and just into winter, Christmas. Hot chocolate, hot soups, baked squash and potatoes. Warm boots, that puff of cloud on the breath.

Fall has always meant new beginnings to me. I loved shopping for the First Day of School Outfit. The plastic smell of new school supplies. The excitement, that first day, of learning new things and getting back into the habit of organizing notes and binders and figuring out classes.

I don't want to miss what summer has to offer, but I can't help looking forward to September.

Do A Spring Dance

Forget the snow dances, winter is over. Or at least, I'm going to pretend it is until it feels like winter again. Everybody do a dance for spring!! I read over someone's shoulder last week on the train to work, that Phil the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning we have more weeks of wintery, cold weather, and also I hear it's supposed to snow this weekend, but for the past three days I've been in spring weather heaven. I just wish the spring weather had occurred over the weekend instead of during the week, when I spend about 40 daylight hours indoors.

So this weekend I'll most likely be bitter and scowly, but until then, I'll be skipping home and running outdoors.

The Snow's Coming Down I'm Watching It Fall

Well, I was. Typically, the snow stopped after only a few hours.

Surprisingly, the Federal government remained open this morning. As I walked to work from the Metro station, I listened to the crunch of the snow under my boots, held my umbrella into the wind, and realized that, with a hat, I can conquer any weather. Hats make one invincible, I'm convinced.

Despite the fact that I abhor being cold, I do like snow. It muffles the sounds of the city, and distances one from the rest of the universe. Blanketing the streets, trees and buildings in white. Fewer cars on the road, fewer people walking the streets.

It also means that the workday is cut short. 3-5" predicted, and the office of DNS closed at 1300 to get people home safely, and as a result, I ended up with the afternoon off. I do love living in the mid-Atlantic, where locals freak out at the barest hint of snow or ice.

Dear Readers,

I know I've been absent for awhile. I thought I'd research for the next post I wrote, but have definitely not been motivated. Instead, I've been getting stuck into researching my family history. Luckily for me, through the Navy, I have free access to some websites that have US Federal Census records, as well as Draft Registration records from World War I ... it really is fascinating. I'm so interested, I'm re-thinking that thought I had about not being an historian when I grow up.

Autumn is definitely my favorite season of the year, but I just re-discovered the reason I don't like running in cold weather: the cold air burns the throat, and causes congestion to loosen. I survived, though, and even had a great, challenging run. The trees are beautiful in their red and orange and yellow coats, and my feet make soothing noises as they tread on the trees' lost leaves.

The greenest news I have is that I planted trees again this past Saturday, with Casey Trees and some very lovely people. I enjoy it so much that it doesn't really matter that I have to get up at 7am on a Saturday morning, or take public transportation and walk to the site, which involved an hour each way last weekend. I think I might become a Citizen Forester, which is a person who knows enough to lead groups in the planting of trees. Apparently there's no commitment - they give you the training, and then they shoot you an email, "if you'd like to come out this Saturday..." which is my kind of commitment!

I'll work on that interesting topic I've been meaning to discuss.

That is all,
Your lazy blogger.

P.S. Another great man who feels the way I do: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Sant Ocean Hall

Took a trip to the Smithsonian on this lovely autumn afternoon (crisp air, turning leaves, warm sunshine). National Museum of Natural History, to be precise. They have a new exhibit there, called the Sant Ocean Hall. Only opened last month, and unfortunately everyone else in the city also decided to visit the new exhibit today. Incredible exhibit, with very wide scope, as one might imagine for an exhibit whose subject amounts to 70% of the earth's surface. Not too detailed, instead very succinct panels and then more specific information about the many models, photographs and especially preserved remains of various species. Learned that the weird-looking creature I found once on East Sands at St Andrews is called a - well, I've forgotten the name now, but it's similar to a star fish. Only more wormlike. Ah, yes. Brittle stars. Point is, good to know, finally. Didn't have time to explore everything, but some of what I did included North Pacific Cultures (a traditional canoe hangs above here) whales - one in particular, called Phoenix - and coral reefs and the Poles, north and south. Another room I couldn't investigate had fossils, a jawbone of an ancient (and much, much, larger) great white shark. Called Megamouth, or something (carcharodon megalodon, technically). I could step through the jaws without ducking or hitting the three, four, five rows of teeth, I think. Shiver. Saw a video projected onto a sphere to represent the earth, and watched a theater presentation on submarine diving (to the deep ocean, approximately 2 miles under the surface).

Verdict: Well worth a visit. And then a second, and maybe a third, to get all the information. Good thing it's FREE!!! (God, I love living in DC some days)

Filling in the Gaps Between Now and Nashville

Dear Readers,
(yes, all four of you!)

My sincerest apologies for disappearing for so long. While in Nashville, I had very limited access to the internet. I came back, found myself very busy, and then came down with a cold.

(As I watch the debate: entitlements? And who hasn't given up on social security already? Who seriously expects change without having to pay for it? There's an old saying about free lunch...)

In between now and Nashville, I have spent time in diverse ways. I'm going to start from the end, and work my way back to the beginning. This weekend, I went hiking in the Shenandoah. The main point of the expedition was to catch the predatory bird migration; according to my guidebook, thousands of hawks can be seen flying overhead in one day. Unfortunately, all we saw were black vultures circling high above us. The hike was short but sweet, and challenging, as that was day 2 of the cold. The trees have started turning here in Virginia, but I will need to go again when the leaves change and become even brighter. Nature is without a doubt the best part about hiking; it helps calm and center me, and lifts some of the stress from my life. The combination of dirt, sun, trees, fresh air, birdsong and insect noises creates a soothing environment. It also serves as an excellent reminder of the reasons to make changes to help save the environment. Fortunately, this time I did not run into any spiderwebs.

The cold started late on Friday night after I went out in Dupont Circle, to a lovely little wine bar called Veritas, which has fantastic customer service, a low-lit, pleasant atmosphere, and an obliging behind-the-scenes DJ. They even have wines from the very inclusive selection on tap! Had a lovely evening there with a friend. Space was limited, so we ended up sitting with two very nice young women at a small table. A very fun, but late evening.

Thursday was special. Thursday a coworker invited me to a Washington Capitals Season Ticket-Holders party at Six Flags in Maryland, where I got a hat signed by some of the players. Woot! Woot!

The rest of my life since Nashville has included much work, nearly enough sleep, and sadly enough, lots of television.

Yours truly,
Me

Autumn Breeze Trumps Air Conditioning

Hands down. I am 100% all in favor of fresh air, whenever the temperature makes it comfortable. Today the weather has been cool enough that I felt cold eating my lunch outside on a bird poo-infested picnic bench. Furthermore, I've been able to keep the window open all day, without melting into my seat. Not only does this mean that my office has smelled fresh and outdoors-y, and that I haven't been wasting money and energy on air conditioning, it means most importantly that I have not felt my fingers, nose and toes turning into little organic blocks of ice. Now if only I could get this to work in my tiny apartment that has no air circulation...

DIY Back-to-School

"Brightly colored string, an empty cereal box, a thick stack of scrap paper, and a little creativity..." is all you'll need to create personalized notebooks, binders, datebooks, etc. Not to mention scissors, glue and pens and pencils. But those are easy to find.

Check out the New American Dream website for an article on skipping back-to-school shopping by New American Dream's resident DIY guru.