Occoquan

Last week, on the way to an IKEA run, we stopped at a village called Occoquan.  It's an artists' colony type of place with little shops and restaurants, right on the banks of the Occoquan river, where it flows into the Potomac.  Cute place, even though it was overcast and drizzling.  One of it's curiosities is that I-95 (the main north-south expressway along the east coast of the US) literally goes over it.  The river flows in a deep valley, and I-95 crosses the river on a tall bridge.  So this sleepy little town sits below one of the busiest highways in the country.  It bears revisiting in better weather.  

Hiatus

 Please excuse my recent paucity of posts. I went up to the mountains for a bit to escape the heat:

I will resume presently...

 

A Yummy N/A Drink

This is a wonderful non-alcoholic drink we found at Aldi. It mimics an Aperol spritzer, which is right up there in summer popularity with Compari & Soda in Italy. It has a sophisticated tartness to it, but it's also slightly sweet. I love it! Try some if you're so inclined and have an Aldi nearby...

Flowers (LOTS of flowers)

Bright colors at bargain prices, uh-oh I'm in trouble.  I overdid, but the outcome was lovely... and large.  At first I couldn't get the lighting right at the usual location, bouquet was too big.  So I went out to the conservatory.*  Later I got the lighting right inside and took even more pictures.  Overdid the pix too.  Enjoy!

*We have an enclosed terrace/balcony thingy, and we've never known what to call it. It's not really a balcony, or a terrace, or a porch, etc., and we kept on calling it different things. We finally settled on the British "conservatory" which we decided was the most apt term (even though it's 3 stories above ground).

 

Major Tourist Attraction

Obviously, a must-see for the visitor to the nation's capital.

(WARNING: Viewers might find this video frighteningly boring) 

 

New Toy

The only question is: Do I send one to Mitchell (https://movingwithmitchell.com/) as a Christmas present for the cats... 

 

Environmental Concerns

We here in Fairfax County are merciless when it comes to invasive species...

If you see an adult spotted lanternfly, take a photo, kill it, and report it to the Grounds Committee. At least one resident has spotted this bug. Fairfax County advises residents who encounter spotted lantern-flies to “squash, stomp and smash on sight.”

The Wisdom of Age

One of the residents in our condo complex recently celebrated his 100th birthday. There was a nice write-up in the complex's newsletter, containing the predictable questions of what did you do to live so long and such.  The payoff was in the last question asked, which I copy below:

Q. What are the important lessons you have learned in life to date?

A. Set goals and work to reach them. Learn to like and be kind to everyone. Avoid    depression with interpersonal activity, do not be jealous, because (as they say in the mental health clinic) “Jealousy and paranoia will destroy ya.” Find a wonderful life partner. Rx for a long life: Do not smoke, use minimal alcohol, and do not date married people.

 Hmmmmmm... 

This Week's Flowers

 Decided to go simple and easy this time.

Then I thought they looked a little sparse, so I added some foliage.

Better Weather

After untold weeks in the high 90's (32º+C.) we've hit a nice run of mid 70's to 80 (21-26C.) It's safe to walk around now, so I went down to the river to have a look see...

Seen better days, but haven't we all. 

The heat and afternoon storms have produced jungle-like conditions.

And soon it will be time to reseed the AstroTurf...

The Phases of a Classicist's Life

 CLASSICAL

  

LATE ANTIQUE

 

BYZANTINE