Amazing Scientific Discovery!

Orlando (in the pith helmet) and his brother Osvaldo are over the moon about an incredible discovery on their current expedition in the condo. (For the uninitiated, house penguins periodically go on "safaris" in their places of residence; it's a little peculiar but remember they don't get out much.) On this adventure, they uncovered what must be, in their opinion, the last remaining living specimen of a dodo. (Happily, Edmund's son Edwin was out at the playground at the time, so their hopes were not immediately dashed.) Edmund was very much flattered by all the attention and invited them to stay for tea. Science marches on!!!

 

English Muffins: An Audience Survey

Just this morning, as I was preparing my breakfast, I realized that English Muffins are yummy toasted, but really aren't terribly appetizing otherwise. Please note, I'm speaking here of the packaged muffins one buys at the store, the only kind I've ever had. What strikes me as odd is that most nice breads taste good both cold and toasted, but not the  English Muffin. Is this a fault of the packaged variety. Though I've been to England a number of times, I don't recall seeing them on a menu. Perhaps one goes to a bakery for the good stuff??? 

Anyway, my audience participation questions are:

1. Does this curiosity re English Muffins strike you as odd as well?
2. Have you ever had a "real" English muffin (i.e. not the packaged product)?
3. If so, do you know if it tasted good untoasted? 
4. Do you know of other breads that also only taste good toasted? 

Please give your responses in the Comments below.

 

Odd Ends

 

an older Maybach

I want this one, the flame-throwers on the front bumper are a nice touch!

the report from my last physical came in

aliens from the strange & distant weenie planet

international signage can be so confusing

because... why not?

 

 

Nobel Prize, Here We Come!

Hammond, one of our most beloved and largest penguins, has undertaken to write his autobiography.  He has tentatively entitled it: La Vie de Moi: A Penguin's Journey through Life and Herring.  We, of course, wish him all the success in the world, but I did tell him the title needs more work...

Art in the Kitchen

There has been a big blank wall in the kitchen ever since David moved into our condo in 2009. It continued to be empty after the kitchen renovation in 2022. We had a plan for it: install a set of David's finer food photos, taken from are various trips abroad, usually in European central markets. Well the day has finally arrived. David had the idea of putting up food photos in our café here at the condo complex, as part of one of the local art group's exhibitions. Once they were taken down there, they were put up here, with appropriate lighting installed by yours truly. Enjoy.

 

For All My Fellow Scorpios Out There...

 

Flowers

The mixed Alstroemeria bouquets are back!!!  😁

Natural History

 Lastly I popped into the Natural History Museum, hoping to find some interesting polished stones. They didn't have the t-shirt in my size but, in lieu of a replica Hope Diamond, I got this cool looking rock from Madagascar. 

 

The National Gallery & Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are probably my most favorite places to go on the Mall. The later is also a wonderful place to relax and take a break from urban Washington; and it holds my favorite fountain.  The fountain was designed to have the National Archives as its background, and its jets start in about 8-foot arcs around the edge and get larger and much more power until they all crash at each other in the middle.  It's gorgeous, especially with the sun glistening on the jets.  The museum is always a treat.

 

très minimaliste!  

An escape within an escape is the quiet, wooded corner of the garden, off the proverbial beaten path, which features a tile wall by Marc Chagall. The story behind it is interesting.  A wealthy family in Georgetown but up a new walled patio in their back yard and wanted a work of art for one of the walls. A friend said he knew someone who would be good... who, of course, turned out to be Chagall. Yikes!  The work was later donated to the Smithsonian. It's a magical, contemplative little place!

  

A short amble through the main hall of the museum followed.