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

 

... And the Leftovers

 

Flora Reducta

The same bouquet as back on the 25th, sorted and revived. 

 

Ah, the 4th Estate!

 Nice to see the British Press can still rise to the occasion when needed…

https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/729167/trump-embarks-on-the-first-ever-family-business-trip-by-a-president/ 

On the Very Small (revised)

1. tiny
2. teeny
3. wee
4. teensy
5. teeny-tiny
6. itty-bitty
7. teeny-weeny
8. itty-bitty-teeny-weeny
9. itsy-bitsy
10. teensy-weensy
11. itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny
12. itsy-bitsy-teensy-weensy

On the very small

A while back, I became vexed at the lack of organization and specificity regarding colloquial expressions in American English for "very small".  I mean, just how big was the folkloric Itsy-Bitsy Spider?  Would it be larger than an itty-bitty spider, or smaller?  Is teeny-weeny smaller than teeny, or merely an emphatic form of teeny?  Such things bother me, especially given my penchant to systematize everything that enters my eyes, ears, or mind.

So, I took it upon myself to develop a hierarchy in this regard, listed below.  The expressions are in decreasing order of size (#1 being the largest and #8 the smallest).  I would be interested in obtaining feedback on this before going public with it.  Thanks!

1. tiny

2. teeny

3. teeny-tiny

4. itty-bitty

5. teeny-weeny

6. itsy-bitsy

7. teensy-weensy

8. itsy-bitsy-teensy-weensy

A Little Creepy

...but Interesting, kinda like me.

  

This Week's Flowers

Trader Joe's had some lovely mixed bouquets, and I got carried away. I bought two and recombined them--which turned out to be more work than expected... 

Well Ain't that a Kick in the Teeth

I just discovered that if you dig deeper in AI on Google, you hit a point that gives you a little message that says: "AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more:".  As if humanity weren't under enough curses as it is...  

Stoicism in Practice

Seeking to do only what it is in my power to do, I wrote the two US senators from Texas, who got money in the Big Bad Budget to move the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Udvar-Hazy center of the Smithsonian here in Virginia to Houston:

 

Ain't rustlin' other folks' Space Shuttles against the law in yer parts? 

-- A Pound VIRGINIAN! 

 

I am now informed that the Smithsonian has pointed out that the shuttle is owned by the Smithsonian, not the federal government. Congress has no power to do anything with it.

 

And Ted Cruz has his law degree from Harvard while Cornyn has his law degree from UVa, of all places???  

Pithy Thoughts

This Week's Flowers

 Luscious Lilies