approaching the solstice

with the rbc building marking the end of the cycle

meanwhile, the cavalia tents add a festive air to the neighborhood and are purty impressive from the downtown connector

that was quick

by 11:00 one of the orchid blossoms had opened and this afternoon, all three are open ---

garden update

i was afraid this cattleya was going to open while i was gone, but it is only just getting started --- it's fairly disturbing at this point in the process, with those weird, very viscous, droplets at the end of each bud

 a new addition to the st. paulias

and the crassula is starting to bloom --- no smell or anything, just a lot little white stars all over the plant

equality for all

a landmark speech at the u.n.

nctc

the national conservation training center is a fish & wildlife service facility used by all of the dept of interior bureaus --- right on the potomac river just north of shepherdstown, west virginia, is a part of the federal largesse showered on the state by the late sen. byrd --- purty much defines "bucolic"

three great residential lodges, fitness center, really nice training facilities, and a big-ass dining hall with just about the best food you could wish for a place like that --- a lot of trails but it rained most of the time so the trails were a mess, although i did get down to the river yesterday

harper's ferry, west vrignia

it's vastly changed from what it was during the civil war, but it remains one of the most picturesque towns in america

great architecture

experiencing  saarinen's terminal (1958) at dulles is always wonderful

"virtual choir"

this kind of thing is what makes the internet so wonderful --- he's also got a website

harper's ferry, west virginia

really a beautiful place

evolution of the police state

the trend is disturbing

obamacare

This is the true ‘bomb’ contained in Obamacare and the one item that will have more impact on the future of how medical care is paid for in this country than anything we’ve seen in quite some time. Indeed, it is this aspect of the law that represents the true ‘death panel’ found in Obamacare—but not one that is going to lead to the death of American consumers. Rather, the medical loss ratio will, ultimately, lead to the death of large parts of the private, for-profit health insurance industry.

in the not-to-distant future "obamacare" will no longer be a pejorative

getting ready for orchid daze

 the tri-color cattleya opens the show, very soon, and a bud has poked forth from the other cattleya --- plus one of the phalenopsis  and one of the oncydium have also started to bud --- with the others that are coming along, we should have blossoms til spring in 1308

lights

i'm not sure i'll get any further than this

nothing like little five points ---

approaching the solstice

missing a friend

she died a year ago today

an evening in cabbagetown

love it

poor nigeria

i am sincerely glad not to be queer in africa

xmas on p'tree

i'm not sure that the old macy's building on peachtree is yet at its highest and best use, but at least they're maxing out their display windows