my two cents

Quite literally found on my way to volunteer at yet another protect march. Sometimes I wonder if the protests actually affect policy, but the uplift from being around thousands of people~all ages/colours/languages~standing together to say no to evil and stupidity is needed.

The volunteers gathered Farragut Square to get divided into groups and get instructions.  

Once again, I met a group of fascinating people from all over. The story that resonated most was from a woman from the UK~she said that her in-laws escaped from Poland during WWII and say that the US currently feels like it did in Poland during the late 1930s.

There were several hundred protests across the country as well.

 

It was brutally hot~when I stopped sweating, I knew it was time to head inside. 

Two pennies is not much~but a pot of pennies is something amazing.

they call me Auntie...

A day of non-stop fun with my Littles~we did outdoor painting, indoor painting, gyroscope drawings, mosaics, cookie/ice cream eating, games, and puzzles. There was even some quiet cuddle time in all of that. 

Remember the papers I got from the National Gallery? They are now lovely ice pop works of art! 

The artist actually deigned to pose for me this time. 

And CupKate is highly interactive now~she chatters and coos and smiles. 

 I brought some sparkles for some pre-Fourth fun, but the Littles weren't sure about them. So, the adults enjoyed them.

whoosh

This day zipped by~with finals and moving classrooms (getting more students next sesh, so I need a bigger room), then popping into DC to the Aveda Institute.

Ironic these words on the WWII Memorial are so close to the Capitol. 

The full moon, the fireflies glimmering, and the first cicadas singing made for a moment of respite.

kewl

I've always liked the idea of rooftop gardens and am admiring this little shed's greenery.

goof-balls

This afternoon's lesson on Life Events was dragging (mainly because most of the class is 19 and doesn't really have a list of major life events), so I pulled out the Scrabble tiles. 

They played a lively first game and then wanted to pose~this one is showing how intense and smart they are.

Tra, Mohammad, Talal

And this one is showing 'championship' [a vocab word]. As I said, goof-balls.

A brisk sunny walk and two cents for the evening.

some days just need blue suede shoes

Kinda liking this quote. My meaning today was in my students, these lovely new shoes, Gershwin, and fireflies. Oh, and some fresh asparagus roasted with garlic.

These shoes need an outing soon!

I just LOVE how my class completely spirals into animated and unusual topics. Today, I am proud to say that two my students made their FIRST phone calls in English! (I had them call the front office [who was prepped for it], so it wasn't completely terrifying~but I made them do the entire process.)

yes, another day of flanuesing.

One of the more unique flowers in the Castle Gardens this visit. 

Loved the unexpectedness of purple leaves on the hanging baskets this month.

Humid enough that yesterday's rain is still lurking on surfaces. 

Something to do with "the sky is the limit". 

 

Had a quick nosh while sitting by this waterfall pounding into glass~it was too humid for food truck explorations.

 

I LOVE this tunnel between the Classic and the Modern wings of the National Gallery.

Stay tuned for my art project from this~it's going to be a great one as I schlepped two large pieces of paper around all day. Blessings on the docent who dug up two rubber bands and helped me roll them up.

Some Rothko for the Dance Lady from Moreau. 

Of course I went back to marvel at the very large and startling blue rooster.

More whimsy by Calder. 

The enormous atrium.

A pretty painting of summer boats. Speaking of which, I really need to make friends with someone who boats.

je l'ai fait~un an!!

Even with all the travel, upheavals, and moving~I managed to complete one solid year of daily French lessons!!!! I think I'll get myself a trophy.

The roses are enjoying this heavy humidity about as much as I am. At least their hair looks better. 

And that's my ten cents for the day.

midsummer's pleasure

A cool rainy day to catch up on errands/housework. 

Fresh potato salad with crisp red potatoes and plenty of onions and pickles.

A penny found. 

And freshly shucked corn~all of these make for small delights scattered through the hours.