A Rider Vanishes

I spent a lovely couple of hours this afternoon in Bethesda, enjoying the perfect weather and practicing my panning shots. This one had the bonus of a third bicyclist coming from the opposite direction at exactly the right instant.

Splendor

Lynn and I went to the Smithsonian Craft Exhibition at the Building Museum this afternoon. I was able to persuade her to try on this lovely ($900!!) jacket, which fit her perfectly . Its maker, Starr Hagenbring, had no business cards, which totally scandalized me. (If I ever manage to make it into a prestigious show like this one, please feel free to kick me firmly in the butt if I don't have cards in my stall to hand out to admirers!)

April Showers

Friends Dooley and Barb read a card at their baby shower.



Abbie, Abbie's Mom Linda, and her Mother-In-Law-to-be Charlotte.

It was a full day of life passage celebrations today. I'm privileged to be able to join my friends for these occasions.

Happy Birthday

Someone's birthday is today. Please let him know you're glad he was born; I certainly am.

Consider the Basil

Two of my favorite people plan a garden. What could be more beautiful?

In An Unusual Light

I haven't done much photographing of people in a long, long time (once upon a time, it was my livelihood). I'd quite like to get back to it, in an exploratory way.

I'm a huge fan of light that bounces off of windows or mirrors onto otherwise nondescript surfaces, thereby transforming them. In this instance, I was lucky enough to have a pedestrian illuminated as well.

How I Feel

Snow: Awww, so pretty! Such fun, with the sledding and snowball fights and skiing and snow angels! A winter wonderland! An excuse to revisit childhood, since getting to work is impossible. What's not to love about snow!

Well, let's see.

How about: I just spent 3.5 hours digging out my car. I estimate I shifted over a ton of snow. By hand, people! Every muscle in my body is screaming bloody murder, and I know from grim experience that means tomorrow I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD SO MUCH AS A PEN IN MY HAND WITHOUT AGONY. Typing is already unpleasant.

And we are forecast to receive between 10 and 20 inches more snow beginning tomorrow afternoon.

See the expression on that kid in the picture? That's me, except times 1000.

Loss

Photo taken 7/30/2006, at my father's 85th birthday party in Boston, MA.

I am heartsick with sadness. I just learned that Howard Zinn died yesterday.

Most people know him as the author of A People's History of the United States, or they remember his name because of the movie Good Will Hunting. I knew him as a family friend, wife to warm and wonderful artist Roz (who died two years ago). He was kind, fierce, brilliant, eloquent, tirelessly energetic, generous, charismatic, and also soft-spoken and modest in personal conversation. I looked forward to his visits to DC, when he would often invite me to join him at his speaking engagement and sometimes include me in dinners with the lefty literati.

Not many people are able to reach and change minds, and to speak with fearless passion about the issues that matter. I didn't always agree with Howard, but I deeply admired his commitment to justice and peace. I was lucky to know him and I will miss him.

Read an obituary here.

Pensive

Bob in repose.

Glad She Was Born

Happy Birthday, Jocelyn!

A Visitor Arrives

What could be more beautiful?

Age & Beauty

I saw so many beautiful things on my walk today that I was hard pressed to pick one to share. (In fact, I will probably keep a whole slew of them in reserve for days when I fail to be sufficiently beauty-aware and need a back-up.) I chose this lady because I saw her twice on my walk, once on the way out, once on the way back. I happened to have my camera in hand the second time and took this snapshot. It doesn't do her justice, but please note the fabu glasses, the put-together ensemble, and the way she is striding forward purposefully. I can only hope I make such a good showing in the world twenty years from now.

Seth in a Suit

Apparently I am become a sentimental old fogey. Behold the gloriousness that is the younger son of dear friends David & Lynn in his first adult suit. So handsome! So grown-up! I'm kvelling and verklempt at the same time!

Lovely Sister-in-Law

I spent a delightful few hours and ate a delicious meal with my brother's wife today. Thanks so much, Annika!

Baby Feet

I'm not sentimental about children, but sometimes the most beautiful things we make are not artifacts but people.