Good morning! It is a beauty of a morning here and I thought it would be a wonderful time for a Monday morning chat over coffee. Only one major problem there. It is Tuesday. I was out all day yesterday (literally) – which is rare for me – and there was no time for chatting over coffee. Well, at least, not in the virtual sense. My day, yesterday, did begin with a nice group of ladies and we enjoyed breakfast. And coffee:) Actually, only a few of us had coffee. Is it just me, but are there more and more folks who are not coffee drinkers? I think so. It is interesting…but I digress. So, how about a bit of morning chat. On a Tuesday? If we were, indeed, sharing some conversation this morning, I would no doubt tell you about:
My weekend. My brother called on Saturday and asked if I was “up” for an afternoon out the next day. He had the day all planned – even bought my train tickets to get into the city – and all I had to do was show up. I had no idea where we were going. Well, of course, I said yes! What a fun day we had! We had tickets for a National Symphony Orchestra concert at the Kennedy Center and then had dinner at a new to us restaurant in Foggy Bottom. Don’t you just love that neighborhood name? Excuse the quick snapshot from my brother’s phone (which includes the random pedestrian) but this is the area of George Washington University – an energetic and “hip” (whatever that means) part of town. Hence the bust of Washington:)
The concert was fantastic. Dinner was delicious. We both had amazing salads and then shared some homemade bread pudding. But having someone plan a special afternoon and handle all the details for you “just for fun” – well, that was the best! My brother is a keeper.
The Kennedy Center. Really is a lot of fun. The performances never disappoint. The views from the balcony overlooking Georgetown and the river are always impressive. And the people watching is the best:) Everyone (ok, just about everyone) is dressed for the occasion. Some never seem to get the memo, if you know what I mean, and I did see one girl in a long sequined gown which I thought was a bit over the top:) There are always at least a few super snoody folks which I find thoroughly entertaining. It is a cultural experience, to be sure.
Downtown. If the experience at the Kennedy Center is not enough, well, the city itself never disappoints. I encountered my first street preacher. Street envangelist…I’m not sure. To be honest, there was much I agreed with in his message. However. His delivery and his demeanor, truthfully, did very little for the cause of Christ. In my humble opinion. I do not want to criticize and I will leave my thoughts at that But right message with wrong delivery is just as flawed as wrong message with beautiful (or otherwise acceptable) delivery.
If you are still enjoying your coffee, I suppose that would be enough about the city. I am curious, though. Are you a city person? Do you enough visiting the city….or would you prefer to stay away? As far as you can?? Apparently, a lot (A LOT) of folks enjoying visiting the city or, at least, the Nation’s Capitol. Tourist season definitely seemed to be in full swing. So many people! And so many cars!s But I have to give a shout out to our Lyft driver. My train was late (of course) by 30 minutes. Then we had a longer than usual wait trying to find a Lyft driver. Once we did get a ride, the traffic trying to get into Union Station was crazy. We were really cutting close to be on time for the concert, but our driver was amazing. Not aggressive but totally getting the job done. We were, literally, right on time. The doors were still open and the concert had not begun but, yes, right on time. (Which, apparently, to some of the snoody folks is the same as being late!) Oh well. We were thrilled. And a bit winded from running the last minute or two. Ok, enough about the city….and all that adventure entails. Before I bore you to leaving, let me tell you about:
ASL. Or my American Sign Language classes. I joined a small group of ladies at church who are taking an online course. You can receive credit for this course but I am not trying to do that. I just want to learn the language and, let me tell you, this course is legit. Rather challenging for this old(er) lady. The memory work alone is tough but last night I found out there is a mid-term. What?!? I have no idea if I could ever interpret (for a deaf ministry or some such) but I do hope I can accomplish holding a conversation – maybe one day sharing the gospel – with a deaf person. Wouldn’t that be exciting?
I hate to wrap this up. I was just getting started:) We will have to meet again – coffee or no coffee – soon. So glad you stopped by today. Have a beautiful week!! I’m off to give the dog a bath. Such a big deal…lol. I’ll need another cup of coffee after I’m done!!
Your brother gets an A+! How nice of him to plan a fun day for you guys! I don´t mind going to a city but it is probably going to be someone else´s idea… The last time I was in downtown Cincinnati it was because friends invited Donnie and me to a concert downtown. It would not have been our idea to go but we had fun so I am glad we did it. I went to NYC for the first time last summer and went four times- but only due to the very odd circumstance of staying just across the river in NJ for a month. Had to check out the city and the iconic sites. But I am most definitely a suburban/ small town girl at heart. I love being within walking distance of an ice cream store and a couple of shops but live in a town of only around 20k people. It sounds like you´ve had lots of fun social outings recently- hope your week is going well!
Maria, I think it is wonderful that you can actually walk to shops….and to get ice cream! A little more within walking distace would be lovely for me! Visiting NYC is an experience all to itself. More than just visiting “the city”!! And not for the faint of heart:)
Hello Jennifer. I am more of a country loving girl than a city one. We are blessed where we live to be able to see hills from our house and be within walking distance of woodlands. At the same time we have a good road network so that we can get out to town quickly if needed. I have lived in the area all my life and wouldn’t change a thing. I still enjoy visiting other places though.
How kind of your brother to organise such a lovely afternoon for you.
Wishing you all the best with the ASL.
Have a great rest of the week. God bless x
Thanks Beverley. I am going to need some old-fashioned luck (with a lot of work) with that ASL course!!:) Nice to be able to get to town when you need to!:)
What a great outing! The older I get, the less I like crowds and whatever I’m going to see, needs to be well worth the hassle. I would say I’m more of a small town girl. I need coffee shops and shopping, but I don’t need traffic and crowds 🙂
Coffee shops and shopping withoutthe traffic and crowds – the perfect place to call home! I would agree!!:) Have a great Wednesday, Debbie!
That is wonderful that your brother planned such a special day! I do enjoy visiting cities but only for short stints of time otherwise the sheer number of people can start to annoy/overwhelm me. I have never visited the nation’s capital but I have always wanted to.
Best of luck with your class!!
That sounds like a lovely day! I am a city girl through and through – I do love the peace of the country too, but I couldn’t live there full time – there’s nothing like the energy of NYC to light me up. ( I know I’m in the minority here 😉
Isn’t it fun to have something impromptu arranged for you? It sounds like you had a great time. I think I am a town girl rather than a city girl! I don’t think I could cope with the hustle and bustle of a city for long, but I equally wouldn’t enjoy living in the middle of nowhere!
I am both a tea and a coffee drinker. I don’t enjoy black coffee though and I also couldn’t drink a large cardboard mug like the ones you get in Starbucks! I guess I’m a ‘cappuccino while sitting in a coffee shop’ type rather than a ‘walking around while drinking’ one. I like to sit and savour!
what a lovely way to kick off the week, with friends around a breakfast table. this makes me smile, Jennifer!
Missing you! xx
Hi Jennifer. I’m so glad you had some time out and about with your brother. My brother and I are also very close. I’m so thankful that we are. I haven’t visited Georgetown in many years, but I had a wonderful time strolling around when I was there and we ate at a wonderful Mexican restaurant which I don’t remember the name of, but it was delicious. I’m a city girl for sure! I love the energy of a bustling city. It energizes me. Although I’m not a fan of all the traffic that comes along it. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
As I read this post, I thought, “I grew up a city girl.” I lived in Portland, OR and then spent several years later in life in Los Angeles (actually had addresses that were Los Angeles, CA). But now, I am a small town or country girl. I’ve had enough traffic, noise, and crowds of people. Currently, I live in a smaller town about twenty miles from the capital of Ohio, close enough for excellent medical facilities but far enough away to avoid all the mess.
Coffee and chats are two of my favorite ways to spend a morning or afternoon!
Hello Willow – I am so glad you stopped by the blog…and took the time to comment. Being small town but not that far outside the city…well, that is just about right for me!! Hope it is a nice day there in Ohio – enjoy!!