Just Exploring Wintery Washington

January 9, 2018

When you’re walking outside with your coat open because 30 degrees feels like spring, you know it’s been too cold.

Since coming back to D.C. from Houston holidays, we’ve mostly stayed indoors, on our couch, under two or three layers of clothes. Our apartment doesn’t heat well, but at least it offers shelter from the wind that turns 4 degrees into “feels like -11.”

Last week, a broken water main at work extended my winter break by a few days. Back to the couch! But cabin fever is real (the term turns 100 this year), and after seeing photos of the frozen reflecting pool, I wanted to witness some of the winter-transformed city. What I learned from that endless 2015 Boston winter was getting outside helps winter blues, as long as you bundle correctly.

Here are a few photos from the times we’ve dared venture out.

This Christmas display was on W between 15th and 14th Streets NW last week. I hope it morphs into a Valentine's Day decoration in the next few weeks.

Stop and Take a Picture

July 17, 2015

In March, my dad and I drove down from Washington to Charlottesville, Virginia to visit family. On the way down, I saw this barn and its mountain backdrop and pointed it out to my dad as we sped past.

There are many sweeping views and lonely trees that I want to photograph, and I usually spot these things as I drive past them at 65 mph (or more). I never stop, either because I'm trying to make good time on a road trip, or because I don't want to inconvenience my fellow travelers. But I have a short mental list of trees I want to photograph, and likely never will, or can't:

1. One in the water of a branch of Buffalo Bayou best seen as you drive past downtown Houston on I-10;

2. Another off I-45, leaning towards the marshy mess right before the highway lifts you over Galveston Bay;

3. One that lives in the past next to a lake in Lomé, Togo. I used to bike by it and think, "I need to stop and take a picture of that tree." One day, I biked by and it had fallen down. I missed my chance to make the image I wanted and I will never get another.

Back in March, as my dad and I returned to Washington, we passed that bucolic view again. I can't remember how I communicated that I wanted to take a picture, but my father turned the car around, crossed the highway, and parked along the narrow shoulder. My dad taught me my road trip driving skills -- five miles above the speed limit is ok, watch the horizon for police cars. He surprised me; I probably would have kept driving.

I'm grateful we stopped.

It's easy to make excuses, to say I'm already late, I'll do it tomorrow, next time. As that dead Togolese tree so clearly shows, there may not be a next time. Stop and take your picture.

Favorite Photos of 2014

January 8, 2015

Since 2010, I’ve done a photo-a-day project about every other year (2010-11, 2012, and now 2014). I have yet to achieve 365 photos — this year, I missed six days.

At the end of every photo-a-day year, I think I will probably not do another. At times, it just feels like a chore. I forget until the end of the day and then end up taking a picture of an empty pitcher of mojito on my phone. Then again, some days the project forces me outside. It forces me to look for something I want to remember or share. It also gives me a visually detailed archive of the year. At the end of my years off the project, I usually miss doing it — and decide to try again.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites from 2014.

On a lunchtime walk during a day trip to Nashville.

Those two are probably my favorite photos I took all year.

I still don't know what those leaves are. What are they? Besides the most beautiful leaves ever?

Notre Dame cathedral, Strasbourg, France

Have you done a photo-a-day project? Do you have any favorite images from 2014? ( I particularly loved this one, and the ninth photo in this collection is powerful -- it came up in class and I saved it in my notes). If you're doing a project this year, let me know -- I'd love to follow it.

#Frifotos - Uniform

May 23, 2014

If you've got to wear a uniform at a Mardi Gras parade, you've got to jazz it up.

#Frifotos - Spring

May 16, 2014

#Frifotos - Texture

March 21, 2014

Soft, velvety rose petals that brush your lips when you smell them.

Morning Walk in San Francisco

February 5, 2014

Somehow, I get worse jet lag coming from the east coast to San Francisco than I do coming from Switzerland to Louisville. Waking up at 5:30 means I have plenty of time to read, do yoga, go for a walk, and get ready before work. Exploring side streets is a good start to any day (and especially when your home town is buried in snow).

It makes my heart glad to see expanses of green and blooming, flowery trees after all the snow and gray in Kentucky. It was a gray morning here, but I can get over it when there are flowers and cacti taking over the sidewalk.

And then there's always fun to be had looking into people's windows.

It's probably optimistic to hope the snow at home will melt by Sunday, but I'll enjoy the temperate San Francisco winter while I'm here.

#FriFotos: Tasty

January 17, 2014

Dessert is the tastiest. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but how can you resist pastries that look so pretty?

My grandfather and my great-aunt both seem to eat ice cream on a daily basis. They are 88 and 93, respectively, which leads me to believe I need to get some ice cream in my fridge.

Strawberry shortcake in Charlottesville, Virginia