Jazz in the Sculpture Garden

     We have become those people, who sit on blankets, eat hummus, listen to jazz, and drink sangria.  With age, I believe class like that just slowly creeps into your life.  Before you know it, we will be drinking carbonated water, wearing plaid shorts with sweaters tied around our necks, and eating escargot.  Yeah, that sounds like a legit theory.

     What led us to become those people?  It was an evening in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, where every Friday a different jazz band plays.  Locals (and you might see some tourists) migrate here after a long workweek to listen to jazz, unwind, and prepare for the weekend.  As for me, I maybe didn't have a long workweek, but I was designated as the spot holder.  Yes, an intense and difficult position, where arriving early and being territorial is a must.  No worries, I was successful at completing this important task, and many of our friends were able to join PDub and I on this jazzy evening.

Life is good.

Our sculpture location.

Do I hear a jazz flute?

These are the moments that we will cherish, the ones in our nation's capital spent with close friends.  Sorry, we will have to say goodbye to such evenings, but I am sure we will find a place for new moments in our new home.

U.S. National Arboretum

     It is officially crunch time (not to be confused with the abdominal sculpting workout).  I am returning to school this fall at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis for a pathologists' assistant program (if you don't know what that is, Google it).  In addition to that news, PDub will be transferring to Joliet, IL (near Chicago).  Look out midwest, two of your favorite Dubs are heading back.  In the meantime, we have begun to complete all D.C. activities that we have neglected to do thus far.

     Our first stop was the U.S. National Arboretum.  First established in 1927, the arboretum has become a facility of research and education for the Department of Agriculture and the public.  My father instilled a sense of outdoors into my being so walking around grounds filled with plants and trees is one of my favorite things to do.  I recommend spending a morning or an afternoon at this off-the-beaten path D.C. location.

Say: "TREES!"

Note: Install in future yard.

Just lounging amongst some bonsai trees.

Respect your elders.  This guy has been around for over 400 years.  The eldest bonsai tree is over 1,000 years old.

Pillars taken from the capitol building.  My own title: Propping Up the Sky.

Fam-photo-time!

Old Montreal

     Day 2 in Montreal started off just like any other day; I woke up.  From there, things took a turn for unique.  I watched a speech given by the Washington Post journalist and very right-winged George Will.  I witnessed the domination of Germany over USA in the World Cup, and then I hit the streets of Montreal (Old Montreal to be exact).

     Vieux-Montreal, meaning Old Montreal in French, started as a fur-trading post in 1605.  Later it would house individuals such as Benjamin Franklin and Charles Dickens.  Today, it acts as a tourist area with restaurants and shops lining the cobble-stoned streets.  We found a self-guided walking tour online and took our time about experiencing the oldest part of Montreal.

Bagpipes and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

George Will talking about baseball and politics.  I suppose they go hand in hand.

The Place d'Armes and Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal with my lovely mama.

The oldest building in Montreal.

Inside of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.  The interiors of churches still surprise me.  You can never say, "If you've seen one, you've seen them all."

The Chapel within the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

Breathtaking.

Even more breathtaking with my main squeeze in front.

Strolling (or strutting) down the oldest road in Montreal.

Action shot.

I left my Superman gear at home because I didn't realize phone booths still existed.

Cirque du Soleil setup.

Bonsecours Market where you'll find local artisans and can purchase anything from paintings to fresh veggies.

A pretty church that overlooks the river.

July 4th BOOMs and Tubes

     I write this to you in a nasal voice.  Why?  Because I shotgunned a beer (the drinking method of poking a hole in the bottom of a can and chugging it) for the first time yesterday, and instead of it going down the hatch, it came right out my nose.  Thankfully, PDub came to my rescue, stopped me from drowning in Bud Light, and finished the thing off himself.  They really should offer lessons before allowing a (perfect) lady to attempt such a manly thing.  I may not throw like a girl, but I certainly shotgun like one.

     Anyway, our 4th of July weekend was eventful; there are no excuses for having a lame USA birthday whenever you live near the Capitol.  Our day started at a friend's house, who lives directly across the street from the Supreme Court, and involved mingling with close friends, drinking USA brewed beer, and eating BBQ and pizza.  We then headed for Virginia to watch the fireworks.  July 4th, a reason to set things on fire and watch them explode.

Nothing says America like "We, the Pizza" pizza.

Half of our view for the firework action.

The other half of our view.

Oooooo......

The advancement of fireworks.

Ahhhhhhhhh.....

Ooooooo.....

Ahhhhhhh......

Oooooo.....

Ahhhhh......

     Our weekend ended with a tube trip down the Shenandoah River.  What was supposed to be a nice relaxing day ended with bruised shins from a rocky bottom, sunburned backs, and serious sinus issues from a shotgunned beer failure.  Three-day weekends definitely call for a follow-up vacation.

Cheers to a tuberific time!

Having your tubes tied on a day like this makes the most sense.

Open-mouthed selfie.

Shenandoah Mountains.

Frisbee time!!

Our anchor to extend the length of our tube trip.  Success.

My view for the day.  Strappy sandals are so in this year.