Wednesday, December 04, 2024

My World of Wonders aka The Wednesday Ws December 4th Edition


Where have I been this week?  The National Portrait Gallery, and out to lunch down the street from there at Chino Chilcano, one of several great restaurants in that neighborhood.  The weather has turned cold, so I am walking on the treadmill in the gym, and I have started swimming in the indoor pool.  Back in my gym-bunny days, I would swim laps for 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week. I am far from that point, but it feels great to be back in the water. And no one has shrieked in horror at the beached whale in the pool. The library. The farmers market. 

Who have I been in contact with?  On Thanksgiving Day, I sent text messages to several friends and family members, and I have had wonderful exchanges with several of them. I heard back from a friend who is seriously ill - it is good to know he is still alive. I should reach out to people more often.

What am I reading? Idiot Brain, written by a British Neuropsychologist.  And a fresh stack of books from the local library. 

HoW am I staying someWhat sane? Ignoring the insanity, remembering that the future will heal. As I read on Bob's blog, "Remember this to shall pass, perhaps like a kidney stone."

What did I fix for Thanksgiving Dinner? Turkey, stuffing (from home made bread), roasted brussel sprouts, homemade cranberry sauce, and cream cheese pie for dessert. 

What goes into a cream cheese pie?  8 ounces cream cheese, a can sweetened condensed milk, 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, and splash of vanilla extract. Cream the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a food processor or electric mixer until smooth, add in vanilla and lemon juice and mix well.  Pour into pre-made graham cracker crust and cover. Chill overnight. 

When am I headed out next? This morning, I am headed into the city to have lunch with the person who replaced me as director today. 

What amazed me this week?  The reveal of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I have been there a couple of times.  I was in New Orleans in 2019 when the fire was raging. I wondered what the future would hold.  The interior is bright, and detailed. Spectacular, we need to go back again. 









16 comments:

  1. Boy, aint the world lucky that Notre Dame Cathedral was able to be saved and restored?!? It would have been shattering to the world and especially Paris if it had been a total lost. A miracle really.

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  2. That was a good meme by Bob, and it may very well be as described.

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    1. I try to stay well read on the daily events. Bob is a huge help.

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  3. You can’t be a beached whale whale soaring gracefully through the water. I admire you for keeping it up. I do love the National Portrait Gallery. Then again, you live surrounded by the best museums.

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    1. I displace about 34 gallons of water. The museums are one of the reason we wanted to live here.

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  4. I loved seeing the new photos of Notre Dame; makes me happy to see such a glorious structure brought back.

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    1. Another good reason to return to Paris.

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  5. Mmmmm... The cream cheese pie sounds good but I prefer desserts that contain more calories and more fats too!

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    1. It is good and simple to make.

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  6. Yes, the Notre-Dame restoration is indeed spectacular!

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    1. I was surprised how bright it is inside.

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  7. In my humble opinion, time spent in art museums is time well spent. I agree about Notre Dam.

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  8. It's been cold here so I'm happy to have a nice stack of books from the library to read. I road my Exercycle yesterday as it was too cold for a walk outside. Well done, you, for exercising inside! Your weekly activities always sound like great fun.

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  9. A trip to Paris is never a bad idea.

    Will Jay

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