My World of Wonders also known as (aka) the Wednesday Ws, August 13, 2025

 

Where have I been this week?  Toronto for three days, then home, the gym, the pool, into DC to have lunch with a friend, a stroll through the Smithsonian Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery, and headed off to IKEA today. 

Who have I talked with this week? Oh tons of people, Cathy, Amy, Bob, Erica, Tom, Eric, Loraine, Bob, Skip, a couple of  wonderful meetings with old friends. 

What did I hear that is quotable? "When he speaks, my toilet flushes itself." 

What was the best thing I ate this week? Eggs Benedict and Poutine. 

What have I been reading?  I finished the purple crayon book, and started into a reprint of the Frugal Housewife, the type is so small it is hard to read. Saturday my flight home was delayed, and I picked up a paperback novel in the airport shop, "The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris," it was fun - but so predictable and full of sexist stereotypes,  I started "Growing a Feast." 

What was flying and crossing international borders like?  I love flying, and the weather was great. There was a last minute gate change on the flight to Toronto, then it was delayed, then it was on time, then it was delayed, we left 30 minutes behind schedule, and arrived in Toronto 2 minutes ahead of schedule. Only airline math can do that. I used the ArriveCan app on my phone to complete the arrival declaration, scanned my passport, and the border officer asked me two simple questions and wished me well. The flight home was delayed about an hour. I have global entry and Toronto is a Pre-Clearance airport, you clear US customs and immigration at the airport in Toronto before you board a flight to the US.  The machine took my photo, the officer asked me if I had anything to declare (I didn't) and waved me through.  The X-ray machine at the security checkpoint in Toronto was being "re-calibrated" and it took about 15 minutes to get through the line. All in all, absolutely no hassle at the border. The flight I booked is notoriously delayed, late like half of the time. The flight itself was wonderful. On the return flight, the seat next to me was empty, I am glad I didn't upgrade to business class. 

The buildings top and slightly to the right of center are the Pentagon and Crystal City, on final approach to National Airport Saturday evening. Home is on the top right on the right side of the River, just past the bridge. 

What made me go, huh this week? See the top photo today. I don't usually ride the subway late at night, getting home on Saturday I didn't leave the airport until almost 9:00 PM, things are a little stranger at that hour of the night. 

What seemed strange this week? I know it is August and Congress is out of town, but the streets in DC were strangely unbussy on Monday. How quiet was it? UPS and Amazon drivers were able to find legal parking spaces along the curb.  I was surprised by how few retail businesses are left at street level (and I was surprised in Toronto by how many there are.)