My World of Wonders - aka The Wednesday Ws - Closing out October 2025

What is the Photo? Someone asked to see the arts "Showcase." We ended up with a full house again, the items are numbered with a poster explaining each item, and who loaned it for display. The showcase is just outside the entrance to the community bar and restaurant. (Technically it is open to the public, but security won't let you in the front gate unless you live here or are invited by someone who lives here.)

Where have I been this week? The Community Center for four different arts committee meetings, the pool, the farmers market, a long walk in a shopping plaza, a long walk in old town Alexandria, a walk around the local neighborhood, National Harbor in Maryland, Crystal City in an unsuccessful attempt to spot Blobby running the Marine Corps Marathon. About 35,000 runners started the race, I missed him. Mt. Vernon for a walk. 

Who have I talked with this week?  It was an arts heavy week, Pratibha, Linda, Joan, Rebecca, Amy, Kevin, Ruth, Dian, Gail, Guido, and John.  I talked on the phone to Doc Spo. My Sweet Bear, lest anyone think he is not talking to me. Doug Braeburn, the CEO of Mt. Vernon - he was in the shop when I was finishing up my walk. 

What did I read this week? I finished two books, "In Praise of Idleness" was written between WWI and WWII and talks about economics and political theories, a shocking amount of what he talked about applies 90 years later. The second book was "How Do You Feel?, by Jessi Gold, MD, MS, a psychiatrist. She explores mental health among health care providers and medical students, during COVID.  It is informative and intriguing, but repetitive. Each chapter follows either her personal story or the story of a composite patient, through over a period of time. The format of each chapter being an update on the case, gets a little circular. I understand why it is written this way, she is a researcher by training, but for the non-medical reader it fails to bring each life story to a conclusion. Time to dig some light reading out of the stack and head to the library. 

Who deserves a nice scratch behind the ears this week?  The cutest Golden Retriever in the DC area, he was watching the Marine Corps Marathon, mostly sitting or lying quietly for almost 2-hours, never saying a word despite thousands of people around and running past. I could tell what he really wanted to do was run along, Good Boy! 

What is the blog quote of the week? 

"I also realized that maybe the most rebellious thing I can do to fight against this fury-driven fascist government of hate, is to continue to be kind; continue to help others in need; continue to be caring, compassionate, and sympathetic; continue to do what good I can, whenever I can, to whomever I can."

What made me cringe this week? Hearing Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for the first time in a retail store.