Today it remains stupid cold -24 C at present

which is actually a slightly warmer temperature compared

to the last couple of days. So I decided to see what I could

find among the photos from the trip to DC we took in

Oct. My wife had a symposium to attend on this morning

so I went out to take some pictures. There was a gentle

rain off and on but nothing too bad.

I was fascinated by this collection of bottles which

made me think of the H.P. Lovecraft story

The Terrible Old Man.

"These folk say that on a table in a bare room on the ground floor

are many peculiar bottles, in each a small piece of lead suspended

pendulum-wise from a string. And they say that the Terrible

Old Man talks to these bottles, addressing them by such names

as Jack, Scar-Face, Long Tom, Spanish Joe, Peters, and Mate Ellis,

and that whenever he speaks to a bottle the little lead

pendulum within makes certain definite vibrations as if in answer.

Those who have watched the tall, lean, Terrible Old Man in these

peculiar conversations, do not watch him again."

I may do this at the cabin.

A bit further on I encountered a beautiful set
of stone steps that lead from one street to another.

There was a lovely fountain at the top.

At the top of the stairs I found a number of

building which I think were embassies. There was

also a lovely park were a number of birds were

flocking.

I saw a number of Northern Cardinals 

busy despite the rain.

And of course roses.

And to brighten a dreary day who better that the man

 my grade 13 English text  (which I still have of course)

described as probably the most romantic figure

in English Literature.

 

"Thus richer than untempted kings are we,

   That, asking nothing, nothing need:

Though lords of all what seas embrace, yet he

   That wants himself is poor indeed."

 

                                  The Grasshopper, Ode.

        To My Noble Friend, Mr Charles Cotton

 

                            Richard Lovelace (Cavalier Poet)