Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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)

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Great whimsy!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Guy said...

Hi Gary

Thanks I am glad you enjoyed it.

Guy

Kathie Brown said...

Guy, it was cold here today also, though not as cold as you. It is down to 10F/-10C tonight. I have the fireplace going and am sitting nearby using my laptop. It is a pleasant way to pass an evening. I think it will warm up a bit tomorrow.

You seem to be so well read. Do you just like books, or are you a college professor? Just wondering.

The thought of someone talking to bottles made me smile. I liked that he named them. I like to name trees. Over the years I have had quite a few as friends. I like the picture of the steps with the lamppost. It looks so inviting. I have never been to Washington DC myself other than to just past through it on a train or a bus.

Guy said...

Hi Kathie

We are a bit warmer this week which is nice. I have been a librarian for the last 20 years.
However I have worked in oil and gas, engineering, and government research libraries so I have not actually read any of the books in my library. I am just someone who liked books and has an almost embarrasing number of books scattered around. However my wife has a huge collection as well so that is good.

DC was nice I think we liked New York much more when we visted it the year before it just struck such a chord with us. I know you enjoyed your trip to New York as well. I think it featured in so many movies when I was a kind it was like a second home.

Guy