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)
