Obligatory Art on the Avenue post.

Gotta love living in a city where, on a gorgeous October morning, I can get a haircut then spontaneously decide to walk to a local coffee shop & bump into @canawa.bsky.social & @travisaniles.bsky.social. ♥️

Whew. Way to tick off both Virginia Tech & UVa. She’s not very good at this, is she?

@africansus.bsky.social is hosting an event to launch their Tenant Protection Guidelines for the Housing Master Plan this Wednesday at 6pm! I got to preview an early draft, they've done some really excellent work. Attend in person or online, register here: secure.everyaction.com/tb2dmSObEEiZ...

Surprise surprise. “The more that projects pile up without being addressed, the greater the likelihood that NPS simply won’t have the money or workers to keep the parks in a safe condition.” www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...

Anyone else in Del Ray lose power? Mine is off on W Mount Ida.

Scenes from my walk.

Broke out my “Read Irresponsibly” shirt for the Duncan Library Fall Book Sale which kicks off today at 4pm with our Members-Only Preview sale. Hope to see you there! www.friendsofduncanlibrary.org/book-sale

Great chance to have your voice heard for all the reasons Alex lists in this thread (so good!) Def click over and check it out. Then register to join us!

Spanberger is ahead for now. But if she loses this will be why. Sigh. It’s not hard: It’s wrong to use kids to score political points. All kids deserve to feel safe in school including trans kids. There are ways to meet everyone’s needs if working in good faith.

Love libraries? Looking for good deals on books? Join the Friends of Duncan Library for our annual fall book sale! Kicks off with our Members-Only Preview this Thursday! www.friendsofduncanlibrary.org/book-sale

Love me a good post office. Right up there with a good public library. Right @josephfray.bsky.social? Also love the diversity of the places & the buildings. Such a neat account!

Good Girls Revolt. “Based on the true story of female researchers at a Newsweek-like news magazine who sued for sex discrimination in 1970.” Only got one season.

Still life

Good summary of updated ALX recycling procedures. Plastic takeout containers & cups are now allowed! open.substack.com/pub/aboutale...

Plot twist: When arriving at the station, a station employee said Gregory wouldn’t be found at the station anymore: “Oh, he’s at my house.”

Ugh. They are laying off staff & discontinuing work on American Experience docs. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/a...

Without downloading anything new, where are you mentally?

3 years ago today, I made the leap, downsizing from my previous home of 23 years to a cute 900sqft house in Del Ray. And I’m still pinching myself. I couldn’t have known the changes in store or how quickly I would feel connected to this new community of mine. So happy to be here. ♥️

Mild fever kicked in, a bit cough-y & achy. But not complaining as I’ve had worse vax reactions. Gives me an excuse to catch up on programs I’ve wanted to watch.

Got my 2nd shingles vax yesterday afternoon. Slept well last night, waiting to see what the day holds (fully expecting to be clobbered but definitely better than getting shingles.) Wish me luck!

Challenge: Post your last photo of DC to show what a hell-hole it is. From Thursday after lunch with a friend at Kramers on Dupont Circle. Even braved the Metro all on my own to get there. Arrived & returned safely, thank goodness.

Hate what this administration is trying to do. Just leave the kids alone. 😠 Signing in support of trans kids & their families. ♥️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Alexandria Coalition for Equality (ACE) Sign On Letter: Support ACPS Inclusive Practices

Can’t recommend solar enough! Really appreciating it in this heat. Also, WTH Dominion? “The timing is particularly significant as Dominion Energy is proposing changes that would significantly reduce the net metering rate for new solar installations.”

Monday challenge: post the least flattering photo you have of your pet

Huh. It’s really raining. Again.

My oldest is coming to visit on Monday. Any recommendations for where I should take her for dinner in Alexandria?

Friday night musings from my porch: anyone know what happened to 5 W Mount Ida Ave? I’m 3 and my neighbor is 7. 4 and 6 are across the street…though 4 is a new build & it looks like it sold without going on the market for 2.3 mil? 😳

Man, an ice cream sandwich can be incredibly satisfying.

So I finally pulled out the overgrown nandina next to my porch (still need to dig out the stumps). Native plant friends - any recommendations for what to plant? It’s mostly shade. I need to be able to get my trash cans & bike through here, so wouldn’t want it to be too wide/bushy.

Hey, look! A non-Ewald Park city survey!

Anyone love their eye doctor? I really like mine but she’s been cutting her hours back & she’s not overly convenient since I moved. I have a really strong prescription (do mono vision for my contacts & progressives for my glasses.) Anyone use Eye 2 Eye? Or anyone else you love close to Alexandria?

Welp! There goes the power guess we will see how long my solar battery back up lasts…

So…how long does it take to get your license replaced? Can’t find my wallet, still hoping it will show up but I have a flight (domestic) planned for July 17th…

WTF?

Watching Bill Moyers in the 90s was foundational in so many ways. Introduced me to Joseph Campbell & his interview with Pema Chodron started a life long spiritual exploration. He brought a humanity to politics and I think that’s what sparked that interest too. RIP. ♥️ apnews.com/article/bill...

Any chance anyone here goes to NOVA Cat Clinic? If so, do you have a specific vet you like?

Sitting here watching as it gets steadily darker outside minute by minute…and windier. As we are in our 6th straight day of storms, rain & humidity. Yikes. So glad we are decimating our climate change research.

Looks like we are swimming through another day here in Alexandria?

Polls are open for the 2025 Virginia primary! It’s gonna be a long day but the commemorative pin (and, you know, helping make democracy happen) makes it worth it. 🗳️ Polls close at 7pm. You know what to do!

Protesting then voting. Lots of democracy going on in Alexandria today.

Del Ray is Del Raying super hard today: -Farmers Market - Gustave arts & crafts show - Magpie Reclamation vintage booths - Farmhouse art booths - Stardust grand opening - Del Ray flea market Looks like the 2nd Saturday of the month is turning into quite the art & vintage event and I’m here for it!

Let’s hope we get similar weather tomorrow (but just a bit earlier). 🤞🏻

Can someone explain to me why this admin wants to destroy FEMA? Didn’t see it as a political issue (outside of if it was doing a good job). Has there been a desire to bring it down (like there was for Dept of Ed or USAID)? Thought we agreed that fed govt should help in times of nat disasters?

For those who have been waiting!

Heads up: Don Beyer is having a phone town hall to discuss the Big Beautiful Bill and other recent events on June 4 @6pm. Sign up here: beyer.house.gov/forms/form/?...

Stracci’s does not disappoint! (Early birthday dinner with friends before the storm!)

Gorgeous day for election officer training at City Hall. 🗳️

Rainy afternoon vibes.

Bought our first home for $177k (townhouse in Annandale) in 94 when I was 26 (3 years after I graduated). My ex & I made decent but not outrageous salaries as fed contractors. My kids are 25 & 28 & there’s no way they could afford a home now without a lot of help from us. Time to build more housing!