The U.S. Capitol and Visitor Center

Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Capitol has a new visitor center, which opened in July 2008. Good friends who have lived in Washington, D.C. for many years suggested we check it out. Our time was relatively short, so we weren’t looking for a tour, only for an initial look-around, especially for Clive on his first visit here.
The Visitor [...]

The Metro in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Every city’s metro is different, and Clive and I are still getting used to the system in Washington, D.C.
All the stations we’ve been in so far have the same feel. You’re inside a huge concrete tube with very little light. We don’t know if the city is trying to save electricity or if the [...]

Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms

Washington, D.C.

We got lucky in Washington, D.C., arriving to beautiful spring weather and cherry blossoms in full bloom. Today we joined thousands of others walking around the nation’s capital.
After our non-stop days in New Jersey, it was a treat to have my son organise our itinerary and be our local tour guide.
KimB and Anne (Paris [...]

Ho-Ho-Kus Station

Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Many Ho-Ho-Kus residents take the Erie Lackawanna train into New York City every day, and many of them can walk to and from the station.
Our next door neighbours’ father did this every day when my brother and I were growing up, and we’d see him carrying his briefcase up Gilbert Road in [...]

Downtown Ho-Ho-Kus, 1960’s and Today

Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, U.S.A.
It was a big deal in Ho-Ho-Kus when my late brother Rob and I became old enough to walk downtown by ourselves.
Like others who grew up here, I have a thousand memories of this little strip of shops on Sheridan Avenue.
When cleaning out my mother’s house last year, I found the postcard [...]

The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn

span style=”font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;”>Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, U.S.A.
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn is a landmark in the town where I grew up.
The Inn is located at the intersection of Sheridan Avenue, Franklin Turnpike, and Maple Avenue.
Anyone who grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus would have driven (or been driven) by the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn thousands of times.
The Inn’s official website says the name [...]

My Old Ho-Ho-Kus Street

Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, U.S.A.
 
It’s just a quiet suburban street, like millions of others in the world.

But this one’s my street, where I grew up. My mother lived here for fifty-four years, until last year when she moved to assisted living.
This is the street where my late brother Rob and I rode our bikes around the block in [...]

The Disturbing American Practice of Doggie Bags

Written in New Jersey, Saturday
Q:  What do you call leftover food that started on the plate; sat there while you talked and ate; was then put into a container — out of sight in the kitchen, or at your table, in front of other diners – then continued to fester on the table, or inside [...]

Running on the U.S. Hamster Wheel

New Jersey, Sunday
We have had a whirlwind 4 days since my post from Washington, D.C. about U.S. portion sizes. 
It’s a Balancing Act
More than anything, I’m trying to balance three critical priorities:
(1)    Spending time with my mother, just being together
(2)    Making sure her paperwork and bills/obligations are handled
(3)    cleaning and preparing her house for sale    [...]

Overheard at Second-Saturday Bridge Club

New Jersey, Saturday
Yesterday Clive and I witnessed a scene which we found both humorous and touching. I’d like to share it, then offer a brief reflection.
Place: Assisted-living facility, sunroom set up with two bridge tables.
Main characters: 4 women (one of whom recently moved to this facility, and is hosting her group there for the [...]