Bear Sighting

You thought they had been eradicated from the countryside over one hundred years ago.  But what you didn't know was, if you drive slowly enough, and quietly enough, through State Center, IA, past the roses and the laundromat/salon/tanning center, all the way to the cherubs, and you have a camera phone on your person, and you happen to be the type of person who knows everyone in town and can stop them and have a nonchalant chat with them, well, then... you just might see one lurking around a corner.  

A trip to SC has never been complete without a sighting of the ever elusive Bear (aka only living dog ever to have his color picture and name on a heart-shaped tombstone in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery).  I usually have to take my guides with me.  But, because I was unable to attend Baby O'Donnell's baby shower, the cousins Liz and Liv brought the shower to me.  And a Bear sighting is sometimes just what you need!

Enjoy this rare photograph.

All photography (c) Dr. Elizabeth O'Donnell, E.d.D.

A "little" inspiration...

Or inspirator?  Finally, as opposed to staring at a blank white wall while I attempt to fill the blank, white void that is my brain, I can instead smile back at a happy face.  Thanks Mandy and Charly for providing the picture.  It's one of my favorites.

And in case you are wondering - no - my desk is not that clean.  This was staged.  Imagine scattered mounds of junk, they just happened to be behind, on the bed.  Maybe someday I'll clean up and give you a full tour of the place.  Until then... my new and improved office.

"S" is for Spring

S Street, that is.  Even though a cold front moved through DC this weekend, some of the cherry blossoms were already in bloom.  Or, at least, some sort of flowers on the trees.  Below is a look down S Street in Dupont.

And a look outside the good old President Madison, or "home," in DC.  The building in the far distance is the Hilton Hotel where Reagan was shot at.  Notice the blue sky!  It had been an otherwise cloudy week.

And Georgie has decided to welcome the new season with a new coat.  Literally.  And that means losing the old one... all over the apartment.  Hopefully a period to be short-lived.  It seemed appropriate that she sport a spring-inspired tag.  

Spring is here!

Spring Break

It was upon us.  And what might a little law-school dropout cat possibly do differently on her spring break than what she does on a normal day?  Here's a photo journal.

Sleep in a little bit later than normal...

Hang out at the pool.

Sun bathe - her favorite activity.

And just luxuriate in the simplicity of life.

Meanwhile, Ms. Miller decided to drop by and stay a while.  OK, for just a few days, but it was a blast.  While Georgie was doing her own Spring Break thing, we hit the city hard.  It was her first taste of Washington, and she had a lot to see.   Although she found the White House underwhelming, Baked and Wired's cupcakes did not dissapoint.  

She did love the capitol building, and I think we all enjoyed touring the Eastern Market, the Mall, Dupont and Georgetown neighborhoods.  She was even brave enough to venture to Brookland with Chris.  The night before our departure to NYC we stopped in at a wine bar off the U Street Corridor, so I would say she got the whirlwind tour of some of the best hoods.  Some truly hood and others just neighborly.

Yes, on Friday we bussed it to NYC via the ever-lovely New Jersey state of industry and smog.  But NYC was sparkling amidst the trash bags on the streets.  We even saw celebrities, including Jessica Alba with her husband and child in tow (it looked a little big for a stroller, honestly).  She looked pretty smug, but maybe that is just her way of looking happy.  

Unfortunately, the farewell was all too soon and Miller had to depart from Laguardia on Sunday morning and Chris and I had to almost miss our bus when the lockers at Candy Hostel (never again) refused to open.  Turns out we missed it anyway when the bus was overbooked and the rest of us 4:30ers were left in the POURING RAIN to wait for the 5.  We think we'll try a train next time.  

So happy to be in DC and about to smash fried food.  Although I can only speak for myself, I think Leslie feels the same way.