Cordelia Confidential: Family Edition

My 95-year old grandmother, Mrs. Chloris May Kincaid

After enjoying a jaunt through Yosemite, we hit the road again and made it to Cordelia, CA, by 7:30 or so. My 95-year old paternal grandmother lives in Cordelia in a little two bedroom house that she and my grandfather moved into in the 1970s. You may recall that a week or so ago, we were in Coleman and Glen Cove, TX. My grandmother was born and raised in Glen Cove and I featured pictures here of the farmland she grew up on. The painting below shows that land and the farmhouse. Go here to compare it to how the land looks now.

Painting of Peanut Ridge in Glen Cove, TX
(Click image to enlarge)

It was nice seeing my last living grandparent and hearing some more of her stories. For 95-years old, Gram's doing pretty damn good!




Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 05/09

Bakersfield Confidential

20 years later, Heidi Chartrand and Janet Kincaid still looking... okay

After meandering along Route 66, we got on I-40 and headed through Bakersfield where we were staying with a friend of mine. Heidi and I met 20 years ago when we were both missionaries in Austria. She and I were companions (roommates) for our first two months at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Then, about seven months later, we were companions together in Vienna.

We enjoyed swapping stories and catching up on each other and our lives. We also enjoyed a lot of laughs about things we saw and did when we lived in Austria. It was great seeing her and her family and I'm glad we were able to stay with them for a night!




Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 05/09

Flagstaff Confidential

Flagstaff's Monticello

We stayed in Flagstaff at the home of Maya's parents. Her mom and dad are lovely people who live in a home they designed and built on 13 acres of forestland within view of the San Francisco Peaks. Both of her parents are geologists. Ivo specializes in the Grand Canyon and Bärbel is an astrogeologist who studies Mars and other planets. We had good meals and good conversation every evening on topics ranging from religion to geopolitics to women's rights to cooking. One of the fun things about their house in the forest is all the little critters that come to the watering pan and bird feeder on the back patio. Here are just a few photos.




Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 05/09

Coleman Confidential: Family Edition

Edith May Bullock--my great aunt
(Click images to enlarge)

My father's family hails from north central Texas, so part of this trip included stops in two towns in Coleman County--Coleman and Glen Cove. My 95-year old grandmother, who lives in California, gave me the phone number for her 93-year old sister, Edith, who lives in Coleman. We stopped to visit Aunt Edith and she took us to dinner at Dairy Queen.

Peanut Ridge, the farmstead in Glen Cove
where my grandmother and her four siblings grew up

The next day, we drove out to Glen Cove to see the cemetery where my great-grandparents and several other family members are buried.

The bed of my Great-grandpa May's old truck

After visiting the cemetery and leaving an ebenezer--or stone of remembrance--on each grave I could identify as belonging to a family member, we drove into Glen Cove proper to find the property that was the farmstead my grandmother grew up on. I met a man named Bill Henning who remembered my great-grandparents and my great uncle Clayton. He showed me where the old farmhouse had been and pointed out the truck bed and front axle of my great-grandfather's truck that he used to haul wood. The windmill and water tower, as well as a shed and stable, are all that remain of the original farm.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

I-90 Confidential (Montana/Idaho)

Lisa Frank--a friend from my days living in Austria.

Monday night, we stayed with my friend Lisa Frank in Billings, Montana. Lisa and I met more than 20 years ago when I lived in Vienna, Austria. She treated us to a wonderful bit of Montana steak and Idaho potatoes I've ever had in my life! And Montana was truly as beautiful as people have said--Big Sky Country all the way. (Click images to enlarge.)

Big Sky Country

Hang a left and head to Yellowstone...

Mileage sign: Bear Canyon Road, Bozeman, and Butte

Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09

Friends

My best friend from grad school, Mary Ellen, has been in town this past week for a conference and then a little sightseeing and such. Her husband, Mike, was here as well for a few days. On Sunday, we went to see the mosaics at the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial at sunset

After that, we ventured out to the States to see the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. Then we wandered back into the city and visited some of the monuments and memorials on the west end of the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial.

Mike and Mary Ellen at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial and at the Basilica

On Thursday, I'll post photos of our visit to the new Capitol Visitors' Center and the Library of Congress.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Stille Nacht

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all...
(The Gospel According to Saint Luke, Chapter 2, Verse 14)

I grew up in a family whose descendants on my mother's side were Swiss German. My maternal grandfather served as a soldier with Patton's Army during World War II in Germany. In my early 20s (eons ago), I lived in Austria for nearly a year and a half and spent two Christmases there. All that to say, our Christmases as a family have always had a very Swiss-German-Austrian flavor to them. My favorite Christmas song of all time is Stille Nacht (Silent Night.)

In America, we sing this song any old day of the month in December, but in Austria--where the song was written in the village of Oberndorf by Father Josef Mohr and the church organist Franz Gruber--the song is only sung on Christmas Eve. I like it like that and offer you this photo of my sister's Nativity creche and the Vienna Boy's Choir singing Stille Nacht.

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08

Festival of Lights

Greenery : Washington DC Mormon Temple : Kensington, MD

On Monday evening, I went with a group of friends to the 2008 Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Mormon Temple in Kensington, Maryland. This is the festival's 31st year and attracts visitor's from all across the region and up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

Purple and gold : Washington DC Mormon Temple : Kensington, MD

To find a Mormon Temple near you and learn if they have a festival of lights, visit this site. (The site itself won't tell you if there's a festival, but it will provide you with a phone number to call and find out.) If you enjoy night/low light photography and holiday lights and/or want to improve your skills, they're great venues for both.

Red, white, and blue seemed to be a theme this year around the Visitor's Center

To see a couple of pictures from last year's festival, go here. To view a few more pictures from this year's festival, click on the slideshow below.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08

Place Setting

Thanksgiving place setting at my siblings.

I took pictures this afternoon of the place settings my sister used for today's Thanksgiving feast. I had planned to take a food and group shot once we were all seated and eating, but the food was so good, I forgot. Suffice to say, it was a fabulous meal. My brother and sister both pulled off a stunning event and it was fun to share the day with my sister's friends.

We ate lots, laughed lots, and just had a good time. Hope your Thanksgiving was full of warmth and memory-making.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/08

Two Things Challenge: Green / Yellow

This sculpture, bas reliefs, and bench are the centerpiece of the
Kaufmann family plot in Rock Creek Cemetery.

This week's Two Things Challenge was Green / Yellow. Color challenges seem to be pretty popular and I enjoyed this one. The first picture is a plot for the Kauffman family in Rock Creek Cemetery. I liked the green patina on the copper sculpture with the yellow leaves of fall on the tree behind it. Seemed perfect!

Decorative yellow lemons and green leaves can be found at my siblings!

This second photo is a close-up of a decorative basket of lemons in the apartment of my siblings out in the states. We were hanging out yesterday, getting ready for Thanksgiving and, after I dusted off the end table by the couch, I thought this would be a cool thing to photograph. Good thing I take my camera with me everywhere!

Want a fun challenge every once in a while? Come join us over at 2 Things Photo Challenge. The more, the merrier!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/08

Grateful

Grandpa Bang

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Australia and Canada. (The U.K. observed the same on Sunday.) This is a picture of my grandfather, Eldon L. Bangerter, who served in Europe during World War II. I use to call Grandpa Bang every Veteran's Day to thank him for his service and sacrifice. He passed away in 2006, so this is the best I can do now.

To all of our men and women in uniform, past and present, thank you for standing on the front lines and ensuring our domestic tranquility. I hope one day we won't require your services because we'll live in peace and harmony, but until then, I am grateful. Thank you.

Snapshots of Fall

Rustling : Sylvia and MoBob : Middletown, MD

The weekend before last (October 18), my friend Sylvia, her husband MoBob, and I hopped in the car and drove an hour and some north of Washington, D.C., to Middletown, Boonsboro, and Antietam/Sharpsburg, Maryland, for a day of fall colors, Civil War battlefields, and apple stands. You may recall, that's where I met Terry Doyle. We also hooked up with Bernie of Middletown Daily Photo. Today's pictures are just a few of the many from that day. I'll feature more tomorrow on this blog and on my overflow blog, Standing Room Only.

For now, though, here are a few snapshots of fall.

Gold-leafing : Main Street : Middletown, MD

Variegated : Middletown Park : Middletown, MD

If that church in the background (below) looks familiar, you've probably seen it here, here, here, and here! It's hard to miss when you're driving through or living in Middletown. More tomorrow!

Scarecrows on Main : Middletown, MD

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Non-Partisan Coffee

Mayorga Coffee in Silver Spring, Maryland: The not-Starbucks coffee shop

Despite the proliferation of that West-Coast-coffee-chain-that-shall-not-be-named, there are still some independent shops around the area. One of the more popular ones is Mayorga Coffee Roasters. There are only a few locations in the D.C. area, but they are well-loved by their patrons. The other day, I met a friend--who is a Mayorga aficionado--at the company's coffee factory in Silver Spring to hang out and catch up for a few hours. Of course, I took my camera along and the result is the photo above.

While Melissa sipped her Mayorga special blend coffee and I enjoyed a hot chocolate with whipped cream, we chatted about books we're reading and stuff we're writing. We also swapped pleasantries about our families. I love getting together with friends and Mayorga is a nice place to do that on occasion. If you don't care for the hustle and bustle of Starbucks, Mayorga (and any of its non-'Buck counterparts) is the place to go.

Oh, and you don't have to declare your candidate loyalty for this cuppa joe! (Speaking of 7-11, check out their website for a running tally of votes based on sales of coffee cups.)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Carving

The Headless Horseman : How cool is he!

On Saturday, I went out to the States and hung out with my sister. We got together to engage in what has become an annual ritual for her: styrofoam pumpkin carving. Every year, she carves a couple of pumpkins for a few friends and every year, she just gets better and better at it. This year, I decided to give it a try and I had a ball!

Horton the Pumpkin and a ghostly specter... Woooooooooo

These are the two pumpkins I carved Saturday night. The patterns are from Zombie Pumpkins and are designed by a craft artist named Ryan Wickstrand. He's got some great patterns ranging from very easy, like Horton to difficult, like the Headless Horseman. We had a lot of fun hanging out on Saturday. I can't wait to put my pumpkins in the window and hand out treats to all the tricksters! Is it Halloween yet?

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 09/08

Prototype + 400 + Buddy

Model of a statue honoring General George C. Meade

Yesterday's entry featured the Smithsonian American Art Museum and mentioned that its collections include renderings, prototypes, and models by various American artists. One of those prototypes is this model of a statue honoring U.S. Civil War general George C. Meade of Pennsylvania. The statue was commissioned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a gift to the city of Washington. It was designed by Philadelphian sculptor Charles Grafly. The prototype for the statue can be seen at the SAAM and the actual statue itself can be found in the plaza of the U.S. District Courthouse on Constitution Avenue across from the National Gallery of Art's East Building.

Actual statue of General George C. Meade by sculptor Charles Grafly

If you're wondering what that 400 is in the title, today is my 400th post! That just boggles my mind. Once again, my thanks to everyone who visits this humble blog. My goal was and remains to bring you America's capital city in picture and word. I hope you're enjoying the journey as much as I am!

My younger brother, refusing to have his picture taken!

And finally, Buddy is my brother Phillip, who is celebrating a birthday today. He doesn't like having his picture taken, so this is all I've got! (Actually, that's not true. Keep scrolling down.) Phillip is one of the finest people I know; he has a wry wit and a keen sense of playfulness. He's a sensitive soul who believes in honesty and integrity in all that he does and lives it out in his life. He's a good man.

Somehow I managed to snap this picture. Handsome guy, right?

Happy birthday, Buddy!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Peonies & Poppies

My parents have a beautifully landscaped front yard and one of the many plants they grow are peonies. These are just three of the more than a dozen plants they have in the front and back yards. My mother's mother loved peonies and managed to get them to grow in the hard scrabble desert dirt of southwestern Wyoming. These are a tribute to her.




The Commonwealth of Virginia does a fairly lovely job of planting a rotating variety of flowers along its highway medians and exits, particularly along I-66. Beautiful spring colors start appearing first with swaths of daffodils. These are then followed by trees blossoming. Not long after that, poppies and daisies appear. The last of the spring varietals to bloom are lilies. The above two photos show poppies and daises along the median of Exit 62 in Fairfax County.

Two Things Challenge: Mother / Land

Pictures of my mom and her three sisters and their mother.

This week's Two Things Challenge was Mother / Land. I put together a rough collage of pictures of my mom, her three sisters, and their mother. Their mom passed away 22 years ago and yet, I dare say, there isn't a day goes by where each of these girls don't miss her. They're dad died two years ago and they miss him, too. My mother and her sisters grew up in Green River, Wyoming. If you're taking I-80 eastbound, just before you go through the tunnels under Castle Rock, you can look straight down the embankment to your right and see the home they grew up in.

Top left: My mother is the third of four. She's the one in the black dress. This picture was taken around 1955; middle left: The same four sisters, but more than 50 years later. Bottom middle and bottom right: My mom and her youngest sister. They've remained good friends through the years and they share a lot of laughs and mischief, even to this day. They're always cooking up some kind of scheme or prank together. Top right and middle right: My grandmother--the four girls' mother. The top picture was taken in 1942, the year my grandmother got married. The center picture was taken in 1986 just a few weeks before she died. Top center: My mom at the age of 6; middle center: my mom on her wedding day. She was 18; and bottom left: my mom today.

Mom's a lovely person with a wicked, wicked sense of humor and fun. She's also fiercely devoted to her family and can go from zero to Mother Hen faster than atoms collide. My brother, sister, and I have a lot of fun with Mom. We laugh. A lot. She always tells us we're good people and she loves us. We think she's good people, too, and we sure love her. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Airplane on approach to Washington National Airport

This is my photo for Land. Of course, as many of you have come to expect, I'm a total smartass! (See above mention of Mother, aka Mom. I get it from her.) What better interpretation of land than a plane on approach to land at the airport!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 5/08

Safari

Fall color on a quiet street in Fairfax County

Yesterday, as we were waiting for the turkey to finish cooking, my brother and I went out on a photo safari in the neighborhood. I have a few pictures I'll feature from that and I'm starting with this one. Despite low rainfall this summer, we still had beautiful fall colors. Here is further evidence.

Yesterday evening, a cold front blew in from the north. One minute, it was 73 degrees and literally 30 minutes later it was moving down into the 40s. Along with the cold, there was high wind. What little foilage was left on most trees is now gone. Only one month of fall equinox left and then we're into the winter solstice.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/07

Slice

Samples of Wiener Werkstätte fabrics, courtesy of the Textile Museum

Today, I got together with my friend and sister Scary Feminist, Tickle the Pear. She invited me to the Textile Museum to see "Textiles of Klimt's Vienna"--an exhibit of Secessionstil and Wiener Werkstätte fabrics from the early 1900s. The exhibit itself was rather small, but did an excellent job of explaining a period in Viennese art and culture that goes beyond just simple art deco. At one point, I wondered whether Frank Lloyd Wright had been inspired by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Maria Likarz-Strauss, and Dagobert Peche as some of the designs and patterns from the era closely echo Lloyd Wright motifs.

The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street NW

The museum is housed in what was once the home of George Hewitt Myers, a collector of textiles and the founder of the museum. Before we went to see the Klimt exhibit, we sat in on a lecture about Turkmen rugs and bags. Tickle and I were the the youngest people in the room and we're not exactly spring chicks! Still, the information was interesting, but the room was too hot, so we ducked out early.

Washington's version of the Spanish Steps, which originally led to the entrance of a mansion.

After the museum, we walked down the Spanish Steps. There's not a lot of helpful information about the steps, except that they once led to a mansion in the Kalorama neighborhood. Now, they sit at the top of a cul-de-sac and, when you reach the top of the steps, to the right is the Ambassador of China's residence. The steps are not that far from Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue NW) and numerous embassies, chancelleries, and consulates are scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Art on Call:
call boxes that have been restored and feature art from local and national artists. These ones are located at the corner of Decatur and 22nd Streets NW, just below the Spanish Steps.

Following the steps down, we found ourselves on Decatur and encountered part of the "Art on Call" project that can be seen throughout the city. In the 1860s, call boxes were scattered throughout D.C. and were used to summon police and firefighters. They constituted the 911-system of that period, if you will. Despite their obsolescence, they remain on many street corners. "Art on Call" is a project to highlight these boxes and make them into art pieces. These are just two examples.

Urban renewal in the historic Shaw neighborhood. Someone gets creative!

Having wandered through parts of Kalorama and DuPont Circle, we then grabbed a burger at Fuddruckers, after which I took Tickle home. On our way to her place, we passed this recently painted house in the historic Shaw neighborhood. Given how hot and humid it was today, it seemed like a nice wrap-up to a lovely afternoon with a friend!

P.S. Tickle: Looking forward to MoBob's Moroccan!

Zips: Textile Museum, Spanish Steps, and Call Box (20008)
Watermelon House Zip: 20009

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 08/07)

Inherited

This is an oil painting fired on porcelain. The piece, titled "Maria", was painted by my late maternal grandmother. When my maternal grandfather passed away last year, my mother inherited it. She gave it to me, because I've always liked this piece. It now hangs in my home.


My paternal grandmother, who grew up in rural Texas and migrated to California during the Depression, gave me this oil can several years ago. It belonged to my great-grandparents and was used to carry lighting oil to the farmhouse to replenish the lamps.


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 08/07)