Sunday, January 6, 2019

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken in January of 2003. In 2003, Mattie celebrated his first New Year's. Though we put Mattie in his crib earlier that night, don't you know by 11:30pm he was up and sat with us watching the New Year's Eve ball drop in NYC. The beauty of Mattie. This photo was taken at Roosevelt Island. A place Mattie loved to visit on the weekends. But notice his mode of travel. Mattie LOVED sitting in a backpack and could stay in it for hours, unlike a stroller or front carrier.  


Quote of the day: For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. ~  T.S. Eliot

It was the first sunny day in a week that we had in Washington, DC. It was noteworthy and I knew we had to go out and enjoy it because the grey gloom is coming back tomorrow for the remainder of the week. Delightful! So we drove to Roosevelt Island with Sunny in tow. Not thinking that the Island would be closed because of the Government shutdown. When we saw the gates to the Island closed we were frustrated, but fortunately the Mt. Vernon Trail is right next to the Island. So we did a three mile walk on the Trail with Sunny. Sunny absolutely LOVED it, as he enjoys new adventures. I haven't been on this trail in YEARS. It is a great trail that is very visible, meaning that I would feel comfortable walking on it with Sunny during the week. 

There is a nice pathway that sits between a major road and the Potomac River. Many people were out and about today.  

Peter and Sunny in front of the Memorial Bridge. 

Rosslyn never looked so good. But my viewpoint is that everything looks better with the sun out. 

The one thing I like about the winter is seeing all the Canadian Geese. They really own our National grounds and water ways in the winter months. They remind me that life still exists even in this cold and grayness. 

I am fascinated by geese. Here are some facts about our feathered friends:

1. Contrary to popular belief, Canada geese don’t stay in one place. They’re constantly on the move. People think the geese they observed at a city park or pond yesterday are the same geese there today. Unless they’re injured, those geese have moved on. Resident geese are as addicted to flight as their migratory cousins. While they may not make the annual thousand-mile journey to Canada and back, they spend much of their time in the skies, pond-hopping from one U.S. park or waterway to another.
2. If one goose in the flock becomes injured. That goose is not left alone. They will try to stay with the disabled goose until he dies or is able to fly again. They will then either fly together or join another formation to catch up with their group. Geese will choose a mate when they are about three years old and will stay monogamous for life, raising new families together each year.
3. It is possible that when a goose dies, the survivor may find a new partner. When a Canada Goose loses its mate or eggs, they have been observed to mourn. They may remove themselves from the flock and stay by themselves and swim around in despair honking mournfully.