Above, sticky toffee pudding from the cooking class. But before we get to that – the Library!
I spent two hours in the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress. So far, no one with whom I have shared this has been even half as excited as I was. How can that be? This is the freakin’ Library of Congress! The Main Reading Room! The place you stare at through the glass when you tour the building! Oh, you haven’t toured the building? Did, but didn’t care about the Reading Room? Just don’t care? So sorry. You need to work on your geekness. If I had a Bucket List, this would be at the top. A temple to knowledge. I’ll move on.
Perhaps you enjoy eating more than reading. Brittany signed us up for a baking class. We had a blast. A highly knowledgeable, and personable, baker named David led the sixteen of us through three recipes, imparting numerous tips along the way. I’ll approach creaming sugar and butter in an entirely new way. That’s sticky toffee pudding, sausage rolls, and Victoria sponge cake. All good, but the sticky toffee pudding is killer.
I went to the National Portrait Gallery on Brittany’s suggestion. It had never been high on my list. My mistake. Wonderful exhibitions. And I got to see the Trump presidential portrait. This John Singer Sargent painting spoke to me; I suspect revealing significant character flaws.
The Sulphur Match
John Singer Sargent
The Four Justices
Nelson Shanks
I like the books on the couch saving a place for KBJ.
…I’ve Been Everywhere. I like Hank Snow. And Johnny Cash. My favorite is Asleep at the Wheel. But a change of pace is refreshing.
The Journey 
Thank you for not posting a photo of the Trump Presidential Portrait.
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Ha! I had a momentary impulse to lay hands on it. I think I am not alone – it is quite closely guarded.
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I have to say the cooking class really interested me. I love cooking. I think you need to share that sticky pudding recipe with us if you think it was that good. It sure looks it. However, I do love sponge cake. My favorite thing in DC still is Arlington Cemetary. To me it is amazing, no matter where you are all the headstones are perfectly lined. And the tomb of the unknown soldier gives me goose bumps. You are sounding much better. I am courious if Brittany finds you better this time around. Enjoy yourself and safe travels
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The class was great. And I have the recipe. And we didn’t make them to the recipe. ;-]
I’ll explain over a beverage when I get home.
Military cemeteries are deeply moving. Janelle and I used to look for them, and I’ve come across quite a few on this trip. I used t think there was just Arlington, but there are 155 in 42 states. Brittany won’t say, but my brother-in-law said last week that I was much improved. I mostly agree. Still get blind-sided by powerful sad memories, but more frequently happy memories. I guess that’s how it goes.
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