You're thinking that the puzzle's too hard when you've been missing pieces

[sovay]

I have been seen off by selkie onto my homeward train, surviving in the process the Kubrick-lit, glass-walled, mirror-paneled panopticon that turned out to have replaced the normal concourse seating since either of us last wanted to sit down in Union Station. My seat is forward-facing this time, giving me at the moment a view of overcast tangles of wet trees, the sliding lines of substations, and iron-stained water beyond the convergence of rust-sided rails. I took very few pictures of any sort on this trip, but on the other hand I slept.

Yesterday we had originally planned a visit to the Smithsonian, which I have missed for decades and toward which I am feeling normally defensive at the moment, but the weather and people's bodies did not accommodate and if we had to choose one blowout of resources this weekend, the protest was definitely it. I had a quiet afternoon curled up on the couch while it rained and when my godchild returned from his volunteer job with horses, we finished the first season of Schmigadoon! (2021–23). Rodgers and Hammerstein had it coming. Cole Porter may or may not have, but I was still delighted. "And forward into the Stephen Schwartz," I said approvingly at the finale. The new plan is I come back for the Smithsonian and the second season.

Even pre-pandemic, the distance was rough. It is always worth it. I had a poke bowl for the first time in just about two years and a nice conversation with N. about science fiction I will read and of which they will then play me selections from the audiobook so that I can hear the plot-relevant element of the sound design. I sat with my godchild as he put together the borders of a 500-piece Steven Universe puzzle. I got to compliment one of his friends on their Great Rubber Duck off Kanagawa T-shirt. Selkie and I accidentally K-holed ourselves on some Holocaust research that made both of us feel unexpectedly better because of the higher shenanigans levels than historically visible. The Tarot deck backed off on the major arcana just long enough to cough up the two of cups for me, twice. I got a classic "sir—miss—excuse me—" when I went up to the concourse desk to ask a question, which however less safe than traditionally these days still makes me feel good about myself. I ate at least half a bag of konjac candies before discovering they are banned in Australia and the EU. I saw cherry blossoms only intermittently, but redbuds everywhere.

Comments

[selkie]

My head’s on fine, it’s my soul that wobbled a little. (Would have said heart, but that dumb POS wobbles all the time and this is not that!)

After a nap, I think I’ll wade into the thick of Sore/Sura/Sheyndl/Szaindla/Szymon/Semyon/Simkhe/Pete.

[sovay]

My head’s on fine, it’s my soul that wobbled a little. (Would have said heart, but that dumb POS wobbles all the time and this is not that!)

*hugs*

No arrhythmia just because I left! Not even as a treat!

After a nap, I think I’ll wade into the thick of Sore/Sura/Sheyndl/Szaindla/Szymon/Semyon/Simkhe/Pete.

I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ODDS OF SIMKHE.

[selkie]

G****** SIMON L*** [town] 8/12/1906 is listed as employed in a workshop record, but is not on the List v I-IV under any address. How funny to have an employment card and not a place to live, nu?

*files little flippernails* So that's how it's going, sir-miss-Gentlethem-m'n reb-m'ne froy.

Edit: Przełożony Starszeństwa Żydow w Getcie [Town] lists too many Sura/Sores to be getting on with, including one who was fined or possibly flogged? for appearing in incorrect or insufficient clothing, and had to sign or checkymark a thing saying they wouldn't do that in the near future.

[moon_custafer]

Great Rubber Duck off Kanagawa T-shirt

(Looks it up): Oh that's great! Almost as good as the Great Cookie Monster off Kanagawa.

I'm glad you et al. had a good few days.

[selkie]

Thank you! It's not a cure for fascism, but it was a tonic. I freaking love your Tumblr, btw, and always mean to say so.

[sovay]

Almost as good as the Great Cookie Monster off Kanagawa.

I had not seen that one and I profoundly approve.

I'm glad you et al. had a good few days.

Thank you! It was chaotic and sustaining. We should probably do it at closer intervals than every six-handwave months.

[theseatheseatheopensea]

The Tarot deck backed off on the major arcana just long enough to cough up the two of cups for me, twice.

Excellent! <3

[sovay]

Excellent!

I appreciated it!

[larryhammer]

The Smithsonian is what I miss the most of DC. Those summers when I was old enough to travel the city by myself but not yet old enough for a summer job, I spent more days than not, exploring every corner of every museum on the Mall, and few off the Mall. Well, those days I could cadge lunch money from my mother, anyway.

I'd even consider returning to DC to show Eaglet some Smithsonians, including the National Zoo. (They wouldn't like all of them. But a few targeted places, oh yes.)

[sovay]

Those summers when I was old enough to travel the city by myself but not yet old enough for a summer job, I spent more days than not, exploring every corner of every museum on the Mall, and few off the Mall. Well, those days I could cadge lunch money from my mother, anyway.

That sounds like a wonderful way to learn those museums. We always had to drive from Boston, but the National Museum of Natural History was nonetheless one of the places where I grew up. (So was the American Museum of Natural History. So was Boston's Museum of Science. Sense a theme.)

I'd even consider returning to DC to show Eaglet some Smithsonians, including the National Zoo. (They wouldn't like all of them. But a few targeted places, oh yes.)

I think you should!

[sholio]

I'm so glad you had a good time, and did useful things too!

[sovay]

I'm so glad you had a good time, and did useful things too!

Thank you!

[gwynnega]

I'm glad you had such a nice trip.

I always like getting the two of cups.

[sovay]

I'm glad you had such a nice trip.

Thank you!

I always like getting the two of cups.

It was very well-timed.

[umadoshi]

I'm so glad you had a good visit! *^^*

[sovay]

I'm so glad you had a good visit!

Thank you!

[thisbluespirit]

Aw, glad you had a lovely trip. <3

[sovay]

Aw, glad you had a lovely trip.

Thank you! Am predictably a pile of sponges today.