Delights at the Library of Congress

Two days ago I went to the Library of Congress for the 2nd time.
George wanted to see the astonishing many-page map printed by Albrect Durer's shop in the 1500s. It's the first map that mentions the word "America" placed on a sickle-shaped South America.

But I wanted to be in the upper space closer to the amazing vaulted ceilings supported by ornate pillars & arches.
First the exterior...

...then the ceilings...

In this last photo stain-glass skylights.

The floors were pretty nice too.

In the Library are several exhibit spaces. A model of Jefferson's personal library with dummy books placed on the shelf for books they knew he had had. There are books written in English, Latin, Greek, & French. There maybe Hebrew & German also, for all I know. A true scholar, he was.

One other gallery had an exhibit of Persian books.

I did no reading of the accompanying signs. The visuals was all I sought.

And oh, my! what visuals.

I did struggle with lighting unevenness. Couldn't be helped.

I can't help myself from thinking about patchwork quilts, for the shapes, the balance, & the figures in the shapes have so much resonance for me.

The color palette feels Amish to me.

 This one I particularly love: Hebrew & Persian interlarded on gold.

 I love the chart below...

This one above feels very modern, but I can't be sure.

Such a pleasing experience!

Detail & delight everywhere.

That's it for now.

Old Quilts. not mine --Nora's restaurant in DC

Alan Thompson, George's brother, arranged a meal for George & me & him at Nora's in D.C.

George & I have been devouring the books of Ruth Reichl recently so we were primed for an awesome restaurant that cooks with as-pure-as-possible food.

Nora's really fit that bill.  But also delicious were Nora's quilt collection.  Oh goodness.  Nora has an EYE!!!

This one is old Amish. I feel another triangle surge coming on for me!!

Then... & still Amish.. in velvets & tied, not quilted...

Also an unusual distorted hexagon quilt, also Amish with velvets....

Wonderful  "crazy quilts" = fancy fabrics + unusual patterning + stitching embellishments

 I think of this one as an old fashioned game board.

And the ones below Amish fancies, with velvets. Unusual work, except the third one which is classic Amish.

THANKS, Alan, for the great Nora Outing with fabulous quilts & food.

That's it for now.

June in Virginia

First leg of a trip east has started.
George & I arrived separately in National Airport within 5 minutes of each other. A miracle of Georgely planning.

It's lovely being here. Familiar architecture, seeing a few old friends, & visiting old haunts.

On a trip for two nights in Lively I saw this sweet box turtle. My first in10 years of visiting the Northern Neck.

While we were there I got some more photos of the derelict house- in-the-middle-of-the-field. I had to cross the field and pick up some biting chiggers to get these shots, but that's the price of art.

This house used to show more yellow paint. It's gone downhill a bit since last seen in 2008. But I love it's sweet old grandeur.

There are hundreds of abandoned houses like this in Virginia. I have many photos to prove it-- photos taken before I went digital.

Near George's old place in lively this sign has been getting better & better. You'd have to work hard to make something look this lush.

...wheat field...

    ...old corn field or cornfield mulch... corn wasn't the new crop....

                                        That's it for now.