The Donkey Seal of Approval

Drying obelisk pieces...

Putting the finishing touches on the tops...

Side thorns...

Second "birdie" obelisk...

Adding the front seal...

Donkey press mold...

Waiting for the work to end...

The Glorious Library

The Library of Congress

Aerial View of Front Fountain

Entrance Longfellow Mosaic

Mosaic Near the Main Reading Room

Ceiling View

The Main Stairs

Another Ceiling View

Main Reading Room

Thomas Jefferson's Library

Mr. Jefferson's Library Catalogue

Inside the Spiral

Original Books and Replacement Books 

So Much to See

Obelisk Experiments

Cutting out a pattern...

Parts and pieces out to dry...

Wonky obelisk sample...

Small scale bird and large scale...

Large scale bird obelisk...

Small scale bird obelisk...

Some relaxing chamomile after hours...

The National Museum of the American Indian: Mayan Ceramics

Freestanding Sculpture...

Animal Jars...

Small Figure...

Black and White Jar…

Carved Bowl...

A Representation of the Carving...

Awesome Sprig Mold...

Animal Vessel...

Animal Jar...

Finished with Slip and Mineral Paint...

More Mineral Paint...

Ceremonial Bowl...

Animal Bowl...

Minimalist Vessel...

Footed Jar...

Texture Stamps...

Fantastic Enclosed Animal Jar...

Mr. Washington's Residence

The entrance to Mount Vernon...

One of my favorite parts of a recent vacation to Washington D.C., was our visit to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. The house is located in a lovely, peaceful spot, surrounded by fields. It was a treat to see the simple, classic design of the house. It was built by a man who didn't like to live beyond his means. And, also by a man who cared about his surroundings, and about style. One of my favorite features of the home, was a small glass box on the wall by the staircase. It contained the key to the Bastille, given to Washington by his friend, the Marquis de Lafayette. Ironically, Lafayette himself spent time jailed by the mobs during the French Revolution.

The museum adjacent to Mount Vernon had a small display case holding Mr. Washington's famous false teeth. It hurt just to look at them! There was also a lovely bust of Washington made by Jean-Antoine Houdon. They say that it is a great likeness of Washington. His face is stern, and looks like the face of a person governed by a strong sense of morality. I remember reading about him, in a book for children, that when he resigned the presidency, people wept. But, how could they have kept him from his beloved home?

A weather vane in the shape of a dove bearing an olive branch...

The view from the doors of the Sitting Room...

Good design at every view...

Rounded red shingles...

Washington's secretary lived in a small outbuilding...

The view from the doors of Washington's Study...

Washington couldn't afford brick, so he faced the front with wood...

The wood was plastered with sand, to simulate brick...

One of the outbuildings, where wagons were stored...