CHERRY BLOSSOM VOLUNTEER TIME

Spring is near, which means it's almost cherry blossom time in Washington, DC. Looking for a fun way to experience the festival and do some good in the process? Volunteer!

Event organizers are always looking for people to lend a hand, particularly during the annual parade and kite festival. Learn details HERE!

Not in DC? It's festival season in many places -- most are happy to have eager volunteers. Check out their websites. Befriend Google. Have fun. Give back. 

INVITATION: PHOTO EXHIBIT IN WASHINGTON, DC

We have a confession to make--we're a few weeks behind on the blog, geographically speaking. 

In reality, we just got back to Washington, DC, and we're having our first ever photo exhibit, Faces & Places, showcasing a few of our favorite shots from the trip. 

You're all invited to the opening reception on Thursday, October 17, at the upstairs gallery of Shaw's Tavern (520 Florida Avenue NW), an awesome neighborhood spot about three blocks from our house.

Since we left Panama, we made a quick stop off in Colorado to see Liz's folks (and volunteer!) before coming back to Washington to move back into our house and also continue volunteering. It's been an entertaining, if not always easy, transition to the non-traveling life. More on that later. 

For now, we're going to continue updating the site with stories and photos from Panama City, the San Blas Islands, more Panama City and then back to the U.S.A via Colorado. 

Planning is underway for what's going to happen after we finally get caught up, but keep reading and stay tuned. We promise it's going to be a fun ride. 

And if you're in Washington, DC, anytime soon, look us up and/or drop by Shaw's Tavern and check out Faces & Places! 

NO APRIL FOOLS' DAY JOKE

OK, so we're back in Washington, DC. No, this isn't an April Fools' Day joke. We promise!

Yesterday marked 365 days since we left to travel and volunteer our way around the world. Many miles...too many stories...lots of lessons learned...perhaps we'll wax on poetically about all that another time. 

For now, we're back home re-acclimating, cleaning house, and visiting with our parents who've come to visit. Earlier this afternoon, we joined a record crowd (45,274) for Opening Day at Nationals Stadium. Whoohoooo!! Go Nats!

For now, we're adjusting to sleeping in our own bed, to not getting lost every time we leave the house, and to sipping drinks with ice whose origin needs no inquiry.

If you're in DC, we really hope to catch up soon...particularly in case we leave again...in a few weeks...for a few months...or more. 

Oh yes, about the blog--as it happens, we are a few weeks behind, geographically, meaning the updates from Africa will continue for a while longer...next up, a safari in the Serengeti, a trek with gorillas in Uganda, and some quality time with fellow volunteers in Jinja.

And yes, we're still volunteering at least one day each week. As we like to remind each other...whether at home or far from it, there's always something you can do to help. 

OVERACHIEVER

Purple scilla, Butterfly Garden, Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

SUNSET, POETRY, AND CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Cherry blossoms at sunset in Washington, DC.

First sunset of spring. 

Cherry blossoms in full bloom. 

Beats winter...a lot. 

By the way, April is National Poetry Month. Here's a little something to whet the appetite:

His back is turned to us, his white shirt 
the brightest thing in the painting. 
Old trousers, leather army suspenders. 
Before him the red wheat bends, 
the sky is cloudless, smokeless, and blue. 
Where he has passed, the hot stalks spread 
in streaks, like a shell exploding, but that is 
behind him. With stiff, bony shoulders 
he mows his way into the colors of summer. 

That lovely verse was penned by the 2005 winner of the Pulitzer for poetry, Ted Kooser. Mr. Kooser wrote "Delights & Shadows," a collection of poetry that's actually comprehensible without a degree in literature from Oxford. 

Do you write poetry or have a favorite poem? If so, email it to us here--seriously. We'll be putting together an update in April to celebrate poetry month and we'd love to include submissions from our readers.

BULB BASH ON MARION STREET

Liz helps a neighborhood kid plant tulip bulbs. 

Just a few blocks from our house in DC lives "a place where gardeners of all ages can come to learn, create and grow." We had heard of the Marion Street Garden before, but not until we got an invitation through a neighborhood listserv about a volunteer day at the space did we venture down to take a look. Together with neighbors, new friends, and even a few folks from Aibnb, who had come out to help, we weeded, planted hundreds of bulbs, and painted a storage shed. 

As the little girl's smile below can attest, this was a perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday morning in November. 

To volunteer, donate or learn more about the Marion Street Garden in Washington, DC's Shaw neighborhood, contact Lola at lola@cityblossoms.org 

DOG DAYS OF FALL

Our neighbor's dog Tennyson--not a fan of leaf gathering. 

Why do they call it fall? Because that's what leaves do this time of year.

Gravity-challenged and short-lived, leaves transform in November from verdant shade givers into red, yellow and brown billboards announcing the arrival of autumn and, worse, the impending return of another winter. It's a little like the finale of a fireworks show--brilliant to watch, but man, it sure does get dark soon after.

Another interesting thing about leaves, at least here in the city, is that they cover virtually every single thing along the many oak-lined streets, like ours. That includes the tiny yards, parked cars, flower beds and narrow sidewalks. The volume of fallen foliage, while nice to look at, will quickly clog storm drains and basically clutter up the place.

Time for 1 OF 7. Put on a jacket, grab a rake, sling the camera over a shoulder and out in the wild streets we go to protect DC's drainage system and tidy up the 'hood a bit. Turns out raking your way down a leaf-covered sidewalk is fun. Neighbors come out and talk. Kids do what kids instinctively do when they see a leaf pile (minus the lit matches). The best part had to be watching the confused canines, particularly the smaller ones, as they sniffed and yawned and peed and played their way down the street, disappearing under the islands of fallen leaves we left behind, before launching themselves from underneath, dog and owner as happy as should be expected while sober on a breezy Friday in November.

Volunteering doesn't have to be hard or far from home. It doesn't need to be planned in advance. Sometimes the opportunity just falls right in front of you.

MEETING OUR NEW BEST BUDDIES

It's not everyday you get to watch the sun rise slowly over the ivory dome of the nation's Capitol. Why? Because that's way too early to be awake, particularly on a chilly Saturday morning in October. 

But that lovely sight was the treat for the hundreds of bikers, walkers, racers and volunteers--including Maria Shriver, Olympian Carl Lewis, and Kool and the Gang, among others (and me...but not my wife still at home, warm and in bed, no doubt)--who ventured out to the National Mall on a crystal clear day to support the DC leg of the Best Buddies Challenge. 

Despite my initial trepidation and the chilly bike ride downtown, the immense suffering was so worth it. My job was to meet up with a group of co-workers I'd organized (cajoled? tricked?) into joining me to volunteer at the event, which raises money and hope for kids with intellectual disabilities. 

The Best Buddies Challenge, a massive contest happening in various cities around the country, is a legit undertaking, offering participants a 100km and 20-mile bike ride, as well as a 5k run/walk. While none of our folks participated in the race, our Best Buddies staff coordinator bestowed upon us the crown jewel of volunteer gigs--circle the start/finish area, ring customized-cow bells, scream like crazy, and then, one-by-one, place medals around the necks of the exhausted but elated racers as they crossed the finish line. 

"Are you kidding?" I asked her, when she told me what we'd be doing. She wasn't. And I'm not kidding when I tell you that I've never seen such joy on the faces of so many people as the hundreds who passed through our ranks that day. For many of the racers, most of whom either have intellectual disabilities themselves or had family/friends who do, this was the culmination of months, if not years, of intense labor, training and effort. And there we were, helping cheer them on as they crossed the finish line, and then were allowed to present them their well-earned Best Buddies Challenge medals for all they did. 

The sunrise...OK, that was special. But playing even a small part in the lives of such amazing people--wow! I may get up early again soon...like maybe next year when the Challenge comes through town. 

Volunteer Nick Wiseman checks bags for a race participant. That's Nick, there on the left.

Volunteers with Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver.

Sweeping the sidewalks clear of horse-related debris. 

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For more info on Best Buddies, check out http://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org/. The organization was founded by Anthony Shriver, son of Special Olympics founder Sargent Shriver, and does some amazing stuff for people with intellectual disabilities. 

ROCK CREEK CLEAN UP

Ranger Scott Einberger briefs volunteers in Rock Creek Park as part of National Public Lands Day. 

Volunteer Liz Zipse daintily picks up an unknown trash item from the shores of Rock Creek. Dirty work, indeed. 

Liz and Kip getting in their 1 OF 7.

DC SCHOOLS BEAUTIFICATION DAY 2011

In the weeks before the first day of classes, DC Public Schools holds its annual Beautification Day to help prep their area campuses for the coming school year. Liz and I organized groups of co-workers to join in the activities at two nearby schools. 

More than 30 folks came out to help prepare Francis Stevens Elementary for the first day of classes. 

Volunteer Nick B delivering the goods.

Beautifying the grounds with volunteer Stella H.

To learn more about how you can help, visit DC Public Schools or its Beautification Day webpage.