The Wood Between the Worlds

It's possible that I visited a magical in-between place this past weekend. Possible, but not probable. I mean the place really is an in-between, but who knows if it connects you to the realms of other worlds? Wouldn't that be wonderful? But before I get ahead of myself, let me explain:

In the spirit of checking things off our DC list, JB and I decided to explore Teddy Roosevelt Island and then to locate the DC version of the Bermuda Triangle: the mysterious place that allows one to actually park & walk around the Iwo Jima Memorial & the Netherlands Carillon (hint: take the 110/Jefferson Davis Highway between 395 & 66).

Teddy Roosevelt Island is located on the Potomac River between the Georgetown/Kennedy Center Waterfront area & Rosslyn, VA. It is place lost in time and can only be visited via a footbridge along the George Washington Parkway, and once you step onto one of the island's trails, it's easy to forget that you're anywhere near a city. You follow footpaths and boardwalks all around the swampy island, spotting skittish blue tailed lizards and jumpy forest toads (and if you're lucky, some deer friends, but alas, we were not on the VIP list that day).

 ^^just how thrilled does he look to be in this picture? Overjoyed.^^

 ^^the last glimpse of the real world for awhile^^

And then eventually, you meander onto this clearing paved in stones and granite honoring the protector of our land, Teddy Roosevelt.

It is eerie, especially when no one else is around. Eerie, but beautiful. And this is where my imagination and reality actually merged, because this clearing in the woods had two murky, stagnant fountains, perfect for jumping between worlds. I half expected to see Digory & Polly emerge from one of the fountains with their hands jammed in their pockets. If CS Lewis had been an American, I would have thought this memorial inspired his in-between place connecting Earth, Charn, & Narnia in The Magician's Nephew, but as we all know, he wasn't, so maybe instead the memorial connects to one of those magical fountains?? One can only dream.

Moral of the story: magic is real. my imagination heavily enhances my life and makes me longwinded. Clearly.

 ^^fyi, I looked & there were no buttons in the fountains. But there are presidential seals on the feet of the fountains. Teddy's gettin' fancy^^

Onto the DC-Bermuda Triangle, where you can't get much better views of the DC panorama than from this hill housing the Iwo Jima Memorial & Netherlands Carillon. Sad to say our real camera didn't tag along on this trip, but with views like that, it's on our list to revisit. As for this forgotten Netherlands Carillon, it was given to the US in thanks to the relationship our two countries forged during WWII while their country was under Nazi control. The Carillon contains 50 bells, all inscribed with with emblems representing different groups in Dutch society, and is guarded by two lions overlooking a field of thousands of tulips (aka I will be visiting next spring to see those beauties in all their glory). 

^^one of those rare times that rust is beautiful^^

the cameron: a ghost of a dream

For about two hours yesterday, husmate and I were living in a beautiful dream of home ownership. 

It was a blissful dream full of mortgage payments and manageable HOA fees. A brand new condominium that would have been all ours. Never before lived in {heck, not even built yet}. Five blocks from the metro station. A newborn residence project right in the heart of the booming Old Town North. We would even be able to decide a few of the details. Some were standard, like hardwood floors, marble countertops, & spacious closet space. And you know, a heart can soar or break over the size of closet space in big city dwelling {I kid you not, my southern friends}. This apartment would have even met the ever-elusive LEED standards. A dream, I tell you, a fantastic dream!

But then we awoke from this dream, just like we tend to do. Slowly, like the grains of sand trickling from an hourglass, the tiny flashes of details vanished {like furniture arrangements & paint colors}, and eventually all we were left with was the ghost of a floor plan. 

The time isn't right for us to own a place yet. But one day... Until then I'll just live in my imagination and consider adding an addendum to the section in Ecclesiastes about time:

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

{a time to buy and a time to rent}

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Upon reflection, buy vs. rent is probably a bit worldly for such a meaningful section, but I think it goes a step further on the whole "search and give up" bit. Regardless, it is not time. But I know that the Lord's plan will reveal itself to us when it is time, and what a sweet time that will be.

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;

yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for men

than to be happy and do good while they live.

That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--

this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

*for reference, a 650-750 square-foot apartment around here goes for the same cost as a two-story brick house in our home states. I kid you not. 

& in case you missed last week:

remember the time...

late night ramblings: a society too big for its britches

note to self 

recipe for the BEST chocolate chip cookies

note to self

I think Mr. Twain was onto something.