It might be a sign —

The stunted cherry tree is part of DC’s spring celebration — Seen: It balances—emitting an “I’ve been there way too many times before” vibe — on the edge of DC’s famous Tidal Basin. But Stumpy — part of the group of 3,200 Japanese Cherry Trees donated to the United States in 1912 — is hanging in there. Heard: Beleaguered Stumpy, nicknamed…

Don’t be too chicken to capture fabulous foodie moments — You’ve heard, I’m sure, about those of the digital generation who like to capture every single scintilla of life. Largely known in the trade as “influencers,” they’re the ones front-and-center on the beach; in the club; along a well-traveled road, taking selfies with the flora and fauna. My daughter, in…

No one will want to split your party with this new take on an old fave — Moker worked in Fort Worth, Texas, for five years. The gal who ran the office, answered the phones, listened to the *sob* stories of the younger employees, negotiated blind dates, and knew everyone who was anyone, was named, coincidentally, “Texas.” And boy, Texas could cook! Texas’s specialty, which she whipped…

If AI wrote our notes, would anyone know the difference? — One of my favorite photos from my high school years is of my friend, Sue, placing a call from one of the pay phones near the main office. Classic move from back in the day, especially our senior year: Hitch a ride to school with family or friends, cross the…

She’s hot on the presses —

As March strides toward spring, we’ve got some cool days left — Even though the weather’s trying to turn the corner toward spring, there’s always room for a dish both soothing and spicy. We have blooms on some of the bushes, and the daffodils have come and gone. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a bit of something more than…

Prompt #27: How social media got me through the pandemic — I like it a lot. I don’t love it too much. But if you’re talking social media, it helped distract me during what we like to call the Pandemic Years. My kids, when they were stuck in the decade or so between Myspace and their own places, introduced me to…

Helping rescues as well as folks with special needs — Seen: The Youngest has taken on another assignment. With five new fosters, she’s also volunteering at a new cat adoption cafe. Heard: Toe Beans & Dreams, which opened last September, helps felines and folks who need a step up. Noted: The cafe combines adoption and education efforts with employment opportunities…