{"id":2278,"date":"2011-04-18T06:38:21","date_gmt":"2011-04-18T10:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/?p=2278"},"modified":"2011-05-30T10:07:32","modified_gmt":"2011-05-30T14:07:32","slug":"more-neighbors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/?p=2278","title":{"rendered":"More Neighbors"},"content":{"rendered":"

I hope you enjoyed meeting<\/a> some of my neighbors who live around where I work in Washington.\u00a0 I know they were glad to see you; new faces are always welcome around here.\u00a0 In fact, not only does everyone keep asking about you (How are your friends?\u00a0 Did they like us?\u00a0 They were fun!), but they’ve been bugging me to invite you back.\u00a0 And since several new folks have moved in since you last dropped by, I thought it was high time we took another stroll.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Made quite the splash when they moved in<\/p><\/div>\n

I grew up hearing these called Tulip Trees.\u00a0 Showy denizens of the neighborhood, they come on strong with their big, bold, fashion statements that practically shout: We are here!\u00a0 Encounter us!\u00a0 Which I do, and did, for the short time they emblazoned themselves on the scene.\u00a0 They lose their flair so quickly, in about half the time as cherry blossoms.\u00a0 It’s as if they use so much energy at the start, they don’t have enough left for the finish.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Tidal Basin doesn't corner the blossom market<\/p><\/div>\n

Cherries aren’t the only show in town, this friendly fellow will remind you if you stop by for a chat.\u00a0 Standing perkily on a street corner next to a quaint, slightly run-down brick pile, he adds a festive, happy touch to the well-worn scene.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Keeping a low profile<\/p><\/div>\n

Believe it or not, there are some moments in life when you don’t want to be holding your head high.\u00a0 Sometimes, low is better.\u00a0 When you do, you just might be lucky enough to become acquainted with fine folks like this tribe of grape hyacinths.\u00a0 Used to people not expecting too much from them, they’re always looking for ways to surprise with their lush, purple accomplishments.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Orange Brethren<\/p><\/div>\n

I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to bring you back to Union Center, the heart of the floral neighborhood.\u00a0 Everyone’s agog and a-buzz at the Orange Brethren’s arrival.\u00a0 These days, I sit down at an outdoor cafe for coffee and chat and get tired of only hearing, “Did you hear what the Oranges said?”, or, “I can’t believe what that young Orange Brother did!”\u00a0 Honestly, can’t anyone talk about anything else around here?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Hullabaloo in the Town Square<\/p><\/div>\n

People are like that.\u00a0 I heard about a riot in Union Center and dashed off to see what was what.\u00a0 We’re such rubbernecking voyeurs.\u00a0 I only found this riot of color, an explosion of floral brilliance.\u00a0 Felt foolish for being so taken in, but the glory of the scene, the gorgeous hustle-bustle made it all worth while.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Integrated block<\/p><\/div>\n

I’m proud of my progressive neighborhood.\u00a0\u00a0 Pansies (and not just any pansies, but the well-known Purple Pantalones squad…you know what I’m talking about…) allow a bevy of ivory tulips to push their way into the middle of the conversation and not just permit them, but completely welcome their elitist presence.\u00a0 A perfect picture of the totally different, completely culturally diverse, dwelling together in harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cuts a swath<\/p><\/div>\n

I can’t tell you how glad I was to see this bright family move in.\u00a0 True, many mouths to feed, but wow, what a splash they make!\u00a0 It’s almost like they generate a light of their own, a red, yellow beacon brightening the whole neighborhood.\u00a0\u00a0 A hundred smiles on a hundred stems.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Impossibly Pretty<\/p><\/div>\n

I’ve had my eye on this gang ever since they were little tubes of lipstick on stems.\u00a0 Even then, they captivated.\u00a0 Not only the colors, but their quiet dignity has always impressed me.\u00a0 They don’t go to lengths to show-off their good looks; they just calmly, with poise and presence, are who they are. <\/span><\/p>\n

I’d like to stay out a little more, but I’ve got to be getting back to the office.\u00a0 I hope you enjoyed our time together.\u00a0 Give me a call next time you’re in town so we can take another stroll together.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I hope you enjoyed meeting some of my neighbors who live around where I work in Washington.\u00a0 I know they were glad to see you; new faces are always welcome around here.\u00a0 In fact, not only does everyone keep asking … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[498],"tags":[178,322,320,213,97,321],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2278"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2278"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3626,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2278\/revisions\/3626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thelifeliterary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}