While the development of the new building wasn't quite complete, it was decided to hold the Christmas Eve candlelight service in the new sanctuary. My excitement at seeing the new space was heightened by a James Bondian arrival: after whisking past the White House and through Northwest, we turned into the alley between the new building and the Secret Service headquarters, entered the underground parking garage and took an elevator up to the Sanctuary.

In keeping with tradition, after service we drove over to the capitol building and had a shufti at the tree on the west lawn. The good citizens of California provided the year's tree and decorations. Lovely. As usual, there were only a handful of people there to admire the tree. Strange, when you think about it. Christmas Eve in the Nation's Capital - one would think that would bring out at least a modest crowd. I love our tradition. Visiting the tree gives me a strange thrill - the scene has a lonely, world-apart kind of feel with the mysterious empty space around the tree and the huge, illuminated bulk of the Capitol looming over it all. The next time I want to bring a couple of prepared, four-part carols.

I got farther about town than these photos, taken mostly at the Botanical Gardens, would suggest. Earlier in the day, I took the metro to the Studio Theatre and met Nick and Susan's family for lunch. We had a great time. I rarely get to see them and it was good to catch up and do something with them in town. After lunch, I walked to Dupont Circle and fiddled about in a bookstore for a little while - then I took the metro to L'Enfant Plaza and walked to the Botanical Gardens where I met Paul, Nora and Jim.

I love the Botanical Gardens. I'm so glad they rebuilt it after the zeppelin-grade aluminum used in the prior structure disintegrated ("Oh, the humanity!"). In the atrium there was a fascinating exhibit of Washington, D.C. landmarks made of natural materials - mushrooms, twigs, moss, etc. As usual, there were a number of gorgeous orchids to be seen and the main tropical forest exhibit was as impressive as ever. After soaking in the atmos for an hour or so, we walked back to the metro (Capitol South?), stopping on the way to enjoy seasonal latte's at Deathstarbucks.

The holiday was a mad round of jolly parties. Lovely nibbles and candles, games, movie-watching, carols 'round the piano, prezzies, tipples, conversation - we enjoyed get-togethers at Marsh Davidian North and South and at Round Hill. Fantastic. Apologies for the usual lack of people pictures. Like a moth to the flame, I'm drawn to take pictures of architectural spaces, the glow of candles, creepy christmas ornaments leering from partial shadow.

My last visit to Roosevelt Island was on July 4th of... some recent year. We kayaked down from Fletcher's Boat House to watch the fireworks just downstream of the island. This Christmas we explored the terrestrial aspect of Tedlandia. We walked the paths around the shore of the island and enjoyed sweeping views of Georgetown, the waterfront, the Watergate, Kennedy Center and the Potomac bridges. Every few minutes or so a plane flew by just above treetop level on its way to Rrr... Rrrrrr... National Airport. We threw the ball for Callie, we watched Callie immerse herself in the Potomac and emerge covered in stinking black mud. We strolled the boardwalk among cattails and reeds and explored the mysterious, vaulted spaces underneath the Roosevelt Bridge.