Still Life with Robin: Notes of a Pre-Snow Shopper*

by Peggy Robin

 

Like practically everyone else in DC before a snowstorm, I went shopping to stock up on essentials before "the big one" arrives sometime tonight. On Thursday evening, around 5:30pm, I went to the Cathedral Commons Giant  Predictably, It was mobbed. About as crowded as it was on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving -- I'd guess -- except instead of usual holiday fare, the carts were filled with flats of bottled water, gallons of milk, loaves of bread, cartons of eggs, plenty ofcanned goods, and of course, supersized packages of toilet paper. I didn't check to see if the shelves had been emptied of Snow-Melt bags or any other snowstorm-specific items, because I'm already well-fixed in that department and didn't need to go searching for it.

 

The Giant seemed to be restocking to keep up with the demand, so I was able to buy everything on my list.

 

My impression was that shoppers were not in panic-mode...yet. They seemed  downright cheerful to me -- maybe because it's been a while since we've had a "big one," or possibly because so many shoppers were accompanied by their kids, who looked positively giddy with anticipation. So many school districts have already cancelled school on Monday.

 

The checkout lines were not too long; Giant had lots of employees working the registers or helping the self-checkout customers. (I never use self-checkout myself, as I'll inevitably find myself unable to ring something up and will become impatient while waiting for an experienced checkout clerk to rescue me.)

 

I got home on Thursday night, feeling secure in the knowledge that I have the one perfect item to see me through the storm: the makings of a really good cup of hot cocoa. 

Corner of Ashley Terrace & Highland Place, 2009. Note yardstick on the wooden bench.

* Please note: The above observations were all written on Thursday, more than 48 hours before the predicted start of the snowfall. I haven't been back to the Giant to check on things but am assuming the panic-buying has begun in earnest, and now most of the shelves are bare. I welcome updates from those who waited until today to get their pre-snow supplies.

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! There's an amazing light show on at the Washington National Cathedral

by Peggy Robin

This was first announced on the CP Listserv in Message #232988   on January 19 -- but you still have three evenings left to see it. (Or maybe just two, if the whole town gets shut down by snow on Saturday night!)

Tickets ($27 - $30): https://cathedral.org/calendar/luxmuralis-light-show-general-admission-4/

Here's a little preview:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AVfBKxFB7/

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The "Get Out" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Making the Switch

 by Peggy Robin

A couple of months ago I needed an electrician to do a few small repairs. He came over right away to give me an estimate, and schedule a time to come back and do thework. As he was almost out the door, I realized, before he left, I should ask him about a "migh's'well" job. 

What is a "migh's'well" job? (you may ask). A "migh's'well" (pronounced "mise-well") is a job that you think could be done quickly and cheaply, once a contractor is in your home already, doing other things. The full- sentence meaning of a migh'swll job is: "While you are here, you might as well do this other thing, too."

In this case, the "migh's'well" job was a little quirk of the house wiring that had been annoying me since 1988, the year we moved in. We have a tiny, downstairs half-bathroom toward the back of the front hall. It's windowless, so you always want to reach in and flick the light on before you enter. If you don't do that, and you close the door behind you, you will be in near-total darkness.

But the moment the light comes on, so does the fan. They're on the same switch. And that old fan is NOISY. From the moment we moved in, I was thinking, "Why didn't they put in a separate switch for the fan?" The other bathrooms in the house all have separate switches for the fan. Why doesn't this one?" And then I would think to myself, "One of these days...."

For 37 years  I have had the "one of these days" thought as I flicked on that bathroom. And then, in November, "one of these days" turned into "TODAY."

The electrician said it was a simple matter, and it didn't add much to the overall bill. He came back at the appointed date and time, did his thing, and when he was done, here was my new bathroom switch:

Looks good, right? So what's my problem now?

Muscle memory -- that's what. I've had 37 years of reaching into the bathroom and flicking a switch upward before I step in. Now I have to reach in and flick the switch sideways. Simple change of direction. But after 37 years of the upward flick, it seems like my brain can't adjust to the new hand movement Or maybe my fingers are automatically primed to make the up-down flick because that's what's been imprinted in my finger-muscles for several decades. But here I am, two months later, still trying to flick upwards.

I kind of wish the electrician could have wired it to give me a teeny little electric shock if I touch the switch from the wrong direction, to train me to make the right finger motion.

No wait, bad idea! Better one: turn the switch into one of those voice-activated ones. I just say "ON!"

Well, one of these days I just might look into that....

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

GET OUT! Winter Restaurant Week starts on Monday, January 19!

by Peggy Robin

 

It's cold and people aren't going out as much, but during DC Restaruant Week, there are so many good deals, you should go out at least once. Or go out every day from January 19 - 25. 

 

And you don't need to go far!

 

Here are the participating restaurants in Cleveland Park, Cathedral Heights/Tenleytown, Palisades, and Woodley Park.

 

Cleveland Park

Little Blackbird

Cuisine: Contemporary, Global, International

Wine Bar

Paired Wine or Cocktail

$55 Dinner  $65 Dinner

Sababa

Cusine: Israeli, Mediterranean

Paired Wine or Cocktail

$40 Dinner  $55 Dinner

Cathedral Heights / Tenleytown / Van Ness

Acqua Bistecca

Cuisine: Contemporary Italian

Paired Wine or Cocktail

$65 Dinner

Palisades

BlackSalt

Cuisine: Seafood

$35 Lunch

Lupo Verde Osteria

Cuisine: Italian

$25 Brunch  $35 Lunch  $55 Dinner

Woodley Park

New Heights Restaurant

Cuisine: New American, Seafood

$55 Dinner

What more? Go to https://www.ramw.org/restaurantweek and scroll down the page until you get to the section that lets you filter results by:

• Cuisine
• Cocktails/Wine
• Neighborhood
• Outdoor Dining
• Price
• ...and more!

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The "Get Out" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: The Little Cactus That Grew (An Inspirational Story for National Houseplant Day)

 by Peggy Robin

Today, January 10th, is National Houseplant Appreciation Day, I want to take this opportunity to express my admiration -- and astonishment! -- for my one and only potted plant, a cactus, fast approaching its 28th birthday. It's lasted longer than any of the cars I've ever owned -- though given far less care and attention. 

To be honest, it's not even technically my cactus. It was given to my daughter at age 7, in lieu of a goody-bag at a chlld's birthday party. Rather than let the little party-goers leave with the usual little baggies of candy and tchotchkes (plastic bead bracelets, stickers, rub-on tattoos and so on), the birthday girl's parents had the creative idea of giving each child a miniature cactus in a little plastic pot. It came with a little care-card that said to water it every ten days.

So we stuck in the kitchen window and remembered to water it on schedule (well, most of the time), and it grew. And it grew. Eventually, all the other houseplants I've owned have withered and died (I'm notorious in the vegetative world for my killer brown thumb) -- but somehow the little cactus continued to grow..

Cactus in it orignal little plastic pot, its long "finger" propped up by twist-ties and a dowel

My daughter, the actual owner, grew up and moved away, as her cactus grew taller and thinner in her absence.

One day its long skinny digit reached a height that its body could not sustain, and it broke off. But that didn't kill it! 

Cactus with its fallen part laid across the pot.

I just took the still-green part of the fallen segment and planted it back in the soil of the pot, and now it lives on as the offspring of the original cactus, sharing the same pot.

So today on this Houseplant Appreciation Day I express my sincere appreciation for its unquenchable will to live, surviving my haphazard and occasionally even neglectul guardianship.

Thank you, Cactus, for sticking with me all these years!

Cactus today, January 10, 2026

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! And Swap Clothes for a Good Cause - Sunday, Jan 11, 12-2pm at Union Market, Dock 5

 by Peggy Robin

Happy Daze Clothing Swap at Dock 5

Sunday, January 11, 12-2 PM

1309 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002

Want to start off the new year refreshing your closet in a sustainable and thrifty way? Join us for a FREE clothing swap on Sunday, January 11th from 12-2pm at Dock 5 at @unionmarketdc

We’re excited to also have @caferosebay on-site selling delicious drinks ☕️ and @toimoibakery selling unique and tasty pastries!! 🥐

We are so excited to partner with @sowhatelsehelps and give them all the leftover unclaimed clothes to help those in the DMV!

Play the video here: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DS3femZjBgE/

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The "Get Out" event of the week is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Looking Ahead to 2026 - Blue Moons, Fridays the 13th, Historic Anniversaries and More!

 by Peggy Robin

Lots of drama in the sky this year!

Supermoons and Blue Moons.

The first supermoon of the year occurred in the wee hours of this morning, January 3. It's called the Wolf Moon. Here's what I found out about it from a Facebook poster quoting The Old Farmer's Almanac. Full Moon for January 2026: The Wolf Moon.:

The first full moon of the year, known as the Super Wolf Moon, is set to peak on January 3, providing a spectacular start to the lunar calendar. This event occurs when the moon reaches perigee, the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth. As a result, the lunar surface will appear approximately 14% larger and 30% more radiant than a typical micromoon, offering an exceptional opportunity for photographers and skywatchers alike to witness its brilliance against the winter sky.

While the name 'Wolf Moon' evokes images of starving animals in the dead of winter, its origins are rooted in complex biological behaviors observed by ancient cultures. Wolves were often heard howling more frequently during this period, but modern science reveals these calls are more about social structure than hunger. These nocturnal predators utilize the increased visibility and crisp winter air to communicate across long distances, helping them coordinate hunting packs and define territorial boundaries during the most challenging months of the year.

If you missed it, your next chance to see the moon so large and bright in the sky won't be until November 24, 2026 - called the Beaver Moon.

In May we will have the extra treat of two full moons within the same calendar month. The second one is called a Blue Moon -- which makes 2026 a rare year with 13 instead of 12 full moons.

Eclipses - Lunar and Solar.

2026 is an eclipse lover’s dream. ....but you will need to travel far, far from here.

Four powerful eclipses will unfold across the year—two solar and two lunar—turning 2026 into one of the most dramatic skywatching years of this decade. 

1. Annular Solar Eclipse — February 17, 2026

The famous “Ring of Fire”

Where:

Annular (Ring of Fire): Antarctica.

Partial: Southern South America (Chile, Argentina), Southern Africa, and parts of the Indian/Atlantic Oceans.

Timings (UTC):

• Eclipse begins: ~09:57

• Eclipse ends: ~14:27

During this event, the Moon will be slightly too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, leaving behind a glowing ring of sunlight—one of the most beautiful solar sights possible

2. Total Lunar Eclipse — March 3, 2026

A deep Blood Moon

Where: North & South America, the Pacific Ocean, Australia, and Eastern Asia.

Timings:

Partial Eclipse Begins: 09:50

Totality Begins: 11:04

Maximum Eclipse: 11:33

Totality Ends: 12:02

Partial Eclipse Ends: 13:17

The Moon will pass entirely into Earth’s shadow, turning a dramatic copper-red as sunlight filters through our atmosphere 

3. Total Solar Eclipse — August 12, 2026

The crown jewel of the year

Where: Totality: Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Spain, Portugal (small sliver).

Partial: Most of Europe, North Africa, North America, and the Atlantic.

Timings (UTC):

Partial Eclipse Begins: 15:34

Totality Begins: 16:58

Maximum Eclipse: 17:46

Totality Ends: 18:34

Partial Eclipse Ends: 19:58

Day will briefly turn into night as the Sun is completely hidden, revealing the solar corona—an awe-inspiring sight few ever forget

4. Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse — August 28, 2026

How deep? About 93% of the Moon will be covered by the dark umbral shadow!

Where: North & South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Timings (UTC):

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 01:23

Partial Eclipse Begins: 02:33

Maximum Eclipse: 04:12

Partial Eclipse Ends: 05:52

Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 07:01

A subtle but elegant shadow will glide across the Moon, closing the eclipse season softly

2026 Maxes Out on Fridays the 13th

Hope you're not a Paraskevidekatriaphobe! That's someone with a superstitious fear of Friday the 13th. 2026 will have three of them - the maximum number possible in a calendar year.

Watch out for these dates:

Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday, March 13, 2026

Friday, November 13, 2026  

A June-ful of Palindrome Dates

 

Palindrome dates read the same forwards and backward. Here are the 10 palindrome dates in June 2026 (using the one-digit month/two digit date/two-digit year format) -- or 11 dates if you add in June 2, 2026, using a one digit month/one digit date/two digit year format. Using the four digit year format, there's only one: 6-20-2026.

M/DD/YY

• June 20, 2026 (6-20-26)
• June 21, 2026 (6-21-26)
• June 22, 2026 (6-22-26)
• June 23, 2026 (6-23-26)
• June 24, 2026 (6-24-26)
• June 25, 2026 (6-25-26)
• June 26, 2026 (6-26-26)
• June 27, 2026 (6-27-26)
• June 28, 2026 (6-28-26)
• June 29, 2026 (6-29-26)

M/D/YY

• June 2, 2026 (6-2-26)

M/DD/YYYY

• June 20, 2026 (6-20-2026)
  

Big Anniversaries.

The biggest of the big ones is of course America's 250 birthday, happening this 4th of July. There will be so much hoopla and razzle-dazzle around this event, I don't need to tell you about it; it will be inescapable. So let's move on to some notable anniversaries you might otherwise have missed:

March 10, 2026 - It's the sesquicentennial  (150 years) of the first telephone call. Alexander Graham Bell said, “Mr Watson, come here. I want you.” Now when you tell this story to your kids, they wonder why he didn't just text-message instead of calling. [https://commongoodmag.com/looking-back-anniversaries-in-2026/]

May 24, 2026 - It's the 400th year anniversary of the sale of Manhattan island. Buyer: Dutch trader Peter Minuet. Sellers: Lenape/Shinnecock leaders. Price: trade goods valued at 60 guilders. We were taught in elementary school that the bartered trinkets were worth approximately $24. Wikipedia tells us that in 2020 dollars, the value was $1,143.

June 1, 2026. Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday. Have a lollipop in her honor -- and be sure you don't get the fuzzy end. [Scene from "Some Like It Hot"]

Video clip: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2854397528168458

And now skipping back some 1,100 years... at some point in 926, Anglo-Saxon King Æthelstan significantly expanded his control by annexing Northumbria after the death of Viking ruler Sihtric, forcing submission from Welsh, Scottish, and Strathclyde leaders, solidifying his position as overlord of Britain. This pivotal year marked Æthelstan's consolidation of power in England before his later great victories, establishing him as the first effective ruler of a united England.

...And they're not even putting on a fireworks show in his honor in the England he forged out of many smaller kingdoms!

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! There are NPS events in Rock Creek Park all month long!

 by Peggy Robin

 

Who knew there were so many outdoor events in DC in January? I got myself on the events mailing list for Rock Creek Park, and rather than choose just one event for today's "Get Out!" column, I thought I would just forward the monthly calendar to all. There are activities and programs here for all ages and interests.

 

Good start to the new year!

 

-Peggy

---

Peggy Robin

Cleveland Park Listserv Moderator

Home Page: https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark 

CP Info Pages: www.cleveland-park.com 

FAQ: www.cleveland-park.com/faq.html

 

Rock Creek Park Events | January 2026   

 

Bundle up and join us for a new year full of ranger-led hikes! Though if staying inside is more your vibe, we have planetarium films and brand-new programs happening indoors. We are also kicking off America 250 in style!

 

Keep scrolling for more details about our January programs, and as always, we hope to see you in the park!

 

[Not all of our events will be featured in this newsletter -- for an entire listing, visit our online calendar at go.nps.gov/ROCRcalendar. All programs are subject to change, and many are weather dependent. If you have questions or suggestions about this newsletter, please email us at rocr_information@nps.gov. For general questions about Rock Creek Park, please contact rocr_superintendent@nps.gov.]

Stitching Stories at the Old Stone House

 

Join us Fridays in January (except 1/23) at the Old Stone House, from 12:30 to 2 pm, for Stitching Stories: A Social Stitch Circle at the Old Stone House. 

 

Park rangers will host a community-powered knitting circle inspired by America 250. Enjoy informal conversations about colonial-era fiber arts and how women used handmade textiles in daily life in support of the American Revolution.

 

This is not a class—just a relaxed space for knitters of all levels to gather, chat, and work on their own projects. Bring a piece you’re already working on or start something new! 

 

Ranger-led Hikes

 

We have several ranger-led hikes this month, including some old favorites (listed in the last section of this newsletter) and some brand-new ones for this new year. 

 

Meet at the Nature Center to be part of these new adventures:

 

Every Saturday

New Year's Resolution Hike

Time: 11 am - 12:30 pm

Description: A lively, brisk hike to Fort DeRussy; explore winter wildlife and discover how soldiers shaped the landscape; reflect on the year ahead and "fortify" your own New Year's resolution

 

Friday, January 9 and January 23

Winter Woodland Trail Loop: Hike with a Ranger

Time: 3 - 4 pm

Description: An 0.5-mile excursion for ages 6 and up; young explorers will learn the hiking essentials, trail safety, what to wear or bring on a hike, and how to Recreate Responsibly

 

Saturday, January 10

Winter Tree ID Walk

Description: Learn tips and trick on how to identify trees without leaves

Time: 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Nature Center Highlights

Second Saturday: Planetarium Movies in Spanish / Segundo Sábado: Películas del Planetario en Español

On the second Saturday of each month, Rock Creek Park is happy to offer planetarium films in Spanish for the whole family. Enjoy "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" in the morning (10 am), and "From Earth to the Universe" in the afternoon (3 pm).

 

El segundo sábado de cada mes, el Parque Rock Creek ofrece proyecciones de películas en español en su planetario para toda la familia. Disfrute de "Un cielo, un mundo: La aventura de Big Bird" por la mañana y de "De la Tierra al Universo" por la tarde.

 

Winter Wildlife Detectives: Who's Still Awake?

Bundle up your curiosity and step inside to become a Winter Wildlife Detective at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center! Kids will explore real animal pelts and tracks up close, belonging to foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and even sleepy woodchucks. They will also learn how these animals survive the chilly winter season. No snow boots required! 

Dates: January 10, 11, 24, 25, and 31

Time: 10 - 10:30 am

 

Additional Planetarium Programs

 

We welcome you to stop by the planetarium at the Rock Creek Nature Center for films and ranger talks throughout the month of January! Reminder: space in the planetarium is limited, so please arrive about 30 minutes early to receive a free placeholder ticket. 

 

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Stellar Star Show Time: 2 - 2:30 pm

Every Saturday and Sunday 

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure Time: 10 - 10:30 am (except Jan. 10)

Stellar Star Show Time: 11 - 11:30 am (except Jan. 3 and Jan. 17)

Friday, January 2 From Earth to the Universe Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Saturday, January 3  

Mapping the Solar System - America on the Final Frontier Time: 11 - 11:45 am (also on Jan. 17)

Eclipse: The Sun Revealed Time: 3 - 3:30 pm (also on Jan. 30)

Sunday, January 4 One Sky ProjectTime: 3 - 3:45 pm (also on Jan. 31)

Friday, January 9 Mars: The Ultimate Voyage Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Sunday, January 11 Worlds of Curiosity Time: 3 - 3:15 pm

Friday, January 16 Max Goes to the Moon Time: 3:30 - 4 pm

Saturday, January 17 Seeing: A Photon's Journey Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Sunday, January 18 Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Friday, January 23 Forward to the Moon Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Saturday, January 24 Sunstruck Time: 3 - 3:30 pm

Sunday, January 25 Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System Time: 3 - 3:45 pm

 

Spotlight on Volunteer Opportunities

 

Join us this month as we celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service here at Rock Creek Park! We have events ranging from litter cleanups to non-native invasive plant removals supported by the park and our wonderful park partner organizations. We hope to see you there!

 

Invasive Plant Removal at Whitehaven January 17, 10 am - 12 pm 

Volunteer Day at Dumbarton Oaks Park January 19, 9 am - 1 pm 

Litter Cleanup at Picnic Grove 1 January 19, 10 am - 12 pm   

 

More Ranger Programs and Partner Events

There are a few more events to share, and they are listed below in date order with relevant location and time information, as well as links for more details about each. We hope you find one or more activities to enjoy in Rock Creek Park and remember to #RecreateResponsibly! 

 

Every Saturday and Sunday

Friends of Peirce Mill Open House Time: 12 - 4 pm Location: Peirce Mill

 

Friday, January 2 

Books and Beyond with a Ranger Time: 10 - 10:45 am Location: Nature Center

Be a Junior Naturalist Hike Time: 3 - 4 pm (also on Jan. 16 and 30) Location: Nature Center

 

Saturday, January 3 

Ramble with a Ranger: Boulder Bridge Loop Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am (also on Jan. 17) Location: Nature Center

Spilling the Tea Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm (also on Jan. 17) Location: Old Stone House

 

Sunday, January 4 

After Emancipation History Hike Time: 9:30 - 11 am (also on Jan. 24) Location: Peirce Barn

Mobilizing Memories at Meridian Hill Time: 2 - 4 pm (also on Jan. 18) Location: Meridian Hill Park

 

Friday, January 9

Little Tyke Hike Time: 10 - 10:45 am Location: Nature Center

 

Saturday, January 10

Spies in America's Backyard Time: 1 - 2:30 pm (also on Jan. 24) Location: Peirce Barn

Beatrix Ferrand's Dumbarton Oaks: The Pioneering Landscape Architect's Mark on Georgetown Time: 1 - 2 pm (also on Jan. 11) Location: Dumbarton Oaks Park  

 

Sunday, January 11

Hidden History of the Georgetown Waterfront Time: 11 am - 12:30 pm (also on Jan. 25) Location: Sundial in Georgetown  Waterfront Park

 

Friday, January 16

Books and Beyond with a Ranger Time: 10 - 10:45 am Location: Peirce Barn

 

Friday, January 23

Little Tyke Hike Time: 10 - 10:45 am Location: Peirce Barn

 

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NPS at Rock Creek Park | 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW, Washington, DC 20008