April Fool 2025

 

This is the 50th April Fool card.

I began creating these in 1974, but due to an inexplicable lapse in the Space/Time/Foolishness Continuum, all trace of 1975 vanished completely (this phenomenon has been referred to as "facete-flectitur tenebris foraminis" in the peer-rejected Journal of Incomprehensible Solopsisms.). It has since arrived dutifully on an annual basis.

I heard there is a submarine on your ceiling...

Koan tree at dusk

Bright Pond, Reston, Virginia

Circle of stone, forest jewelry

 Four Mile Run and Glencarlyn Park, Arlington VA

Spanberger / Kaine - fundraiser

I photographed at an enthusiastic fundraiser in Arlington for Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who is running for governor of Virginia. A surprise guest was US Senator Tim Kaine, who sat in with the Veronneau band. The Senator's a pretty accomplished blues harp player and singer. Arlington elected state officials Patrick Hope, Adele McLure, and Barbara Favola also spoke.

Thanks to Natalie Roy for putting the event together.

Folger Student Shakespeare Festival 2025

I documented this year's Folger Student Shakespeare Festival. Lively interpretations of the Bard's plays were staged by students from Poe Middle School, Montgomery Blair High School, Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts, Falls Church High School, Ballou High School, Quince Orchard High School, Bullis Prep, Swanson Middle School, Ashreinu, and other regional school drama programs.

Thanks to Garland Scott for the assignment, the education staff at the Folger, and the Mistress of the Revels.

American Investigations, continued (3500 block Georgia Ave NW, DC)

 

Stumbling Stones Dedication Ceremony | Hyson family

A ceremony was held unveiling stumbling stones in honor of formerly enslaved citizens of Arlington VA. These bronze markers have been placed on the northeast corner of Little Falls Road and Harrison Street.

The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington unveiled the first of a new series of “Stumbling Stones.” These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country). The markers are placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where these enslaved people lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.

The dedication ceremony honored three once-enslaved individuals who worked and resided near the location of the markers—

Margaret Hyson: Born ca. 1825, Died July 11, 1891

George Hyson: Born ca. 1851, Died June 1900

Charlotte Hyson: Born Nov. 10, 1853, Died June 9, 1921

Speakers included Dr. Scott Taylor, Sondra Green, Samia Byrd, Jessica Kaplan, Takis Karantonis, Tim Aiken, and other community notables.

Many members and descendants of the Hyson family attended.

African libations were poured in honor and memory of the lives of the ancestors who built our community and our nation. Say their names.