Everyone always says Washington is a circus.

Everyone always says Washington is a circus., originally uploaded by crau1971.

Which is one of the reasons I love this city so much; I always find something here to surprise me. I found this image (and several others) waiting for me Saturday morning, as I walked out of my hotel and strolled down to the National Mall. The morning news had said the official Cherry Blossom Parade was that morning, and I found a unique opportunity to see a celebratory Washington, not a power center Washington or political intrigue Washington. And to see all the bands, and floats, and balloons on 7th street, waiting in formation, it made me laugh, at the end of a week where I really needed the laugh.

My friend's party was lovely; she has a wonderful, large circle of friends, and I connected with one of her graduate school friends, and she and I spent a great deal of time talking with each other, and with Heather's fiance, who doesn't like huge crowds, but paradoxically, was thrilled to be a part of this big crowd. Much like me. As Heather said as I was leaving, "I always love it when my friends meet my other friends and everyone gets along." A better testament to the woman who brought us there, I think, than to our own personalities.

I head home today, a little tired, but glad to have been away.

PS: Note Bob the Builder enjoys looking at the Capitol dome, too. ;)