CAPITAL CAT

Jefferson and the Cherry Blossoms

Thomas Jefferson was an intellectual who loved reading and studying the wisdom of many nations. Out of this study came firm beliefs in liberty against the power of the sovereign, equal rights, democracy, education available to all, freedom of religion, and separation between church and state. This thinking comes to life in document he is most famous for, the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson gave form to the blossoming nation searching for its identity.

President Franklin Roosevelt felt that a person of such magnitude deserved a memorial, similar to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. In 1934 he established a commission to select a designer and location for this tribute to Jefferson. Two years later the commission chose a design by John Russell Pope who had opted for a neo-classical dome with a portico based on the Pantheon in Rome. It is no coincidence that this is the same model Jefferson used for the rotunda on the campus of the University of Virginia. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Crews began construction in 1939, with the memorial dedication held April 13, 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birth. Designed by DC-born sculptor Rudolph Evans, the 19 foot bronze statue, first constructed out of plaster, because metal was being rationed during the Second World War, depicts Jefferson addressing the Continental Congress. He holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence in his left hand and wears a fur cloak given to him by Polish General Tadeus Kosciuszko, who had come to America as a volunteer in the Revolutionary War. The interior walls of the memorial are engraved with inscriptions taken from the Declaration of Independence and Jefferson's other writings.

Among his numerous services to the U.S., Jefferson counted ambassador to France from 1785-1789, George Washington’s Secretary of State, and John Adams’ Vice President. Even though he was President from 1801-1809, Jefferson did not count that as one of his greatest achievements. (His gravestone doesn’t even mention that he was President of the United States.) Instead that accolade goes to his founding of the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville.

The founding of this university is a testament to Jefferson's intellect and broad skills - architect, writer, musician, scientist, inventor and fluent in five languages. He was a horticulturalist, introducing tomatoes and broccoli to Virginia, as well as being its first vintner.

President John F. Kennedy, upon receiving 49 Nobel Prize winners at the White House, said, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

The Jefferson Memorial sits at the south end of the Tidal Basin in direct view of the White House as Franklin Roosevelt had wished. Jefferson’s statue seems to be returning the favor, standing with a stern gaze toward the White House, as if watching that the president doesn’t forget that the office-holder is the servant of the people.

Surrounding the Tidal Basin, cherry blossom trees are Washington's spring "welcome mat". In 1912 the city of Tokyo gifted 3,000 trees to the city of Washington as a gesture of friendship from Japan. In a simple ceremony on March 27 of that year, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin. (In 1915, the United States government reciprocated with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan.)

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson accepted 3,800 more trees in 1965. And in 1981, the cycle of giving came full circle. We gave Japanese horticulturists cuttings from our trees to replace some cherry trees in Japan which had been destroyed in a flood.

Each year from the last week in March through the first two weeks in April, these gnarly trees create a necklace of delicate pastel pink and white blossoms around the Basin. During this time the Cherry Blossom Festival is held to herald the coming of spring, attracting over one million visitors.

A Stop at the White House

It being the month we celebrate Presidents Day, I thought a tour of the President's House would be in order.

A competition held for the design of the new President's House received nine entries. James Hoban, an architect of Irish descent, won. His neo-classical design is based on the Leinster House in Dublin, the building that houses the national parliament of Ireland.

Construction started in 1792. In 1798, after receiving a protective lime-based whitewash, the President’s House took on its distinctive color. In 1800, President John Adams moved into the nearly completed building, Each President since then has lived in the President’s House.

In 1814, British troops invaded Washington and torched several buildings, among them the Capitol, the Treasury, the War Department and the President’s House. President James Madison decided that the public buildings would be rebuilt, with Irish architect, James Hoban, taking on the responsibility for the President’s House, almost a total rebuild since only the outer walls were still standing after the fire. Hoban stuck with the original plans for the renovation.

For the first 100 years this home of the President was called in addition to the “President's House”, the “President's Palace” or “Executive Mansion”. The nickname “White House” caught on late in the 19th Century with President Theodore Roosevelt making it the official name when he took office in 1901.

Modified and extended numerous times, the White House is now a complex of office, reception and residential space. The East and West Wings serve as the most important additions, providing the President (West) and First Lady (East) offices away from the residence. The West Wing center is the Oval Office, the President’s main office, with key advisors’ offices within a few steps. The “Oval” is modeled on the “Blue Room”, the central and most famous façade on the south side of the White House. 

The White House has 132 rooms, with a few available to visitors on tours. Since Sept. 11, 2001, any tour needs to be arranged through Congress. Some of the rooms open for tours include the Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room and State Dining Room.

John Adams planted the first White House garden. Andrew Jackson planted the two magnolia trees that today frame the exterior wall of the oval Blue Room.

Over the years many of the presidents and first ladies have redesigned the garden. Ellen Wilson, wife of President Woodrow Wilson added the most famous section in 1913…the Rose Garden, just outside the Oval Office. John F. Kennedy later redesigned it and used it as a venue for official ceremonies. In 2009, Michelle Obama planted an organic garden just off the South Lawn.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, an avid golfer, installed a putting green in 1957 and it’s been enjoyed by avid “first golfers” since.

The White House is the center of power in Washington. When cats have roamed these halls they knew who was really in charge. Look below at the names of the cats that have graced this mansion and the Presidents they exercised their power over:

Tabby – The first White House cat – Abraham Lincoln

Siam – The first Siamese to reach the United States – Rutherford B. Hayes

Slippers and Tom Quartz – Theodore Roosevelt

Smokey, Blackie, Timmy & Tiger – Calvin Coolidge (He carried Tiger around his neck.)

Tom Kitten – The press gave him an obituary notice in 1962 – John F. Kennedy

Shan – Gerald Ford

Misty Malarky Ying Yang – A Siamese – Jimmy Carter

Cleo & Sara – Tortoiseshell strays (also several unnamed cats) – Ronald Reagan

Socks – a black and white “Tuxedo”, unceremoniously removed when Buddy, the dog, moved in – Bill Clinton

Ernie & India "Willie" Bush – George W. Bush

My Visit to Capitol Hill

President George Washington had expected Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design the Capitol, but dismissed L’Enfant in 1792 for refusing to cooperate with the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings. Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, suggested a competition for the best plan for the building with a $500 award and a city lot. Washington rejected 17 proposals. Then a letter arrived from Dr. William Thornton, a Scottish physician, with a plan that Washington and the Commissioners accepted.

Construction began in 1793. Over the years, eight separate architects have supervised the Capitol’s construction. Until 1800 three architects in succession managed the construction. The first two were dismissed and James Hoban, the architect of the President’s house, built the North wing in time for the first session of Congress.

In 1803 Benjamin Latrobe assumed the role as Architect of the Capitol and resumed construction, completing the South and North wings and connecting them with a wooden passage in 1813. A year later the British set fire to the building and only a rain storm prevented it from being totally destroyed. Latrobe returned in 1815 to repair the Capitol.

During this reconstruction, he made some significant changes including adding marble to the interior. In 1818 Boston architect Charles Bullfinch replaced Latrobe who had resigned. Bullfinch readied the Senate and House Chambers and the Supreme Court for use by 1819. He also increased the size of the central dome constructing it with wood covered by copper.

As the number of Congress members increased over the years, the building has had to undergo a number of additions. Beginning in 1850 Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter supervised the building of the extensions that comprise the current Senate and House chambers, replacing the existing sandstone exterior with marble. These extensions dwarfed the original dome. Walter drew a design for a new dome and after members of Congress saw this drawing, they unanimously approved. Within 10 weeks the House appropriated $100,000 for the dome and President Franklin Pierce signed it into legislation in March, 1855.

This cast-iron, fireproof dome is the most recognizable piece of architecture in the nation’s capital. It rises 288 feet and is crowned by the 20 foot tall Statue of Freedom. The interior of the dome is the “Rotunda” where massive paintings cover the walls, and statues of Presidents surround the perimeter. The ceiling of the dome is noted for the singular fresco titled the Apotheosis of Washington, painted by Italian artist, Constantino Brumidi. It is noted as the one painting that attempts to deify our first President. The fresco covers 4,600 square feet and is 180 feet above the Rotunda floor. Below this painting at the base of the dome is the Frieze of American History, depicting the story of the U.S. from the landing of Christopher Columbus through to the Wright brothers’ flight in Kitty Hawk.

Even though construction on the Capitol halted in 1861 as it became a Civil War hospital, barracks and bakery, construction of the dome continued. Declaring that the Capitol must, like the Union, go on, President Lincoln ordered the resumption of construction in 1862. December 2, 1863 marked the day of placing the final section of Statue of Freedom. In January 1866 the scaffolding was removed to reveal the Apotheosis fresco.

Though officially “completed” in 1868, the U.S. Capitol seems to be a constant work-in-progress. Additions to the Capitol since 1868 include the marble west front terraces (1884-1892) and the east front extension (1958-1962). During this renovation the east front was moved out 34 feet, and the original Corinthian columns removed and replaced. Designer Russell Page found a suitable new location for these columns. They now stand in a meadow at the National Arboretum towering over a reflecting pool.

It took a vote in Congress in 1970 to stop a renovation of the west front. Most recently, after breaking ground in 2000 the new Visitors’ Center opened in 2008.

The National Parks Service declared the Capitol a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The American Institute of Architects has ranked it 6th in its survey “America’s Favorite Architecture”.

When the Senate and/or House are in session, flags fly on the roofs above their chambers. The special phrase that describes how our elected officials conduct themselves when is session is "it's like herding cats". As far as I'm concerned that's, like, impossible.

An Embassy Tour

Another reason I love D.C. is how international it is. You get cats from all over the world here. And all the different languages; who knows what some of these people are saying. It's like when I was at the shelter and all the types of kitties who lived there with exotic names--Siamese, Persian, Egyptian, Russian, Calico (not a country I know, but I like to say that word--Calico). Once each spring the humans from around the world like to show off the buildings in D.C. where they work...called Embassies. They open them up to visitors for two weekends, and we were able to go on the second one. The weather was purrfect on Saturday. That was good because these humans will stand and wait up to an hour to go inside an embassy. We got started late so had to decide which we would visit out of about 24.

First stop, the United Kingdom embassy has a huge property with a terrific garden. Out front is this massive statue of a stern looking guy with a hand raised and two fingers making a V sign, and the other holding a cane and a cigar. The plaque says Winston Churchill, who I guess is some famous Brit. There're a lot of humans in line, but it moves quickly and the security guys at the entrance are cheerful and have those fun British accents. We get inside and are offered a tote bag in exchange for a plastic bag. My humans have stopped using plastic so we don't get a tote. Then it's on up the hill to the garden. On the way we glance up at the building, it must have hundreds of rooms and is three stories tall. The gardens are spread out in four sections with the rose garden the most impressive, except it's too early for the roses, though we get a glimpse of a couple, a brilliant yellow one and a deep red one. In the middle of the path is a fat dog lying fast asleep and ignoring all the activity around it. Lazy mutt!

The nice people are giving out pins with the UK and USA flags on it as we leave.

Next stop is down the road then up a hill...to the Danish Embassy. My male human's ancestors came from Denmark so he wants to see the place. A lot fewer humans are here and it's less majestic, but the Danes are nice enough, supposedly the happiest people on the Earth, lucky them. They are proud of something they call renewable energy and my humans chat with a woman for a bit learning how the Danes are very efficient. I can relate to that, they must have picked this trait up from a cat! There is no great garden here, but they are offering tours of the embassy. And some guy is riding a bicycle obstacle course. Danes it appears ride bikes all the time.

That about covers this embassy, so we walk down the hill and decide to visit the Irish Embassy, ten blocks away. I'm not too keen on this much walking, but the humans seem okay with it. Hundreds of other humans are on the sidewalks walking or waiting in front of buildings as we stroll past. We get to the Irish Embassy and see the line of humans stretches waaaay down the sidewalk. Now, if I had any say in this, I'd vote to not wait. But I don't and we do. This is the middle of the day and the sun is beating down. I need some shade to stay cool. Thankfully there are trees along the way to provide some. After 40 minutes we get to the door. This embassy is part of a row of houses and, while it's three stories tall, it is about one fifth as wide as the UK building. We're in and the nice lady with another great accent (where do these people learn to talk like that) hands us a green tote bag. We go right up a narrow staircase and into a room with maybe 50 humans crammed in together and in line for some tables of food. It's pretty enough inside - the walls are decorated with Wedgwood designs and there is a bust of someone named Oscar Wilde. But not any kitten pictures...hmmm. They must clean out the place of knickknacks and stuff before all the tourists arrive. By the time we get to the food, there are a few crackers left. I figure the best food was gobbled up ages before we got there. A pretty lady is playing the harp in one corner and we do a short tour through a couple of rooms.

Then we head down the stairs and out the door. Outside across the street the Greek Embassy has young dancers entertaining the humans waiting. I figure that they must be getting tired after six hours of keeping visitors smiling. We walk back to the car past the Netherlands Embassy's long line and decide to call it a day. That's what happens when you get started late. All in all, just the human watching makes the tour worthwhile.

Now, my female human asks, "How do we get invited when the embassy is having a real party? Hmmm, maybe tell them you have a cat. That always impresses me!

A Bo Sighting at the White House?

Spring continues to spread its charms on the Capital City. Two weeks ago the cherry blossoms surrounded the Tidal Basin like a necklace of soft pink. And this past weekend the White House opened its gardens for the annual tour around the grounds. Although not generally one for large crowds, this kitty felt it necessary to brave the morning chill at sunrise and wait in line for passes. Actually the garden is not why I went. Something else had me wanting to get on the White House grounds. 

With a cloudless sky overhead and hundreds of humans milling about, the path along the White House south lawn is abuzz with garden gazers. Sure, it's a garden tour, but most are there for the chance to get close enough to the building to almost touch it. No one of course is allowed to touch it. Security is tight, with a couple of tough looking guys in black sporting menacing looking guns, Other officials are posed along the way, with one calling out, "Ma'am, move back", to a woman who steps on the grass to get her picture taken.

I'm wondering if I'll catch a glimpse of the new puppy who's causing such a stir. Why is getting a dog such a big deal? Yes, he's cute - there's even a picture of him on the path - but I still fail to understand how humans can get so worked up about it. Not wanting to appear too eager, I spend time gazing at the photographs along the way of men in suits and women in dresses shoveling dirt on the roots of trees. (I've seen my human gardening. She would never do it in a dress.)

 The photos are beside the trees they planted, some a long time ago, so the tree in the picture doesn't  look at all like the one in the ground. Here's one from 1991 where Queen Elizabeth, coached by Prince Philip, is teaming up with President George H.W. Bush to secure a Little Leaf Linden tree.

Some of the trees are very impressive, even to me. Like the two splendid magnolias providing a frame for the staircases leading up to the oval terrace of the Blue Room, planted in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson in memory of his wife. Thousands of wide shiny leaves provide deep shade for the garden furniture beneath them, though the one on the west side is held up by wires as the main trunk split years ago.

The newest tree is a White Dogwood planted last summer by newlyweds Henry and Jenna Bush Hager. Dogwoods, in spite of their unfortunate name, have wonderful ivory flowers that will be in bloom within weeks. A quick glance up at the windows of the residence on the second floor for any sign of you know who, but not a thing. I know dogs have to go outside some time. What are they waiting for?

 Thinking I'll give them one more chance, I see on the map we are next to the Jaqueline Kennedy  Garden that runs along the corridor to the East Wing.

There is a charming sitting area with a white trellis over the chairs and hanging baskets of purple petunias. Because it is April, the most prolific flower is the tulip, splashing yellows, reds, oranges in lines of vibrant color here and in the Rose Garden next to the West Wing. The roses are only beginning to leaf, with buds to come soon, a disappointment not being able to see them in full bloom.

Up close to the White House it's striking how very large the building is. Imagine the rooms to explore and closets to hide in...a dream house for a kitty, I'll bet. Hundreds of humans crowd the path from the stairs to the sidewalk leading to the Oval Office, cameras clicking away, with some asking perfect strangers to take their picture with the mansion in the background.

At the top of the drive I look south to the Tidal Basin and see the Jefferson Memorial. It's aligned perfectly so that the statue of Thomas Jefferson can clearly watch every move of the occupants of the White House. For a kitty who knows the power of the steady gaze, I'm very impressed.

Off a ways from the path is the new Kitchen Garden of organic vegetables installed by Mrs. Obama a few days before. With one last look back at the "people's home"...wait what is that I see in that window, there on the second floor, could it be? Maybe, maybe not. I'll let my imagination believe that was the puppy staring out at the masses.

Ah, what a life!

Why this Kitty Loves D.C.

Sitting in the open window gazing languidly out on a little forest, with squirrels scampering up the trees, birds singing and flittering among the branches, this little kitty is in heaven. I sniff the aromas of the outdoors, twitching my nose at the slightest scent. My sensitive hearing picks up the tiniest noise, my sharp ears flicking back and forth. Occasionally, I'll open my eyes beyond the comfortable slit they like to sustain. Generally, though, this is nirvana. That's what this kitty loves about D.C. My human comes into the room, chattering away on that irritating telephone thing that interrupts my tranquility when it chirps. He is saying he loves D.C. and I perk up a bit, since what could be better than what I just described. Here's what he says into the little black box in his hand:

"It hit me one of our first Saturday mornings. My wife and I were walking the mall near the Art Gallery, headed west. I felt the warm sun on my back and turned. Sitting in silhouette on the Hill, the Capitol Building looked ethereal, almost mystical.

"Turning back, I looked at the Washington Monument piercing a Mediterranean blue sky.

"On either side of us lined up neatly in two rows, the museums, soldier-like, waited for the soon to arrive influx of crowds. Few people were on the mall. It was ours alone at that time, almost intimate, even in its vastness. Once the day presses on and the thousands of visitors fill up the sidewalks, the mall and the museums, D.C. becomes more remote, less personal. It belongs to everyone a that point.

"This transformative quality is very catlike because D.C has that intimate quality when only a handful of people are around, and it has a feral, distant quality when chock full of visitors. In the mornings when the mall is empty, the trees bursting with flowers, the air still, we have walked from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial and back. You think about what surrounds you in that four miles. You think about all the sacrifice in the three great memorials, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. And you think about the histories stored in the many museums along the Mall.

"Back on the Hill, away from the museums and monuments, at Eastern Market you get a different kind of intimacy. We wandered among the tables of hand-made goods, picked up some fruit and veggies, had coffee, and chatted with the vendors. The sights, smells and sounds turn D.C. into a small town.

"All of this happens within the shadow of where monumental decisions are made. You know this power is there in the background, but the residents don't flaunt it, they simply accept it. It's that contradictory nature that makes the nation's capital truly unique."

He ends saying that they should have coffee soon, and walks out of the room. I guess humans are allowed to have their reasons for loving a place. Mine are out there in the little forest, flittering, singing and scampering. And if you're planning on going to this Mall place, sounds like you should go very early in the morning.

Happy Easter from Capital Cat