Obrigado anne_ct, I've been there three times accompanying my wife who was there for conferences or other meetings associated with a US/Brazil exchange program she was running between two universities in Brazil and two here (Ohio State and University of Virginia) Since she was often in meetings or conferences I often spent that time traveling around the city alone. Its such a city of contrasts: the beaches, the mountains, the urban buildings, the tijuca forest, the skyscrapers and the favelas. This is looking down from somewhere within the Santa Marta favela out over the skyscrapers below. and looking down the length of Copacabana Beach toward Sugar Loaf. The bridge for the trolley from Rio Centro to Santa Teresa Tudo Bem

I don't recall ever flying into Dulles... I was supposed to once and my luggage made it, but I did not, so my vision of Dulles is something quite different -- the dreary grey cages where they hold luggage hostage. :p Pic from a taste test of my earliest tomatoes last year. As I recall, Sun Gold won with Black Cherry a close second.

I've got a picture similar to your puzzle gazania. From one of the few hunts I was able to make it to this year. For the ornamental grasses, I've found that if I take a hedge trimmer to them I can cut them down in about 1 minute. Much easier than using a hand clippers.

So beautiful, Casey - always go to find your photos first - you make my day start off beautifully! Thank you.... Didn't think I would be posting publically. Here's some white Wisteria with Cecil Bruner Rose to greet me every morning - nope won't post but I did try... :)