i don’t live in dc anymore but when i did, i had a favorite painting in the national gallery, a renoir of a young dancer. she calmed me when times were rough. i’d sit with her for a while, then grab a bite in the underground food court next to the waterfall. i’d roam the huge shop, see something i liked, go up and see the real thing, then go back to her for a bit. a whole day occupied for the price of a sandwich.

when i’m back in town, as i was last year, i save one day for this routine.