Happy MLK Day

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Interpretation Hobbyist

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, photographed January 19, 2026
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#ReadWithKalmia – Hum by Helen Phillips

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Interpretation Hobbyist

“‘We are all villains,’ the hum said. ‘The system only gives us villainous options.'”

I am trying The Ultimate Reading Challenge, which I picked up during the holiday season on a bit of an impulse after seeing it in an indie bookstore’s window.

Challenge: Read in a place you’ve never read before. (The place was the Sovereign Et Voila restaurant in DC. Well, I read this book at both restaurants, but this photo is from Et Voila; corrected 01/15/2026.)

Here is Kalmia with the book:

#ReadWithKalmia – Hum by Helen Phillips

Here is Kalmia with the reading challenge’s prize, a typewriter keychain:

Kalmia with keychain prize from The Ultimate Reading Challenge

And finally, here’s author Helen Phillips at the 2025 National Book Festival in Washington, DC.

Justine Kenin, Helen Phillips, and Leila Lalami discuss fictional dystopias and parallels with real life at the 2025 National Book Festival.

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#ReadWithKalmia – The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

“I started with the books and asked myself a question I’d never considered the answer to before: Who are you buying this for: the person you are, or the person you want to be?”

#ReadWithKalmia – The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders

Full of food for thought for 2026. Happy New Year!

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #21

Posted on December 25, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

The Festival of Trees was held at the Cow Palace at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in what I’ve seen referred to variously as Lutherville, Timonium, and Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland. Outside the building are agricultural photo panels including these, to give you a taste of what the building looks like year-round:

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Happy holidays to all!

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #20

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

A sweet tree (from the Festival of Trees) for your Christmas Eve, for those who celebrate!

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #19

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

This moose-y scene greeted visitors entering the Cow Palace for the Festival of Trees. Like actual cows, moose are called cows (female adults), bulls (male adults), and calves (juveniles).

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #18

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

A wreath at the Festival of Trees.

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #17

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

Ornament from a book-themed tree at the Festival of Trees.

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #16

Posted on December 20, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

I loved browsing the vendor booths at the Festival of Trees and supporting some local (Delaware is pretty local even if not technially DMV) businesses for my holiday shopping.

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Festival of Trees Countdown to Christmas Photo #15

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Interpretation Hobbyist

A very plaid tree at the Festival of Trees.

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