It happens every year. Every year, usually in April, Washington is overrun with folks who come here from all over in order to stomp around the tidal basin and take a peek at the cherry blossoms. A lovely gift from Japan, the cherry trees. Especially considering the fire storms we ignited over there. But, those were different times. That was then, this is now. The out-of-towners come with their children and, in some cases, their dogs. There are no hotel rooms to be had. The cabbies are happy people for a change. The visitors trod over the tidal basin area and they compact the earth into the density of concrete. Some years we get a wind storm and all of the flower blow away. It's all part of the cherry blossom game. Or a freeze. Sometimes we get an April ice storm or snow storm ever. Those situations do not make for happy cherry blossom viewing. But none of that happened this year. This year was Perfect Year No. 26. The temperature was moderate all week, the weather cooperative, the skies, blue and still, the security alerts yellowish, the blossoms delicate and a delight to the eye. No bombings or threat of bombings. Nothing but peace and beauty. As it should, no doubt, be.

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