<br>

<center>![884505_10151584621213832_1282037835_o.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/l02ThN00-884505_10151584621213832_1282037835_o.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>*If you were looking for me, maybe fifty-two Saturdays ago, I was at the Kite Festival. Come join me here as we enjoy the festivities! And don't forget We are going to have a wonderfully fabulous time! There was something magical about seeing all those kites dancing in the air around the Capitol and the Smithsonian Castle.*<center>
<br>

<center>Many pardons from me, they canceled the Kite Festival due to the ongoing ban on the gathering of people. Being a little sad about giving up the festival, I am using many pieces of the posts from the last Kite Festival. Sit back and enjoy it. Who doesn't love to fly a kite?</center>

<br>

<center>*Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite
Let's go fly a kite!
From Mary Poppins*</center>



<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkv8TJ7oas1VSftXXG4S2Pdc7nQ339qNBroSbZZB9kCMugwyFjoKh3znaCAY7.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/s1CdnsCG-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkv8TJ7oas1VSftXXG4S2Pdc7nQ339qNBroSbZZB9kCMugwyFjoKh3znaCAY7.jpg)</center>


<br>

 *Imagine hundreds of kites in every color, shape, and size soaring skyward around the Washington Monument and you will begin to appreciate the Blossom Kite Festival. Kite fliers of all ages from across the United States and the world gather to fly handmade kites and compete for prizes during this colorful event.*

*The Kite Festival features a handmade kite competition for children and adults, with awards given in categories such as most artistic, most humorous and most patriotic. Other highlights include a Hot Tricks kite flying competition and the popular Rokkaku Kite battle, in which Japanese-style kites battle each other for sole command of the sky.*

*The original Smithsonian Kite Festival was sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum. It was founded in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber (1899-1992).*

*- Blossom Kite Festival*

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmpnP6CvMYKpiFT7WzgK1nUjLoHuU3cpvcseCUeQ5jUm4baSB6NaSzJcrwKGY8.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/HOM78veG-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmpnP6CvMYKpiFT7WzgK1nUjLoHuU3cpvcseCUeQ5jUm4baSB6NaSzJcrwKGY8.jpg)</center>


<br>

<center>*You could bring your own kites or kids got to make a kite at an activity station... to fly on the Public Field. It was awesome! You could hear laughter behind every corner.*<center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhbHakh1daC12zQK2sdgsPHLZhLwJQa315kXgVSLTRJp7ohrkz3vGm9KAuehL.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/gwPlmIVA-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhbHakh1daC12zQK2sdgsPHLZhLwJQa315kXgVSLTRJp7ohrkz3vGm9KAuehL.jpg)</center>

<br>

### <center>**Seriously, Where would we be without our little bird? Fly your kite, then follow the bird!** </center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmicRwLHM3cdGpZTSNGE5XVieq5XhY5rp2srWJNVBFAt6qDF1VvDK1Q3q7Nmt4.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/aY8x09q5-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmicRwLHM3cdGpZTSNGE5XVieq5XhY5rp2srWJNVBFAt6qDF1VvDK1Q3q7Nmt4.jpg)</center>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrU6KTuuW27axCzEyjZonWtNibTWSX2VjAC8vxecq51Ep3XnuznKqZsNtUUNYd3S5GKoLzgSow9sjhTTQUxZA8cHtJJ.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/NZjia3Ro-7ohP4GDMGPrU6KTuuW27axCzEyjZonWtNibTWSX2VjAC8vxecq51Ep3XnuznKqZsNtUUNYd3S5GKoLzgSow9sjhTTQUxZA8cHtJJ.png)</center>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmidUGkEEKEo1u7V384QvaCcoud72a3T2vEwangzhz3ReBRrynGrhx1cvX8oc5.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/k7HMgm73-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmidUGkEEKEo1u7V384QvaCcoud72a3T2vEwangzhz3ReBRrynGrhx1cvX8oc5.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>*The kite festival was free entry, like most things in Washington, DC (I know!! Don't hate us!) but, there were a few enterprising people out there trying to make a living. This gentleman was selling kites, if you didn't want to make your own in the kite tent or you didn't bring one, have no fear! He had plenty of them! And they were selling like hotcakes!*<center> 

<br>

<center>![882608_10151585822058832_965994656_o.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/5hMtZkct-882608_10151585822058832_965994656_o.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>*In Japan, Children’s Day is a day set aside dedicated to flying carp-shaped windsocks, like these, to celebrate this traditional event.  — at The Washington Monument At National Mall*</center>


<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoCfr8qndXr7pDaCKgbwPBLhHj31xGERKf4DQwXUwB6qNShFKijEcKWJ5tgMf.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/RXuxtObu-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoCfr8qndXr7pDaCKgbwPBLhHj31xGERKf4DQwXUwB6qNShFKijEcKWJ5tgMf.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>*Just the beginning! In no time it would be people overload! The Kite Festival is an annual event that is a part of the festivities at the  Blossom Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC*</center> 

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoUabTgdyeJxaN17k8sUcp5HGsbpQTpBdfMUKyZuaJXiiW8JnycdhJXXdHNNE.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/hOICoeNu-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoUabTgdyeJxaN17k8sUcp5HGsbpQTpBdfMUKyZuaJXiiW8JnycdhJXXdHNNE.jpg)</center>

<br>

### <center>This enterprising woman flies double-fisted. She officially gets my utmost respect. — at The Washington Monument At National Mall</center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkvsXrey6hAKX6CiR9WEQ6YbSSL2QtdRhye2uWS2skKwAtwm6v7c5db4z3hR8.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/XvNMLWIm-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkvsXrey6hAKX6CiR9WEQ6YbSSL2QtdRhye2uWS2skKwAtwm6v7c5db4z3hR8.jpg)</center>

<br>

### <center>Smithsonian Castle fly-about — at Smithsonian Castle</center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoWvnHpwcr3B4rbMvHmCxPtLKkqQXoNUFxDqo4pR1HEBjCw4gJYsVoXpWou2E.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/X3PQ5eka-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoWvnHpwcr3B4rbMvHmCxPtLKkqQXoNUFxDqo4pR1HEBjCw4gJYsVoXpWou2E.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>*The Blossom Kite Festival was formerly known as the Smithsonian Kite Festival and, it migrated to its new name a couple of years ago. I refuse to change the name. (in my head anyway) It is wildly popular and people tend to kick off their official spring walkabouts with this event. How much more cheerful can we get with all those kites in the air? And while you may think that they are only around the Washington Monument, think again! You can walk up and down the Mall and the Tidal Basin where the Cherry Trees are, and, everywhere is littered with rogue kites flying high. It is a wonderful sight!*</center>


<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoBQZu6YfHW8yV5wJX8dgxzssAAA82SX7j6ov3ckML1y3e9HuVK4EmQJtACDn.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/gNXBFZCV-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmoBQZu6YfHW8yV5wJX8dgxzssAAA82SX7j6ov3ckML1y3e9HuVK4EmQJtACDn.jpg)</center>


<br>

<center>*The bright pink tents were all vendors that were selling kite related items, including extra string, glue, plus the regular trinkets for the visitors that wanted a memento of their time in our Nation's Capital. The markets were over-plentiful.*</center>

<br>

<center>![text15.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWXynVma7pYo3MCivJ5Cb6Nfae2uMGNt11YGxqysBGqBW/text15.png)</center>


## <center>STOP!! BRAIN TEASER AHEAD!!</center>

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmacw8Uv8JNjMNX8Lp51U8FcFLsubsJcwJhJUWx4EGpTdw/image.png)<center>

[source](https://www.google.com/search?q=brain+teaser&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwiryz2NfeAhVRvFkKHbqPDOIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1384&bih=678)55

<br>
<center>*Question: If there are three apples and you take away two, how many do you have?*</center>
<br>
<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmd53MAusxrNAv1YDQFg96c6n9pFW6d8cM1tfUJ68tE1Ao/image.png)</center>

[source](https://www.google.com/search?q=brain+teaser&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwiryz2NfeAhVRvFkKHbqPDOIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1384&bih=678)
<br>
<center>*Answer: If you take away two apples, then, of course, you have two.*</center>

<br>

<center>![text15.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWXynVma7pYo3MCivJ5Cb6Nfae2uMGNt11YGxqysBGqBW/text15.png)</center>

<br>
<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhfdZQF3NvBZWrGTkK7mzLPgNAAZeo9sbN5icSfxxLsuU6M7p8xhncwKppu74.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/eSR5grDR-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhfdZQF3NvBZWrGTkK7mzLPgNAAZeo9sbN5icSfxxLsuU6M7p8xhncwKppu74.jpg)</center>


<br>
<center>I loved watching the experienced adults showing the kids how to fly a kite. So many hours spent bonding over the meaning of *drag and lift.* Eventually, there were literally hundreds and hundreds, perhaps more - in the sky. It was a most glorious sight!</center>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmh2jcdzwPGKQ1YxwykjHLnFSTG4qYi4MHGA7YeTiBMTvxj1YiM49fDC2KM3oE.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/iHx2pkSz-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmh2jcdzwPGKQ1YxwykjHLnFSTG4qYi4MHGA7YeTiBMTvxj1YiM49fDC2KM3oE.jpg)</center>

<br>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmavSadTM2yr4wH1JeJzP5fp4qJEc84SqMkNj5LK1LzmCS/1.png</center>
<br>
## <center>Let's Fly a Kite Sing-A-Long!!! You know you want to!!!!</center>

<br>
<center>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56GRSGxe5nI</center>

<br>

 <center>*Did you know that April is National Kite Month? Would you like to know all about kite flying? Check it out [here](http://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/)*</center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmks8JYsP5Gz32q2VrZ8xhFoVmhQpCm97iTqiBSSojNfRpmEJxxBbVY2jVBL6g.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/RyRnBc7n-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmks8JYsP5Gz32q2VrZ8xhFoVmhQpCm97iTqiBSSojNfRpmEJxxBbVY2jVBL6g.png)</center>


<br>

### <center>Everyone was there... and at any event, big or small, they always have pet stations that have treats and water available for free.</center>

<br>


<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkvVocxok6SmhcBbTuaQqFAyRXL8Z31RXMfqTgPYmTDJYYRRbBkdbe5harNmZ.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/46mzxikp-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkvVocxok6SmhcBbTuaQqFAyRXL8Z31RXMfqTgPYmTDJYYRRbBkdbe5harNmZ.png)</center>


<br>

## <center>Kite appears smaller than the actual size. It was a huge monster of a thing.</center>

<br>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmitieJGk1gcrXBpE22ZWkGj3qcHsKfaL6uUJaQA748AX7m7DM2DtkbmHNPvch.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/kBsFYWqA-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmitieJGk1gcrXBpE22ZWkGj3qcHsKfaL6uUJaQA748AX7m7DM2DtkbmHNPvch.png)</center>

<br>

<center>*The Rokkaku Battle features hexagonal-shaped fighter kites commonly flown in Japan and now in many other parts of the world. In the Battle, teams of kite fliers compete to “cut” or “ground” opposing kites. The Hot Tricks Showdown is a competition in which multi-line kite fliers engage in a series of one-on-one competitions and maneuver their sport kites in amazing flight patterns during 30 seconds of music. The winners are selected by audience applause. [Source](https://www.pepco.com/News/Pages/2015-03-26.aspx)*</center>

<br>


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https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/cLtbfy8K-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmpmdmMCRrWqJz1g8p35e4wb67uQsaYPdW1ZT7TV7MFpTx5VS5hTLKLBQDvm9H.jpg

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<div class="pull-right">
https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/CPp5BNvW-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmjtvVbtXw4sWeiUELVqvEMa2jsvoGZWGfHpKQXTXqSDRhzyN6xjNcG1PN1Q8N.jpg

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<br>

<center>*Let's look carefully at this pretzel vendor. He has his pretzels in a Safeway shopping cart with nothing... right in the cart. The germy, bacteria-infested cart. No gloves... I wish I had a video. Hands the man his money with NO gloves and reaches down and gets him a pretzel. Yes, Martha. I reported him to the Health Department and sent his picture along for good measure. I wonder how people get hepatitis (or worse?) Note the man in blue, in the second picture. He doesn't believe his eyes.*</center>


<br>


<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmp9yfiSjqp8FxTUy3eofKeiX5wVopx8srqEvnvAUs5fM1MMCEf3yGkQKddygu.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/amFHYyAv-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmp9yfiSjqp8FxTUy3eofKeiX5wVopx8srqEvnvAUs5fM1MMCEf3yGkQKddygu.jpg)<center>


<br>

#### <center>*When they weren't flying, they were climbing — at The Washington Monument At National Mall*</center>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmQfXRG4gCDgp2doUC8rHYGUzLGUd2bY7dkzr7DthU8HGD/26.png</center>

<center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkZE8ghKDxbZVcqUZDtf661KuNLV8tUySXr3nnCvugKvLFK1aPFSc5Wdn6sum.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/IeEGKfK4-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmkZE8ghKDxbZVcqUZDtf661KuNLV8tUySXr3nnCvugKvLFK1aPFSc5Wdn6sum.jpg)</center>


<br>

### <center>Dog dead tired! I'm pretty sure he is singing *Day is Done* in his dreams.</center>

<br>

 <center>![7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhbDmyARHFgd2RT2NXSVGPf6GQJP4vPRkYjayk639zdH4tSZ8u4SYJ4QqUmAf.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/Q0yeAHE5-7ohP4GDMGPrUMp8dW6yuJTR9MKNu8P8DCXDU9qmmhbDmyARHFgd2RT2NXSVGPf6GQJP4vPRkYjayk639zdH4tSZ8u4SYJ4QqUmAf.jpg)</center>

<br>


### <center>*Til next year — at Washington Monument National Monument*</center>

<br>

<center>![1.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/PGcONYqq-1.png)</center>

<br>
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:

### How to Participate:

1. Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service. I once went to a nail salon.
 
2.Take pictures! Be creative (or not)
3.Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
4.Post the picture(s)
5.Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by @dswigle
6.Drop the link to your post here so I can easily find them


It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe! C’mon! Show me your market shots! I eagerly await them!

<center>![text16.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcvVqhGMbF1KAHTn9Wh8FiRhmpAbiEuAKerVM7ugDnXfX/text16.png)</center>
I love to share and be shared with! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! I promise you! Don't forget to use the Hive-196308 or hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.


<br>

### <center>*A flower. There must always be a flower to color my world.*</center>

<br>

<center>![902237_10151578454328832_1293532648_o.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dswigle/Q3AZh895-902237_10151578454328832_1293532648_o.jpg)</center>

<br>
<center>And just like that,  #MarketFriday is done! Thank you for participating, either by joining the challenge or by reading the posts. Peruse the other #MarketFriday posts and enjoy the different cultures or the world. You won't be sorry.</center>


https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYgCswWus2jPtobBw4PaKueVxfSe6M2CY5oiWNTqqYi6F/image.png</center>



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</div>

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<br>

# [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/denise.wigle)

# [Twitter](https://twitter.com/dswigle)

# [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dswigle)
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<br>

****


<center>*Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Some days, it is not easy to see, how wonderful our world really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.*</center>

<br>


<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQme4HQjpZUd5oJyxQ37JF1C3Kc7vd4LjvmLjJpNXChFrmk/14.png</center>

<center>*they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?*</center>

<center>*i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.*</center>

<center>*later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,*</center>

<center>*"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"*</center>

<center>warsan shire</center>

<br>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmavSadTM2yr4wH1JeJzP5fp4qJEc84SqMkNj5LK1LzmCS/1.png</center>

<br>

SteemUSA is a Community for and supporting those from of in the United States, and now is in the process of rebuilding stronger than ever! Join us on Discord!

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