I was walking (OK, trudging) along a rainy city street a few days after Christmas when the storm suddenly cleared, right at sunset. The clouds turned stunningly rose-gold, and, much to my surprise, a rainbow arced over the Chinatown gate. My fellow Washingtonians and I indulged in some childlike glee as we stood on the sidewalk, snapping the phenomenon with our smartphones. I’ve never seen anything like it in the city; the last time I remember seeing such a prominent rainbow was on a muddy horseback ride in the Irish countryside more than a decade ago. I couldn’t help but think it’s a good omen on the cusp of the new year!