Angels

On Saturday, a beautiful clear cold afternoon, we wanted to stretch our legs, so we walked around a historic cemetery near G Town.   I was taken by the monuments with angels:

One family's fenced in plot

The light was striking for some nice photos.

The oldest plots we found were from the early 1800's.  There are older cemeteries, but this one on a hill overlooking the river is a beautiful resting place.

This morning snow had fallen, and Miss C and I walked Mrs T (work started late today because of the weather) to the train, well, part way to the train.  The easy walk of August was much more difficult in January's icy slush.  Miss C doesn't like her mittens, so we cut it short.  

More about last Tuesday

The invitation!

Do you remember the TV show, "You Were There?"

In the 1950's programs reenacted history, then at the end 

the announcer would say, "And You Were There!"  

I was there, indeed.

Birthday Today

"Happy Birthday, mommy"

Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

It's Mrs T's birthday today: we started with waffles and presents, just had cake, and Mr T is taking Mrs T out for dinner tonight.  Miss C loved the candles, the singing, and dancing.  This birthday means I've been a mom for 37 years!  Wow, kinda makes you feel old!

I'm still partly in WA DC; I watch the news with new eyes, I talk to people I may not have talked to before, I feel a new sense of connectedness to our country.  

My feelings, exactly

I just found this on CNN, and it says what I was feeling:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/o1/22/inauguration.peter.turnley/index.html

More Reflections

Looking across the Tidal Basin from the Jefferson Memorial

to the Washington Monument

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial with a frozen Tidal Basin and low hanging cherry branches

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial contains many bronzes, niches, and water features.

Frozen water features of the FDR Memorial

FDR's wisdom is etched into the stone of the memorial

Eleanor Roosevelt was the first delegate to the United Nations from the United States

The Original Smithsonian Building: porta-potties getting ready for the big day

We enjoyed the National Museum of the American Indian 

with a Fritz Scholder exibit.

And the restaurant is a treat: food from all of the Americas.

Gma La La, S, J & L outside the museum. 

We all look about 40 pounds heavier due to the layers and layers of clothes.  I wore every day: silk long johns (top and bottom), a cashmere sweater, a down vest, cashmere socks, and new cashmere gloves (Thanks, C & D) my warmest scarf, and jeans.  Once you put your hat on, it's over for the hair do.  But warmth is everything!

Inside the Indian Museum, looking up 

Our hotel connected to the Crystal City metro stop: very convenient!

The shopping was everywhere, and the crowds were taking full advantage of it: everyone was covered in "Obama"-wear, from hats and scarves, buttons, shirts, jackets.  You could also find calendars, framed and unframed posters, mugs, key chains, every possible souvenir.  I got the prize for the most shopping, but the next item always looked better than the last. 

HISTORY

Historic

Magical

Friendly and warm

Freezing cold

Smiles

United

"We are One"

Unforgettable

Witnessing

January 20, 2009

My view of the "Jumbo-Tron" via my camera being held over my head with the telephoto lens.

This is what it looked like, really!  I watched from the "blue standing" area. . . near the capitol, but off to the side.  You probably had a better view on your television at home, but it was a huge thrill to be present, to be a witness to this marvelous historical moment.

Just a few of the 1,800,000 estimated people who were present for 

our 44th President's Inauguration.  Everyone is waiting in some kind of a line, 

or looking for the line for their gate.

L and I are waiting for the ceremony to begin.  44 is a good number!

If you look closer on the button on my hat, every president is listed;  

I may learn American History whether I like it or not.

Sunday afternoon's "We Are One" Concert celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.

S, Gma La La, President Obama, J & L enjoying Washington, DC

BIG WEEKEND COMING UP

Well, what should a left hand coaster do when her pick for President of the United States of America actually wins the election and is to be inaugurated?  Why go to the Inauguration, of course.  So, I'm off to the "Other Washington."  I have every item of clothing that could possibly keep me warm packed, and chemical hand and foot warmers.  I did a trip to REI to stock up on new show-boarder mittens, and extra layers of wool and polar fleece.  If you see news coverage of four crazy grandmothers getting into trouble, that will be my little group of adventurers: L & J & S & Gma LaLa.  Whoo-Hoo!  Life is meant to be LIVED!