Miscellaneous

Good evening, friends. And we're still here in Wash, DC. Yesterday we were in the rain most of the day. Along with what must be every school on the East Coast having their annual trip to Washington. We're delighted to see our school children being shown our country's Capital City. What we are very much less delighted by, is the lack of respect these youngsters seem to show. We saw the War Memorials the afternoon we arrived, as it was too late to try to get into any of the 'inside' museums. We could walk along outside as long as we wished. I had promised myself I would not see any of these, (I'm far too emotional). DH & our friend said "you need to see these", and off we go. With me saying every step of the way "Well, I WON'T go see the Viet Nam Memorial". The WWII Memorial was simply awesome. I didn't think it would 'bother me', but folks, when I thought about the sacrifices made by those people who gave their lives in this war for me, my family & friends, my country, I had to start wiping the eyes. The 2 gentlemen with me, are both Veterans, and even though each sort of rolled their eyes at my 'waterworks'{ as they put it}, when each thought nobody was watching, I saw some eyes get dried. The school kids - unfortunately, were running, high-fiving with their friends, on the cell phones, hollering at each other, even climbing in places where they should not have been. It was quite upsetting to us older folk. I think these youngsters just don't realize the sacredness of this place. The Viet Nam Memorial was not quite so bad, but still - some running, and noise making. I did NOT stop to try to find any names, although my 2 guys did. I just walked & looked, felt proud & sad, sniffling & wiping my eyes again. I did NOT go to the Holocaust Museum...I KNEW I would be a basket case in there. Tuesday, we did the American History Museum and I loved seeing the First Ladies' dresses, their china and then different Halls with displays of Americana that was most enjoyable. Today we did the Aerospace Museum, and the Natural History museum. Saw the Hope Diamond & boy, does it sparkle. Also went through a display on gemstones, what they are made of, how & where they are found...then into another area where we saw mummies, various skeletons, some stuff about forensic study of skeletons, what scientists can deduce from recovered bones. Most interesting. Unfortunately by late afternoon, my back & hip start to hurt from the unaccoustomed walking, and my attention focus wanders from what I'm seeing to "I wanna sit down". But we ARE having fun, and it is an honor to be able to see & enjoy these things of my country. Washington is a very clean city, at least the part we've seen. We walk to a Metro (subway). Where we have lived, no subways. So this is a big challenge for DH & me. Our friend is from a big City (Boston), so he's subway literate!

I have just barely covered the highlights of the sights we've been fortunate enough to enjoy. Just wanted to touch base in case anyone was stopping to visit. Thanks for spending a bit of time with me this evening, and hope to be back soon. Until then, God Bless.