Christmas Tree Lighting On the Ellipse (20081205)

This was a fun day with Kiera.  Rebbecca had obtained seating tickets for us and all we had to do was show up for the annual tradition on the Ellipse which was being held on December 5. 

(Of note is that when I was a youngster the Ellipse was set up for baseball with about 4 or 5 ballfields where the local colleges and others could play and where anyone could wander out and watch.  Mom might take me down to the Ellipse area where we would park and wait for Dad to meet us from work during which wait we'd watch a ballgame.  In the Fall you'd still see baseball but there would be footballs thrown around as well.  The Ellipse was not necessarily on Truman's route when he would take his "constitutional" but noone would have been surprised to see Truman walk past with his quick pace.  The only threat to Truman then (although there was an attack by a couple of Puerto Ricans who were staged at what was then a drugstore at the SW corner of PA and 17th streets and who failed in their targeting of Truman when he was in the area of the Blair House) were the press who tried to keep up with him in his walks.  Nevertheless, today there is a permanent Christmas tree on the north end of the Ellipse and there are strict restrictions on where you can and cannot walk.  Baseball  ... well not like it was before).

We arrived in plenty of time and the weather was relatively mild.  There was a threat for rain and we (KES) dressed accordingly.  The pics belie the chilly weather we had been experiencing but pansies seem to be hardy downtown.

KES needed some hair adjustment when we met Rebbecca but then it was off to our seats.

Once in the seating area there was entertainment to help pass the time and  between jugglers and carolers the time passed quickly.

We were greeted by the dignitaries and, of course, our President and the First Lady.  The speeches were of the right length, the entertainment truly that and

  

the tree was magnificent.  A glorious evening and introduction to the Advent season.

During the program it turned colder, largely due to a brisk wind, and we headed back to the parking garage for our car in anticipation of the rain we sensed was coming.  In fact, only about 25 yards from the garage the rain began.  The evening was superb and our timing faultless. 

#40

Can't pass November 30 without a comment.  Another wonderful day with family in celebrating "Our Anniversary."  Following church we were treated by Aaron to omelets which were probably the best in preparation and taste I can recall ... and that says something.  He was up against "Steve, the Horse Thief" and Wackerbarth's "Dust Mop" special.  Talking of the Wackerbarths - we would have enjoyed more of the Kringle but for it having been "polished off'" early Thanksgiving Day.  Was a wonderful day again with family topped off by a sumptuous beef loin dinner at home with all that night.  Thanks kids.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

It's been a while and really without an excuse.  I need to develop better habits in writing.  In any event, Thanksgiving was a busy and wonderful day.  Everyone was here and everyone was healthy.  The morning dawned brisk and sunny.  In fact, the morning sun gave the opportunity to catch the last bit of leaf color available.  Most of the leaves are down (save the oak and a few stragglers) and have been taken away by the City to who knows where ... perhaps a mulch pile for the future?

The morning began particularly early for Aaron, Rebbecca, and Kiera who completed their "2nd Annual Turkey Trot" over a 3 mile measured course.   Sometimes running is helped by a "helping hand."

Kiera liked the one showing both of her feet off the ground at the same time.  The stroller suggests that both of the feet may have been off the ground before the photographer arrived.

When finished, there was no panting from the runners although the photographer was breathing a little heavier since it was time to "run" to Dulles to collect Amy. 

 

Aaron helped with the fire 

and the table was readied by Sheila, including

edible decorations (not to include candles and wicker).

While others rested there was one who was thinking ahead to Christmas and red and green decorations to replace those of brown and gold.

Was a wonderful day with family and a wonderful weekend followed.  Next visit will be the National  Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

11th HOUR, 11th DAY, 11th MONTH

The morning in Manassas was cold (26) but sunny.  We left early for Arlington Cemetary for the Veteran's Day activities and were comfortably seated in the ampitheater shortly after 10 for the 11 am service.  President Bush was in NY City and the speaker was VP Cheney.  Although it was cold all day as the temperature barely reached 50 in the afternoon, we were warmed by the sun and the blanket beneath us shielding us from the cold marble seats.  We had also dressed warmly for the day and there were enough people present that the light wind never reached us as we sat in our places.

I remember as a youngster that at 11:00 am, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we would always stand for a moment of silence.  At that point the day was called Armistice Day and remained as that until 1954 when President Eisenhower renamed the day "Veteran's Day" so as to honor veterans from all wars.  The significance in the 11/11/11 was that that was the exact time the Treaty of Versailles was signed, thus "Armistice Day."  Armistice Day was not a federal or school holiday when I was a child but the moment of silence would be exercised wherever you might be, whether at school, at work, at the Hecht's store downtown, or alone by yourself at home.  As you might guess I kept my eye on my "synchronized" watch this morning and we did not rise until 11:00:20 am.  I suspect I could have stood up alone at 11 sharp, but .....    

We were two rows behind a couple from the Netherlands (assuming so since they were speaking Dutch) and they were obviously travelers dressed in their matching, insulated jackets.  She was holding flags for both.

As might be expected there were many vets scattered throughout those in attendance.  Without exaggeration, they were of all shapes, sizes, and dress.  Some had just climbed off their motorcycles and others were in suits and ties.  They shared one thing in common.  When the flag procession and recession occurred you didn't have to worry about whether they knew how to show respect for the flag.  There wasn't a hand that failed to salute or cover the heart and each knew where to look to find the flag.  It was also a relief to enjoy the National Anthem without some numbscull emphasizing the "O."  We truly felt as if we were in the company of patriots.  Many wore their hats designating their Vet status and there were hats from all over the country.  There were vets from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Iraq.  Apparently there is only one remaining WWI vet yet alive and he is 108 years of age and lives in WVA.  He was in WVA today too.

  

Of special note (and not the reason I was there) was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  Still a "10!"

Again, Vice President Cheney spoke and Bo Derek seemingly enjoyed every word.  In the previous pic you can see VP Cheney blowing his nose.  He was obviously "under the weather."  His voice was soft and his skin color had a pallor that without the nose blowing might have been the cause for some concern.

During the address the US flag slightly below and to VP Cheney's right (our left, of course)

toppled over; fortunately caught by its bearer before it touched ground.  He was quicker than I was with my camera but I did catch the final moment after he had replaced the flag in its cup and was checking how securely it was held.  

Also in attendance were several cabinet members but we will concentrate on the most recent of several IU attendees and graduates who have served President Bush in his cabinet, Secretary of Defense Gates. 

After the ceremony I was able to capture a pic of another flag bearer.  One of the flags will go to Justin's mother;  the other to Belart's mother.

The hillsides at Arlington are used for memorial stones placed for servicemen who were confirmed to have died but whose remains were never found.  There are 11 (coincidentally) such sections in the cemetary and the markers are close enough that you might easily conclude that the stones are, in fact, solely memorials.

Throughout the cemetary you would find people lingering at markers that were obviously of family members.  I took a picture of a woman seated in a chair next to a marker with one hand on the gravestone.  Her other hand was turning pages of a photo album.  Being neither a photojournalist nor one interested in intruding on what was obviously a very personal moment, and out of embarrassment that I took the picture in the first place, I deleted it from those taken.  The one below is a little different.  In fact, there was a little laughter shared among those seated around the grave marker.

Not much laughter here.  When you enlarge the pic read the honor and then note the age.  Arlington is filled with heroes and there were several times today when I had to force back the swelling forming in my throat.

Hope it was a meaningful day for each of you.  "See" you soon.

BULL RUN

Today was one of those Fall days when the outdoors invites and you can't refuse.  The temperature hovered around 60 all afternoon and the sky was generally overcast with a peek from the sun every once in a while.   SNS and I headed to Bull Run and the Battlefield Park for an afternoon walk and found that many from western Fairfax County and Manassas had similar thoughts.  There were walkers, picnickers, and joggers all in numbers we had not seen before.  As we began the stroll we continually found ourselves standing aside for the joggers and we were surprised at how young some of them were.  One such youngster was trailing behind his jogging mother by about 30 feet while she was persistent in encouraging that he catch up.  Frankly, his "jog" was too animated to be of any effect and he truly looked like he belonged behind a joystick or TV; certainly not on a trail.  Thirty feet was not doing much for meaningful time together.  SNS and I were most content to walk.

This is a pic of Bull Run looking N.  Although there are leaves yet to fall, most of the color has vanished.  Having said that, this has been a most colorful Fall.  The colors along the run would have been better two weeks ago.

This pic is looking S toward the Stone Bridge.  The current is slow and the leaves are collecting before passing the bridge.

Although the pic may not be sufficiently clear it depicts the Park's policy of leaving everything in as natural a state as possible.  The only exception seems to be in clearing the paths from fallen trees.  The sides of the trails are lined with trees downed by storms and not all are recent casualties.  APS - where is your chain saw?

It took a while but after waiting and having been benefited by dwindling numbers the trail ahead of us cleared for a pic.  

The afternoon activity was another of the benefits in living in the Manassas area.  

"See" you soon.

DAY ONE

Well - this will surely be interesting.  We'll see how religious I am in keeping up with the writing and news and pics that I'll want to share.  This may not last long but, then again .....  It will certainly be a help when SNS and I travel and want to forward experiences and pics.  It will also be a means by which we can share with each other our thoughts and responses.   This will be principally for family and close friends.

  At least I have the approval of my special friend for this undertaking.