Inauguration

I am just home from work/errands and although my colleagues at City Hall had small TV's going today, and radios, I chose to wait until later to watch the festivities of the inauguration. Fred recorded it on Direct TV, so it will be fun to watch. I've only looked at a few photographs, and watched and listened to the video of Aretha Franklin singing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", which was very moving. Who better than the woman hailed by her peers as the most wonderful voice?

All this said, I wondered how many of you have been to Washington, D.C.? It's an amazing transient city. My Aunt Fernie, my Mom, and my Great-Aunt Ferne and I went to DC many years ago to visit our Aunt Ruth, who lived and worked there for over 40 years. After that, I had the great opportunity to travel to DC many times. There is so much to see and do. History filled, and poignant. Arlington Cemetery; all the great monuments; George Washington's home-Mount Vernon, it's all simply overwhelming and staggering.

Today, as I looked at still photographs of "The Mall", which is the space between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capital, I could not help but imagine and visualize myself there, having walked that journey a couple of times. It's quite a haul, to say the least!

If you ever have a chance to visit, do it. There is so much to see and do. You will get a greater understanding of how much money we spend on our government! I'd be a good tour guide, too...so if you ever think about going, count me in! (Spring and Summer are the busiest times of year, and it does get rather hot and humid, being "the south"...but Autumn - after Labor Day is perfect! I'd plan on 4-5 days to see it all, and travel about some. Shopping, eating and sight-seeing can be relatively inexpensive, if you know how to get around. The "M", which is the transit system is the only way to go, and is affordable and safe.

Anyway, I love DC! I am fortunate to have been there before security became so intense - we actually rode the underground trams from senate offices to the White House and dined in the Senate Dining room. I highly doubt that could happen now.

With Mom, Aunt Ferne, Aunt Ruth all gone now, it's just me and Aunt Fernie to remember the fun of DC. We have a few stories to tell, for sure.